I want a Mid-Size Quad for Bowhunting. I think I would prefer Independent Susp front and rear. I also need Fuel Injection due to 10,000ft altitude. I have narrowed it down to these:

Honda Rancher ES, Yamaha Grizzly 400 or 450, Suzuki KingQuad 450 or Kawasaki Prarie or Brute Force. The local Kawi dealer still has 5 2005's that are new. He said take your pick for $5,800. I am looking for dependability as well.

I will not be beating this quad in the ground. I wil be taking it slow and don't care how long it takes me. I am an Ex-Army Ranger with a Back Disability.

That's why I dont know if Independent Suspension makes a huge difference over a solid rear axle. Any Help would be appreciated.

Thx

 

The IRS makes all the difference in the world. A solid axles not a bad design either but at the end of a long ride you will really notice the difference. In your case I would forget about the Rancher. Its a good machine but the ride is pretty harsh. The King or Grizz would be a good choice, I'm not so sure about the Prarie, I don't have one but I beleive they are also a SRA quad?? The Brute is a very powerful quad and can be had with IRS. You really just need to see if your dealer will let you ride a couple of these ones your interested in. See which ones fit you better, How do they feel? Even a quick spin around a parking lot will let you see how one reacts. You need to go shopping.

 

My buddy has grizzly 660 to work around his seudo farm and absolutely loves it. It has great suspension and will go damn near anywhere being that its 4x4. I def. agree w/ Rinman about doing some test riding on some of these diff. machines and see what feels best to you. Good luck in your search and continue to be safe!

 

We ride the utes mostly in the local mountains (especially fun when it snows!), Sierra, Inyo's, and exploring old mines......but everywhere else I absolutely prefer a sport quad!

Just got a new Rancher 420.....fuel injection, water cooled, selectable 2wd/4wd, etc. Don't have in a lot of saddle time on it yet, but it seems to be an excellent machine! Certainly quite a bit better than my old Rancher 350. I will keep reviewing it as I ride it more, so look for my rider review in the Honda forum.

Personally, I don't like IRS because it allows a lot of body roll and the downhill side can dive when you are off camber. This gets really nasty when you are riding off-camber on a 700+ pound monster machine! Especially in the really nasty technical stuff, I just prefer the stability of a solid axle. Sure I lose some ground clearance, but I can live with that.

But, if you have a back injury, maybe what you are looking for is a cruiser couch?????? On the other hand, if you have a back injury, wouldn't you be best off on the lightest, agile and easy handling machine you can find????

 

That's a good point. And to answer your question regarding a lighter quad, I don't know. I do not have that much experience as I have been pounding the ground for years. Finally took it's toll. Good point.

 

It does not matter how light it is if you still have a harsh ride. My 450 Foreman would beat the crap out of me but I can ride my Rincon all day and not feel it.
You said you wanted EFI but the only one you mention with it is the 450 King Quad. If you are talking about the new Rancher 420, it also has EFI but not IRS.
It sounds like the 450 King Quad may be your best bet unless you want to go with a bigger motor. From what I have read, the frame on the 450 King is exactly the same as the 700 King so no difference in size.

 

if your looking fuel injection and independent susp you might wont to look at the polaris 500 is efi the bombardier/can-am 500 is efi the hoda rancher i had one you fell ever bumb on the way the other two both are good and the can-am has an xt packed that gives you a butter tires and bumbers and a 2500 winch the both hav independent susp