I've done some serious research and i'm still too confused too make a final decision, not that i have too now, but i'd like to have my mind made up my May.

My choices:
Grizzly- Do i need that much? $7199

Kodiak 450-Is this enough $6299

Rancher AT-Straight axle and have rode b4 and don't know if it will handle 26"s $6099

Rubicon- Straight axle and heard of shifting problems. But good constant power. $7299

AC H1- Large body machine. Heard of large amounts of low end power for big tires. $7100??

Prairie 700- Heard is a screamin machine, but...straight axle? Anyone know how rough of a ride? $7449

BF 650i-Heard great power, bad suspension stories. $7099

Now i ride year round, technical rocks, hills, mudd, snow, ice, water, everything.

I maintain my wheelers but i also ride them like their made to be ridden. Its not a sunday pick-nick. And also use my wheeler for hunting, bow and gun. Whitetails.

I live in Northwestern WI, and sometimes we get some snow and i like big tires so take this into consideration for your thoughts. I'd like to have 26"s on which ever machine i end up with.

Please lend me your thoughts.

 

Sounds like you and the type of riding you do are biased towards IRS.

From your list I would rank them:

#1 - BF 650i Great engine and good suspension. Pretty good deal for the price.

#2 - Kodiak 450 or Griz. Depending on if you think the extra power of the Griz is worth the extra $$$

All that you have listed are good quads but these would be my top three.

Jaybee

 

get the grizzly definitly

 

For irs, the Cat has the best, and only TRUE front and rear irs, but wouldnt pass the BF up either, they both have great capabilities for what type of riding you mentioned. And from personal exp. i know the Cat can be abused, and not fail you on a trail, and have heard the same for BF.

 

I've had a lot of different rides over the years and right now I'm loving this Cat. Don't overlook the V2 cat either. Lot more zip than the H1.

DT

 

I should get a rubber stamp.... To all of you who have read this before - I appoligize... To the rest - read on.

Choosing the right utility quad is a difficult decision. For some (like me when I started) – we really don’t have the experience with ATV’s to fully know what we might end up useing it for – we just want to get into riding one. For others there is a more defined use and expectation. Some want to trail ride with friends or join clubs and make new friends, some want to use it as family recreation or some want it for hunting. And some owners are into more technical or competitive riding in mud or up mountains where a specific use helps dictate specific features or functionality. Unfortunetly many first time buyers do not look at the full lineup of different manufacturers before they buy and later find themselves regretting not doing that.

For the most part all of the major ATV brands are pretty close in areas of dependability and reliability, ease of maintenance, parts availability, performance, top speed etc etc. Some brands stand out slightly more then others but there is no cast in stone rule that says a Honda will out last a Kawasaki – truth is, more has to do with how you drive and care for the machine. I’ve seen plenty of trashed out Honda’s over the years. My brother has one that has been a POS lemon since day one. My cousin has a 98 Arctic Cat that looks and runs like new. Arctic Cats are always in the back of the pack - but they pass the broke down, stuck in the mud and tipped over quads on the trail.

Most important to the “right” machine is what you intend to use the machine for.

If you are like me then you want to have the best all around most useful machine that you never regret purchasing…ever.

A perfect ATV!

I wish they made one but they don’t! Way to many variables! The decision should be based on the full spectrum of what you intend to use it for - that deserves the most pre-purchase thought and attention.

There are so MANY uses - trail riding, hauling, mudding, swamping, mountain riding, transportation, recreation, riding together with friends, carrying a passenger, carrying loads of dirt, towing trailers, rock crawling.. I know one guy who’s specific and only use if his ATV is to ride it in Parades! His needs are way different as are the needs and options for all of these uses. But unless your really really lucky – you likely get to choose only one machine to meet all of your needs no matter how diverse they might be.

For us – I knew after the first ATV went over backwards with the wife and I on it – that we really needed a two rider ATV. Polaris, Bombardier and Arctic Cat make those. But since starting to deer hunt (which I NEVER thought I would do) my eyes have turned to a Arctic Cat TBX for its multi-function rack options and that rear box to carry my deer stand on. Not having any chance at getting that - I have taken full advantage of the MRP options using my Artic Cat TRV. A look at my PICs here will expose the over indulgence in accessories for my TRV with both hunting and ice fishing and other equipment attached there to. Again – who’d of thought! When I bought my first ATV I never imagined my using one for ice fishing or hunting - Never. Now look at it. 1st Runner up for the Beverly Hillbilly’s truck.

