So over the holidays I bought my kids they're first atv. I've always wanted one but have always put my family first. I have saved up 3000$ and I cannot decide what to get. I will be using it for pure pleasure no work. I think I've hot it narrowed down to 2 different bikes. A 2006 arctic cat 650 h1 or a 03 kawi prairie 650. anyone have any experience with these bikes care to chime in to sway me one way or the other?

 

PJ, the best thing you can do is be patient. Test ride AS MANY quads as you can. Then, test ride some more. Pay attention to every detail and choose the one that you like best. While others may disagree, I think ALL the major manufacturers make good quads. I do not consider the Chinese quads to be a part of this group. Good luck and post what you decided to buy.

 

The Prairie has a bit more power since its a v-twin but the Cat will ride better with independent rear suspension and has more ground clearance. I paid just under 3 grand for my Grizzly 660, which would have been another great choice. Suzuki King Quad 700 is around the same price as well. Those are 2 more I would recommend. They're all fun to ride and if you do decide to actually use them occasionally for work, they can do that too.

 

I've test rode a king quad at the dealership and it was very nice. Unfortunately they're out of my price range. I think I'm leaning towards the cat it's more visually appealing and needs no work. The prairie needs carbs cleaned and synced. Unless the guy is willing to work on the price I might walk

 

Id not buy Arctic or Polaris. Id do honda, kawi, or yamaha. Out of all I ride with I see way too many axles, bearings, and electronics being replaced on those brands. Also.......Dont feel like you need a huge cc machine. Ive had them all and still go back to our 250 three wheelers and do everything the huge quads do with less fixing and maint. If I were you with that money Id get a really clean older honda foreman or an air cooled honda of some sort. instead of a late model thats beat youd have a bit older one thats still near new.

 

Is the 650 AC not a twin also.
I would just look at the both and decide by condition. I always liked ATVs with passenger seats and gun racks , it tells me it was more a tool then a joy ride Mud bogging machine.

 

Good advice about test riding them all. I too think all the big brands make good quads but they all make an occasional lemon.

I've only had one ATV that was smaller than a 500 and it was a 250 2-stroke that didn't have enough power. I'm not interested in the big bores but will likely never consider anything smaller again either.

 

The H1 indicates that's its a single cylinder. AC used to use the same 650 v-twin as the Prairie in older models but starting with the H1 they began to build their own engines. To get a twin in an AC quad now you have to step up to the 1000cc as the 700 is still a single too. The 650H1 is very similar to the Grizzly 660 single in that it makes a lot of low end power but doesn't have the top end speed that the 650 twin has. Actually I think the added weight of the AC over the Grizzly 660 makes it a bit slower than the Grizzly as well. I bet there's a Grizzly 660 within your $3000 budget within a reasonable distance and between it and the 650H1, I'd choose the Grizzly for a little better power to weight ratio. The engines make similar power but the Grizzly is quite a bit lighter. Arctic Cat 734 lbs dry weight http://www.atv.com/specs/arctic-cat/...omatic-se.html and Grizzly http://www.atv.com/specs/yamaha/util...-auto-4x4.html 600lbs dry weight. 134lbs is a big difference when power is about equal.

 

ok so the ac is out. So I'm looking at a brute force 650 and this prairie 650 what's the difference between them other then plastics??? There's def a price difference lol

 

Can't find a grizzly in my price range that doesn't need all kinds of work but I'm defiantly a fan of the kawasaki's I've test rode 3 of them and I've pretty much liked them all.