I posted this on a Suzuki forum but also wanted to ask here. I haven’t posted on these boards in almost a decade so excuse the douchy profile pic, I’m a changed man!

I’m posting to see if anyone has a 19-20 500AXI and could share their opinions on them!

I’m looking at a 2020 500AXI (non-power steering) for $7300OTD. I see plenty of comments on the 750 but after some weeks of research and forum hunting/Googling I figured I’d just ask.

I originally wanted a mid size quad and a foot shift but the old man is getting up in the years. Quad will be used to basically trail ride/National Forest rides and visiting camp neighbors, pull the occasional trailer full of wood, tree stands, and haul deer so it’s more than capable for our needs. Plus being older it wont

Those who have one, how have they held up so far?
Any issues I should be aware of before pulling the trigger?
Over-under on it fitting in the 6.5’ bed of my F-150 with the gate up?

I was thinking about a Yamaha Kodiak 450 but no matter how many times I sat on one, I was uncomfortable. At 6’ 3” I’m not overly tall but just the layout of the machine felt off, I have to learn forward and feel hunched.

 

We have sold a couple and no complaints so far. I think they were power steering versions. We sold lots of the old model and had a lot of cracked & broken frames but very few engine problems. Dirty fuel can cause the injector filter to bung up, but any EFI will give trouble if fed dirty fuel. New model 500 seems higher and stiffer on suspension than the old one, may just have been newness. Worth trying a power steering version, the KQ has a good one. I like the 500 much more than the 750, we sold very few old 700/750s and have had more problems with that EFI system and engine than all the 450/500s put together. If you don't want power steering it is worth checking the 400KQ, surprisingly good at towing, but I find the Auto is a bit low geared, you wish it would change up at slightly lower revs, you don't get that feeling with the 500.

 

Just looking at my own area, the price you mentioned seems quit high. Have you shopped for a better price?