[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I bought my wife a 2003 scrambler 500 4x4. It has a clutch kit , air box mod, jetting kit, FMF exhaust, 909 bars. I have ridden cr500's for 20 years. Yes 20 years. Even race them.
My friends invited me on a fathers day men only 4 day ride near the Hatfield McCoy trails. 2 raptor 700's, 2 raptor 660's, 400 ex,350 warrior, xr 650,cr125, my wifes scrambler and my race ready cr 500. After many many hours of HARDCORE riding, hillclimbing,mudholes, water crossing, train tracks, trails, night riding and dirt roads, I have found out that my wifes Polaris 500 scrambler is one heck of a machine. I rode it more than my cr500.
It is probably the best all around machine made.If anyone thinks it is as fast as a raptor 660 or 700 they need thier head examined. At certain times it could out perform the 400 ex or the warrior , it still is a heavy quad with limited top speed. It would not hillclimb as well as the others because it has a soft rear suspension and is top heavy or tippy. It was not a power problem but weight distribution. The front wheel drive would engage on steep hillclimbs and jump out of the rutswhere others would stay in the groove. These hillcimbs are about 400 feet high and about 45 degrees. It takes guts to go up these hills on 4 wheels. These are a little tough even for my cr 500.
On the REST of the terrain is where the scrambler really SHINES. If no one could open up thier quads then the scrambler could easily keep up with the best. Where others are shifting upand down going up long not so steep but technical trails riding the scrambler was almost like cheating.
None of the other quads were 4 wheel drive, so the scrambler did not even have any competition in that department. My wifes scrambler was the way out.Water crossings were a breeze. When the going got tough they always wanted me to lead. That felt great. Every one liked my wifes scrambler. There was no Polaris bashing this weekend. It doesn't matter what you ride, just have FUN like we did. It may not be the fastest or the best at everything, but overall I really think is is WAY OUT or THE WAY TO GO.

My only complaint is that I have to get one for myself. however I still have my cr500 when I feel the need for speed. Just my 2 or 200 cents. And one more thing , no mechanical problems at all.

 

well maybe polaris will have a new scrambler 800 for 2007 and you'll have to go for that [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Great post Russ136, It's good to here that there are rides like that going on and good riders out there that realize that each machine has both good and bad points depending on the terrain,rider's skill and upkeep that a particular machine receives, not to mention many other variables which can make or break a particular machine in certain situations. I've gained the respect of the sport quad people I ride with by using my quads ground clearance and longer suspension to run lines that they can't without high centering or bottoming out. You have to play off the strong points of the machine you're on when you can. It's all give and take. As many have stated here before,"no one machine is perfect in all situations for all people at all times".Play on your machines strong points and enjoy every minute you get to be out there riding. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Amen to that fireslayer!!