I currently own a 2000 Magnum 325 2x. I am very happy with it, it has been the tuffest atv I ever ridden or seen. It has been rolled more times than fingers on both my hands and toes together and hasn't messed anything up, just push it back over and start her up. What I need help with is that I have been in the market for a new atv, I always am. I am going to stay with Polaris cause I love the features they have and I have never seen a Polaris with reliability problems yet. I am almost certain that the next quad I get will be a scrambler 4x4. I know it comes down to where I ride, I ride in very close, thick woods, lots of creeks and very tricky opsticules. The highest speed I have ever gotten to was 40mph on my friends sportsman, and in my woods, that is crazy. So you know speed is not a big factor, although I will take it to my friends farm and want to be able to stay with or beat his new sportsman. I also want to be able to beat my friends ttr225, which I already do. I was thinking about waiting till the 2002 quads were released, but if the rumored 700 does come, I thought, that would be nice, but why do I need 700cc's, but then thought, well, I do have really steep hills. I am going to wait a while so I have time to decide. I was hoping that when the 2002 atvs come out that I would be able to steal a 2001 scrambler. Another thing, I also need to know 400 or 500 scrambler. I need low and mid torque, but don't want to sacrafice top end. As you can see I will have trouble finding the right quad. I know I will be happy with any, except maybe the 90 but you get the point. Also keep in mind, I don't want to have to rebuild all the time, how often do most of you rebuild your two strokes, in terms of months and how often you ride. This Quad will be ridden daily.
Thanks for any info.

 

i owned a 400 scrambler (4x4) for about 4 years and rode it weekly for the first 3 years and then once a month the last year (new baby at home). i kept it stock and never once had a problem with the motor nor was it in need of a rebuild when i sold it. i now own a 500 scrambler 4x4. they obviously require a slightly different driving style (2 stroke vs 4 stroke) but i think, from a performance standpoint, they are very comparable. i do miss the "snap" you get from the 2 stroke motor but other than that...if you need the low end torque, then the 500 is definitely the way to go. also, just in case you are not aware, the 500 scrambler and the new sportsman HO's use the same motor so, considering the scrambler is about 130 pounds lighter, you should have no trouble beating the sportsman in a side by side race.

 

If it were me, I would go with the 400 Scrambler. Mainly because I wouldn't leave it stock. It would take 3 times the cash to make a 500 as quick as a modded 400. However, like you said, speed isn't a big issue to you so maybe you would be best with the 500. The 4 stroke is probably a little better in the woods at slow speeds, and you'll have a handling advantage over the bigger 4x4's. I'm not sure, but isn't there also a price difference between the 400 and the 500? Anyway, if you want something that you can hop up, get the 400. If you want something to leave stock, and need more tourque than speed, get the 500. Good luck.

-Josh

 

Have you thought about the 400 Explorer? That way you have 400 2-stroke power with a low range for tight woods!

 

Yes I have thought about the 400 Explorer, Almost bought one from a friend but I decided against it. I think for sure that I am going with a four stroke now. I know all about the mods and things, I am not new to four wheeling so don't tell me every little thing. I just want to know what everyone thinks is best. And for those of you who hate Polaris, don't even try to get me to buy a Honda or a Yammy, it isn't going to happen, as a matter a fact, the other brands that we have owned have had as many, if not more breakdowns as the Polaris. And that is a fact.