I will be buying a new 4 wheeler in a few weeks and have narrowed it down to a Yamaha Kodiak 450 and the 05 Foreman. I have been able to find plenty of rider reviews on the Kodiak but very little on the Foreman. If anyone has recently bougth a Foreman could you please let me know the pros and cons of this ATV. Thanks guys.

 

I have rode one at the dealer but havent found a rider review from someone who owns one. Also I would like to see some pics with tires and wheels.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

They are just out. Saw my first one at the dealer yesterday. I trust you have seen the two reviews on ATV Connections Home Page???

 

I have read the AtvConnection reviews, but i would like to here from someone who owns one.

 

Hey guys, just wanted to let ya know that I bought a 2005 4x4 Foreman ES yesterday. So far I have only ridden it from my driveway to the backyard to put in my shop until I get to go riding. I hope to get to give this beast a full test next weekend. I just hope I don't have to work then! It is one fine looking machine. 1st and reverse are very LOW geared! I shifted to 1st gear and hit the throttle and the front end came up about 10 inches off the ground. Man this thing has got some power!!

 

sounds good, cant wait to here about your weekend ride with it[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

newrider1627.......

Those are two good rides to choose from.
The '05 Foreman is a great quad. They did great with the new look and power. I love the looks.
When comparing it to the Kodiak, the real only CON to the Foreman is the straight rear axle. I wish my Foreman had IRS, right now it rides like a dump truck. My Rinny with IRS rides like a Cadillac
The IRS on the Kodiak makes for a great trail ride.
Of course everybody is different, some like or prefer IRS, and some don't.
Only disadvantage I have found with the IRS is that it takes some of the "sporty" ride out of it.
If you like to race around and make tight turns and stuff, it's alittle harder with IRS. It's hard to get that back end to slide instead of leaning.

Anyway, good luck and I'm sure you'll like whichever one you get.

 

I have a 2004 Foreman 450 S that I bought after the 05 came out so I got a better deal. It is a great and powerful machine. Use it to plow snow, tow a trailer (firewood) and fun. No. It is not as smooth of a ride as the IRS machines but you have less parts to ware out and worry about, hence longer trouble free operation. It really depends what kind of riding you will primarily do. I wanted a simple quad that will do a lot and I got that in the Foreman. The gearing is low (especially the 1st) but that is another thing I like about it so it helps to pull heavy stuff without troubling the engine. I believe that on the trail you only want to ride fast if you wish to make it into the evening news on a list of ATV screwups. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

All I have to say about the Foreman is that if you plan on keeping it for a long time, this machine will serve you well. Also, depending on what you will use it for, work or play, the Foreman is a better workhorse. Overall, its rough and tough.