Hi everyone, this is my first post. Last year I purchased an xplorer250 for the winter season, and admit it was the most capable, comfortable, and all around fun machine I have ever ridden, definetly a bargain for the price. After the cold season, I sold it. Now I am looking at either the 250 or 400 xplorer. My questions,,,is the 400 worth the 1300 xtra dollars? I plan to keep this machine for about 5 years,,,I only ride about 3 months a year (winter). It seems that the 400 has enough extra power to justify the additional cost, not to mention that the styling is gen IV. Please resopond with your thoughts,,,Dave.

 

I have the 400 Explorer and it is well worth the extra money. It is amazing what this machine can do! I can pull just about anything with no problem. The 400 has plenty of power for sport riding and work. All around awesome machine!

 

Tweeter, thanks for posting. What are your thoughts on the quality of this bike, mainly reliability, and more specifically, the top end (piston and rings)? Most of the riding I do is casual trails,,,alot of slow speed typical 4wd stuff, like trying to put it places that are challenging to get in and out of, but I also like to have quick acceleration at my disposal. It seems every post I have read about the 250 has been positive, but I have read several posts about how the 400 requires alot of maintenance. Everyone else please give me your thoughts,,,as I will be making a decision soon. Thanks, Dave. Also, how does the 400 compare to a 500 4-stroke in a drag race? Thanks.

 

I also owned a 250 xplorer and agree with all you said about it, it is quite a machine for the money. Though if you can swing the extra dough the 400 is worth it, tons of power, very fast for a 4x4. The 400 seems quiter to me than the 250 was, must be the liquid cooling. If you liked the 250 you will like the 400 that much better.

 

the 400 Xplorer will beat my 2000 non HO 500 Sportsman, it is faster all the way, beats it on top end too. I ride with a couple , all they do is tighten the chain and grease it up, they have over 4000 miles on both machines, they are both bone stock, I shy away greatly from over sized tires, lift kits and that kind of thing it seems to put allot of strain on the drive train and gives allot of people troubles.

 

I know a few people with 400's besides myself and they have had no problems. I know the low end difference between the 400 and 500 makes the 400 shine. In tight trails and mud holes when you need a quick burst of power, the 400 just eats like you wouldnt believe. I do have to agree with pathfinder in the fact of some aftermarket parts adding more strain and problems than a stock machine.

 

I have a 98 400 Xplorer and if I was going to buy another quad tomorrow it would be another 400 Xplorer. These machines are great. They have tons of power,fast,easy to manuver and reliable. the only real maintance ive had to do is to change the brakes pads and tighten the rear chain every once in a while.
If you get one you'll love it!

Andy G

 

Thanks for the posts everyone. I think the 250 is a real bargain, but I think the 400 is actually a better bargain even though it costs $1300 more. I called my dealer today to see if we could finalize the deal on the 400, and we are close. He actually doesn't have one in stock, but is expecting his shipment to arrive this week or next, so I told him to reserve one for me. I know the 400 won't be working as hard as the 250, so I imagine the motor will last longer between top end rebuilding. I was really impressed with the 250 last year,,,it is the smoothest two stroke I have ever ridden. I'm hoping the 400 is as smooth, but I want it to hit hard when I gas it.

 

Is the 400 Xplorer worth the extra money. Unless all you do is putter, in a word, YES, it is. More power (zippier than a HO in tight trails) and faster than the 250. Liquid cooled, and very quiet for a 2 cycle.
I have about 5100 miles on mine, and the biggest expense so far was a set of outer tie rod ends. So far I replaced the belt once, plus about another $50 - $60 worth of stuff TOTAL, (except for gas & oil) for a machine I got in early '99, and use all the time for farmwork, and trail riding.

Farmr

 

A 400 will beat a NON-HO 500 in a drag race, but a 500 HO will beat a 400 in a drag race by a full bike length. I have ridden all three.

If you are in to performance mods (which is where the reliability starts to go south) then the 400 (two-stroke runs like a scalded ape!