Brokemybanshee: No, I didn't do any searches on my quad before I bought it. I didn't find this forum until after I bought it. I wasn't bashing the Raptor, just giving the guy a starting point for finding out info on a machine he is about to spend 7K on. Anyway, I am incredibly happy with my purchase. It has not been in the shop one minute due to mechanical failure. I have not had one problem with it whatsoever. I am surprised, however, at the number of questions and posts pertaining to the Raptors problems day after day. It seems that in the couple short months that it has been out, it's problems surpass any failures experienced with any Polaris product, old or new. I had planned on buying a Raptor, but the day after delivery started, there were nothing but negative reports on the machine. I'm sure I will own one in a year or two, after all the bugs are worked out.

 

Excuse me "LITTLE GIRLS QUAD" hahaha.....hahaha.
Give me a moment to recover from repetitive laughing.
Okay, lets get something straight here the scrambler 400 wieghts about 100 pounds more than the 400ex and it goes as fast, lose 100 pounds and it will go faster.
One more thing the scrambler/sport 400 has been out for 6 years now and it can still run with the new "RACE QUADS".
Polaris has the technology the others are trying to catch up.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

That was the then this is now, polaris has came a long way since then. (in reliability)
The only hole I see is the one in your head.LOL.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

If I understand your riding style, you would like to do some serious jumping. The Raptor or Honda 400ex are the best for this purpose. You would be disappointed in the Kodiak unless you are needing a 4x4 utility quad and occasionally want to trail ride. The Raptor will scare the **** out of you sometimes because it's speed is deceiving, but the suspension is great and keeps you steady. I would suggest that you start with a used 400ex and when you get comfortable and bored with the speed, then step up to the Raptor. And as the others mentioned, wear proper riding gear.

 

scramdaddy- Your conceited "Polaris is best" attitude is getting old. Have you ever ridden anything other than Polaris? The fact is that Polaris does build a good product, but they do not provide the same thrills as other makes.

My wife rides our Sport 400 and loves it. One day I had her ride my Banshee and she was grins from ear to ear. She liked the adrenaline from feeling the power. That prompted me to begin mods on the 400 to add some more zip, but it will never feel like a high-performance bike.

I urge you to ride a Banshee or Raptor before judging other's rides. You'll find that an abundance of power is mated to an excellent light-weight chassis. On the Polaris, it's the chassis design that makes me nervous. Yes, the 400 2 stroke is powerful, but in a poor-handling chassis, it is trouble.

You often compare the Scrambler 400 horsepower to the Raptor. They may put out comparable HP numbers, but if you can't put it to work through tight twisty terrain, it is no good. I'll take the Yamahas (and even Hondas) when I want to ride competitively. When I feel like a casual ride, the Polaris is a fun choice.

I'm not bashing your ride, just stating that if that is what suits your riding style and terrain, then I'm happy for you. Others of us have a different style and terrain where other machines are superior. Give it a rest!

 

Okay before I get classified as a biased, I want to tell you I have rode banshee's, 400ex's, and raptors at the dealership, they ride great and have great ergonomics.

I did consider the 400ex before the scrambler, the only thing that was holding me back was lack of reverse, not enough low end, and the price was'nt appealing for a machine that had less in features then the scrambler.

I said it before in an earlier post that I give the japanese companies credit for making a four stroke engine comparible to a two stroke.

Now I dont race and probably 85% of the readers on the forum dont either and unless you live near a desert or flats where can you accually go as fast as the machine is rated for. I dont know about you but I have one heck of a time keeping 30mph through the woods on my scrambler and I exspect someone on a raptor or ex not to go any faster unless thier professional racers.

I'm not trying to say my machine is the best, but in the catagory of versitility theres no comparison.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

Thanks for the responses guys.
Jeff