That is something I am watching out for first year model bugs, I have had a few first year vehicles and there is always some thing that goes wrong and I would have the say atv would be the same.

 

To step back to the wife, yeah she loves atv but I think she is looking more to stop me from putting 5-10k in a jeep and drive it to a early grave. I will say to a point my head is spinning a bit trying to sort out all of the different models features and benefis, whats crap whats not, and every one has a option,

 

Yeah they are indeed heavy ATV's, and it does greatly affect speed and acceleration... to put it plain and simple, don't get a 450 or 500 sportsman expecting much acceleration.
But the weight definitely does help in other areas, like when plowing snow, also the ride of the sportsman's is often compared to a couch..they are extremely comfortable.

 

Having a heavy quad has alot of plus sides, like my 700+ lb quad pulling my Chevy truck around without spinning the tires!