OK. Question: Why do 80% of questions asked always lead to a discussion on which quad is faster? Justhonda asks the question of 500 vs 400 Scrambler and everyone leads to a discussion of which is faster and how to make one beat the other. My piped up Sport was certainly faster than my new stock Scrambler 500- but does that make it better. No- i think the Scrambler is a much better machine for how and what i ride in. And we shouldnt always consider a heavier machine to be a bad thing either. Case in point- i was riding with a 300ex guy about 2 weeks ago. We were going up and down some pretty steep hills. These were hills were you could not get a running start to get up them. What we found was that there some hills he could not make it up because his front end would not stay on the ground-meanwhile my Scrambler 500 never lifted and conquered every hill thrown at it. Obviously heavier quads ride better across rough terrain as well. Now dont get me wrong- i still like Sport quads and like to ride fast from time to time. I also dont like quads that seemingly weigh more than my car. But it is important to remember that there is often a happy medium and what is the best quad isnt always as easy as speed and weight. To each his own.

 

Just Honda,
I don't have the 500, but I do have the 400.
I really like mine. I didn't know which to get either. The biggest reason I bought the 400 was because my brother had a Sport and I knew how fast that 400 was. So far I have added a pipe, filter (K&N), silencer, jet, airbox mod & Aaen roller clutch. (which I'm still trying to get right. If anyone knows anything about clutches E-mail me. I'm close but I just can't get it tuned perfect)
Anyway it runs pretty strong now. Strong enough to beat my brother worlds greatest quad 400EX. (before the roller clutch)On the soft sand my weight hinders me. With both having stock tires he can catch me in his 4th gear. On hard pack our top speed is exactly dead even.
If we line them up and drag 200-300 ft I win mostly because of the strong holeshot. So that should give you an idea of what $300 worth of mods do to a 500lb 4x4
No problems with reliability on mine or my brothers old Sport. I do agree with some though I think the 500 would be better at approaching steep hills slow because of the extra torque. Basically I think it comes down to what you want to do later & what you are famaliar with. Some people will just not own a "troublesome" 2 stroke. Others buy 2 strokes because they know later they are goona modify their quad and want that 2 stroke power. Either way I think you'll be happy.
Jim, I know what you mean about getting UPS packages ! It's like X-mas all year 'round !
Chris P., I think the reason there are so many Polaris 2 stroke ATV's is their strong snowmobile history.
c-ya,

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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.

 

Andrew, go to Shultz Motorsports (link in ATV Connection links section) and to his forums, and ask about clutches. He can tell you all you need to know about setting them up, roller or not.

 

Quad-man,
Yeah I've been talking with him. Jack's been a BIG help. I'm waiting on another part. Just trying to get it perfect
c-ya,

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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.