Hello all, Im the newbie here. Its time to purchase a new utility atv. Atvs have changed since my last purchase. My only experience has been with polaris, 3 in fact, all of them 2 stroke chain driven. I like polaris because of the awd thing(necessary) Other than that they are the most wrenchy pieces of equipment Ive come across.
The prairies with locking front differential are looking good, but the dealers know nothing about them and their mechanics are off-limits. I was hoping you guys could answer a few questions.
(1)Polaris lock in at the hubs, where does the prarie engage at?
(2)Can the prairie 4wd and locking differential be engaged at any speed or gear(dealer says he will explain this after purchase)
(3)With-out considering performance is one considered to be more reliable, durable and easier to work on over another?
(4)Why do they keep changing engine sizes in the middle class? With automobiles they come up with a good engine and use it for the next twenty years.
Ive always been a polaris fan but the prairie fits me, is more ergonomically comfortable and is set up a little more to my liking(shorter shifter, foot brake a little further forward-have a tendency to step on it) Dont have a need for speed, 45 mph is plenty fast, Just need to get-er-done. Responses would be greatly appreciated, please try to stay away from the "my bike is better than your bike" thing. Also would this be a good ride for the wife on H/M trails? She dont mind wreaking stuff. Also I was told the Yamaha belt drive was the most durable of all, is their any truth to this?

 

I personally would be wary of any dealers who made their mechanics off-limits. Think about when your bike is in the shop for 2 weeks, will they still be off-limits?

 

What size machine are you looking for?
What is your price limit?
What will you be mostly using the machine for?

How do you rate the following:

Comfort
Speed
Power

When it comes to reliability most of the newer machine are created equal. I would stay away from first year models though just because you will always run into a few bugs.

Most of my friends ride a Polaris but I choose a Suzuki because they fit my riding style more than the others. I don't believe there's a perfect quad or that one is better than the other. However, I think there is a quad out there that will fit your style and that's why I ask the questions above. Good luck on your quest for a new ATV.

 

I think the newer polaris have the hub locks in the center section now. The older ones have the hubs at the wheels.
Kawi and every other one works with a true differential. Just like in a truck or jeep. You can shift into 4wd on the fly, as long as theres no load on the tires, such as hard acceleration or heavy engine braking. it wont hurt anything to engage it...it just wont engage until the load comes off. The diff lock can be used on the fly as well, as you feel loss of traction, just give the little lever a tug, and it progressively locks. The further you pull it, the more the diff locks. Release it, and youre back to limited slip.This can be done anytime, even with power on.
Polaris has gotten much better...as far as quality goes.
The yami and suzuki( but not twin peaks) have the same cvt tranny style. I think theyre the best. They use a centrifical clutch for driving the wheels, and a sprag clutch for driving the motor, during engine braking. Almost fool proof, and belts should last a very long time. The belt never goes slack, its always in tension, so using low range for going slow is optional. You wont hurt a thing to creep along in high. On both the kawi and polaris, its strongly reccomended to use low for slow going. The engine braking, works very well on almost all of the quads that are newer. All can select 4wd and have engine braking on all 4 tires,for very steep hills, except polaris.
You can try doing searches in the forums, to research the reliability issues of the different brands. This should give you a good idea what problems others are having.

 

I'd find another dealer, if they won't explain what the product does til after you buy it, thats a pretty $h**** dealership. thats just jumping in the dark with 5k. you'd think he'd be explaining so he'd make a sale quicker...geez

 

Your responses are great. Just to elaborate a little more- Im looking for a midsize automatic. There really isnt a price limit. The only limit is I dont want to buy or spend more than I need to.
About 2500-3500 miles a year is put on these bikes between myself,wife and kids. About a thousand of this is used for transport(feed bags,tools,equipment,towing log splitter,small trailers,hunting,mailbox runs etc) The rest of the time they are semi-technical trail riders(30 minutes to 2 hours). My current polarises will go through and climb just about anything, but a person better be ready to meet Jesus when going back down. The long shifter never seems to work right after a roll.
I live in central Virginia, the only dealer around here that impresses me is polaris. He is owner,operator and sales person, is a fair trader but no good deals. I have no problem doing a little traveling to get a good deal.
Heres what and where ive been thinking of purchasing. Bruin and kawasaki prairie at Honda East Delaware. This is really confusing, the bruin is pocket change cheaper but doesnt have low or differential lock. Rated towing capacity is the same even without low gear, yet the parts departments of several dealers claim to sell 3 kawasaki belts to 1 yamaha.
Also am looking at a rancher 400at 4x4 at Charlotee Honda $5083 out the door. The bikes fit except the hard seat. But it appears these really are not multipurpose bikes. But are reliable 3wd work horses.
Then theres polaris of chattanooga. 2004 330 magnum 4x4 $4149, power to weight ratio makes you wonder what they were thinking. Enter the 2004 500 sportsman for $5100(too late on that one) Big issue with polaris is the wife just dont like it. The phrase"its up to you but I dont like it" puts a person in a bind. What she doesnt like is paint with jazzy colors, plastic racks, garden tractor looking front end and she feels like shes sitting on the bike instead of in the bike. Another issue is the 4wd of my current bikes didnt always engage at some very inconvienent times, women remember these things.
Changing belts on the polaris was pretty elementry, are the others the same way?

 

Changing a belt on the yami is super easy...once the cover is off. Good thing is, in 5000 miles of use, youll never have to do it. I know guys with lots of miles on grizzlys, and theyve never looked at the belt or even heard it. They just dont wear out in normal use, which is what youre gonna be doing.
My biggest complaint with the polaris is the engine braking...or lack of it. Coming down a steep hill, nothing works better than all 4 getting engine braking. Its so simple, even unskilled riders can come down some very scarey steep hills, and be totally in control, where on a polaris, youd need lots of skill,... and remember to give it gas, so the engine braking hooks up, this is counter to what youd want to do.
Of your choices the 360 prairie sounds the best. Diff lock, super wet back brake, enough power, low range, and a good tough motor. The bruin is pretty basic, no diff lock no low, but a good motor and tranny otherwise.
Either one, is very easy to drive, for your wife and kids.

 

I have never recommended one but it sounds like an Arctic Cat is what you need. They are great for house/farm work and make the more types of racks than any other company. They have a soft ride and the new body style looks as good or better then the Suzukis. I don't know very much about them but it's worth a trip to the dealership.

 

One more bike to throw in the pot, Hope your not sick of me yet, just need to buy before years end. The yamaha suzuki cvt system seems to be a favorite in many circles, (not meaning to degrade any other bikes, this is only one aspect)
I can get a suzuki Eiger for $4545 out the door. Unlike the bruin it has low gear, 12 volt outlet, and instument panel. Seems like a good buy at $200 more than the Bruin. What are the issues with this bike? They are all good, just some have their quirks.

 

Barbwire,

From experience I can tell you that the Eiger is a much better quad than the Bruin. I normally don't like saying this about quads but in this case it is true. The Eiger is just in a different class and IMO is a better quad for the money. You get more options, more power, and better quality with the Eiger. The Bruin is capable too but like I said it's in a different class. I also believe that the Eiger has won every or almost every shoot out in the 400cc class.

IMO the Eiger is the best SRA 400cc machine you can buy. I don't think you will have any problems do the chores with it either.