The explorer line is their two-stroke.

 

Forget about those stinkin Polaris's and get you a Honda 350 Rancher.

 

hey, if i were you i'd reserve one of those new yamaha grizzly 660cc 4x4 monsters! even though im a yamaha rider, id recommend the new hodna rubicon. that automatic transmission on it is awesome!

James

 

I'll give you my favorite quad in each money and power category
new 660 griz (auto)
(if not get the new Kawa; it's the first Kawa that I've liked perhaps ever[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] (auto)
Rubicon (auto)
Kodiak (auto)
Rancher (es)


Note the trend towards automatics...Personally, I can't knock it cuz I've never tried it. But come on. I'm pretty sure I'd still like to shift. It's part of the sport. I want to choose my gears! I'm not an idiot! I can do it! Please Please !

 

In my oppinion, you can't beat the Polaris for selectable 4x2 to 4x4 and the true 4x4, not 4x3 which most atv's are with out paying extra for lockers. Also, the auto trany is nice. I really messed my back up several years ago and ride was very important to me when I was buying my machine. I deceided on a 2000 Sportsman 500 (bought it July '00). The ride with the 4 wheel independant suspension is like riding in a cady compaired to other machines. Not having to shift while riding the trails, hills, and mud sure is easy on the back too. But like someone said earlier in these posts, it's what fits you best. Every machine has something going for it. Just depends on your tastes and needs. Good luck in your search.

Bryce

 

BUCK,
I HAVE A FEELING THAT IF YOU MAKE THIS SAME POST IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS YOUR CHOICE WILL BE NARROWED DOWN TO THE 660 GRIZZ AND THE KAWASAKI 650.
I HAVE A FEELING THESE TWO QUADS ARE GOING TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE OF 4X4 QUADS.
PRETTY SOON POLARIS WILL COME OUT WITH SOMETHING JUST AS BIG OR EVEN BIGGER AND MAKE IT ALL THE MORE INTERESTING.

 

I'd have to agree with my fellow polaris owners about polaris being the best quad out there for trail rides.

TOP TEN REASONS:

10. reverse override (who wants to go 3mph in reverse)
9. decent stock tires (not those piddely knobby things, LUGS)
8. large gas tanks (theres not gas stations on the trails)
7. comfortable seats(unlike honda or yamaha's that will send a person with hemorrhoids to their dead bed.LOL.)
6. automatic transmissions (automatics shift faster than humans.hehe.)
5. full floorboard (not half crap boards)
4. most suspension travel in each machines class(no use for suspension when you don't have travel.
3. Macpherson struts (comfortable ride and found on all four corners of the sportsmans independent suspension system.
2. locked true 4x4 ( the rest of the companies might as well call there machines 3x4's.LOL.)
1. True AMERICAN craftsmanship (yes I like to wave the American flag on occation)

I think thats more than enough reason.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

Read Cowboys post again, he said it about 90% right as I see it.
The only real difference I would make would be in the 400cc class. If you want the best, smoothest ride in that class, consider the Polaris Sportsman 400. Smoother riding than Kodiak & true 4wd. If you can tolerate a chain-drive 2 stroke, consider the Xplorer 400, for $300 in mods it turns into one of the fastest utility 4x4 machines out there. Might not outrun the new Grizz or the 650 Prarie, but I have seen them advertised new for $4700. Mod it out a little and you have the fastest $5100 4x4 utility our there.

In the 300 class it is hard to beat the Cat, though. Has 4 wheel independant suspension, triple gear ranges, and 2wd/4wd/4wd lock selectable. Plus they are about as durable as a rock. About their only drawback is they aren't what you would call 'spirited' by any means.

The 500 Sportsman is known for it's extremely smooooooooth ride,and good power, with the 500 Cat with it's semi-floating not too far behind. The Polaris 500 Mag is a good machine, and has a solid axle, but so does the Cat, and the Cat provides a better ride & keeps all 4 wheels on the ground better. About the only thing the 500 Mag has over it is it will go faster, and perhaps price (depends a lot on dealer).
You commented you prefer a 4 stroke, which is fine, but I have 4300 miles on my Xplorer (2 stroke) and my brother has over 5000 on his 400 Xpress, niether one took anything more than a spark plug so far (knock on wood).

While the new Grizz and Prarie are impressive on paper, I haven't ridden either, yet, so I will leave those to you for a judjement call.

 

get you a scrambler 400 4x4, an older version, has a better 4x4 system then the newers, it doesnt have to slip first, its powerfull as hell, can kill a sportsman HOE in anything but comfort, and is good for sporty stuff

 

Sportsman 500 HO ut the price is on the high side. I ought one after own a 2X4 for 8 years and have beeen VERY pleased. You pay for what you get. Very powerful and comfortale ride!