Pages: 1
Posted by: Robert Venable
I don't know. They make quads that break after the first ride.
------------------
Arctic Cat 500, Not your average Kitty, The New King Of the Jungle
Posted by: Rob
Hey Kevin2650 I live in The Washington Area and considering a Magnum 325 aswell were do you live I will be riding in oregan and Wa to Mabey we can or something Talk to you soon mabey
Robert
Posted by: dand11
The bought a 325 2x4 this spring and have had very good luck with it. The vibration gets better around 40 to 50 hours. My 2x4 will do anything I need around the farm so the 4x4 should be evern better.
Dan Daugherty
Posted by: Andy Bassham
I rode one for about 3 minutes at a dealer once while I was riding sportsmans for fun. The mag I rode was 2wd though. All I really figured out in that little time was that it vibrated like crazy. It was like I was on a jackhammer. Reminded me of the 84 kawa bayou 185.
------------------
Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*
Posted by: rennym
PP500
Any of the Polaris 4x4 quads are champs in the mud. (Especially the Sportsmans with their 1" lug tires.)
Also the automatic transmission allows you to use your wheelspin from 1mph to 30 mph without shifting gears. (I saw this on a King Quad. One wet foot.)
The true AWD system is beautiful. I ran an Explorer 400 and a Scrambler 400 last winter on the ice with studs, and you can really see/feel the AWD work. Both machines are great in the slippery stuff. The only time you get stopped is when you are hung up in the middle, but a little rocking side to side usually covers it.
If you have to stay within the budget, then there is no convincing you to go with the 500 Magnum. It is one awesome machine. From what I've read here, I don't think anyone has had a problem with a new one.
What ever you decide, just get out there and ride.... :)
RM
------------------
99 400EX 95 Scrambler 400 85 LT250R
Posted by: Kevin2650
I bought a Mag 325 4X4 about 3 months ago. I ride in the Washington and Oregon Cascade Mountains and I have yet to find a grade too steep for it. Just yesterday it took me (240 lbs) and a friend (190 lbs) up a grade that almost had us tipping over backwards. It had ample power. I don't even need ramps to get it on the trailer. It just climbs right up.
We did a lot of hauling of firewood with it. 30+" rounds 16" long all day long. It made short work of it.
Its only short-coming (if you can call it that) that I have found is speed. If you are into all out speed this isn't the rig for you. It will go fast enough to kill you though and that's fast enough for me.
My wife loves to put around on it, too because it is so easy to run. And, I have my 9 year old driving it while I am on the back. He has the whole thing down from starting it up to parking it. We go on many training rides. He loves it and it will make him a safer rider when he gets his own.
There is a lot of talk about downhill operation without the engine braking that a standard shift will give you or the EBS available as an option. I have been down grades that will scare the hell out of the best of them and believe me, you don't need it. Just remember where your brake lever is. If the grade is a long one, you can shift to low range and keep a little throttle on to keep the PVT engaged to save the brakes.
It is very safe as well. If this thing ever gets to the point where it will turn over you will have known it was coming for a while. It will scare you BEFORE it will turn over. It likes to stay rubber-side-down.
For safety, ease of operation, climbing ability, and utility, I don't think you can buy a better rig for the price.
[This message has been edited by Kevin2650 (edited 09-07-1999).]
Posted by: Kevin2650
Hi Rob,
I am in the Gorge area. I have riden on private property only as of yet (work and play) both on the Oregon and Washington side of the river.
I haven't riden any public places yet. But, I am going to try out the OHV trails in Gifford Pinchot National Forest soon. I'll let you know how it goes.
Check it out - "http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/biking/trailbike_riding2.htm"
[This message has been edited by Kevin2650 (edited 09-08-1999).]
Posted by: Kevin2650
Yes.
When the AWD switch is in the OFF position, the front hubs will never lock in. When the the AWD switch is in the ON position, the front hubs will lock in only when the rear wheels turn faster than the front wheels (i.e. when they slip). The only time you should NOT switch the AWD on is when the rear wheels are spinning and the front wheels are not. This will lock the front hubs in HARD.
The best way is to leave AWD on when your are riding where you will likely need AWD. The front hubs will lock in only when you need them and you won't have the hard steering and such when you don't need AWD.
Leave the AWD off when on the road and going fast. You can get squirrely and have some fun without the front hubs locking in.
