New Yamaha models

Note: cross posting to the utility forum.

When do the 2005 model year Yamaha ATVs (and others) come out? I am seriously looking at the Grizzly 660 but may wait if Yamaha is upgrading the 2005 models. Any plans for an EFI griz with maybe a V-twin? I'm hoping to buy sometime this fall.

I'm choosing between the the Grizzly 660, the Polaris 700 Twin EFI and possibly the Kawasaki Prairie 700.

My uses are going to be pushing snow, pulling a mower, food plot prep and slow trail riding which will include hellishly sticky mud when it rains. My back and legs are seriously screwed up and this machine is gonna be my legs around the farm and I need it to ride smooth and be stable and reliable. No all out dune riding or jumping - I'm finished with that stuff. I'm more interested in power and a physically large machine since I am a very big guy and it has to haul my heavy *** through the woods and pull the mower or push the snow at the same time, a soft ride because my back and legs are seriously messed up, a fully locking 4x4 system so I can slog through the mud and snow (sorry honda you need more cubes and a locker). Stability is also an issue since flipping and rolling ATVs is on my "Things not to do - EVER AGAIN" list. Reliability is something I really need to consider too. The problems with the Griz boiling gas and the service and support issues from yamaha are a little disconcerting.

My choices have been pretty much narrowed down to the Yamaha and the Polaris. The Prairie is a wonderful machine but I don't really want the solid rear axle. It is more sport oriented and as much as I love to wind 'em out and run 'em hard it would be really stupid for me to do that now.

I have more faith in the Grizzly fully locking 4x4 system over the Polaris AWD system. The AWD looks a little iffy to me. I want all four locked and turning when I want them to.

The Polaris wins in the power department as far as I can tell and with the new EFI it makes it all the better. My experience in the 4x4 truck world says EFI is worlds better than mechanical carburation for off roading. Better for on-roading for that matter.

I know it isn't a primary factor or terribly important but on looks, the Grizzly wins hands down. The Sportsman is simply *** ugly. Whoever designs the front end on the Polaris must be smoking crack or stuck in 1982. Don't the designers of the front end plastic on the sportsman series have any sense of aesthetics? Geez. Don't they have anyone over there who says "Wow! We have a great machine here but that front end is dated and ugly compared to the competition we had better change it." Nit picking I know but...


Any input, suggestions or info on upcoming machines would be greatly appreciated.

 

I say you should look at the new king quad.. As of what i hear from dirt wheels they are pretty sick. And easy for jetting if you want a little more power [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] just plug it in and type a few hehe

 

both have solid rear axles -- the grizz has a limited slip in the front only

i'm in the same boat - i need an atv with a NON-solid rear end so i don't tear up the turf
the only offering right now is the polaris atp and kaw 300 bayou 2x4 (the kaw is definately out at 300cc)

i'm waiting, maybe next years yams will have a differential in the rear................

take a look at the polaris atp, it is quite interesting what they have done

 

I will have to check to be sure which week tomorrow, but I do know that the 2005 Model lineup will be announced the 2nd or 3rd week of June at the dealer show.

Lots of anticipation surrounding this years show. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i'd go with the polaris, those things are unstoppable!