The point is – its all about Options and Flexibility and Specifications.

Not all ATV’s score high in all of these areas. I think Polaris has likely the 2nd best score in the O F S (Options and Flexibility and Specifications) area as they do have a few box choices, accessories and bag options and their specifications are pretty good – But first place has to go to Arctic Cat as their catalog of Speed Rack (MRP) options are 2nd to none and the flexibility to re-provision the machine for whatever mission is required is unmatched by any manufacturer. The Arctic Cats own the specifications area also with the best ground clearance, IRS and ruggedness over any other brand. In the 400 and 500 class of machines the Artic Cat is the value choice for two rider quads. Go out and price them. If your into arm pulling raw power the new 700 is outrageous in performance. Althought the 500 machines have enough power to climb a tree - some people want more for that competitive feeling...

For off ATV trail use - aka hunting - power is not a problem - even for a 400. A 400 TBX is a GREAT choice IMHO. Traction, ease of steering (especially on side hills - (aka polaris bad)) and ability to carry tons of "needed" hunting gear stand out more to me.

Ok – so I’m a little biased about the Arctic Cats and not to thrilled with the big bore machines. Actaully I dislike the throttle response on many big machines (aka GRizz) as they are either at idle or WAY to much power - followed by Oh SHizts... . After previously owning 3 Polaris and 1 Honda I will claim a little expertise and beg a little leeway... I did put a lot of work into considering the O.F.S. of each brand BEFORE I bought the AC's. And I'm 50 years old and have no interest in doing wheelies any longer. Your needs may vary.

Whatever quad you choose – just be sure to give it a LOT of thought and try to see how flexible each brand is going be and how satisfied you are going to be with your decision – when something you never dreamed of doing – turns out to be the true passion in your ATV riding.

 

Thanks for your responses guys, i know there isn't a perfect atv. If there was, i'm sure alot of people would buy it. LOL. I just like so many diffrent wheelers i can't make up my mind. But obivously i'm not alone. Thanks again. Keep writing.

 

You have narrowed it down to some machines with that are very different! You have midsized cc (450) to some bigbore machines (660 and 650). I would suggest you go with efi no matter the machine, therefore from your list you have nothing that is efi. In a midsized quad the only efi machine available is the sp500efi. In the bigbore you have the Sp700/800eefi, KQ700efi, new rincon efi, new AC 700efi, and the OL 650/800efi. From these choices based on price I would suggest the KQ700efi. The AC 700efi is new, it has the same engine as the KQ, but with more ground clearance, and suspension travel, however, again it's a first year production and is quite a bit more $$$. If you are interested in one of the machines I've mentioned let me know and I'll give you the advantages and disadvantages of it. Every machine will have it's good and bad qualities, but for hill climbing and elevation changes a efi quad is a big PLUS!!!!

note: the sp500/700/800efi will have 26" tires stock. The OL 650/800 efi models with the Xt package will as well. The KQ, and rincon will have 25" and the AC 700efi will have 25" tires. A good set of 26" tires will cost you around $300 or more so factor that in to any quads price without the 26" for comparisons. I would still suggest the KQ 700 efi for price and features offered.

 

I don't want a polaris. That is one thing i know. I know their pretty good machines. I just don't like them. And i'd like to have a smaller bodies wheeler for going through the woods. (Kodiak or Grizz) But can i put the 26"s on a Kodiak and be alright? And the reason i was looking at the H1 is because i love the looks with the black LE package and the speedracks leave alot of room for attactments.

 

polaris is not what i have reccommended, but the KQ700 is. It is basically a Grizzly with 35cc more and efi. i would highly suggest you give the efi somemore thought. you asked for advise from others, and if you are considering the grizz, prairie, bf, and h1, then why not the KQ? only reason to look at the kodiak vs the grizz is price. If you are on a price budget then tell us so we can advise you accordingly. if you are basing it on looks then you are on you on as this is a matter of opinion.