Hi all. Yes, i'm a fng with another "whats the best" question, but please bare with me...
I'm looking to buy either a used or possibly a left over sport quad. I've been researching and reading the archives on this website for awhile. (what a great asset this forum is)

We have 80 acres of land to ride on which consists of hayfields, woods, gullies, hills, etc... My riding will be <u>30% open hay fields, 20% trails through the woods, 20% jumping and thrashing, and 10% gullies and streams, and 20% hills (grass and dirt)</u>
My size is about 5'11 and 205lbs

I've ridden a couple different quads over the years and am currently an avid Harley rider and snow mobile rider but I'm in need of something new.

So far, i'm considering the following:

Polaris Outlaw 525 (if I can find a good deal) (undecided on ind frnt susp or straight)

Yammy Raptor 700

Suzuki z400 or a Kawi equivalant..

Suzuki scrambler 4x4 (I know, but it seems so versatile)

I want something that is respected and that can hold it's own and wont break the bank (<u>or my back</u>) but will be a good long term fun quad. Power, handling and comfort are very important...

I've seen alot of Predators for very good deals, but i've read alot of negatives about them. Are they really a problem child?
My year range will probably be between 02-05 depending on price. I dont really wanna spend much over $4k....

So, gimme the dirt on the quads ya'll think I should be looking into....

Your help, input, and opinions are appreciated....
Thanks,
D

 

It's hard to beat any of the Z400 (plus any spinoff clones) or a TRX400 for price and reliability. There's been a bunch of them sold so the used market is pretty full of choices for them.



And in a lighter note:

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

but please bare with me...

D</end quote></div>


"Bear with me" means we'll listen to what you have to say. "Bare with me" means that we both have to be nekkid. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Welcome to the forums.

Jaybee

 

The Z400 and its clones, along with the 400EX are the solid reliable great handling all-around machines!

 

the z400 is a great quad and in your price range. i whould also say the raptor 700 but thats a little over your price range. you can find raptor 700 for like 4500-4800 stock on a good deal if you can swing that but if you cant you can find a nice z400 for under your budget

 

[/Q<u>]"Bear with me" means we'll listen to what you have to say. "Bare with me" means that we both have to be nekkid. Welcome to the forums.
Jaybee</u></end quote></div>





lol... Thanks..

What are the "spinoff's" or "clones" that you all speak of? Are you refering to the other brands of the same size?

Some have told me that the 400's will not be enough for me after awhile. They said to go 450 or bigger but to stay away from the predator and raptors as they are heavy and slower. My reason for not looking at the 450's is because of the trails and gullies I will be riding. The 450's are great, but dont they like to rev to much and require to much clutch/throttle play to get the engine to lug through tough terrain?

I will be riding in snow as well so the outlaw 525 irs has really caught my eye...

 

i dont like the irs but that is because i ride deserts alot. like glamis and other so california areas so it does not work good out here. but for you it will do good i think. and the 525 is a good engine made by ktm. it is kinda of inbetween a 450 and a raptor 700. i whould say away from the 500 because i they only made them for a couple of years so parts chould end up being expencive and hard to find. i whould eather get the raptor 700 (if you can swing it) the 525 outlaw or the z400. all of these quad will hold there value pretty well 2.

 

The Suzuki Z400 clones are the Kawasaki 400 and the Artic Cat 400. They are all the same bike as made by Suzuki but have slightly different plastics and colors.

Jaybee

 

Thanks for the info..

How would a Kawasaki V-Force fair against the others mentioned? I just saw an add for a used one for what appears to be a pretty good deal..
Again, for the riding I will be doing...

I've thought about the Scrambler (for the 4x4 option while still staying in the sport catagory)

 

i dont like them. they are very heavy, have a auto tranny. they are almost not a sport quad. this is the 700 we are talking about right?

 

btw where are you from?