I don't think you should be ruling out the utility class. The mid sized utilities these days expecially the 450 class feel more sport than they do utility and are much more versitile than any sport machine. I've owned both types and enjoy both types, but unless you are more race oriented, you may not be as happy in the long run on a sport as you minght be on a utility. I guess I'm partial to Yamaha's, so my advise is, try the Kodiak 450. It has speed and power, but it also has something the sports don't have, and that's versatility.

 

Only time I can imagine anybody being happy with a ute is if they need to haul/tow or ride in mud/technical trails.

Or if you're an old geezer. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]




Having a manual is no big deal. Again, unless you're an old geezer! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]


My advice would be match the machine to the terrain. What's it like?

 

Hey now! Not all ute riders are old geezers, some of em are Dumass's[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]. I wish I had bought a more sporty quad this time around. Next time I will.

I say look at the Z400 as it is one of the best all around quads going.

 

LOL, my opinion about automatics also comes from my 12 years of off-roading with Jeeps. First Jeep was a manual, never got another manual. The problem I see with the manuals is that when you get in sticky situations that require you to keep your momentum up such as sand, mud or snow. The manual transmission stops as soon as you pull the clutch or let off on the throttle to downshift. The automatics downshift (Jeep) or backshift (CVT) to keep the vehicle going. Once you experience the difference, you will never have another manual. But clearly, it depends on where you ride. Wide open fast trails might be more suited to a manual sport quad.
Bryce

 

While I'm not sold that they're the best performers, I love playing on my kids cvt. If I road on fairly flat hard packed technical trails, I'd want a cvt on my quad too.

For hard play or racing (or like you say "open spaces").....I'd want the manual. Sometimes, it's nice being able to hold that lower gear and to have more engine braking. Though it's debatable, I think you get faster acceleration out of a manual too.

Each to his own. There is a reason so many different models are made. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Wow - thanks for all the replies. If Suzuki made a CVT version of the Z400, it would all be over. Do you think we will ever see something like that?

I can see there is no clear answer, except to by a manual sport ATV for playing hard and a CVT ute for the other stuff. I guess that is part of the reason most of y'all have more than one quad in your signature. I could always try to justify a bigger automatic utility ATV to the wife, so I better get the hot rod first.

 

Excellent points Raptorlegs. Funny thing is, I expect my next quad would be a DS650 or a Predator for dunes and fast trails. LOL, I am not a fan of UTEs. But I don't think I will ever give up my Trailblazer for the slower trails.
BryceGTX

 

You can put a Rekluse type clutch on a manual (hand) clutch sport bike, and turn it into an autoclutch!