Well I hope all responses will be constructive ones but.........I have yet to inspect the KQ's but am currently reviewing Polaris and Kawi as an option. I have only ridden rancher 400's I believe, from a rental shop. The biggest components I believe to riding up here is power to make up for lack of air, and articulation i.e. not rolling sideways at any point. I believe some type of lockers are important as to not bouncing yourself over rocks is any good. I am 6'1 180lbs and very aggressively stupid at times. : ) I do not expect the perfect machine but hope for it. I know a lot of riders talk about mud'n but I doubt there is enough water in this state to allow that. Oh yeah, EFI kind of scares me, I've noticed the Polaris has no back up pull start because it is EFI so.....I'm here writing this post in hopes for any and all criticisms and appraisals any might have.

P.S. Thanks for taking the time to read this and if you have any response double Thanks to that.
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I ride my utes almost exclusively at high altitude. A lot of rides start in the valley at around 4,000', then go up into the high Sierras from there. My personal preference is for the smaller, lighter bikes which handle easily in adverse conditions, but you are right, if you want big power you need to go big bore........but the price you pay is size and weight. My next machine will probably be the new Honda Foreman 500. I have ridden many different machines, but I like how the Hondas keep their weight low in the chassis. They will side-hill like no other machine. (Avoid the Rincon however, because it has no engine braking at low speed. A suicide machine if you ask me!)

I have posted before about how I deal with changeing altitude. My airbox lids are fitted with the Thunder Products TPI. It is a sliding valve that you can adjust to get more air as you ascend in altitude. Works great! http://www.thunderproducts.com/tpi_valve.htm

I am not sure EFI has been around long enough, that I would be willing to trust it at this point.

 

Also, see my post- http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/451508.cfm

 

you could try the prairie 700 or brute force 750

 

Thank you thus far. I'm not familiar with 500 capabilities as far as power goes. Something a lil bigger sounds nice but again I might find some technical stuff on the trail that a 500 would perform better at. I plan on hauling some heavy stuff at times and would hate to think I'm pushing the limits of the machine to possibly breaking something. It will definitely be a work horse at times but hope to keep it as stable as possible on most trails. The way I see it is, if you’re going do something at all, do it right the first time. A 500 would probably work for most applications but then I begin to wonder why are they making the UTE's bigger? Besides trying to create a new market for those people who just gotta have it. Am I asking too much to be looking at anything bigger than a 500? I am one of those self serving morons who after they get something are still looking to make sure they got the best for them and possibly start doubting themselves and wished they hadn't skimped on anything. If you've stick with me thus far you truly are a patient person. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

If you do the TPI valve thing, you won't be losing the amount of power that you imagine you will. Jet your machine for the lowest altitude where you will go, then just open the valves as you ascend (and close them again when you descend).

The Foreman line has a reputation for being tough as nails. You won't be breaking anything on one of these!

I can't figure out why the trend is to huge, heavy machines. Sport bikes get lighter every day, while utes just get bigger and heavier. The current crop of machines really shows its "farm work tractor" heritage. Sure, that is what people are buying, but what other choices do they have if they want big power??? One choice, is no choice at all. I would like to see the evolution of a lighter, more sporty class of machines along the lines of the Yamaha Wolverine. Think about the difference between being stuck in a snow bank on a 450 lb. machine, vs. a 750+ lb. machine. Personally, I can pick up a machine that is 500 lbs., but beyond that it would have to be winch time.

One thing that will increase stability immensely is some aftermarket tires and rims. I run Holeshot ATR's on ITP 12X7" rims. Makes the bike several inches wider, and way way more stable.

 

I've taken several quads out to the rockies in Montana. For Utility the Arctic Cats rule with their MRP rack adaptability. I use the bigger TRV two rider units and have added heavy duty springs to cope with all the gear that gets loaded on them. Weve been up on Polaris, Arctic Cat and Honda machines. I would pick the Arctic Cat over the others becuase of their much longer wheel base which makes going up steep inclines so much safer. And again - that MRP rack system that lets me repurpose the quad for whatever needs there are for that day beats anything else on the market. 500 cc is fine by me. In low gear these machines will just about climb a tree.

I started with Polaris machines - 3 of them. I'm down to one now used mostly for snow plowing. The Honda - I wish I would have rode it before I bought it is about all I can say about that.

Where we ride there are bears. Big bears. I will choose the Arctic Cat over the other machines every time. See my pics by clicking the camera to the left of this post.

Good luck in choosing.

 

Let me first say that I live in Alaska where the mountains are high, the snow is deep, and it get's very cold. EFI is exactly what you want for these conditions. I also believe you want & need a back up so a pull start is a must in my book. I ride with lots of guys all owning a different quad so I'm pretty familiar with the advantages/disadvantages of most. I'm not knocking Polaris but I've had friends had to go back home after arriving at the trail head and their machine wouldn't start due to the cold and/or low battery. I've had the same thing happen to me but the pull start has saved the day on more than one occassion.

I too use to have a 500cc quad and would always say to my friends "Do you really need a 700cc quad?" and the answer was always the same...No, but after you feel the power you can't go back. After buying my KQ I too say the same thing. Yes the 500cc quads will go most places as the 700cc+ machines with a little extra effort but the extra power is a dream. If you have the money get a Big Bore.

For your type of riding I think I would go with the KQ. If you were a mudder I would say a Brute would be a better bet. Best thing is to do a test drive but to tell you the truth you'll be happy with any of the larger quads. IMO one of the most importaint things is tires. All stock tires are crap and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Whatever ones you decide to go with make sure they are 6ply. Good luck & happy trails.

RAGE

 

Outrage,

I am impressed with your recomendation of the BF for mudding. I know you are a loyal Suzuki rider due to your Vinson being very reliable. Kudos

I like the KQ but I don't like the rev limiters for both the reverse and diff lock. I just bought a penlock for my kawi so I don't have to hold my diff lock leaver but when I need diff lock I usually load the power on. Has this caused you any grief since you ride in some inhospitable locations? Sorry for the spelling.

I need to buy my wife another quad this spring and its between BF, KQ or the new BRP 800.

Cheers

 

Saskawiguy,

I've had no problems with the KQ. The only think I don't like is the slight hesitation when starting off. I'm sure someone will come up with a fix for that and IMO it's something I can live with because IMO the KQ is the Best "All Around Quad" on the market. It does everything well...it's not the "best" at everything but does everything "Well".

I ride with a lot of folks with lots of different quads and all with some sort of mod too. I've found that if one of us is going to get stuck then more than likely the rest of us will too.

All I can say is that I've rode most all quads and happen to be the happiest with my Suzukis. Everyone is not the same so that's why I say test ride before buying.