Was going to trade my 99 Sport on a 97 Xplorer, I thought about that and it seems kinda bumb to go backwards. So if I wait maybe 3 months, I'll be able to get someting new and keep the Sport. Now, for mudding and exploring and winter ridding and still having fun on the trails. A Magnum or Xplorer. I was leaning tword the Xplorer, but my wife dosen't like the 2 stroke ("to noisy and smelly") SO what do you guys think? Pros and Cons, I wont be doing any mods, maybe big tires and a clutch kit, but thats it. thanks

Bruce L. Hall
99 Sport 400L
87 Cyclone 250X (for sale email me)

 

The Xplorer is "snapier". The Magnum "smells" less. The smell does not bother me though, because it just smells a bit like a snowmobile. Kind of a sweet smell...

The 2-stroke Xplorer is not really any noisier then the 4-stroke Magnum. They just have different sounds. I did a test with my Xplorer and a Sportsman500. Mine sounded louder upon start-up and a bit higher pitched at close range but 100 feet away we could no longer hear it. The 500 on the other hand rumbled a bit, sounded a bit less noisy at close range but we heard that 4-stroke thumper from 3 times the distance of my Xplorer. Plus, I seem to think my Xplorer sounds smoother on hard accelerations than the thumper.

The Xplorer has the rear chain and the Magnum is shaft. A bit less maintenance on the Mag. I would give the mud to the Xplorer. More wheel spin. As for riding in the snow I would give it to the Magnum. My Xplorer's back wheels seem to spin more in the snow, making it a bit harder to accelerate super fast.

A hard choice to make now that Polaris stuck in the High-Output engine!

Good luck.

 

I plan on getting an Explorer also. I have a '96 400 Sportsman now, and I love the power and snap of this engine. I drove a '00 Sportsman 500, and I liked the ride, but it does not make up for the power and lighter weight of the 400. Also you save about $1000 with the 400.
I say 400 all the way, especially cuz this is the 2 strokes' last year.

 

Well,
After owning a 99 500cc Sportsman 4x4 with a dry weight of 697lbs,and a lighter [588lbs] 00 Xplorer,I can honestly say I like the Xplorer more.Here are some of the Xplorer's advantages,

1.Less weight
2.easier to handle on tight/technicle trails
3.Snappier,more throttle response
4.Faster all the way around
5.Same ground clearance of the Sportsman,EXCEPT for the tiny rear sprocket.
6.Developes more wheel speed than the Sportsman.
7.No worring about changing oil.

The only thing I SLIGHTY miss on the Sportsman is the IRS and its unmatched ride.


Now I know you asked about the Magnum,but I never owned one so this is as close as I could get,best of luck,
Bill

 

There will be no difference in price between the two after 2000 miles.

By then you will have replaced one drive chain, and two sprockets, purchased a chain breaker and 4 more sets of brake pads for the Xplorer model because it does not have EBS. Oh, and a carburetor rebuild on the Xplorer because the original one will have shaken itself into a state of raggedness.

So what you save initially on an Xplorer will be paid back to Polaris through the parts department.

On the other hand, the Xplorer is lighter, more nimble, handles better, accelerates faster and does not require oil changes. There is no dry sump to worry about, no cold weather starting problems. But then again the 400 starters are cause for concern because of their low mountings on the engine (water) and the carburetion settings can be finnicky.

But... if you are a wrench, and enjoy sporty utility quads with an attitude the 400 may be right for you.

If you have lived through a Sportsman 400, and an Xplorer 400, then you are probably ready for the gas it and go lower maintenace Magnum 500, just slightly slower and heavier.

In either case, remove the rear Dunlop Kt125 tires immediately. Try and get some different tires as a part of your orginal purchase.

At least get (the new purchase take-off tires from a Sportsman 500); Goodyear Tracker Ps. The standard Dunlops while offering a smooth ride do not provide adequate traction in the mud and are puncture prone.

We have had both of these quads in our family.

About the 400; ...when she was good, she was very very good but when she was bad she was horrid.

 

Odin why don't you recommend using Firestones? LOL

 

Consider this one.

When all of the hubub over Firestone dies down, they are going to be dirt cheap and of very high quality to overcome their present dilema and loss of market share. I think I'll buy a set.

Pep Boys will probably have four of them for $79.95 installed with a 50,000 mile guarantee.
They are going to be a great buy.

Remember the old Firestone town and country snow tire ad? "You go through snow or we pay the tow."
I think they ran that one after they had some ply separation problems.

 

I have an Xplorer with the concentric drive and now have over 3200 miles on the original chain and sprockets. No carb trouble either - yet. I was told by the mechanic that the 99s and newer have the carb mounted better in some way to reduce (not eliminate) that problem.
I am VERY picky about keeping the chain oiled, and it has paid off. Still looks like new & only had to adjust it 3 or 4 times total so far. About the only thing I don't do with mine is deep mudding. If mud gets higher than the floorboards, I rinse off the chain & brakes when I get home. By the way, brakes are original, too, with about 1/2 pad left.
Farmr
Don't use the brakes they will last longer haha

 

There is no Magnum 500 HO.
The HO is only available in the Sportsman.

 

I have never ridden a 500 mag,but one friend has
a 325 mag ,the other has a sp 500.I just dropped
my sp 6x6 off at the dealer & picked up a 01 400
explorer today.My freind with the 325 mag and I
went riding today,we switched atvs alot while
riding just to see how the 400 would do.All I
can say is WOW!!If you want something that spins
the tires alot And brings the front wheels up at
will get the 400 explorer.By the way we were taking it easy on it because of breakin.


Good Luck on Your Choice
TRUCK