Right now I have a 92 warrior, its a good machine. I need 4x4 though and I don't want something that is not a sport quad. SO obviosly I'm thinking Scrambler. The model I have in mind is the 500 fourstroke. There seems to be alot of them advertised around here, so that leads me to believe that they may have problems. I'm hesitant to buy a Polaris because of friends doing a lot of Polaris Bashing. What are some opinions you might have about the 500 machine. What problems should I lookj for if i decide to buy. What are some of the stron points and downfalls. Any info I could get would be greatly appreciated.
Chris

 

You will get a lot of info if you do a search on this topic.

Are you looking to buy new or used?

The only main weakness is the weight. You can't really go crazy jumping. The Scramblers are best described as trail quads, because they don't shine in any particular type of riding, but they are good in a lot of areas, which makes them a fun quad out on the trails.

P.S.
RULE #1 :
DON'T listen to bashers!!!

 

whatever poeple say... polaris is good... polaris atv are the most efficients on the market, ( i mean powerfull, fast, comfortable to ride, ect... ) the rear Fox suspension ( on the scrambler ) is unbelievable and the front suspension is very good.

i had a '95 magnum 425 before, and never had any trouble with it, my father has a 2001' sportsman 500 HO and it run like hell, but i had few little things on my scrambler, the secondary break system is not very good, when you use the handle break it breaks on the 4 wheels... but if you want to use the foot pedal wich makes only the 2 back wheels break... it's not very good... on mine it worked for 2 months and i had it fix 3 times and it always worked for 2 months... so i forgot it.... i still got the 4 wheels break that is working perfectly.

it's about it... little things like that... but in general it's a very good machine... and by the way i got the winch on it, so it makes it heavier and i do a lot of jumps and wheelies... if you jump, just make sure you don't end up on a flat landing.


just my opinion !!

 

Chris
As you well know there are only two true sport 4x4 out there right now, scrambler or Wolverine.
I own two 400 4x4 Scramblers and could not be happier. You hear people bash polaris but it is mostly from hear say, NO proof. You know how people can jump on a bandwagon. I belive the main reason you are seeing so many for sale is because people are upgrading to either an all out sport quad or a true utility. The scrambler as you know is kind of a cross bread, jack of all trades, master of none. If you plan to buy used, I would personally not buy anything prior to 98 or 99 models. Pre 98 models were not concentric drive, Not to mention the 4x4 was chain driven up front. Non concentric and Front chain drive systems were known to be high maintenance and problematic.
2000 models got a rear suspension upgrade, they added 2" of travel and a dual stage spring that is nice and soft. Late 2000 models also received a tire rod end upgrade.
2001 models got a brake upgrade, they added steel braided lines, vented rotors, and a better reservoir assembly.
late 01-2002 models got a steering upgrade, they put a larger post and a sealed bearing at the bottom end.

One of my buddies has a 500 X 2x4. The low end 4 stroke grunt is a lot of fun on the trails. Feels better than the 400 in stock forms. It seems that you are always on the gas on the 400 to stay in the power band. The power is always there and very smooth.
The only true enemy to the Scrambler line up, and all Polaris machines, is weight. They are all big heavy machines. Some people do not like the CVT but this is not new technology, Every snowmobile out there has been using the same drive system for years. Once you get used to it, you will like it. Fact is it is much more efficient that a standard shift machine.
All in all the Polaris Scrambler is a very reliable machine, most people that have them love them

 

I was having the same thoughts as you 4 yrs ago when I purchased my Scram. I too had a 92 Warrior and wanted 4 wd and not as sporty but not utility either. The choices were slim in 98 the Scram or the Wolverine.

I`ve been very happy with the Scram it performs (imo) as well as my Warrior did in all aspects of trail riding. It will jump and wheelie easily too easily in fact for it`s own good. When I first started riding it I rode it like it was a Warrior and jumped it too high and cracking the swing arm the machine can`t handle the really big jumps because of the weight.

I`ve had the no major problems at all. Some things wore out a little premature like the lower steering post bearing and the tie rod ends but these problems have been adressed in the newer models as well as others.

The ergo`s with the floor boards, auto tranny, single brake lever and handle bar position take some time to get used to but when you do you will like it.

One thing that isn`t any better is the mud protection you still get plastered [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

uuummmmm.......yup!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

The Scrammy is a great trail machine. I love the suspension, love the power, love the 4x4-on-demand. I can't tell you how many times the 4x4 has gotten me out of sticky situations in mud or snow where other 2WD sport quads would have left me high and dry. Scrammy has more than enough power to do some good power-sliding. Want to turn around quick, just goose the throttle. For a four stroke, it's got a lot of pep. And as far as vs. the Wolverine, the Scrambler has a ton more power, better suspension, and is definitely quicker. I rode with a guy who was on a Wolverine once for six hours. (I, of course, had the Scrammy). At the end, all he was doing was complaining how much his lower back hurt from all the bumps and jolts he felt that I didn't, and that his Wolvie's engine needed about 150 more cc's. (At least he was honest). Oh yeah, on a Wolvie you can't turn off the 4x4, not to mention that it's really only "three wheel" continuous drive. I guess a downside is that maintenance takes a bit longer on a Polaris than some other machines. They just require a bit more, but I think half the fun is wrenching a bit. Tightening/lubing chain every ride, over a dozen grease fittings every other ride to hit, wiping down the belt and clutch surfaces once every few rides (not hard), and there are more fluids than most quads have (front hub 4x4 oil, front gearcase oil, rear gearcase oil, hydraulic brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil in all).

 

Tough spot to be in, as this areas is a big compromise. I happen to think the scammy is the best, but trade-offs are being made. The comments on weight and jumping are dead on. Some examples I find:

As a long time geared tranny guy, the PVT drives me nuts, and I'm GUESSING the wolverine has gear tranny. That has implications anytime you want to suddenly loft the front end @ speed, and makes it harder (not impossible) to cruise at high speeds for any distance.

I ride in the UP of N Mich occasionally with some buddies. We take polaris scrams and explorers as well as 310'rs and 'shes. Most of us have both. I find the guys w/polaris reluctant to cruise anywhere near the speeds the r/'she guys do when going from a to b (sometimes 10-15 miles), just because they can't get into high gear and mid-range rpm. They either buzz the engine up or slow down. The r/'she guys lock into 6th , dial up 4-5k rpm and can cruise in the 50's.

I also find it harder to loft the front over rock, fallen tree's, and etc. at speed becuase I can't clutch, rpm, and pop, or grab a lower grear and drop the clutch. The PVT does downshift, but its not as direct or sudden.

I also think you'll feel a higher center of gravity then what you're used too.

Anyway, I've gone through this to give you some unbiased for-instances. Bottom line though, is that I started all my friends in buying the P's as I thought they were the best compromise in 4x4 and performance. I LOVE the on-demand 4x4, and think that's a must. I do prefer the 400's though, as its lighter and easier to get power out of..

I do consider them a higher maintenance machine, although I suspect some of that is based on expectation and owner use. Heck, compared to the 'she maintenance on the things are a bargain.

If looking at used, I'd look @ frame condition, certainly the CV boots, read end bearing wear, rotor wear, and I'd ask what oil's are changed, who does it, how often, and where those locations are. As you may know, P's have quite a few oil change requirements and I'd want to buy from somebody that could either prove they were all done or could show me all the locations. (if they claimed they did them all). Again, there are a number of them.

luck.

dan