I'm thinking about getting a 325 Magnum 4x4 for my son who has outgrown his Sportsman 90. I'd like to get some input from more knowledgeable riders. Basically we will use the quad for work as well as play. I'd like to know what a good price for the quad would be, how much flexibility can I expect from the dealer, etc? I'd also like to hear any other feedback, positive or negative. However I don't want this string to become a Polaris bashing one. Being the fastest up the hill or quickest over the river and through the woods isn't a concern of mine. Being second in every catagory suits me better than being first in one or two catagories. Also I like Polaris products, their quality concerns of the past are exactly that. They build a good product. I have an '02 Scrambler 500 4x4 and a TrailBoss (the wife's) and am happy with my choices thus far. Until Polairs gives me reason to think otherwise, I believe I will remain brand loyal.

Thanks in advance for feedback given.

Steve

 

Steve, dont bash me, but before I bought my 7 yr old son a SP 90, he would drive my uncles '01 325 4wd. NOW I know this is alot of quad for a 7 yr old, but he handled it great, plus when he got the 90, he was already "broke" in. My uncle can go anywhere I can go on my SP500. The 325 is an excellent machine! Nothing bad to report about it.

 

Well, I own the 2wd drive, and I can say that It is a great, tough machine. There isn't a mud hole around here that I have got stuck in yet, and it's only 2wd, great traction. When we first moved here I used the quad to move some huge bolders, we are talkin 900lbs plus, and moved them, no problem. I have put this machine through hell and back, and it takes all of it.
I dont' think you could go wrong.

 

We have had a 2X4 version for about 2 months now. I agree, it does a lot of stuff well. It is a comfortable machine and goes through anything. No issues at all to report. My wife even climbed "suicide" hill with it. It had to be done just about wide open ,but that hill is just huge. If you want to add power, there are ways of course as you know.
I'm with you on the idea that an all purpose quad is the machine for me. One that does just one thing great does not allow for my kind of riding.
I don't know pricing in your area. In CA, we don't get too many breaks. We paid $250 under MSRP.

 

Great all-around quad in the 300-350cc size range. My favorite aspect of it, is that it is a 'full grown' quad, some makes of 300s feel like toys in comparason. On the minus size, it is a 'full grown' quad, so it isn't as light, nimble, or easy handling as many other 300 cc quads.
Keep in mind that it uses the exact same drive train as the 500 Magnum (tranny, axles, CV joints in the 4x4) so they hold up EXTREMELY well for whatever work the 325 engine can dish out.
It is about as fast or faster than any of the 300 utilities I have ever been on, yet will pull/haul as much as any of the 350s.
If you don't need the speed, it is sure hard to beat. I believe it has the best 4wd, auto tranny, and oil cooling systems on the market.
I have never heard an owner gripe that they weren't capable workers, or tough enough, just an occasional 'I wish it could keep up with the big boys' when on an open trail. Oh, yea, it rides as good as any non-IRS machine out there.

 

Farmr123
I wonder if you can just put a 500 engine in there then! With the liquid cooling stuff installed it might be a nery cool upgrade when this motor gets tired.

 

I don't know about that, I suppose it is possible. It would take some doing, you would have to swap from the airbox back (and possibly the airbox). If the motor mounts are the same, I bet it would fit.
If you get a chance to, check this out at your dealer or find a 325 & 500 Magnum. Take off the seat & sidepanels. Look at them carefully. The frames look identical to me.
There are other changes, though, such as suspension rates, etc, but as far as I know, the frame & drivetrain itself is the same. It goes without saying the trannys will be different, though, as the 500s have EBS and the 325s don't. Just keep the pulleys together (EBS & non-EBS, don't mix & match) and it should work. Also, the 500 will have different clutch springs than the 325.

Now if a guy had a 325 with a tired engine, and knew of a wrecked 500 with a good engine....

 

I love my 325 Magnum 4x4. Speed has never been an issue for me as I usually don't ride the kind of trails where I can even approach full top-end speed. My son is 11 and rides mine more than I do. I would think it's an excellent choice for a first-time full-size quad. I bought a new 2001 Magnum 4x4 (not camo) for $4200 out the door. This dealer was wanting out of the Polaris business and was a LOT cheaper than the others around here.

It seems that most folks that have a Magnum 325 or Trail Boss have K&N filters. Do you guys that have them (on these quads) notice $40 worth of difference?

Thanks,

Brad
kd5hrm

 

I run a Uni filter, it is along the same lines as a K&N. I think the K&N flows just a little better, but the Uni filter catches more dirt.
Performance wise, about all I could say is I might have gained just a little throttle response. The main reason I got the Uni is that you only have to buy one, you can wash them out, re-oil, & re-use them rather than have to buy another $10 filter to just throw away every spring.

 

I put a K&N on mine and noticed a HUGE difference. It is a must. I got it for $20 from Rocky Mountain ATV. I removed that 20+ inch long snaking baffle that goes way up over the gas tank. Since the lower airbox is the same as on the Scrambler 500, they sent me a filter that was twice as long as the stock 325 filter. Man, what a difference. From 0-15 mph it's night and day. No jetting required for this bottom end response mod.