Shear Madness!

"Sheer Madness" is the name of a very long-running play where the audience chooses the ending of this murder mystery.

SCman gives us the same opportunity!

Each reader imagines SCman's choice; strangely, each reader selects the exact same quad he rides himself! Then, each reader imagines SCman, living happily ever after.

CURTAIN!

(Actually, I agree with Robert and with Phoenix1--no poster on this topic pushed any particular brand. I believe we are in agreement: the only bad decision is not buying a quad. So, fear not, SCman--c'm'on, you can tell US!)

Tree Farmer

[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 09-08-1999).]

 

Ok..Ok

You all were indeed quite helpful without being pushy. Your replies played a large part in my decision. I went with the King Quad 300. I will share my reasons (not in defense , mind you, but because you all seem genuinely interested)

1. Price
2. I acually liked the gearing choices. Being somewhat of a greenhorn, I liked being able to choose the diff/lock + Hi or Low/Super Low, 2 or 4WD.
3. The dealer was the most helpful and objective of all I visited (11 in all)
4. Did I mention price?
5. LOTS of reading (mags and the net)
6. Independent rear susp. (albeit single arm)
7. Ground clearance for that size (8"+)
9. A size I believe that won't tempt me to push the envelope too much (YET)
10. A size I can pass down to my sons.

Oh yeah........Price. $4823 put it in my truck (dealer threw in trifold ramps). Obviously this list is not all-inclusive.

I went with some of the 'gang' yesterday. (Grizzly, Sportsman500,Foreman,Expedition425, and a Timberwolf. I scooted right along with them, never hanging up or encountering an impassable obstacle or grade. So welcome me into your midst, and I will welcome the opportunity to learn from your collective experience through the posts.

Again...........THANKS!!!!

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An excellent choice, and a sound decision. Looks like you weighed all the factors before buying.

I love the idea of having a locking differential. Maybe you can write a report about how well it works. You could try it on hard packed trails (just for the hech of it) and tell us how much harder the steering is with it on. Then you could go through the same mud pit with it locked and unlocked to see how effective it is. Then perhaps some hill climbing.

I think that there is going to be a big difference. It would be an ideal test since it would be the same bike, same driver and same track.

Lets hope that some other manufactures can add the locking differential in the future, I think it would be welcomed.

 

2 words polaris explorer.

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Wesley Shelby Sport400,Trailblazer 250

 

Excellent choice, SCman!

You have now been automatically inducted into the Eric Baatz Champions' Roundtable Hall of Fame! (I look forward to riding with Eric on his own King Quad in next months's Tour de Forest out of Marienville, PA.)

Eric proved at the Cochranton, PA, Mud-and-Poker Run how capable the KQ is under a capable rider.

Further, the King Quad bears frequent-poster Gordon Banks' endorsement as a superb out-of-the-box rock-hopper.

Congratulations again, enjoy!

Tree Farmer

 

YES! YES! YES! Excellent choice, not that I am partial or anything.

I enjoy mine, you can push it, even jump it but not real high or far.

I have made numerous modifications to mine so if you would like some help let me know.

Modifications include.

- Adding 12 outlet to console (cigarette lighter type).

- Modifying the shifting lever so I can use differential lock in any range.

- Modifying the starting circuit so I can start it in gear, this comes in real handy.

- Adding brake and backup lights.

As for the questions concerning differential lock on dry ground, it steers very difficult and does not like to turn. But when you want to make sure all four and I emphasize "four" wheels turn you cant beat it.

Good luck and I know you will enjoy it.

------------------
Eric Baatz

Remember the KING Lives!!



[This message has been edited by ecbaatz (edited 10-12-1999).]

 

4 more words- He won't be sorry. You got a good bike. Its funny that your choice was a bike that nobody in this thread ever pushed on you or bragged about. I like that. It shows that there are more people out there that can make up their mind for themselves, rather than just getting what every one else has. Thats like when I got my Arctic Cat. I don't know of anyone else that owned one at the time. Everyone torched me for not getting a honda, until they actually rode it and decided, "hey, this isn't such a bad bike afterall." I wish you the best with your new KING QUAD, and like I said, you will see that you can follow the bigger bikes anywhere. They might be a little faster, but they aren't capable of leaving you behind on a rough trail somewhere.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*

 

I too agree that the KQ would be a good choice for a first time buyer of a 4x4 atv.As the previous owner of a 87 KQ, and my bro's 97 KQ stays here at my place,I've got alot of experience with them.Good reliable engines,I like the 4x4 system,and over-all,just a pretty reliable 4x4.The downside to the KQ?One of the worst turning radius on the market of any 4x4.My oversized Sportsman will turn much-much more tighter when compared to the KQ,and the Sportsman is WAY bigger to..Brakes?Be prepared to remove the brake drums after any serious mudding event,very ,very poorly sealed brake drums on both the 87 model and my bros 97 model.I've heard of this problem from other mudders of the KQ too. Keep it out of the serious mud,and the brakes will last a long time.Very poor engineering on Suzuki's part. Power?It will not climb loose packed steep hills anything like the bigger CC 4x4s will.Stay off them kind of hills and your fine.The engine on the KQ just dont give the wheels the speed they need to conquer them types of hills.This engine has tons of torque with it's selectable Sub-Tranny ranges.Oh yah,the stock tires on the KQ are not really good for anything much more than casual trail riding.My bro has the Super Swamper Vampires on his 97 model.WOW.What a differance.Enjoy this quad,I know you will. BILL

 

Thanks all! We leave for Tellico OHV area Friday night for a weekend of camping and RIDING! I can't wait! I will post our adventures in the Where To Ride thread. Six of us going, all have different quads, (except for two Grizzlies) so will be a great comparison opportunity.

[This message has been edited by SCman (edited 09-15-1999).]

 

SCman, how did the King Quad perform? How do you like the differential lock? That has to be the best part of the bike, it really has the best of both worlds.