polaris 400 vs 500

Mr.Piranha · #11 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 06:52 PM

I guess the 400 seems like the best I think I will get that one ( once my sh**y Kawasaki Mojave sells I ment amazeing at breaking)

starpuss · #12 (**permalink**) 02-05-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Piranha

Starpuss

At 7000 miles the crank needs to be redone?
I don't want a quad that I need to drop a lot of cash in.
How hard is it to rebuilt and does it run better in the winter over the 500

Yes , SO if you Buy one Try to Find one With low Km's And you Should be Good.
The 2 Stroke 400 Will also Take a LOT more of a SHIT Kick then the 500 motor will. Check them out on youtube man!

And YES My 400 Starts in like -40 (like a snowmobile motor)

When my new 2011 500HO Will Not Start in -20...

AS For How Hard it is to ReDo the motor, I say REAL Ez. (REAL Ez for me...) But i also did like 20 motors in my time.

Mr.Piranha · #13 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 02:35 AM

Well I'm not concerned w the 2s because my dumb Mojave is a dohc and it's hard to time and stuff but not life theartning

Is there any signs to look for when buying a 2s

Mr.Piranha · #14 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 02:35 AM

And how do u know how many miles are on it

dwhst9 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 03:47 AM

Do a compression test to determine when its time for a top end rebuild, don't worry about miles.

Mr.Piranha · #16 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 04:40 AM

Where can I buy a compression gauge

Mr.Piranha · #17 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 04:42 AM

How much psi for a 400 and if I get a 500 how much

factionfx · #18 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 05:38 AM

I've owned a 400 before. The water pump was broken when I got it, but I did not know, so I rode it once. Bike ran excellent.

I spent about 5-800 working on it through a guy local to me that knew a lot about them. We were never able to get the water pump to seal more than 2-3 rides, so I sold it.

I believe mine was a lemon.

Awesome bike. The 400 2-stroke is definitely the one you want if you plan on modifying.

I would try to find a really clean one that has already been modified.

That bike has so much power but it hits really hard. I think I would skip the exhaust and put a 11/42 sprocket kit on it, an RK rear chaing (you will need a new chain if you change out the rear sprocket), and a $25 clutch spring. Contact Rick Ritter at Ritter cycle. That's what I'd do, and skip the expense and complexity of jetting the carb. Complexity == change in temperature.

I have converted all of my bikes to 32:1 premix; and bypassed the oil injection. You will want to get a single pull throttle cable too.

I now have a sportsman 500 and the ride is incredibly better. For climbing and overall trail riding, I enjoy the smooth torque output of the 4 stroke much better. The independent rear suspension is so plush, even with heavy duty springs.

If you find either a 400 or 500 in great shape, you will enjoy either.

Beware the water pump in the 400; it is not easy to replace, and you need special tools

Good luck.

Mr.Piranha · #19 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 06:29 AM

Just look at the oil for the water pump?

factionfx · #20 (**permalink**) 02-06-2012, 06:45 AM

If the water in the counterbalance is milky, it is broken.

The counterbalance is a PITA to get to ; the dipstick is under the carb on the rear of the engine.

I think mine was a lemon, and you can probably get a good one, I've seen so many without issue; making my lemon more frustrating.

Good luck, the 400 engine is an awesome bike. FYI it will cost 3-500 to have that seal pulled and fixed if/when it does break.