Back from DE! I went to some dealers down there, and found out a lot of stuff I didn't know, along with some prices. I had my mind set on the Vinson 500, and it's a good thing I found out what I did. Here it goes, by dealer:

Kawasaki & Arctic Cat Dealer
-Arctic Cat ATV's are massive. The bodies are huge, and they sit very high. Not the quad for me. Price for the 500: $6,200.
-I can get a Brute Force for $6,099, or a 650i (IRS) for $6,799. Those are great prices, and the BF's have great power, but I can't get over how heavy the steering is.
-I need low range, since I'll be doing hillclimbs and going down steep hills.

Polaris & Suzuki Dealer
-I'd really like IRS. I won't be doing any powerslides (or at least not that many), and IRS is better for rough trails. *Vinson 500 doesn't have this, but the Sportsman 500 does.*
-I need Shift-on-the-fly 4WD...nothing like going down a fire road at 35 MPH and seeing a mud pit up ahead, and having to pull over and come to a dead stop to get into 4WD. *Vinson 500 doesn't have this either, the Sportsman 500 does*
-Polaris quads are very heavy. They seem sturdy, but extermely heavy.
-The Sportsman 500 seems nice, and I can get one with a free winch. Price: $6500. Any opinions?

Yamaha & Honda Dealer
-The Yamaha Kodiak (now called Grizzly) 450 is a good quad. Not as much power as I'd like, but a good quad nonetheless. Very low center of gravity, but not that much ground clearance. Price: $6500.
-Hondas are out of my price range. A new 500 Rubicon goes for $7400...way too much.

So, to conclude, this is what I found out...and what I need in a quad (which will help narrow down the possibilities):
-I would really like IRS, but if the handling will really suffer, straight axle is OK.
-I need Shift-on-the-fly 4WD.
-The Vinson 500 doesn't have the features I'd really like, so it's not a possibility any more.
-I want a quad with light/easy steering.
-I need low range.
-A locking differential would be a nice feature to have.

I added it all up, and it just makes me confused on what to get. Somebody please help me. I'm in a crisis right now. My dad starts quading again in 2 weeks (waiting on ITP Mudlites and his riding friend's quad to be fixed), and I'd love to have my quad by then. This trip to Delaware really helped me out (in a strange way). I probablly would have gotten the Vinson 500, and had problems without being able to put it into 4WD while moving. So what should I do? Any help is awesome...thanks again everyone! (Sorry if this was like reading an essay).

 

Nobody?

 

IRS- Check
Shift on the fly 4X- Check
Light easy steering- Check
Low range- Check
Locking frontend- Check- (Visco Lock)

Outlander 400 has everything you want............except the price?

Your either going to have to buck up or option down. Sportsman is a nice quad also.

Personally I don't see any way in hell I would need shift on the fly 4x. But that's just me.

 

Right now I'm thinking Brute Force 650. $6,099! Less than any 500cc quad!

 

Go with the BF 650 then b/c it's definitely a good step above the Vinson, ecspecially the power. The BF 650 is a bargain IMO... $6000 for a 633cc V-twin, I think they're shift on the fly as well...633cc V-twin vs. 500cc single = no contest. Plus there's CDI's availible to make them really rip. Oh yeah the BF 650 has a front locker as well.

 

Toyeboy...yeah, it it shift-on-the-fly, and it has a locker. My dad has a BF 650 with a Warn Winch. The only thing he doesn't like is the stock tires (they're horrible).

Well, it looks like it's Team Green BF 650 for me! THANKS FOR THE HELP AND ADVICE, EVERYBODY! IT HAS REALLY HELPED ME...I APPRECIATE IT!

 

Not sure where you're located, Roody, but I just bought a 2006 (brand new) Honda Rubicon in Athens, TN for $5977 out the door.

 

Exactly the point in him buying the BF 650, it blows the Rubicon away in power and has a front locker for only $150 more.

 

No argument there but the Rubicon outhandles it, steers easier, is more stable on hills, and has a far superior transmission as well as engine braking. In 5 or more years, the Honda will bring a better resale value as well.

 

Great. Just great. More confusion. My dad just got off the phone with his friend, the 'leader' of our ATV group...the guy who rides half mile long wheelies and does no-handed jumps on his Brute Force 750i. My dad's friend said the BF 650 would be a bad idea for me since I have so little experience. He said I should get either the Kodiak 450 or Vinson 500. He said to pass on the Sportsman 500 since it's pricey at $6,999. So, which quad should I get?

I kinda had a feeling this was going to happen. I guess riding the Kodiak 400 on my first trip was an omen type of thing. I have a feeling I'll end up with the Grizzly 450.

Should I get the Vinson 500 Auto. or Grizzly 450?

Thanks again for the responses, eevryone.