Haven ridden or owned Motorcycles,three wheelers, and 4wheelers of almost every make and model. I never thought that I would ever be happy with a automatic transmisson. But i love it you dont have to worry about finding the right gear for hill climbing for general trail riding you cant beat. But over the last 10 years my riding styles have changed, 10years ago a 400ex would have been the machine of my choice,but ridding fast is not my thing anymore I just like to ride wether its trails, or for use on the farm I love my Polaris. Just like on tractors the resale value maybe higher on a John Deere but I would rather have a Massey or a Ford (New Holland) because I didnt buy it to sell the same is true on my SP500 I didnt buy it to sell I bought it to use.
I dont see any more complaints on here than on any of the other forums, I do see a lot of a lot hopup questions though. I guess Im saying dont bash our quads until your open minded enough to try it.Keep in mind they have they dont have a true race quad to speak of yet hope fully they will one day,but for trail riding you cant beat it.
So tell me how you feel about your's if you can make sense of this post.

 

I agree completely I bought a trailblazer about 2 months ago and I am very impressed with it. It does everything i want it to do. I was going to get a hop up kit and even asked some questions in the forums, but i have decided to stick with what i have. I am the same as S.D. my riding style has changed and Im pretty happy with what i have.
Im not quite as hardcore or maybe not as brave as i used to be, i usually stick to the trails and my bike is enough for me. Keep up the good work Polaris.

 

I know what you mean super 10 years ago I would have never thought of owning a sportsman but I am a lot like you now. I am going on 40+ a police officer in WV and I get enough fast driving.

 

10 years ago you couldn't get a Sportsman, they weren't made yet! LOL Just kidding with ya!
Later,

 

Cobra---ATVing is right on. I probably have another decade on him in age. I started my kids on a Honda 90. The California kids were punching them out to 125's and making "race machines" out of them. Then Honda introduced the 185's and we did't think they could be improved---then the 250r series the 200x and here we are today. I also bought a 500sp in '99---Hard to leave Honda.
What I think we are trying to say is we like to have a reasonably fast ride that is loaded with convenience and comfort. You can't buy the features on the Spotrsman on any machine by any manufacturer at any price. I bet Bill C. will eventually trade in that new machine and go back to the sp500. Could'nt be more pleased with mine than I am. Gardner10

 

gardner 10,with all due respect,the only way I'll ever go back to a Sportsman is if I could afford both the Xplorer and Sportsman.I liked the Sportsman tremendessly,however,the extra 110lbs is something you can really feel on the Sportsman.Especially in the steering effort.The Sportsman is not as good a hill climber either.The 400cc 2 stroke motor really pulls you up the worst and steepest hills,not to mention it handles them better.The Sportsman might be a better mudder,right now I just dont know.[Im still breaking in the Xplorer]All in All,I wished I had bought the Xplorer in the first place.The Xplorer gives you a nice comfortable trail ride to.Unless I get rich real soon,its Xplorer time for me.=====BILL

OO Xplorer 400cc 4x4
If you want to come in second ''FOLLOW ME''

 

Bill...stay with the Xplorer...you will never regret it!
Let me tell you that over the past two years that machine has brought me through the deepest mud holes and the biggest hills. Last year I added a clutch kit and it literally doubled the pleasure. Like I always say it depends on your riding technique and your abilities to take your machine to it's limits. My 400 went everywhere and that was with stock tires! I often ride my father-in-law's SP500 and it's not nearly as much of a blast as my Xplorer. It is better for hunting though...that rear suspension really kicks!

It takes a 800cc 4-stroke to equal a 400cc 2-stroke!

 

XPLOR,no doubt my friend,I will be staying with the Xplorer.It fits my needs more than the Sportsman,and the Sportsman was one awesume 4x4 to.What kind of clutch kit you get?Did it make a big differance.Im going to definatly add a clutch kit,just not sure which one yet,====BILL

00 Xplorer 400cc 4x4
If you want to come in second''FOLLOW ME and Xplor'' [ha ha]

 

Hey Bill. I added what I think is called the Sport/utility kit. It was your basic 175$ kit. When I purchased it I was not so mechanically inclined at that moment. I just told the mechanic at the dealer that I wanted more acceleration and better power distribution. Well that is what I got my friend! Already I fealt that the stock Xplorer had about 25% more acceleration than the SP500.I thought it was already great and now with the kit my Xplorer has about 35% more acceleration than stock...and the adjustment is only half-way! I like the way it is set because I gained at least 35% in acceleration and lost no top speed! In the mud, if my experience is any good, I'd have to say I saw about the same difference...all of last year I only got stuck a few times...but I asked for it! It basically climbs hills better and jumping the sport/utility is a lot easier. I am not a huge jumper but about 5 to 10 feet before a bump I hit the gas and it flies!
I can't wait to get delivery of my new Scrambler 400. Plus my wife is happy...she gets to ride the Xplorer. I ordered the whole kit for her: 26" mudrunners, back seat and storage and those spacers you recommended up front + the CV boot protectors from the Sportsman.(suggested by "My Scrambler")When the guy at the dealer heard that idea, he said he would do it to his machine! Im probably going to be jealous of my (wife's) Xplorer...but I will swap on and off when I ride with her.

Keep us up to date on how you like the Xplorer400 or if you have any other good suggestions! I learned a hell of a lot in these forums.