I'm thinking of selling my 400EX for a scrambler. I don't know if I wanted a 4x4 or 2x4. Can you give me the pros and cons of the 500 and 400 Scramblers. Please be honest.

------------------
Evan Johnson 99 400EX 88 LT250R

I apologize ahead of time for my bad spelling/typing

 

You are kidding, right?
I own a 2000 400ex and I have a friend with a Polaris 500 4x4. If you like to just press the thumb throttle, have one brake, get forearms like Popeye from the difficult turning,like a bike that weighs 200lbs more, like mud, hate jumping, sliding, and wheelying, this is the bike for you. If you like a sport quad, keep the 400ex.

 

I would think the Scrambler 400 2x4 would be a little more on the same page as a Honda 400ex. The 2000 Scrambler 400 2x4 is the lightest of the trio. At 501 it is 40 lbs lighter than the 400 4x4 and 41 lbs lighter than the 500 4x4. The 2000 Scrambler 400 2x4 and 4x4 comes with steel wheels this year which makes them heavier than last year. A good set of Holeshot XTC's on doulgas .190's will bring the weight down to maybe 475 lbs for the scrambler 400 2x4 and 519 lbs for the scrambler 400 4x4 ( Last years specs for both ). An additional 25 lbs can be easily removed from the bike making it quicker and more nimble. The 400L motor is capable of producing 50 HP comfortably, with out killing your wallet and still maintaining some reliability.

The heavier Scrambler such as the 400 4x4 and the super heavy 500 5x5 don’t like to get as much air as the lighter Sport or Super light Honda 400ex. I would love to get my bike down to 500 pounds and it still would be heavier than some 4x4 utility quads.

Chris Picciotto
99 Scrambler 500

 

This must come down to your riding intentions. If you will be racing, and riding mostly on flat tracks and moto type tracks, the 400Honda is likely your best bet.

If you are trail riding or racing, the Scrambler's suspension and superior clutching will make you faster.

Also, we went trail busting, creating new trails where there were none, this weekend. The snowmobile style clutch is GREAT in thicket and thorn, mud and tough hills.

I've driven all sorts of machines, so it not as a wus that I choose not to shift. I just prefer my attention to be elsewhere, as I speed through the trails.
I appreciate the fact that I am ALWAYS in the right gear.

To your point...
If you came to my romping grounds, you would leave as a Polaris Scrambler fan.

Assumedly, if I took my beast to the track, I'd leave a Hondog fan. (that was a typo, not a slam on Hondogs)

------------------
Rich Weinssen 1999 Scrambler 500 2000 Scrambler 500 2000 Trail Boss 1998 Magnum 425

 

4X4 or do not bother changing quads. The 4-wheel drive is the only real advantage over the EX. THe 4X4 is an excellent choice.

 

I agree. Get the 4x4 or keep the honda. If you want a pure sport bike, the 400 ex is the best choice. I own a scrambler 500 (99) and I abosolutely love it. It is the quad for me. I like the sporty feel, but I also like and need the 4x4. I test drove the honda 400 and it was way too small. I also test rode the 400 sport and the scrambler 400 4x4. I liked the THUMPER!!!!!!! I like the sound and feel of the 4 stroke. Most of my riding is in the woods, so the 500 is the best machine. Tough decision. If you like to jump alot keep the honda. The polaris scramblers are a little more effort to jump than the honda. In my mind that is the only advantage to the honda.

Jeremy 99 500 HO

 

Hakmazter hate to break it to you it is not hard to wheelie the 500. You just have to have some skills

 

I just can't see the Honda being as much fun
as the Scrambler. The Scrambler has 10-12
more horsepower, so even though its heavier
its surely just as fast. The ability to
switch between 2wd for speed, doughnuts,
wheelies and 4wd for hillclimbing and mud is
a big advantage.