Excuse the long-winded post, but I'm about to take the plunge on my first quad and am having a heck of a time deciding on which one.

In less than a week I went from a Big Bear 4x4 to a Kodiak to a Vinson 500 to a BF650.
For the last 6 months I've had my heart set on a Z400/KFX400. That is until I rode my friend's Wolverine last weekend. Despite the Wolverine being underpowered and not fast enough for me, I had a blast on the little Yamaha. I especially loved the automatic clutch and the 4wd. It was alot of fun on the trails, just a bit slow on long stretches of open woods and fields. Also, I couldn't imagine riding the trails having to use a manual clutch. After riding the Wolverine and knowing that most of my riding would be done on trails, I knew that a utility quad was the right fit for me.

So I abandoned the Z400 idea and started looking at utility/sport utility quads.

The Vinson 500 with an automatic clutch and manual shifter seems to be the perfect fit for me. I think I'm one of the few riders who would like to manually shift. However, that's coming from someone who's never ridden a fully automatic quad. I am going to test drive a BF650 this Saturday and that might just be the deciding factor for me. Also, I've called about 3-4 Suzuki dealers in my area and not one of them has the Vinson with the manual shifter in stock. In fact, they all said that nobody even asks for it. So again, I feel I'm in the minority in that sense.

Given that the Vinson and BF650 are in roughly the same price category, what do you maniacs think about these two bikes? I've read alot of people saying that you get much more quad in the BF650 for roughly the same price. I can pick up a BF650 out the door for about $6,300. For what it's worth, I am an experienced rider. I'm 36, 6'2" and about 225 lbs.

I would appreciate any input from people who own either machine or know of others who own them. I'm aware of potential belt problems with the BF650 that aren't a factor with the Vinson. I'll be posting this thread in other sections of the forums also.

Thanks in advance for all your advice.

 

You have narrowed it down to two very good choices . As an owner of two Kawi v-twins , i must tell you that you have nothing to worry about as far as issues with the belt on the Kawi's . I ride both of mine very hard , whether it be mudding , pull competitions or hare scramble racing and the only issues with belts i have had is trying the jobber replacement belts . When riding in mud or trail riding at speeds under 20 mph , keep it in low gear and your belt life will increase dramatically . The problem with the belts on the v-twins is that the engine has so much torque off the bottom that the belt will fry if you are in a low movement situation .

Any particular questions i can answer , feel free to ask .[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Honestly there is absolutely no comparison IMO. Unless you feel you HAVE to have the manual shift auto clutch instead of an auto, the BF 650 is a better machine in every way. I had already started the paperwork on a Vinson LE manual then the dealer had me ride his twinpeaks (prairie 700). I fell in love and ended up with an 04 Prairie 700 and I've been happy with it.

 

Thanks for the advice, guys. This is reassuring as I am going to test drive a BF650 tomorrow. I can't wait. I will post again sometime tomorrow after I ride it and let you know.

Hey Maddog, what's that **** looking thingy on the left side of your Prairie's handlebars??

 

The control for my Warn 2500 winch.