My Friend is looking at a Xplorer 400, and I want to help him. Please tell me everything you know, he's on a strict budget and he wants to get the best ATV for his buck. He wants speed and low end, and he thinkin' about the 400. It'll be used, so could you please tell me what to look for when he's looking at it, any charicteristics of what we should look for when he's riding it, ect. He been changeing his mind, he wanted a scram (either 400 or 500) but he wanted racks too. It will mainly be used for hauling deer, drag racing, trail riding, and camp work. Probably mudding too. I know, it's alot. Also, any mods that would be good for speed/power (in the future). Thanks in advance to anyone and everyone who replies!!!

Madman

 

madman,
tell your friend that there is no such model- a xplorer 425?
there are two xplorer models:
xplorer 400-378cc-liquid cooled-2 stroke OR
xplorer 4X4- 244cc-air cooled-2 stroke

'01 sp 500 H.O.
2000lb warn
26" outlaws on alloys
rest is stock (for now)

 

Maybe he means the xpedition 425 4-stroke.

 

I'm his friend, it's the xplorer 400 i'm looking at madman just got the engine size mixed up.It's alright Jacob we don't think your stupid

 

Sorry Guys, I didn't mean 425, I was tired and wasn't thinking strait. Well my message has been updated, so once again HELP!!!!

 

I had a 99 500cc Sportsman and now I own the 00 Xplorer 400cc.With the exception of the IRS and complete shaft drive on the Sportsman,I like the Xplorer more of the two mentioned ATVs.

The Xplorer is faster,weighs 110lbs LIGHTER,is more nimble,is also the better mudder/hill climber.Install some exaust mods on this toy and you'll REALLY out drag a Sportsman.The throttle response is much better on the two stroke also.The oil injection tank will take you AT LEAST 400 miles before a fill up is needed.I have NEVER burned up a spark plug either.

Hopefully you will get a Xplorer with the Concentric drive unit,your chain adjustments will not be nearly as often.I have replaced both tie-rod ends,the sterring stem,and both front/rear sprockets and chain at around 1200 miles and the concentric drive unit[all under warrenty].I have around 1450 miles on it now,Good luck.
Bill

00 Xplorer 400cc 4x4
Modified PSI pipe w/Scrambler silencer
Delta V-Force reeds w/spacer kit
26 inch Mudrunners
KN Filter-Uni filter
RcR air box mods
Hot Seat clutch kit
100% Brass Brakes

 

Pros:

Fast
Powerful
Light wieght for power
Decent suspension
One of the best machines out there in terms of performance per $ spent
Easily modified for more power (and not too costly, either)
Pretty well made (I have 4000 miles on mine, of some pretty aggressive riding. Total repairs so far are under $20, and $19 of that is rear clutch bushings that got overheated & got the teflon coating melted off - driver error, should have been in LOW going through deep snow, not Hi).
No mixing gas & oil - nice on a 2 cycle
Cheaper to re-build than a 4 cycle engine
Runs cool - can't run it hard enough to overheat unless radiator is plugged
The harder you run it, the better it runs


Cons:
Overhauls more frequent than on a 4 cycle (but cheaper so kind of evens out)
Starter on bottom of engine - gets water inside if you do a lot of deep mudding/water crossings
More maintanence than many machines - lots of zerks, air cleaner MUST be kept clean
Very low tolerance to dirty air cleaner. A 2 cycle uses twice as much air as a comparable sized 4 cycle (plugs filter sooner) and is less tolerant to dirt (my dealer says his #1 reason for 400 rebuilds is people not servicing the air cleaner, either it gets so bad it doesn't run right, or worse, it can actually pulls dirt through the media if neglected
Engine vibration more severe than a 4 cycle - it will eventually rattle something loose in the carb, making it run over-rich. Not a big deal, doesn't happen a lot, but it does happen & is something to be aware of - simple to fix once you figure out what it is.
Loads up and carbons up if putt-putted around a lot.

I guess to sum it up, you gain performance, but lose a little of the ride-it-and-forget-it qualities of a 4 cycle machine.

In general, on any chain drive Polaris (especially the pre concentric drive ones) check the chains, sprockets, and especially be sure the rear swingarm is tight. Best way to check for looseness is to put a floor jack under the skidplate, and jack it up so the rear wheels are in the air. Now grab the wheels & try to wiggle them side to side. Any looseness will be apparent.