I have finally decided to make a small upgrade with my present quad. Right now I have a Polaris xpedition 425 that I purchased brand new, I think it's a 2002 model. Doesn't have many miles (just over 1000) but I can honestly say it has been very reliable for me, never been in the shop. I have done regular oil changes plus kept it well lubed.
Anyways I am looking at getting one with a bit more power, something in the 500-550cc size range.
Something I like about my Polaris is the "true 4x4". I see most of the other brands now offer front diff lock systems - is this the same? Will I get all wheels getting power? To me this is a great advantage in not getting stuck.
It seems Polaris has a bad reputation for reliability even though mine has been good. Not really interested in the Hondas as they don't seem to have the suspension or clearance of the others. What about the new power steering systems? Are these really needed? Seems to me like a potential expensive fix down the road.
I won't do much mud bogging but there are places I will go (towing a small boat) where there will be opportunities to use the winch if you know what I mean. Mostly it will be used as a fishing access vehicle.
My options seem to be the Polaris Sportsman 550, 500HO, Yamaha Grizzly 550, Suzuki king quad 500 or Arctic cat 550h1. The BRP products are priced out to lunch IMO, plus don't need a 2 cylinder.
All comments or suggestions are appreciated.

 

get the grizzly

 

Either Sportsman for the best ride. 550 EPS if it turns out you want it. I don't think many people really "need" it though. XP Sportsman is much easier to steer than previous Sportsmans as it is. I don't think I'd give up the larger gas tank for power steering at this point, personally. Grizzly 550 would be my second choice. Great all around machine. Got a chance to ride one with EPS and it was nice. Not quite as comfortable a ride as the Sporty. Suzuki KQ tends to be about the best priced machine and is available with PS too. Don't know a ton about the ACs. If you can try taking each for a ride and see what fits your needs the best.

 

x2 All quads in this class are going to be great quads you just need to find the one that fits your needs best and ride! With that said the Grizz 550 is a heck of a machine!

 

Grizzly is now off the list - over 10K, too much for me.
So its a Suzuki, Polaris, or Cat.
Do the Suzuki and Cat have "true" 4x4 when the diff is locked?

 

Over 10G's fore a Grizz??????? Where are you buying from? And Yes on the Zuke and cat.

 

Almost all the quad makers have a way to lock all 4 wheels now. Only Honda has a limited slip front end that I know of.

 

Ya the MSRP in Canada for the Grizzly 550FI is $10,499. Might be rebates available but I'm sure I can get something in the 7-8K range.

 

The May/June edition of ATV Magazine tested 5 power steering equipped 500 class quads.

They rated the Polaris XP550 their number 1 choice;
#2-Yamaha Grizzly 550;
#3-Can-Am Outlander 500;
#4-Suzuki KQ 500 AXI #4 (but a "Best Bargain");
#5-Honda Rubicon.

 

I'm a Suzuki guy now but all I've heard is great things about that Yamaha 550.