I went from a 3004x4 honda to a 500 scrambler. I can go the same places with my scrambler. Some of the very slow technical rocky sections took some getting use to. A lower gear would help there. I can go MUCH better everywhere else. The Honda couldn't come close in the mud. I wouldn't trade my 500 for anything unless Polaris makes one a hundred pounds lighter.

 

I can understand you feeling the way you did . It took me a few rides before I got used to my Scrambler. I would not swap it for any other ATV on the market now. I have yet to ride a better hill climber and I ride nearly every week with our club in some very mountainous areas. The 4wd system has proved its self every time to be better than the 3wd honda system.Ride you Scrambler for a few months then ride the honda .It will feel like a tractor. Those tyre presures are important to the handling. You might find the shocks will soften up after you have a few miles on it. The honda is a good machine for the farm but you can't compare the two. If you find the Scrambler is not to good at slow speeds you can get your dealer to tune the clutch to suit your type of riding.I wonder if the expedition would have been a better choice for you? The Scrambler certainly takes some getting used and Im sure after a few more rides you will feel a bit happier about your purchase. Good luck.

 

Atver,
I don't mean this in a bad way... but im not sure how to word it... but.. you have to drive it more aggressively!!.. I know you probably drove your Honda aggressive... but the Scrambler is TOTALLY different. Even in the sections where you would normally slow the Honda WAY down and 1st gear grunt it, you have to gouge on the Scramblers.. they can take it. As for the automatic, look into changing the primary clutch spring for a lower RPM engagement. While you have the cover off, change the Polaris drive belt for a DAYCO belt, they run cooler and dont burn so easy.
You might look into an EBS system, but its gonna kill the acceleration and top end performance..
Give it awhile and if its still not right, try the clutch setup..
Good Luck!!!...

 

Thanks guys, glad to see the Polaris group come through with some good suggestions. I'm going to see how it goes for a while. The Foreman DOES feel like a tractor after riding the Scrambler. If I can get the clutch to engage at a lower RPM, I think I will be much happier. Is there any downside to doing this?

 

We put a lower engagement spring (the polaris blue spring) in the clutch on my wifes 400 scrambler & it gave it tons of *ss. It "feels" like it has more torque than my 500 scrambler. I love her machine now. She was having the same problems as you, this was a big improvement. Dealer charged $35.00 for changing it. Parts & labor. The scramblers are made to be ridden aggressive. It is definately a mix-breed machine between sport & utility bikes. I wouldn't trade mine for 10 Honda Foremans.

Jerome Coker

 

My 99 500 Scrambler had a blue/green spring in the primary which is the lightest commonly available but it has 10 MW weights which are 46 grams. If you want a lower ingagement go to a heavier flyweight a pretty simple change. The 2 stroke utility bikes come with G weights 48 grams and the 500 sportman come with a 10 MH which is 50.5 grams. If I were going to try to engage it lower I would get the C weights which are 50 grams and are a little cheaper than the 10 MH remember you will need 3 weights. This mod should help quit a bit and if you want it lower just get some heavier weights. This will cause the bike to go to a higher gear ratio earlier but you can counter this by tightening the rear spring one notch. This is a little more difficult than just changing the weights but is not too bad. Hope this helps.

 

the 00 scrambler 500 4x4 rules!