I have $2000 and want to buy a Polaris quad. Mostly trail riding in arizona desert. I like the torque of the 2 stroke, but how hard are they to keep tuned up? I usually lean towards 4 strokes for maintenance free operation, but my budget limits the size on this, which equates to a power difference.

I can get a 2000 2x4 400 2-stroke scrambler for $1600, a 4x4(same specs) for $2000, and a 2002 330 4 stroke for $1800. I've ridden the 330, and I'm planning on riding the 2x4 in about an hour. Again REALLY important; how much trouble is the annual tune-up on the 2-strokes???

 

If I were you, I would buy either one of the 400's. I would probably pick which one I thought was in better condition. A lot of 2 strokes are low maintenance if you treat 'em right. I've had mine over a year and never had a problem not starting it or it not running good and it's a 95'. I've had to replace some parts on it because of its age though. Are you going through a lot of mud? If so, you might want the 4x4, but if not the 2x4 should be a little faster.

Also, if you are going to the sand dunes to ride, you want something strong to pull you up the dunes.

My .02
later

 

I have a 1998 and there is no tune up 400 sport same engine as teh 400 scrambler witch my neigbor has. just keep oil in the oil tank and gass in teh gas tank and antifreeze in the radiator.

the biggest thing with teh chain driven strait axle atvs are the chain adjustment. on my sport i need to get a chain tentioner deff i just noticed to looose when suspention was up but when squated its a tight as a winch cable pulling out a quad. so i am going to make my own from one on my micro sprint that has a dirt bike engine on it chain driven. i don't whant to spend 60 dollars they are great machines more reliable than my 2001 scrambler 500. the 500 four stroke is alot of work. tons of power weelies are easy but its harder to start. I love my 400 sport. tones of power everywere.I snapped the chain last year and let the atv sit for a year fixing it. it started 3rd pull. didn't clean the carb change teh plug or anything just fired it up.it is garage kept tho.

 

THe 400s are awsome machines but do take a lot of TLC to keep them in good shape.
When you look at the 400s pay close attention the the counterbalance(check the oiil in it on the rear of the engine under the carb)If it is dry or milky stay away.Also it would be advisable to take a cmpression gauge and check the engine compression be for you start it.anything under 100psi means time to rebuild.
A 330 is nice but needs a clutch kit to make them run decent.

 

I still have my 2000 400 2X4. It has a pipe and clutch kit and is a blast to drive even in the AZ desert, fast or slow. Depending on the riding, I like it better than my big bore atvs.
The 400s are pretty much maintenance free.
My neighbor has a 330 and it's sort of slow and probably more of a farm atv.
I guess it depends on what you want to end up with as far as performance.
The 400s have all kinds of aftermarket accessories and you can go from mild to wild.
Good luck.

 

You're keeping us in suspense, which did you buy?

 

The 400 is the way to go. I've owned my 99 since new and I've had to replace 2 items in 9 years. 1st was the shifter shaft which broke on the 2nd day I owned it - the dealer replaced it under warranty. The 2nd thing was the drive belt. It was somewhat worn and wasn't quite worn to spec, but I changed it anyway. Those were the only 2 things that needed changing.

I've gone on and added power reeds (because the were a gift) and added a clutch kit (gift again) and swapped out for a high performance exhaust (couldn't pass up the deal). I'm on my original piston and have run Polaris synthetic injector oil since new. I can pull the front wheels quite easily and really enjoy the quad.

The 400's are reliable machines. They require jetting changes when the temperature swings more than 20 degrees or so, but that isn't a big deal. I typically change jets for summer riding & winter riding. When you change jets, you can adjust the idle mixture (simple turn of a screwdriver) and you are set for that season.

Comparing power to the 330 -
To give you an idea on 2-stroke to 4-stroke power, the AMA will allow 250cc 2-strokes in the standard Supercross class. In that same class, they will allow up to 450cc 4-stroke bikes. 2-strokes produce power more efficiently and make more power per cc of engine displacement. There isn't any valvetrain to timing chain in a 2-stroke. They are definately not high maintenance. Now a Banshee on the other hand can be a PITA with 2 carbs, 2 cylinders etc. but that is another story.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Sport400inOH

I'm on my original piston</end quote></div>

You're rolling the dice. The stock piston will grenade at some point. Been there and done that [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

I trail ride, ride and jump on my own 2 acre track, ride fire roads, ride down the street from time to time (I live in a rural area), plow snow (275' driveway and a 1/2 acre parking lot) with it, trail blaze (making new trails in the woods up north). If it was going to grenade, it would have a long time ago. I'm hard on it, but I take care of it. It has NEVER let me down. When my compression gets down around 100, I'll rebuild it and enjoy it for another decade.

It's almost time to rebuild the primary clutch.