OK, I'm new to this site, but would love your help. I bought a 2006 Kawi Brute Force 650 (straight axle) and have done a decent amount of riding on it, but never felt very "conforatable" on it. It's huge and has lots of power. The size is the main problem. I probobly should not have gotten that big of a machine as my "first" bike. I'm about 5'9 220lbs, and figured I should get the biggest one I could afford to feel comfortable on, but not sure if I was right. Not to mention I put it in the bed of my small pickup to and from places I ride.
I noticed the Yami Wolverine 450 4x4 and it caught my interest. It has similar features such as ground clearance, automatic, electric start, etc. I don't plan to plow anytime soon and my riding is mixed between trails and rocks and some pavement. Now the question is do I seel the Brute and look into the Wolverine? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!

 

There is really no such thing as a "sport ute", and your experience proves that, once again! "Sport ute" is just marketing BS. They take some huge heavy monster and put mushy suspension and a big bore engine on it, and call the ride "sporty"....NOT!

Most folks are just trail riders. They don't need a monster mud bogger or work quad or a rock crawler, but they could use 4wd once in a while and a little ground clearance wouldn't hurt either.

In an attempt to fill the void between pure sport and pure utility quads, there is a new emerging class of quads that are "hybrids" between the two. The best example by far of this is the "old" Wolverine. The "new" Wolverine, Scrambler, and the huge heavy and expensive Renegade, are other attempts. All of these fall far short of the ideal that I imagine. Hopefully, the manufacturers will develop this class and come up with some better machines in the future!

So you are thinking about the "new" Wolverine. It is probably the best you are going to do at this point. It is a warmed over ute and a little heavy for my taste, and nothing that calls itself "sporty" should ever have an automatic transmission...but what you going to do when that is all they have to offer??? And, more marketing BS....it is really a 421 and not actualy a "450".

For me, I have a new Honda Rancher 420 and it has proven to be way more "sporty" than even I had ever hoped it would be. It is fuel injected, water cooled, has descent suspension, and a manual transmission for us "purists". At 580 pounds it is way to heavy, but still I'll take it over the Wolverine any time.

 

unless your going to work it or ride in deep mud, you dont need a ute....


Buy a nice Z400 and have fun!

 

The wolverine 450 is awesome in my opinion but I would have liked it to be about 500cc instead of 421. I have been slowly upgrading mine over the last 6 months and have added all the skid plates for added protection, a rear rack to be able to carry a cooler with me, a clutch kit for low end torque, a K&N air filter for a little more power. I am waiting for my GYTR exhaust to come in so I can install it and the dynojet kit in the carb for more power yet. Someday I might put in a cam and a big bore kit to up the power even further but for now it will be good to go I think.

 

Reconranger,

Polaris actually had the first sport utility. They introduced the 400L 4x4 in 94 which was rebadged as the scrambler 4x4 in 95. While Yamaha introduced the wolverine in 95.

 

I would have to say if you are interested in the Wolvy, definately take a look at the Scrambler too. Actually, it sounds to me like you might be more in line for a sport quad, depending on how serious you are about rock climbing. Sports are generally about 200lbs lighter than the Brute, with better handling chassis geometry. You could probably equate it like this, the Brute is kind of like driving a modern full size pickup. Plenty of power and stability, but lots of weight and height knock the handling down. You rarely need 4x4 if you stay on the streets with them. A sport quad is more like a sports car, good handling and usually a pretty good power to weight ratio besides. Capable on all but the absolute worst roads, although maybe not as comfy of a ride. Good luck if you decide to sell the Kawie. I would at least try a sport quad on some trails, you may be surprised at what they can accomplish.

 

I too am in the same boat. I live near some great trail system in southern WV www.trailsheaven.com. I am curious if a two wheel drive quad can climbed up some of the more technical trails?

Deep mud, hualing, or work load is not an issue. Price and value is! Don't want to buy a big heavy 4wd when a lighter and cheaper 2wd will do just fine.

In my area i've found several used 4wd Scramblers for 2-3500. Not many 4wd Wolverines on the used market. What I hate is the manufactors were cheap SOB and didn't install hour meters on the quads. So I have no way in knowing how many hours a used sport quad has on it. sad

 

thanks for all the input, I'm still unsure what I want to do, but after speaking to some local guys, I might just keep the Brute. I do a decent amount of rock crawling and mudding around here so the Brute might be better off. Also, I'm not a fan of the wrist throttle, I like being able to hold on to the handle bars and thumbing the throttle. What's your feelings about using the Wolverine through mud and rocks with the wrist throttle?? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Recon, isnt the wolv, scram and gade sport/ut?

 

I would be willing to call the Wolv and Scram sport utes, but the manufacturers call everything a "sport/ute", and that doesn't mean a thing.