Well Scrmblerman, I was really considering the SP700, it was top of my list. I guess the others just felt better. Test drove the Polaris and liked the feeling of the bike but felt the engines rode hard. I know picky but the Kawasaki was smooth, and figured the AC was just the same

 

bigread1.. what year is your rancher? ive put alot of time on the 2004 rancher AT nice machine, probaly hondas biggest breakthrough in the 400cc class of ATV's selectable 2x4/4x4 and full auto or electronic shift i like it but doesnt do so great at high speeds.. and it is easy to role.. but its a fun machine

 

GRIZZ GRIZZ GRIZZ GRIZZ GRIZZ

 

Artic Cat 650 for sure. Fast and 13 inches of ground clearance.

 

Actually the article I read was for a 03 AC, but the new ones are supposed to be really nice. Think Im going with a Prarie at the begining of the year. Im gonna buy a Polaris 500 ho remington edition I found from a guy for 2800. It's good to have a couple quads around Im sure. Hey BigRed1, I went through Lousianna last year moving my brother from San Diego to Pensacola for OCS just wanted to say you have one of the most impressive states in the US. The hospitality was incredible. I look forward to going back when I can visit Vicksburg and New ORleans again and enjoy that fantastic cooking. Best on earth.

XC

 

Just bought two new quads: Prairie 700 Camo, and a Sportsman 500. I expected the Sportsman to be the king of the nasty boulder gardens. But the Prairie is smooooth and refined compared to the Polaris. I've ridden both in nasty, full front-lock, low range situations. The Prairie actually handles the situations with less fuss and a better ride that the Sportsman. I was surprised. IRS is cool, but overrated, and not always a better ride.

 

my Rancher is a 2003

 

Hey Gas Master, buy the cat. You will be very happy. I purchased an '03 500 auto & I love it.
It works really well in the mud. Trail rideing is comfortable also. The ground clearance and IRS is something to really consider. I have been out in the mud with all kinds of other bikes & as far as i'm concerned the only one that competes with the cat is the polaris. they still dont have the ground clearance or suspension travel. the 5 postion shock adjustment is nice. I just wish i had waited a little longer a got the 04 650. it wil be awesome.
get dirty!!!!!!!

 

Buying a new quad is getting harder and harder every year with all the choices you have. I would say go out and drive as many as you can and at the end of the day buy the one that you want! I have 2 quads myself one with IRS and one with a solid rear, just remember IRS can be tricky. Everyone advertises all this clearance but, what happens when a load is put on a IRS quad. My 2000 500 sportsman has tons of clearance sitting in the yard but with a trailer and myself on it, it has less than my brothers p650 with the same load. This is just something to think about.