I have a 99 Explorer have not had any problems except the tie rod ends and the brakes,but i ride my bike hard(lots of mud,drag races and lots of wheelies).I have a epi clutch kit and a k&n filter and it will wheelie easily in high range with a little tug.The only thing that i don't like is when grouse hunting i only cruise between 1 and 5 miles an hour and i find that it won't run steady like my fathers magnum,also you have to give it a good run after a while so you don't ruin the spark.Other than that i love my bike.I has a very nice suspension,goes anywhere(mud,snow,)better than almost any bike except maybe the Sp 500.And finally it will outdrag and outrun ever 4x4 except the scrambler.(Beat a 500 HO last fall from start to top speed bye abought 7 quad lengths).Good luck

 

Just something else I would like to add. The new Explorer is shaft driven in front now and still chain drive out back. Some people don't care for all around chain drive but I just wonder if anything ever broke on the shaft drive, wouldn't it be more expensive to repair?

 

On my first Explorer a 98,i had a chain in the front.While holding the front brakes in a little mudhole i taped it in 2WD to suprise my friend(we were already dirty as hell) behind me and while putting my weight over the handlebars i accidently pushed the 4WD button.BANG i thought that i had busted everything in the front of my bike.When i went to look,all that was broken was the front chain.It cost me $8.00 to fix it but with a shaft drive i would not like to have had to pay the bill.The 99's and up have shaft drive and a switch instead of a button.Another thing is trying to run it in a shed or garage because you will have to open a door or something to air it out.Also expect to hear remarks like "it's like riding behind a skidoo" from the anti's.lol Just wanted to warn you.Have fun,and bye the way i paid 7300.00 for my 98 and 7500.00 for my 99 on the road.Got a windshield,gallon of oil and hand/thumb warmers.

 

If they don't like the smell of 2-stroke oil, try to get out in front! No other utility 4x4 quad can come close to the performance of the Xplorer. I've had mine for 4 years and 2,000 hard miles. I've had to replace the front struts and the cooling fan. It does require a bit more maintenance than a Honda, but it is soooo much more fun! This is one fast utility machine.I've had a top speed of 61 mph. I ride with other 4x4 quads and some sport quads, mostly Hondas, but they are good to have around...to pull me out of the water holes!!! Definatly the best of both worlds. Tear it up, but tread lightly!