I've been riding my Z400 for 15 months now and I think it's a great quad, however, I've been riding my wife's Scrambler 400 4X2 and I really enjoy riding it too. I know the Polaris is heavier and slower, but it's not that much slower, in fact the 400 2-stroke is pretty impressive. What I like most about the Scrambler is the ride. It just plain soaks up bumps alot better than my Suzuki. I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'm considering selling the Z and getting a Scrambler 400. I figure I can sell the Z for enough to get a nicely modded Polaris, i.e., pipe, clutch kit, airbox mods and maybe even carb and some motor work (port and polish). I need to know what kind of performance I can expect to get from a modded Scrambler and how it would stack up against other quads? Also, what kind of motor work can I do without sacrificing reliability? Thanks for your help![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

The mods for the 400 are endless. You can go all out and for $2500 you can have an 85HP powervalved motor. Thats on race gas. It could even go to around 100HP. For around $850 you can the HPD trail mod which makes around 60HP

 

There is a guy on here that goes by Polarisfreak,he is from Tulsa he has a modded sport that you can check out.I think you will be surprised.

 

Scrambler is one of the best all around recreational machines. Like the others suggested HPD for motor work, and try Hot Seat for some great suspension mods.

 

aaen performance too they really are great quads

 

I was in the opposite boat as you are. I had a 99 Sport, with all of the HPD goodies, Wiseco piston, reed kit, this and that. It was a great machine. Never let me down. It was fast. Real fast. In a straight line. I just got tired of it's size and weight. I tried in vain to sell it. $2600. No takers. Finally, I just about gave the thing away.

I then bought a 390 pound sportbike. Handled like a dream. Jumped like a dream. I finally found out what it was like to ride a quad all day and not be thrashed from trying to manipulate a 500 pound quad through the woods all day long. I also found out what it was like to corner fast, and go through the whoops at a decent clip. I wasn't the fastest in a straight line, but the woods was another story. I also really enjoyed getting back into a manual clutch.

I am in no way trying to bash the Scrambler. I'd just hate to see you have buyers regrets. Take the wifes Scrambler out on a full weekend riding trip. Make sure it's for you. If you like the plush ride, which they do have, think about upgrading the suspension on your Z.

 

Really? A clutch in the woods? I think you're in the minority on this one. The cvt is the cat's *** for wooded trails. However, I do agree with you that he should spend a good deal of time on the Scrambler since he has one available, just to be sure it's for him. Personally, after having snowmobiled for 30 years, I would never own a shifter quad. Way too much work for my lazy ***![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Agreed, autos are fun, and easy. Matter of fact, after I got my Sport, I traded in my auto clutch, manual shift utility quad for the new at the time auto tranny Kodiak. Autos are great, don't get me wrong, but in a sport bike application, I would think the majority of riders like the manual clutch over an auto.

 

automatics are fun for a while but get boring a lot quicker than a manual shift quad. to keep them from being boring u have to keep fixing them up which gets expensive.

 

Thanks everyone for all the good advice. I still don't know what I'll do yet. I can get Works shocks for the Z for about $330. What makes this decision even harder is I found a good deal today on an 03 Trailblazer 400. Slightly used for $3499. I could sell the Z and buy the Trailblazer with enough money left over for the HPD Trail Mod Kit ($825). How fast is the Polaris with this kit installed?

Trail Mod Porting
Bore Cylinder 1 Size bigger
Wisco Forged Piston
Trail Mod Head
Bore Carburetor w/jets
Gasket Kit
Trail Pipe
Clutch Kit

My Z has these mods:

LRD full exhaust
Pro-Design Pro-Flow adapter
K&N filter
Dynojet kit
Pro-Design case saver
CFM inline cooler
EHS Racing airbox lid
Applied Racing quick adjust clutch lever
Big Cohoona shock covers
K&K ATV graphics kit

The Z is pretty fast for a 4-stroke 400 with no motor work. I can run even with and sometimes beat stock Raptors. How would this compare to the HPD 400.
Thanks!