I have never owned a fourwheeler. Owned a three wheeler way back. Been on a 4x4 wheeler and have no interest in them. I thought I needed a 450 racer because of the power, suspension and weight. I don't think I am interested in top end speed. I like to goof around a little but do not see myself going up north much for trail rides. Wheelies, small jumps, power and ease of handleing seem to be what I am interested in. No racing. What are close alternatives to a 450 Polaris Outlaw (w/KTM engine), Yamaha, Suzuki, or Honda and why. By the way, I am considering the Polaris because it is a very good deal.

 

For that class of bike and for what you are looking for I would look at a 09 Suzuki Z400 with EFI. They have allways been a good play bike and now that it has EFI it will only get better.

 

I'll check the price on the 400. The only reason I'm looking at a new 08 polaris 450 is the price of this particular one.

What about 450 vs 700

 

The 450 class quads are a totaly diff quad than just about anything else. If you want a fast RACE machine these are the ones to get. They are designed to do one thing and one thing only and that is RACE. With that said yes peple use them play on and it can be done but they reqire allot more maintence and feness than a 400/700 quad does. There is allot of tech that goes into a 450 engine vs a 400/700 type quads (hence the price of a new 450) When Yamaha came out with the YFZ 450 it was to compete with the Honda 250r race quads with 4 stroke tecknology as it takes just about doubble the size cc 4 stroke to compete with a output of a 2 stroke engine and Yamaha did a superb job at it hence the new 450 class race bikes was born.

Now I like a good trail/play bike and that is why I bought a 700 thumper. It can go slow it can go fast (allaround bike). With a lugging engine like a 700 or Z400 that does not rev like a 450 does it just walks anywhere you want it to. The nice thing about the Suzuki Z400 or The Raptor 700 is both of these bikes can be built to do what you want it to if you want faster it can be built relitvley easy. I like the (allaround) quad idea much better tha a bike that is designed to do one thing and one thing only!

**NOTE** If you are new to fourwheelers I would not recommend the 700 as it can be a handfull to newbe!

 

Thanks. I appreciate the insight. So your saying a Z400 is enough? I am assuming it is lighter than the 700. Who else make a 400 or similar?

 

You want a "racer" but you don't want to race????

All the 450 "thumper" engines are higher maintenence than the other machines out there. They all need frequent oil changes, and can benefit from frequent valve adjustments as well. Read here about the technology in these engines:

http://www.belray.com/scripts/...1d7-b921-64a4cf6d0144


The 400's and the Raptor 700 are better "all-around" machines than any of the 450's are. These engines are not quite as high tech, and not so maintenence intensive.

 

Here ia a good comparison websight for the Raptor and Z400! Diregard the drive system on the Suzuki it is only a 2x4!
http://www.powersportsnetwork....&vehicle1=87152&go2=Go

 

Note in the comparison, that Suzuki deliberately misleads everyone by measuring ground clearance under the frame, and not under the swingarm. Actualy ground clearance is ~4". Also, the Zuki is redesigned this year, so don't compare it to some older model you might have ridden....

As far as the Raptor, I have personally never liked its ergonomics. For some reason, Yamahas in general just don't usually fit me very well.

 

So the 400 is heavier than a 700? Odd

 

Suzuki weighs thers ready to go with fuel oil (turn key ready) Yamaha does not do this yet but yes the 700 is slightly lighter than a Z400 but dont read much into that the Z is an excellent bike for 09 new from the ground up except the engine they only added EFI to it.