I'm tryin to help my freind decide on what to buy. I here that the 400 is only a 1 mph slower than the 500, yet costs about $600 less. what are some advantages/ disadvantages of both. Thanks

 

Go for the 400 all the way! It is a two stroke, and I belive that it is faster than the 4-stroke, and even if it's not, just buy a pipe/clutch kit with the 600 bucks he saves, and kill the 500 in all aspects (except mud)

 

I would go wit the 500. Most riding spots like wisconsin are outlaying the 2 strokes becuz of the noise and pollution. My dad has the scrambler 500 4*4 bone stock and he let me take it out for a day and im only 13. Me and a scrambler 400 raced and he only beat me by about to quad lengths. Also the 400 had a pipe and clutch kit and air filter and special jets or something like that. What ever ur friend chooses i hope he has a great ride.
c u latr


2000 trailboss 325 k&n air filter
2000 scrambler 500 bone stock

 

The 400 slides better, less engine maintenance, less weight and nothing beats 2 stroke power!

 

Get the 400, and don't go to Wisconsin...

 

400 all the way. There is nothing like that 2 stroke hit! And it is so easy to extract much more power from it.

 

Hey guys~
I guess I have to move from Wisconsin now because I'm not selling the 400's!!! Definitely go with the 400. Same amount of maintainance as the 500, and more power is just an HPD away! Can't go wrong with the 2 stroke!!

 

I ride my 400 with a 500 and there is no way I'd trade. The 500 is a very good quad, but I love my 400.

 

the 500 motor is much more reliable. and about the 2 stroke punch? it FEELS like it has one just because of its powerband. but read the magazines folks. they are about dead even. and if one WAS in the lead it would be the 500.

in a couple of years you will not be able to ride 2 strokes on any public ground. Honda already is getting rid of their 2stroke morotcycle line-up. the 500 will keep its value longer also.

 

I can't speak in terms of pollution laws in what state, but I can speak in terms of the 2 machines.
Maintanence won't be a whole lot different between the two. The chassis is pretty much the same. The 2 cycle engine doesn't need oil changes, but you will have to watch the air filter more carefully. A 2 cycle breathes almost double the air of a 4-cycle, and is less tolerant of dirt.
Engine life expectancy goes to the 500. However, the rebuilds on the 400 will be much cheaper/easier to do, so this one goes to personal preferance.
Now to the important stuff - performance - and the winner is...drumroll please...the 400 all the way. Yes, yes, I know stock, the 500 may have the edge on speed, but remember you are hauling around an extra 100 pounds that you will have to stop, turn, and land off jumps. It will also be that much heavier if it tips on you. Also, if you spend the $600 price difference on engine mods, clutch kit, etc. you will have better performance than you can get out of a 500 Scrambler if you spent $1500 in engine mods. The 400 has LOTS of hop-up potential, where the 500 really doesn't.
Keep in mind, you will lose a little engine life when you hop-up the engine, particularly if you are the type to go everywhere with the throttle pegged.

The 500 is a great machine, and for just running around and having fun, it is hard to beat, BUT if you are looking for the baddest 4x4 out there, I don't think you can beat a modded Scrambler 400