Hi. Looking to buy one of these 2 quads within a few days. Xplorer is a 2001 and expedition is a 2000 model.......both same price and condition. Is the 2001 yr. upgrades on bearings and seals worth going for the new one or is the expedition a more durable machine cause of the shaft drive. Also does around 3500 sound like a great price for these machines. And last does anyone know how soon til 2 strokes will be outlawed at riding areas as this is something I'd like to do going on overnight camping trips and stuff. Thanks in advance....Brian

 

Sounds like a decent price for either of them, if they are in good shape. How many miles/hours do they have?
Between them, the Xplorer will have a higher top speed, with notably better acceleration. The Xpedition will run quieter, and make the EPA happier.

As far as durability, the Xplorer will have Concentric Drive to the rear chain, which helps its durability quite a bit over the old style. I personally have an Xplorer and the chain drive has been pretty durable, all things considered. Went 5500 miles on the original chain & sprockets, although keep in mind I do NOT wallow through the deep mud like some people do, I use it mostly for farm/ranch work (mending fence, tending cattle, pulling a small utility trailer, etc) and what I would call casual trail riding. The chain drive isn't really that trouble prone, if you do the maintanence. That is what gets to be a pain. Chain lube costs only $5 a can, and a can goes well over 500 miles (for me, anyway) but to make the chain really last, you gotta lube it every 50 miles or so (or every day or two of trail riding), which takes only 2 minutes, but is messy, and a pain sometimes. Also, the chain will need adjusting every now and again, as well. The front sprocket especially needs to be watched, as after it starts showing wear, all of a sudden it will be missing a couple teeth. Again, not a big deal, you can get a sprocket for about $10-$12 @ Rocky Mountain, but some might consider it a pain to have to do it. On the flip side, the '01 will have the better brakes, and the better steering components. Personally, I LOVE my Xplorer, just realize that that one chain will double or maybe triple the amount of times you will have to be messing with maintanence. I maybe do go overboard on the chain maintanence, but I have 6100 miles on the machine, and have so far only replaced the front sprocket, brakes, and outer tie rod ends. Oh, and I also upgraded to a Wiseco piston, but not because of the old one wearing out. Not too bad for a chain-drive 2 cycle machine with over 6100 miles.

Farmr

 

400 Explorer
2 stroke power with Automatic w/consentric chain drive

VS

425 Expedition
4 stroke with 5 speed Manual w/shaft drive

Which one suits your riding better?
The Expedition will be a better worker.
The Explorer will probably be more fun.