Hi, i'm selling my predator and replacing it with a 4x4. I bought my girlfriend a 500 scrambler 4x4 last spring, and i recently rode it on trails for the first time to see if if would be a good machine for my needs. It seemed to work well for me untill I crossed some ruts which the front and rear tires fell into at the same time, I tried to slowly crawl them, but the belt slipped and smoked which has made me nervous about buying another automatic machine without a low range trans.

I plan to mostly ride trails with some mud/snow and also an occasional trip to the dunes (2 trips a year). The irs and low range appeal to me, but would a 500 sportsman be to big and heavy to cruise trails and dunes at decent speeds? I dont need to haul gear or plow snow, just cruise around. Thx

 

As a former owner of an 02 400 scramber 4X2 I never experienced my belt slipping while trail riding and I have even towed with it without problem. My brother has the 500 scrambler 4X4 and never had a problem with trail riding and the belt slipping and there are many miles on it. Maybe your belt is going bad? I rode sportsmans before I bought mine and realized how much better they are. don't get me wrong both have their place. But low range is great along with the independant suspension. I don't ride agressively anymore and thats where I feel the scrambler shines over the sportsman. Pushing the sportsman in tight trails you can have some hairy moments. If its you and your girl riding buy the sportsman and your back and kidneys will love you. You may even end up plowing snow and other stuff like that.

 

A scrambler should not smoke geeting out of a rut,try a new belt. When I buy used ATV I change the belt just so I now for piece of mine what it went through in its life. My cousin plows snow with his 500 Scrambler.