I am looking to purchase my first 4 wheeler, I am lost in deciding which to buy. I have looked at several, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Artic Cat. I have ridden all except the AC and the Rincon, I like the Brute Force 750, but have been told by many that I would live the AC. I liked what I saw at ATV Zone, but was unable to ride other than in the small parking lot area, no real ride. The 650 felt low on power compared to feel of the BF750 I had ridden earlier. AC is much higher in price at least at ATV zone, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you like the BF then you can buy it. If you like Grizzly then buy one. Everyone buys what they feel is best suited for them. The AC owners buy AC's for their reasons. All machines are pretty good, some just do different things better. You have to decide what you want your machine to do best then get the machine that does that the best.
As far as AC's are concerned - they are big, heavy and strong with tons of ground clearance and a lot of wheel travel. If you like getting into the rough stuff then the AC would be a good choice. If you are going to ride dirt roads and easier trails then maybe a different machine would suit you best.
If you read the forums you will find that some brands are more apt to have troubles often. Most other brands do more modifications to their machines to gain on ground clearance to include taller tires, lift kits etc. Then once that is done then they find that they need to increase the HP because of these mods. So if an AC cost a little more then figure what others are paying on mods to get there machines up to AC specs. And to be able to go where they can go.
But no single person can tell you what to buy you need to decide for yourself what is best for you.
If this is your first ATV and your are wanting to jump into a 750-800 class machine then I think most experienced ATV people will agree that, 'that is only an accident looking for a place to happen'. You have a perfect right to hurt yourself if you want just don't include others while you are at it. If I advised you to start out with a 400-500 class machine you wouldn't listen to me so I am not going to tell you that.
In a nut shell the basic difference in a 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 is how fast do you want to go, and how heavy a load to you want to tow.
On trails 5mph is still 5mph, no matter if you are on a 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 or 800. By the same token a 700-800 with 10 inches of clearance will not be able to go where a 400, 500, 600 with 12-13 inches can go. So don't think that the bigger the engine, the better the machine, it only means a bigger engine and faster and tow more.

 

The 650 felt low on power compared to the 750 because it is. Obviously the 750 is going to have more power, not only is it 100cc's bigger, but it is also a twin. Research as much as you can before you buy, then make the best decision you can. Personally I do not agree with buying small to start with, buy what you think you will want now instead of wasting money on a machine that you are going to trade in anyway. You can always ride the 750 like a 400, but it doesn't work that well the other way around.

 

i live in houma, about on hour and a half south of hammond. we have an arctic cat dealer here. its called accessory world. i used to work there and when i was ready to purchase my ac i went check them out. they sell their bikes at msrp. so after tax title and license i was looking at 6512 out the door for an 07 400 4x4. my father in law found me an 06 400 4x4 in alabama for 5400 out the door with a brush guard and a warn 2.5. just passing on what i know

 

I guess I was missleading, I have not owned a 3 wheeler, but have been riding them for several years. This is how I got to experience riding the different brands. Non of my friends own an AC though. I am not locked in on a 650 or larger machine, I have been thinking of possibly a 500 class. I am a big guy, 6'2 and 350, so I don't want to be under powered.
All the 4 wheeling we do is trail riding, and mud, and that is why I like the AC ground clearance is awesome. The more I read about the different ones, and the more I go look at and test ride, the more confused I get.
All are for the most part reliable, anything can break. The only bad that I have heard about the AC was about a dude putting 27" vampires on a 400 and then couldn't turn then in the muck. That is why I am looking at the larger machines.

I will own a 4 wheeler within the next 2 weeks, just which one? I appreciate all the comments and I would like to know where in Alabama, Mr. Authement bouth yours. I know if I buy in Mississippi, I can get a Yamaha, or Honda and save about $1500 at Lake Hills, their prices are out the door prices, no tax or title registration fees for out of state buyers.

 

I guess with your size then a 500-650 would be good for you. My son is 6'4", 245, and I am 6', 200 and my 400 can carry us but, yes a 500-650 would carry us better.
With your weight you may want to check into some 'HighLifter springs for the AC. They are not that bad on price and will help keep the GC up there for you. I run them on just the back on mine, but you may want them on all 4 corners.
You may find that since the AC's are a lager machine you may be more comfortable on one. Also the suspension will give you a relatively smooth ride. With 10 inches of wheel travel you are not so apt to bottom out the suspension either (bottoming out can make for a rough ride).
Just a side note here for you to think about - You might want to check out the TRV (two rider vehicle) too. You can get it without the second seat and with a rack just like the shorter ones. The added length could be comfortable for you. I have not really seen one handicapped because of the added wheel base and in fact in some cases was to their advantage. If I did not have what I have I would have a TRV...

 

ABBOTT MARINE COMPANY
ATVs
UTV
2402 AIRPORT ROAD
FORT PAYNE, AL 35967
(256) 845-0813

this is in north alabama, almost in tennessee

 

The Bass Pro Shop in Shreveport is an Arctic Cat dealer.
Boat and Atv World in Meridian,Ms is Where I got mine.
Don't know if I'm in that five hour range though.Been a while since I've been through Hammond.

 

Thanks for the locations, and yes Meridian is well inside the 5 hour range, it's about 3 - 3&1/2 hours away. I will be checking with both.

 

Here's the info on Boat and Atv World....http://www.boatandatvworld.com/


8708 Hwy 19 N.
Collinsville,Ms. 39325

888-626-8799
601-616-8600