Opinions On Quads

[WMonroe]

I'm thinking about buying a quad within the next year and am looking for advice on which one to get. I know I want 4x4, front/rear racks, and at least a 450cc engine other than that I'm not sure. What kinds of quads does everyone have and what do you like/dislike about them?

Will

 

[tractorseller]

I have a Yamaha Grizzly 660. Love it . I may get banged for this, but I wouldn't own another Polaris. I know they're American-made and all, but I've had too many problems with them. I've got a 500 4WD Polaris in the shop again right now #@$%! . It's had everything from broken A-arms, busted driveshafts, carb problems, engine noises... ... ... and on and on. Hasn't been beat on hard either... . I think it's just junk.



Yamaha quality is unbeatable IMO. Our family has had them for years and they're built like tanks. A little maintenance and they run forever. There are so many good ones these days that it's hard to pick. I shopped til I couldn't stand it anymore and bought what I knew I'd get all along... . the Yamaha. Bought a 350 Bruin for my wife too... ... she loves it.

 

[jandtjil]

FWIW, I don't own one, but have put many miles on my brothers (Yam) Grizzly.

Excellent is my definition of the Grizzly, great brakes and clutch engagement (engine torque) is perfect for picking your way up(down) a hillside. JJ

 

[HOBrian]

Polaris sportsman 500HO 2001 no problems at all. Love it, and it loves to jump Oo.

 

[Boomer II]

I've got a Polaris 500 HO, never had any problems with it. I don't ride it all that hard though, use it more for work than hot dogging around. If I were buying new, I'd go Arctic Cat. Go here for info:http://atvnation.com/

 

[Jeff Clark]

I know they're American-made and all,

If you look you'll find that many quads are built in America. My Kawasaki Mule was built in Nebraska.

 

[moparguy]

I just went through the same drill. Bought a 04 Honda Foreman S. It's a 450 standard trans, and is the last year of the older style bodywork. I put about 140 miles on it in the Rockies to break it in back in October (10 miles on it when I left AR), zero problems.



Reason for the Honda is my bro and friends all ride Honda, one is a 93 300 4x4 and it's worked hard, lots of miles in the mountains and mud and none have ever had any problems. Just change oil and ride.



I wanted a 500 Artic Cat 4x4 due to the suspension but was scared off with reports of frequent trips back to the dealer, this from several first and second hand reports.



While I missed out on the best deals, still did OK and the dealers locally are really giving good prices to clear the old models out.

 

[RankRam]

Take a look at the 750cc Kawasaki Brute Force 750.



I have zero complaints with mine. Oo.

 

[DarrellB]

I've been riding quads for 9 years now and my best advise would be go to the dealers (as many different ones as you can) and sit on each machine. Take them for a test drive (if the dealer allows that) and find the one you are comfortable on. IMO, they all make some great quads now. One I would steer clear of is the Honda 650 Rincon though. I know a guy with one and the transmission is just not the hot ticket for hard core wheel'n. I myself ride Polaris and love them. I'm on my third one now an 02 Sportsman X 500 HO 4x4 but all 3 have been great and trouble free. Don't get cought up the in CC war either. Some of the best quads out there are in the 400 to 500cc range. These are some of the most versetile quads for every type of riding and the price is about middle of the road so you save money for the good stuff like a winch, mud tires, aluminum wheels, hand guards, snow plow, and some bags and cargo boxes.



DB

 

[tractorseller]

"Don't get cought up the in CC war either. Some of the best quads out there are in the 400 to 500cc range. "



Sounds good to save a few bucks up front... ..... but alot of people start using these things in the real world and the next thing you know they're either modifying them to get more power out of them or, even worse, trading them in and getting shafted because they want a bigger machine when they get tired of eating dust from the 650s, 660s, and 750s their buddies have. To each his own, but I got the most powerful one I could get just so I didn't feel underpowered in a year and start itching for a new one. The Grizzly 660 will run with anything Oo.



Same theory as with the diesel trucks, get the most power you can get from the factory .



