New King of Quads is out!!! KTM won this shootout. Polaris was fastest stock at 76.6. both 700 and ktm at 75.3. Ktm won basically every other aspect of this shootout. Results were

1.KTM
2 and three were tight. Basically if your in the dunes raptor but for anything else was the outlaw. Actually seemed like a pretty good write up IMO. And for $9000 the ktm should win almost every aspect.

 

it was a good article but the 525irs would be better suited for that shootout

 

They said they already had the shootout with the 700r, kfx 700, and outlaw irs and the 700 won that one.

 

If I were you, I wouldn't put too much trust into magazine articles, reading them, such as this comparison, can give you a basic idea of what an atv can do, but little to no more. KTM has a good new quad, this is true, and although in certain terrain it has the advantage, in other terrain the Raptor beats the hell out of it. The Raptor also has lots of credibility, after being around for several years, Yamaha has fine tuned the machine really well, this can be seen with the switch from 660 to 686, and the addition of EFI. You might also want to think about where and how these atvs will be used by most buyers, after driving through the woods or being out in the dunes all day, you might want to consider comfort as well. KTM has amazing suspension, which they think is a good reason to jack up the price astronomically, but the SE models of the Raptor have great suspension as well, plus your thumb wont be sore after a day of riding if you're on the Raptor. Plus quality control issues with the new KTMs have been popping up. I hate to rant, but magazines rarely give me any solid information.

 

I understand that most of this is opinion. But there are some facts to it too. I at no point will bag on the raptor, or ktm, or the outlaw. They are all nice quads in there own areas and all FAST and powerfull. The 700 raptor is SSSOOOO much nicer than the 660 imo. But can I ask if you have ever ridden the ktm or outlaw. They are super sweet machines as well. I would take any of these in a second!!!

 

Yah, I can agree that I am eager to try one out, if they lowered the price to a more reasonable amount, I bet they'd sell a whole lot more, and if they changed the price to the new dollar in Canada, then I'd actually be making good savings compared to the other brands.

 

Ktm makes on heck of a machine for being a 525 it puts out tremendous power for its size and the #'s show what kinda times it can put down on the track.The suspension, wow what a setup.Olin shocks fully adjustble how cool. The perfect machine for someone trying to get into raceing.
What about the polaris? What a great machine for the price.Polaris has proved it can make a competitive machine even if it outsoureces a the enginefrom ktm and it too has a good suspension to boot. Who cares that the fit and finish is not on par with ktm or yamaha it works for them allong w/ a price that shows who they are trying to market this machine too, the average joe that wants speed at a good price.
Then you have allmighty 700r. Yamaha decides to put out a big bore efi sport quad that has tremendous torque #'s for trail riding allong w/ a suspension that has proven itself time and time again on track{yfz 450}and with small upgrades every year since it came out they have a machine that can do all. From the dunes to mountain trail rideing. It might not shine in one single area but it will be competitive in all areas.Its built so any rider can jump on a 700r and win race w/ a stock 700r or just cruise w/ friends on the trails. You get all this while not having to rejet your engine when you want to take a trip to that spot where you allways wanted to go {for me glamis}and at a price that is right on for the$. Dare I say the perfect quad? This is why I chose to put my $ on a 700r.

 

Here's the problem with these as I see it.

You got two or three guys trying out the same 4 or 5 quads. I'll bet they're all pretty close to each other physically.

Take 5 different guys. Short and skinny, short and fat, tall and skinny, tall and fat... you get the idea. Change the riders to a more realistic view of the actual buyers. Then let each one say what one they liked and why.

Let's face it, if you're 6 1/2 feet tall and weigh 325 pounds, all the bikes are gonna handle/accelerate different for you than a person that's 5 1/2 feet tall and weighs in at 150 pounds in full gear.

 

I would have to disagree with The polaris not bein on par with the yamaha, though I agree with you that it is a great all around quad. So is the polaris. But like you said, the ktm has the wow factor, not only with the setup but PRICE!!!! I really love all these quads. And as far as price the outlaw is $300 cheaper, alot due to efi, which is great in mountains and dunes. But I have no prblems with carbs in Iowa. You cant go wrong with any three. They are all pretty equal IMO

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Scootergptx

Here's the problem with these as I see it.



You got two or three guys trying out the same 4 or 5 quads. I'll bet they're all pretty close to each other physically.



Take 5 different guys. Short and skinny, short and fat, tall and skinny, tall and fat... you get the idea. Change the riders to a more realistic view of the actual buyers. Then let each one say what one they liked and why.



Let's face it, if you're 6 1/2 feet tall and weigh 325 pounds, all the bikes are gonna handle/accelerate different for you than a person that's 5 1/2 feet tall and weighs in at 150 pounds in full gear.</end quote></div>

Well said. To each one his own!!