Hi All,

Could really use some help. I am a very new rider, but got hooked forst time out. Rode a 1992 Suzuki 250 out at Glamis. Had a good time but want to move forward with m own newer bike. Have a friend who is a big Suzuki fan and is suggesting the Suz R450. Now I am not a dune racer and don't plan on being one. I am really looking for a comfortable bike that is a good all around ride in pretty much any terrain (dunes, dirst, desert, beach etc...)

So I have narrowed my choices down to the following, in no particualr order:

1 Suzuki R450
2. Honda TRX 450R
3. Honda TRX 700XX
4. Kawasaki KFX 700

To be honest I am leaning towards the KFX 700 with automatic, due to ease of riding, comfort and variable terrain ability. Some concerns I do have is with the atuomatic tranny as I am questioning whether the power will be there when I need it. Any insights?

thanks in advance.

 

Absolutely forget the KFX700. In my book, it really isn't even a sport quad, but rather a hybrid seeing it is shaft drive. I have ridden these, so believe me I speak from experience...they are big, they are heavy, and they handle like a tank!!! That automatic is a handicap....not an advantage. Dude, automatics are for rank beginners and little girls......

For me the choice was easy. I ride So. Calif. desert, and the Honda 450R is the king of the big desert endurance races (Baja, Vegas to Reno, etc.). If you aren't on the Honda, you probably won't even finish the race, much less win! This machine can go the distance...and do it fast!!!

The Suzuki seems to me to be more of a machine for the "track", rather than an all-around cross-country machine. It comes 50" wide, so it might be kind of tight on some trails or down an narrow desert wash. It is also low to the ground, so you will be bashing lots of rocks out there....

The Raptor700 is probably the best all-around machine from your list. I personally hate its ergonomics, and find it a little bit tall, a little bit top heavy, and a little bit tippy. My buddies wife rides one, and he put lower bars on it for her, and I do like those better than stock. Massive low end torque, but falls a little flat on top.

In the 450 class, the Yamaha and Kawasaki are also both good workable machines, so don't overlook them. I would take either of them over the Raptor.

The 450's are all kind of revy, so they aren't that great for tight, technical trails (like in the San Bernardino Mountains or Hungry Valley). There, I ride the Honda 400EX because its engine will lug down throught the slow, technical stuff. Sure, the EX is down on power compared to the others, but all that power gets to the ground and gets used!!!

The Suzuki Z400 is no slouch either. Probably the best all-around machine there is.

 

Another consideration is that all the 450's are going to be more maintenance intensive. These engines have little slipper pistons with fewer rings and they tolerate a lot of compression blow-by. That means the oil quickly gets contaminated by fuel, and needs to be changed frequently. You start the day with 10W40 oil, and end it with useless 0W20.

Read about it: http://www.belray.com/scripts/...41d7-b921-64a4cf6d0144

 

As far as the kfx700 being for rank amateurs and girls...I would have to beg to differ with him. I have been riding sport quads for years and decide to buy the 700 because I am older now and dont want to shift anymore and I am a larger rider at 240lbs. The 700v is heavy but for me it handles just fine and you can do a ton of mods to the v-twin engine. Dont buy into alot of the hype and B/s that people will say, go with the one that you like. In the end you are the one paying the cash for it!!! Just my 2cents!!! They are all good quads just depends on the one you like best!! Godd Luck and happy hunting[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

please consider a sport utility quad, you can go anywhere and still go fast when you want. I have a Kawasaki Brute Force 650I and am very happy with it! low maintance, automatic, RIS, and very comfortable. test drive one and see for your self.

 

Thanks All! Yes, this is an interesting experiment. Many opinions from many of the differing camps. I am still feeling as if the KFX700 is not just a dressed up utility quad with sport cowlings. I am still researching and appreciate any additional comments that come in.

 

Where exactly do you ride??? You mentioned Glamis and the beach (Pismo?), so I assume you ride the southwest desert somewhere???

Go to any popular staging area, and take your cluse about what works from what you see most other folks riding! You will see very few utilities anywhere...so that should tell you something. It will be 99% chain drive sport quads!

Also, keep in mind that the Kawi 700 weighs 150+ pounds more than any of the 450's! That's like riding around on a 450 with an adult passenger.....

So, do I need to change my list??? Automatics are for rank beginners, little girls......and senior citizens?????? I didn't get the impression that badhemi fit any of those categories!

 

Thats funny!!! Whatever you have to tell yourself to make you feel good[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i've been looking at the kfx 450r and doing a lot of you tube searches of these bike i like the kfx because you can race it and just go out and bash it plu the reverse it is 1 of only 2 to have a reverse the new ktm 450 has a reverse but it is also more duckets

 

Was the Suzuki you rode the 2 stroke LT250R? If so, that is a great measuring stick against which to figure out what you want in a quad. If you feel that you could live with a 250 but want to buy new, then a 450 would certainly work. I know very little about the 700XX, I have been hoping Honda would release an open class sport, but on paper this one is a bit underwhelming. Still it might be a beast and would almost certainly be a good place to put a lot of miles on in one sitting. I have a feeling that the 700R Raptor is the atv you should check out though. The seat and suspension is much more comfortable than the 450s. You get plenty of torque and a proven motor that is happy to tractor along, power up hills, or even race a bit when the hot rod bug bites. I give very high honorable mention to the Suzuki Z400 which has many of the same characteristics as the Raptor but it handles better.

BTW, that R450 is going to be a better ride in every aspect over the 250. If your buddy knows you at all he may be on to something...