My brother now owns my 99 Sportsman.Two wks ago,I purchased a 00 400cc Xplorer.Yesterday was the first time I got to really ride it over 30mph.I put on about 50 miles yesterday,John,my brother,was riding the Sportsman.

DRAG RACE?He took me out of the hole by a quad.I looked at my speedo at around 45mph,and I was easily 4 quads ahead of him,we weigh the same.We raced in 2wd,and AWD with the same results each time.I never drove the Xplorer over 50mph.

HANDLING?I like the lighter,more nimble feel on the Xplorer.You can feel that it weighs 110 lbs lighter than the Sportsman.Steering is easier[on the Xplorer] at a take off,but after take-off,I did'nt notice any differance in steering effort between either quad.

COMFORT?I did'nt think the riding comfort was very differant[on the Xplorer] until yesterday because my riding was limited to only 200 acres of land and at very slow speeds,usually under 10mph.After riding for about 30 miles,John and I switched quads.He road the Xplorer for about 10 miles and I road his Sportsman.What a suprize.Now keep in mind that I have'nt rode the Sportsman in about a month or so.When we switched,I could'nt beleive there was that much of a differance.Sportsman wins this one hands down.I felt every bump on the Xplorer,while the Sportsman just felt like it was riding on air.

MUDDING? To be announced at a later date.

HILL CLIMBING?The Xplorer is a better climber.While the Sportsman did climb every hill the Xplorer did,the Xplorer did it with alot more ease.

OVERALL?I do like the Sportsman alot,but the throttle response on the Xplorer is certainly a plus.Its handling manners are better to.For me,the Xplorer wins.I just wish I had road the Xplorer before I bought my Sportsman.Id of bought it for sure.====BILL

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

 

D*m Bill just when I thought I liked my sportsman now I don't. Your not lying are you, you have been accussed of that on here hehehehe. Seriously if you could get the X or scrambler with independant suspension thats probably would have been the way I would have went, but man as you said the ride is unbelievable, I LOVE IT...well keep us informed on the new bike...I am trying to figure out a way to get either the 400cc or 500cc sport bike I am even selling my 67 vet...just to small for the family w/ my 2 yr. old boy. Anyway glad your satisfied with it Bill, oh and one question why do you think the xplorer climbs better don't it feel a little light in the front on real steep stuff or have you had it there yet. I already have a bumper and winch ordered to weigh the front down on the sport seems the xplorer would be even lighter in the front end, also I am thinking on taking a few of the coils out of the back shocks to set the bike down a little closer to the ground we have some unbelievably dangerous steep hills here in WV...have a good one Bill

 

ATVing,the front end light on the Xplorer?Well if you are comparing it to the Sportsman than yes.But otherwise,no.I think it climbs a little better because yesterday,on a very long and steep,loose packed hill,I was able to obtain more ''wheel speed'' with the Xplorer.This hill give me NO problem and it was long and steep to.Now im not tring to say that the Sportsman is not a good hill climber,it just takes a little more effort with the extra 110 lbs and the 4 stroke motor on the Sportsman.I did'nt want the Scrambler because I still wanted the utility avalability of a quad.I use a trailor to hall my wood attached to the quad.No low range on the Scrambler either.The Scrambler is TO sports orrentated for my use.====BILL

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

 

Well that does make sense Bill, that is one of the reasons I posted in the other part of the forum that the sportsman was for a bigger fellow and definetly not a beginners bike. I didn't know the Scrambler didn't have low range that would never work around here cause I would be buying belts I ride my sportsman in low about 70% of the time...I believe in the theory of when in doubt put it in low...well Bill maybe I will start leaning toward the idea of the X just really don't like the idea of a 2 stroke...love the power just afraid of what I will have to do to the machine a few years up the line did you get the extended warranty with your Bike...have a good one BiLL

 

Say Bill, I too love the ride on my Sportsman, I have yet to ride a smoother quad. Sure I too complain about the weight, after getting stuck on the tracks testing out the ground clearance after putting on the Highlifter lift kit and 27" tires, but electrical problems did not allow AWD and their was much swearing and grunting trying to lift that puppy over the rails. Glad there was no train coming, not going to do that in the near future.

 

ATVing,I did'nt purchase the extended warrenty with the Xplorer yet,but I have until the end of my 6 month warrenty to decide if I want to purchase it,im sure I will.It is like about 480 dollars for 3 more yrs.I know how you feel about this 2 stroke thing, I was skeptical to and still am.If it were not for these forums backing it up,Id probably of kept the Sportsman.So far, I love the quad and found the things folks said about it to be true,hope it stays that way.Swac,you on a rail road with your quad?Me to,but I'll save that story for another day,its a long and very nervous story.===BILL

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

 

Don't even worry about reliability Bill. I've been riding mine very hard for exatly 2 years now. When the brake pads use up...which they most definately will, put on heavy duties. My original pads lasted only about 1 season and the heavy duties have been going strong for 1 year and 1/2. I am really rough on the brakes! Other than that I had no problem. I did not adjust the chain for the first 6 months! When the bike started to kick I brought it in. NO PROBLEMS!

I also added a clutch kit to my Xplorer. I found out yesterday at the dealer that it is a snowmobile kit? Last year the other dealer said it would be more resistant and better performance... I must have forgotten about that, you should have seen the new mechanic's face! Plus he tested it before I got there and brought it up to about 65 mph. He should not have told me that...

You made the best choice in the world! The Xplorer outruns the Sportsman on hard-packed, hills and mud. Maybe because my father-in-law is a bit "heavier" than me and because of the IRS he might bring the back end clearance down a bit?! The only place I disliked my Xplorer "a bit" is in the snow. The back wheels seem to have a lot more power than the front and tend to slide back and forth on hard accelerations. But punch it on a nice dirt trail(with the clutch kit) and it is amazing! The Sportsman is a smoother ride though.

They are both great! Up here we automatically get a two year waranty on the bike.

 

Xplor,I cant beleive you have only adjusted your chain once in 6 months.I only have 85 total miles on my Xplorer and I have adjusted it 3 times allready.I been keeping the chain wax on it to.My stinking dealer wants 104 dollars for the first time adjustments at 150 miles.And thats only for labor [two hrs worth]What a freaking rip.Grease,chain adjustment,re-torque the head,maybe install a new spark plug,check fluids,and carb adjustment.I can do all that in 45 minutes or less.Its just that the first time I like bringing the quad to the dealership so in the future if I have problems,they cant say I did the adjustments incorrectly.Screw them a$$holes,I will do it myself.Xplor,what was the brand name of your clutch kit?How much $$ with installation.Did it make a real big differance?====BILL

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

 

Hey Bill which one do you think will mud the best...the sportsman or the explorer...BiLL

 

ATVing,now this is only a guess.I think because the Xplorer will obtain more wheel speed,it ''might'' have the edge in the mud.I wont try the heavy mud until im completely broke in.My bros Sportsman is now a 3wd.The left wheel quit driving in AWD yesterday.I had the extended warrenty on it and left the quad in my name for that purpose,so I'll bring it into the dealership next wk to see what the deal is.Thats really the first problem it has had since it left the dealership last December.He tried to climb a large log in high gear with the wheel turned completely to the left.I noticed only the right front wheel was spinning.Im getting tired of preaching the importance of LOW gear to him.I think he tore up the belt on it to.LIVE and LEARN.=====BILL

00 Xplorer 400cc 4x4
If you want to come in second ''RIDE A GRIZZ''