I can not pick a atv to buy I was looking at both scramblers 400-500 2X4 and 4X4 but can't pick and I also looked at the 400ex I am going to do a little sport riding and use it for a little hunting. If you have any suggestin for me please help.

 

If you are thinking about a 4X4, don't rule out the Xplorer 400. It has racks, low range, trailer hitch, and still goes like stink!
Rob Culp
2000 Scrambler 400 2X4

 

I’ll help, I went through this awhile back. I’ll tell you, I did all the research, read every post, and asked a lot of questions. I decided that Polaris was the best deal. You get a lot more quad for the money. Ok, now which one….. Well, I got a good deal on a 99 Sport 400. Fantastic bike, loved it, but, I wanted more. The 2 wheel drive limited me more than I thought it would, a lot more. I found I like mud, I like exploring/making new trails, I really like winter riding. So I traded it for a 97 Explorer 500, I know I went backwards in years, but I jumped forward in everything else. I love the 4x4, and smooth ride, I did give up a lot of speed, but I don’t really mind that, because I can do so much more. Now if I would have gotten one of the Scramblers first, I would not have traded, I wouldn’t have needed to.. The best of both worlds. I know this is long, but if someone would have said this to me a year ago, I’d have chosen differently and been happier today. This is just how I see it…..Good Luck, and let us know what you end up getting.

 

For hunting, you will want 4wd. It is just amazing where they can go. I used to wonder if I would ever use 4wd. Now that I have it, I wouldn't be without it. Now a matter of which one...
Scramblers: 400 vs 500. 500 is 4 cycle engine, likely longer engine life, better for someone who just wants to ride.
400 is a tinkerer's dream. Not that they need to be worked on that often, I mean if you are the sort that will want to go faster, run harder, etc, there are loads of bolt-on mods to make the 400 a better performer.
One other thought; consider, or at least test drive the Xplorer 400. If you plan to go hunting with it, it will be great for that. Has low range for pulling that big buck out of the hills, and technical trails, and mine will still just hit 60 topped out. Most any mods for the Scrambler will work on it, also.

 

Could you jump a scrambler 2X4 like a 400ex

 

In a word, no. It is a fair to good jumper, but is not as balanced as the Honda. It is also heavier. A skilled rider can make a Scrambler fly, but it takes more getting used to.

 

Thats true, on my Sport I did jump once in a while. I foud it to be nose heavy, and anything over 3-4 foot drop would bottom out the suspension. But in all fairness, when going down the trail and hiting bumps at speed, it could easily take the 2-3 foot jumps, the key was the angle you land. At speed its great, at giong up pausing and coming down, its sucks. I still say, for me anyway the 4x4 is far more important than what you lose in jumping.

 

Don't forget about reverse!!