Just another opinion to think about .

 

[CIverson]

'03 bombadier quest 650 xt... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... HATED IT.



96 polaris sportsman 500 owned since new, Can't complain. I've had to fix some things in the past few years, but it's 9years old, and beat on HARD.

 

[WMonroe]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm leaning towards the polaris, yamaha, or maybe a kawasaki, but I haven't gone an looked at any new one yet.

Will

 

[mgoncalves]

Same theory as with the diesel trucks, get the most power you can get from the factory .



Just another opinion to think about .

I bought a 245 hp truck in 2002, Ford was available 255 (I think), and Chevy was 300. Should I have bought a Chevy ???





The best 4 wheeler to buy is the one that works for you. We bought a polaris sportsman 400 (actual engine size 425'ish) That was after test riding the grizzly 660 that I had talked my self into getting. The Grizzly that I rode at the dealership had terrible brakes, great low end power, and sort of an unfinished feeling to me. I am very glad I did a test ride of both machines.



The 400 is the best of everything for us. Surprisingly, I don't find myself dreaming of more power for it, which is really weird for me. Instead, I'm having fun building a front bumper, ramps, and now dreaming of a snow plow .





Matt

 

[crobertson1]

'04. 5 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO. It's our second Polaris. The first one was a '91 Trailboss 250 that was the most reliable mechanical contraption I've ever had. I never even considered another brand. The new one has a 60" blade and a Warn 2500' winch that pushes snow like a dream. It has plenty of power for plowing and the kind of trail riding I do. I also wanted a 500 because anything bigger in a Polaris and you don't get a backup recoil starter. ATV Television is really high on the Suzukis. You might want to check those out. For the record, my dirtbike is a Yamaha. Good luck.



Craig

 

[Bigsaint]

I have the Kawa Brute Force as well. No complaints here ! Pushed 8" of very wet snow last week down my 200' driveway, didn't angle the plow for the pass just to see what it could do. No problem. In fact, I left it all mounded up at the end of the drive and then pushed it another 10' into the cul de sac without any effort.



You should probably decide wether you want IRS or a swingarm before making a decision. The Brute had pretty good body roll if you did a powerslide with the stock wheels. Since I added aftermarket which have a wider off set it has made a dramtic improvement.



The thing's a beast with over 12" of ground clearance stock, power to spare but I added a Dyna CDI for some more, never can have too much



I don't really think you can make a bad decision in todays market. Try to get a ride in before purchasing if possible.



Scott

 

[RonaldLarson]

If you don't...

consider Arctic Cat, you won't have a good comparison. Teir 300, 400 and 500's are 100% American. The profit stays here. But forgetting that, they are the most comfortable riding, have excellent power and are very attractive. Look them up on the internet, and read their comparison data. Then make your decision based on facts.

No, I don't own stock, sell or work for them. I own a 1998 300 4X4 with lots of hard miles and plowing, including dirt plowing. No problems ever.

Ron

 

[CEpp]

i have a polaris predator, 2wd sport quad... but imo, the grizzly is the baddest 4wd quad out. . it will go threw just about anything...

 

[Dieselnut59]

I love my 1999 Polaris Diesel, though it has had problems. I also have a 2003 Polaris 600 and will trade it for the diesel Arctic Cat in a heartbeat when they come out, supposedly later this year. I have had problems with both my diesel and my 600, but the 600 is junk (almost NO grease fittings, compared to grease fittings on everything that moves on the diesel) The 600 is fun when it is running, but unfortunately, that is not too often! the diesel's power comes on smooth and the torque is awesome for pulling. I skid trees out with it for bonfires and it is a real workhorse.

My next ATV will be an Arctic Cat when they introduce their diesel model.

 

[SRadke]

We just traded off the farms 03 Honda Rubicon 500 at the end of the summer. It had 9600 miles and 1030 hrs of abuse on the clock. It was a little fuel hungry but I expect that yarding irregation trailers and such around all day. We've got two new ones now



-Scott