I am looking at a brand new 2007 Yamaha Big Bear 400cc 4x4. I have been researching which atvs would be a good choice for the amount of money that I have to spend. I have narrowed it down between the Kawasaki Prairie 360 4x4 or the Yamaha Big Bear 400cc 4x4. I have thought alot about it and the proce difference is about $400. prairie-$3600 and Big Bear- $4200.
I love the fact that the big bear has the irs but no nothing about these two machines.
Currently have a 2003 Suzuki Ozark

 

the big bear is a good choice, but STAY AWAY FROM TH 2007's. th 07 big bears are notorious for haveing rear diff leaks. so far the only solution for the leaks is change seal after seal [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] a few of the 08's have had this problem, but not as many as in 07. overall though is big bear is a tough bullet-proof mechine. it ig geared for work/mud-trail rideing, with its low gear ratios. if your looking for top speed nether mechine will do much over 45-50ish. both are good for work. the big bear is a foot shift with a 4x4 controle and a diff lock.

the kawisiki prarie 360 is an auto, but tho only auto in its class with a lo-range; that is a big plus for any pulling or mudding. it also has selectable 4x4 and diff select. they are both pretty even for power, and are great mechines! both are oil cooled as well.

i hope this information helps you decide on a mechine, those are great prices on both mechines by the way. iv spent alot of time researching mid-sized ATV's and these are good choices.

 

i have a 99 big bear 350 4x4 and i love it. bought it used in non runnign condition, took 3 months at the stealership and 600 bucks to get it fixed but it runs like a charm. counting the new front tires i just put on, i have at most 1600 bucks invested in my quad. wait till tax time..................new edlebrock carb, full skid plate and a arm protectors, and a lift kit and a new winch are getting put on my beast.

the big bear is reliable and yes bulletproof. you wont find a better quad for the money. the above post is correct, they are workhorses. very stong pulling machines. mine is almost 10 years old, and on 20 degree mornings, i can go out and uncover it, pull the choke ****, flip the switch to run and press the starter button. the motor turns over at most twice and shes running and purring like a kitty.

i would not trade it for the world.

 

"Non-running condition" and "bulletproof" sounds like a contradiction to me. I only knew one guy with a Big Bear. It was a 350 4x2 and it was a good quad.