Posted by: Kagey
The magnum 325 4x4 should be a very reliable package. It has the same driveline as the 500 magnum. I have a magnum 500 and it has performed flawlessly since day one, There are several around here and none of them have had any problems of any kind. I believe Polaris will lay the reliability issue to rest with the magnum lineup they are solid built machines. I have only seen a couple of 325s and got to ride one it was a nice package rode very well ,had ample power was extremly comfortable. Ride one first then decide, I can,t make the decision for you but if it was me picking a machine in the 300cc range it would be the 325 4x4.
------------------
Kevin Gowdy aka Kagey 1999 Polaris Magnum 500
Posted by: PolarisPower500
I have decided that the Magnum 325 4x4 is the quad for me. It is priced under $5000 which is my limit. I will mostly use it for mud, snow, sand, and creek riding. I would appreciate any info, good or bad, on this quad.
Posted by: PolarisPower500
Maybe there was just something wrong with the one you rode? Surely Polaris wouldn't make a quad that vibrated really bad...
Posted by: PolarisPower500
Thanks a lot. I ride mostly in mud and creeks so can anyone tell me how good the mud preformance is of this quad?
I am curious about the 4x4 button. Can I put it in 4wd at ANY time, even while moving?
Posted by: PolarisPower500
I just got back from the Polaris shop. Today I was just looking, and it looked mighty fine. They said the list price is $5400 which is really steep, but I have already had a dealer offer it to me for $4950. I really like the all around shaft drive, shift on the fly four wheel drive, the bigger throttle, and the large comfy seat. The dealer admited it does vibrate because of no counter balance. For the $250 worth of accessories I plan to get the speedometer, fuel gauge, and whatever else I can get.
The only thing that kinda worries me is: does it have enough power? I would appreciate it if someone could answer this.
PS - Top speed is 45mph.
Thanks.
Posted by: PolarisPower500
My weight is not at all a problem. I don't care much for speed or pulling a wheelie. I just want it to go up steep hills, mud, snow, and creek riding. I previously had a '96 Trail Boss 250 which did everything I want pretty good, except it got stuck so much.
Posted by: Muddy_Doug_E
Kevin,
I have been trying to contact you about ridding in the Portland, OR area if your interested shoot me an e-mail!
doug.stefan@west.sun.com
I live in Hillsboro
lets ride!!
Muddy Doug E
Posted by: zionalbino
PP 500,I bought a 325 Mag 4x4 a couple of months ago and I like it alright. It is the first quad I've owned and is a good bike for my kids and my wife and I. It does vibrate somewhat but I don't have much to compare it with so I don't know if this is irregular or not.
I'm not happy with the power, though, as I feel it is a bit under powered for the weight ratio (I think the bike is about 620lbs). I hope someone comes out with some power upgrades soon, I haven't found any so far.
I crossed referenced the oil filter at Checker Auto and came up with a fram PH6017A that was the identical filter...as far as I know. I put it on and it works.
I payed $4700 for the bike. It lists at $5399, so I feel I got a fair price for it.
I road it up one steep booger of a hill with a rider on the back and had to stop right at the top (back tires spinning) and grab the brakes to shift into low and flip it into 4 wheel drive. It did what it was supposed to do and went right up and over the top of the crest and into the parking lot of Francis Peak's 9515 ft Air Traffic Radar site. 9515 feet is high up, so the bike is capable of doing some crazy stuff at high elevations and still be able to run. You gotta love that 4 wheel drive thumb switch. It might well have saved our lives cause that hill was really dangerous now that I think of it. (drop off on both sides)Fliping the thumb switch is a lot better than throwing some lever and hoping it goes into gear...fast. You flip that thumb switch and you are there my friend. I like that part of the bike.
It rides nice, too. I like the Polaris feel over other bikes that I have ridden.
All in all, I'd get a 500 next time or the new 425 5 speed.
Posted by: zionalbino
PP500, enough power for what?
What is your weight? What are you going to use the bike for?
I have found it has plenty of power...in low range, even for 2 riders. Not likely to get the front wheels to come off the ground though.
If you want fast this is not the bike for you because it's heavy. If you want an all around capable bike, I think the 325 mag fits that bill.
Power is relative,though, just depends on what you want to do with it.
