THe 500 muds better due to the lowend torque.Both handle the same.400 wheelies easier (500 wheelies real easy after a clutch kit)Basicly boils down to your preferances on 2stroke or 4stroke.

 

the 500 will do better in the mud,the 400 will handle better and wheelie better because of the weight difference..the 500 has valves that need to be adjusted unlike the 400 thats why i think the 500 requires more maintence than the 400..i have the 400 my buddy has the 500 both same years and bought from the same place,he takes good care of his machine.he called me up lastnight telling me how his motor is rapping bad,i havent heard it but my 400 2-stroke is still running strong and it gets beat..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Hello Idle,

My personal dreference is 2 stroke, I've got a 1992 Trail Boss and never had any trouble, I've got a 2002 Scrambler 400X, great machine, never had any problems with it. All told I've got 7 machines, all of them 2 strokers, I couldn't be more pleased wuth all of them. If you're used to 2 strokes I think you'll be disappointed with the 4 stroke. Just my thoughts and experiances.

 

The 500 requires regular engine oil and filter changes and occasional cam chain adjustments and valve adjustments which are not required by the 400. The 400 requires fairly regular piston & ring replacement that is not required by the 500. That is reqular maintanence. With proper maintainence, the 500 engine will easily go four or five times as long between overhauls. Reliability is another issue - does it break unexpectedly? I've never had anything break on either my 400 or 500 engine (wear out - yes; break - no). Starters, electrics, plastic, clutches, transmissions, chains have broken but no engines.

 

New York=2-stroke has better cold weather capability. Power to weight ratio. Change front hub ,diff, gearbox, counterbalance fluid once a year. Keep the grease fittings greased and the chain lubed w/right amount of play .Drain the recoil and starter drain bolt if you go snorkeling and you'll be all set. Amount of mods for this bike are numerous, the 500 sound bad *** with a pipe too though.