I'm checking out a Scrambler 500 ('04) for woods trail riding, have a Honda 300 EX now....love handling but underpowered. Can anyone address the issues of 1) integrated front rear brakes..........don't care for this, like to lock that rear wheel for turns...how does this work out practically? 2) auto tranny and loss of engine compression braking down steep hills............problem or what?, especially with linked brakes, don't want to have much front brake downhill esp without engine braking. What about the alledged durability probs with Polaris in general....bogus or real? Thanks and appreciate any input.

Gecko

 

The Scrambler 500 is a super reliable platform. It's been around for 7 or so years and has only been improved. The last year (04) it would seem that they took a step back when they went to a non-Fox rear shock and wimpier looking handle bars. Those that have the 04 don't find these as drawbacks. I rode street and dirtbikes and was used to front and back seperated brakes, but it only took me about 1/2 an hour to get used to the single lever brakes and love it. You can use the foot brake for just the rear. Works great for steep decents. It would seem older Polarises had reliability issues, but I still see a bunch of older ones still running so I am not sold on that theory.

Cons-- It is heavy. it's limited in gearing options due to the 4x4, stock tires are not that great, front struts and springs are not adjustable. (These all are very minor, not even a consideration for me becuase they seem to work very well together for my size and riding style)

 

After a lot of research and test-riding other people's rides, I bought the Scrambler 500. As fishslab said, there is a footbrake that controls just the rears, but I too think you will like the linked braking once you give it a chance. I do find the lack of engine braking a little concerning on steep decents, but this is more than made up for with the times that I am on the throttle. The 4 wheel drive system on the Polaris is the best engaging and performing system out there.

As far as reliability goes, I am a firm believer that you get out of a machine what you put into it. Keep up with the routine maintenance and you will keep everything working proprerly. And yes, Polaris makes a heavy quad, but that weight contributes to the durability and strength of their machines.

Good Luck with whatever you decide!!!

 

I have an 03 scrambler and it is a beast on the trails. I love the braking system and Have NEVER had a problem going down steep grades. In fact, you get so used to how well it stops with it's single lever, it makes riding my buddies atv's a little unnerving because they don't stop as well. Very reliable. I just now had my first broken part. My stater went out but it is still ridable despite. In the two years I have been riding it, this is the first issue I have had. Love the bike!!!!

Revshredd

 

I used to ride a Honda 250X. I dont regret going to a 500 Scrambler at all. The ride on the Scrambler is like a Cadilac compared to the 250x. You cant flick it around corners like the 250x. The steering is a little heavy and will tire you but after a couple weeks you wont notice it. If you ever climbed a hill with your 300EX and had to keep down shifting, well you wont have to with the 500. Always in the right gear and lots more power than you will ever need to trail ride. The brakes or should I say brake will also build your left forearm muscles especially on long down hills. I dont miss the separate rear brakes but do wonder what it would be like separated. Some aftermarket companies sell kits to split the system. Four wheel drive on demand is awesome. You can leave it in two wheel drive and fishtail and power slide and have fun and then 4x4 through the mud and goop without raising a sweat. I do miss how light and nimble the 250X was but all in all I dont miss it. Buy it and dont look back, you wont regret it.

P.S. My 500 is a 99 and I think the weight aids in the traction. No problems with it in the three years I have owned it.

Steve Lubecki

 

Hey, many thanks everyone who responded to my concerns/questions about the Scrambler. Excellent comments....as opposed to the usual "This Beast ROCKS!" kind of stuff so prevelant elsewhere.

 

I have a 02 500 scrammy 2x4 & I love it, I have 110 hours on it & have had no problems with the machine at all, I
just do the maint. on it at the time required, it still has the same spark plug in it. The pros for me is that it does so
many things well, I have had it on the dunes, in mud, techincal trails, hill climbs, fast dirt or gravel roads & in snow
and have allways been impressed, it has great bottom end power, pulls hard & has good top end speed. The ride
is very good also. The brakes are great so going down hills has never been a problem for me. The cons, it is a little
heavy u just do not throw it around. The 2x4 is quite a bit lighter than the 4x4 though.

 

Gecko,

I don't own a Scrambler but wish I did. I love my 2X4 Trail Boss, don't get me wrong - I just couldn't afford the Scrambler. I looked at all the quads in the Trail Boss class and I'm glad I went with Polaris. After I rode the others I realized it was better then I expected.

I love window shopping. I look at all the brands and the quads they offer. I think the Scrambler is the best for the trails. I like this 4X4 because it realy is quite simple in that it just has the one range in all wheel drive. It's less utility and more sport too. It has great power.

This sport quad will go through deep mud, snow, and sand.

A con IMO, with the all wheel drive - I've heard it can really shake the front end when the on demand kicks in, say going up a steep hill. I heard you really need to hang on some times. This is probably less dramatic than the 3 wheel competition. But you know the all wheel Scrambler will go further in all conditions over the 3 wheel quads in it's class. It's tuff and is built for it. If you can handle it, it will. Maybe someone here that has one can speak better about this.

I was surprised to see it had the same size tires as my 330 Boss. The boss is more utility than the Scrambler. The Boss just isn't in the same class as the Scrambler. But I thought being a 4X4 the Scrambler would have taller tires. After thinking about this, I concluded that the Scrambler is more sport, is stronger, and is superior in it's class regardless of tire size. Oh, and the chain and ground clearance has never been an issue except in the snow when the swing arm will plow. You won't have this problem with the Scrambler.

I just thought you should be informed and maybe see what others (Scrambler owners) say. In any event, I am going to get a Scrambler. I wish you luck and happy trails with whatever you should ride.

Lukester

 

I have seen a couple cases where the tranny case has cracked on the Scramblers. PreddyFast had a 400 Scrambler that had this happen. Polaris went to the Concentric drive train to help allevaite the problems, but some tranny cases have still cracked.

There are Polaris owners who will own nothing but and had great luck with them and you see that here. I have seen a couple 500 on the trails and they go......all things considered i.e. weight, auto, 4-stroke. The 4-strokes these days are far better than even 10-15 years ago.

If you're seriously looking for a good woods/trail machine, don't rule out the KFX700. The steering is incredibly light on mine, has tons of power, auto tranny like the 500 Scram, has reverse, and comes stock with ITP Holeshots. The front also comes up easily for getting over obstacles.

The only drawback would be if you really wanted the 4x4 in a Scrambler.

 

I spent about 3 months looking for a new quad. All the research I did kept me looking at the scrambler. I needed 4x4 for pulling kids in winter, so my options were limited. I almost got a wolverine(yamaha) until a friend of mine got one. The wolverine is a nice quad, but there was no 2 wheel drive. I wasn't sure if the extra money for a scrambler would be worth it. Then a guy from work told me to try his scrambler and I took it for a ride. That week I bought my new 04' scrambler. I loved the way it handled. I put about $350 into it and its perfect. Sounds mean, front end comes right up with a little gas, and goes through everything(mud, snow, water).

Things I don't like:
rear shock(its not a fox) is not that good. I am 196lbs and like to jump.
The weight of the quad, makes it hard to move or lift if you need to by hand.
There needs to be more support for after market hop ups.

I am soooo glad I got the scrambler. Would highly recommend to anyone who does not want to jump high and drag race.