Interesting how many different people report different results about the same machines. I dont think you can compare unless all machines are stock, otherwise you just get into alot of variables. dont you agree that the guy that wins most often has a pretty thick wallet?

Utah
99 400ex, lots of mods
99 Banshee, lots of mods
96 300ex, stock

 

I agree with Utah that the one that can afford to do the mods has the advantage. I also believe the rider has a lot to do with it. My brother is a better rider than I am. I also out weigh him by 40 pounds. He can beat me if all things are equal, but as Utah said, unless you're comparing the same stock machines, there are too many variables. I'm glad I have some "variables" to help make up the difference!

 

Jim - Just checked out your pics of your Scrambler. Looks great! Do you have to run AV Fuel with the 12:1 head? What kind of pipe are you using? I bet it keeps your right leg very warm!

 

Which Polaris quad is the fastest, i don't know too much about them. Nobody near me owns one. I have a Dirtwheels issue right here where they compare a Banshee, a 400ex, and a Polaris Sport 400 which is a 2 stroke. They raced a drag and some lap times on a track, the drag was Banshee, then 400ex followed by the Sport. On a short track the 400ex took first. Top speeds were pretty close. They had some strong winds during the test so they did an average with and against the wind, they were all in the upper and mid 60's. I think the Polaris would be much more competitive if it lost about 70-90 lbs.

 

My next door neighbor has a raptor and I have a polaris scrambler. He beats me every time we race. The raptor is way better I hate my polaris. the raptor is way better in every area besides I dont like the fact that polariss have an automatic transmission it sucks. The raptor is better.

 

Danyeo,

The Polaris 400 Sport is the fastest Polaris, followed closely by the Scrambler 400. The Sport doesn't have the extra drag from the 4-wheel drive capability of most of the other Polaris machines. I like the Scrambler because you can switch to 4 wheel drive with the push of a button. There is a Scrambler 4 stroke 400 (Magnum), and a Scrambler 500, but neither are as fast as the 2-stroke 400.

The Scrambler is a great climber. It really is a "sport-utility" Polaris gets a lot of negitive coments about a single lever braking system and an automatic transmission. I've never had a problem with the breaks (and I've been down some super steep stuff) After riding all day I sometimes end up with a sore left hand (used for the breaks)
As far as the automatic clutch goes, I've never missed a shift! You're always in the right 'gear'
One thing I don't like about the automatics is that you can't use engine compression to slow you down. There are some after-market add ons for this, but they also rob you of performance.

I don't know about your area, but around here there are many places that have Polaris machines for rent. If you're thinking about purchasing one, I'd try one before you buy.

-------------
'01 Raptor 660R
'00 Eton-90DXL
'96 Scrambler 400

 

RaPteR316 I mustsay that when I read your comment, I knew for sure that you have never ride a banshee at all !!!
Ride a banshee on a paved street and you will feel like you are on a CBR600 with a 2stroke engine.

 

Raptoid, Thanks. I just run pump gas. Allot of faster Scramblers run the 14:1 or 15:1 & they have to use race gas. I'll never pay for race gas so I wont be going any faster plus it's fast enough for my old bones anyways. Actually my leg is MUCH cooler now than before since the stock black plastic guard rested on the pipe so it got REALLY hot. My ne alumn guard is not touching the pipe so it's VERY cool. It's not worth comparing a stock Polaris Sport or Scrambler agenst any serious quad like the DS, Raptor, 400ex, 250R Banshee etc. The only way a Polaris is even remotely competitive is if it's modified then it actually can beat the stock competition in some cases. So dont over look a Polaris in a race cause you never know if it's modified or not that's my only point.
Jim Maloney 98 400 Scrambler
http://photos.yahoo.com/jim400scram

 

This is a funny thread. I didn't see it at first. I love that people are comparing all of these different quads at once. It always seems to come back to - "stock to stock" is the best way to compare. That might be fine to start with, but who leaves their quad stock? I think it's more realistic to run typical mods on everything, but put a simple ballpark of around $500 or so as a cap of money spent. No major motor work, just pipes, jetting, airbox mods. Most people do these things. After all is said and done, we see that the banshee spanks everything else mentioned here, with the raptor and ds come in close behind.

This time of year, I'm at Glamis once a month or so, and I've yet to see a ds trounce a piped banshee. Same goes for the raptor, but there really hasn't been enough modded ones out there yet for good comparison. The scrambler and 400EX??? C'mon people. The Pole is wayyy to fat and the ex just don't have the hp...

 

What? I know that I read MORE stories about ds650's and raptors 'spanking' piped banshee's than vice-versa. I've also haven't lost(stock) to a 'shee yet but I haven't really raced any banshee with more mods that a pipe and jet. Maybe I'm right maybe I'm wrong . I know what I did...