I am in the porcess of selecting a new ATV. After my first ride in the OK mountains, I realized that one 4wheeler being ridden by five kids and a wife doesn't work. I can't stand borrowing someone elses ATV which is what I had to do, actually I had to borrow four so we could all ride together. I have determined that I want an automatic and would like IRS, but that is not a must. I mostly use my Honda 300 to deer hunt with and an occasional mud trip to the river bottoms. After the mountain trip to OK, (which is something we plan on doing more often now)I also realized that I need more power than my 300 can give. I have test driven the Griz, Prairie 650 and 360, Polaris Sportsman 400, 500 and 700, Arctic Cat 375,400, and 500, Bombardier 500, Honda Rubicon and Foreman ES.The only Suzuki dealership I have in my area had one small ATV in stock so I haven't ridden the Vinson yet. I wish I could take parts from all of these and build the one I want. They all have things I like and some things I don't. The Prairie 650's power is unbelievable but it's a tad stiff and a bit heavy in the steering!! The Polaris's ride is very nice, but after spending three nights looking thru this forum is seems like buying a Polaris is like playing Russian roulette when it comes to reliability,some seem like great machines and some seem to be very problematic. I like the Griz's looks and ride but the engine is loud and vibrates more than others. The Bombardier seems as heavy as a tank and I think that Honda needs to up grade all models with disk brakes and automatics.My Honda hasn't been exactly trouble free, I am constantly having brake problems. The Arctic Cats seem a little weak on power....So,,,someone help me make up my mind!!! Give me some testimonials and experiences if you can.

 

I went riding with a guy who has the vinson. I was very impressed with the power and Speed!! It went everywhere I went, up hills and it was very fast too. This is not a bad choice. I recommend the vinson.

 

Or the Eiger. Very easy to drive, very easy to steer. Lots of pep and good in mud. Can't beat it for price.

I'd go find a Suzuki dealer with some ATV's in stock.

Jaybee

 

Im very happy with my Vinson bat it does not have IRS. You said that was important to you.
Of the models you mention the Griz probably fits best. You are right on the Polaris.
GOOD LUCK

 

Check out the Eiger. The vinson is a nice machine, however it seems like they have quite a few problems/recalls.

 

I myself would probably go with the grizzley. My best road dog has one and that things an animal. "my 2 cents"

 

To bad your in TX! If you were local, i would take ya out for a spin on the Griz... My wife and i have two and all i can say is WoW.

I have owned older model bikes and i cant even compare them to the griz. All the new bikes out have good points and some you may end up spending more money to make them the way YOU want them. As for the griz., the only thing that i am changing (on mine, not wife's) is the tires. The stock tires do not do what i want (mud mud mud) so i am putting dirt devil 27" on it. A friend has the 589 ITP's on his, and he did circles around me while i was trying to WINCH out of a hole. Funny, exact same bike and i couldnt even go threw a lil ol' hole. I am not one to take the bike into the water like a boat (if you wanna boat buy a boat) but i did cross 5 cricks today without any problems. The watter was just below the seat. No water in the tranny and NO problems getting through it either. The only thing that i have heard from a "friend", not someone online, is that he had a vapor lock on the gas tank. Neither my wife or i have had this problem and it was 85 today and we were doing very SLOW riding for about 3 hrs (technical riding) up and down hills and a lot of rock/gravel climbing. NOT ON GLITCH! That is my two cents on the bike. As for the others......well you will have to get comments from people who own them.

Hope i have helped you... at least with the griz. side of things.

Jonathan

 

I know what you mean about first impressions about the AC's. I got a 400i about 3 months ago, and have put close to 100 miles on it so far. I can't believe the difference once it started to break in. Hills and mud holes I used to have to down shift to get over or through, I can now just ride over with no shifting. The "i" suspension is great, smoother than anything else I ever rode on.

Besides, here is my view on power with ATV's. I realize some may disagree with me on this but here it is: Compare it to pick-up trucks. How many guys really need a 1 ton pick-up? Very few. For the vast majority of us, a half-ton works just fine. I think it also applies to quads. So few really NEED a 650 or larger quad. I felt that the 400 was more than enough power for what I need my quad to do - mostly hunting rides, some trail riding, and plowing snow. I'm not logging the north 40 or anything! For what you describe, I would stick with something no larger than a 500, and save some money for add-ons! Take a look at the AC lineup again. They are built like tanks, and have great realiability.

Good luck.

 

the best quad i found was the new grizzly. it has the ride, the power, the reliability, and the performance i wanted in a quad. there is a reason why it is always 1st or 2nd in the shootouts, couse it is the best all around quad out there! the prarie has more takeoff power, but lacks in all other catagories, other than maybe the locking diff department. the sportsman has a slightly larger towing capasity, but is heavier, bulky, and cant outrun the grizzly at any speed, and it doesn't even have a gas guage.
look at what you want from it, if it is handling, towing, reliability, fun factor, power to burn, and the lightest of the big bore quads, the grizzly is it!


my pictures

 

Thanks for all the replies..I'm going to give the Griz another ride. I do have a dealer about 25 miles away that carries Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Polaris. It is nice to be able to get off a Prairie and get right on a Sprotsman then get on the Griz. You can really see the differences in the brands. I'm also going to FIND a Suzuki dealership that has a Vinson. I know this is sort of stupid, but if you look at my sign on name, you may see why I think it would be so cool to own a Vinson, cause that is my last name...
Once again,,thanks for all the feedback..