Only 2 questions for you all:

Is the 400 Scrambler much louder than the 500? Does the Scrambler 500 sound like the Sportsman 500? I have only heard the 400...

Today I test rode the bike that I am getting next week and its a bullet!

Is the 400's motor always so ``pingy``?? I ask this because it was pinging a bit and didn't sound as smooth as I thought it would. Iwas expecting that ``Porche`` revving sound but got a dune buggy spitting sound!?

Must be last minute buying jitters...Polaris has so many models and the dealers have so many accessories and extras. Tires, racks, wheels, mods, gadjets, etc...the list goes on!
I hope

 

The 500 is a little louder than the SP500, and yes, the 400 always sounds that way!
Later,

 

The sound of a 4 stroke motor (the 500) is deep and throaty, whereas the 2 stroke motor (the 400) is higher and more "poppish", for lack of a better term. I love the sound of the 4 stroke, but I ride the 2 stroke. Why? The 2 stroke is easier and less expensive to hop up. These two quads have different characteristics based on their engines, the 400 is quicker off the line, but the 500 has a tad more top end. At least, that has been my experience with the quads (stock).

 

If this makes anysense, I would say the Sportsman is quieter than the Scrambler, more than the Scrambler is louder than the Sportsman. I think both are fairly quiet, although the Sportsman is really quiet.

 

yea the 400 will sound like that since it is 2-stroke.ok later

 

So Hawkman... you also ride the 400. I am awaiting delivery in 1 week 1/2. I see that a lot of guys ride the 500. The 400 I test rode was awesome...the only thing that is making me second guess my decision is the noise and "perkiness" of the machine. Have you tried both? For someone like me going towards his first sport quad...would I really see or hear a difference? It's like everything else in life...we think because it is written 500 and not 400 that it is much bigger and badder. But if I compare my Xplorer400 to the SP500 I'd have to say my ride is way better.(for me) Hope it's the same for the Scramblers. I don't think that I will regret it.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

My riding partner has a 500, and we have switched on occasion. In terms of performance, the quads are pretty close to even.
Here is where I think the 400 shines a bit brighter than the 500 - modifications. I spent $325 on the RcR stage 1 kit, and the stock 500 no longer stands a chance against the 400. In order to get the same performance from the 500, he is going to have to spend lots more money. For that reason, he wants to sell the 500 and get a 400.

As to the sound, I too, like the grunt of the 500, but I don't get to hear it much anymore 'cause I'm always in front!