OK guys and gals, it's time to step up from my Scrambler to a full rec/utility 4x4. My problem is which one do I choose? I rode the Sportsman 500 and 700 and was real impressed with both but not sure if the 700 is worth the extra $1000. I plan on riding the other 3 today, the Grizzly, the Prairie, and the Rubicon. Which one has the most problems and which one seems to stand out above the rest? Please be honest and dont favor one because you ride it. If you have another that deserves mentioning please do so. All that I require is 4x4 and low range.

Thanks For Your Help
Scott Johnson

 

500scr
We went to the Utah atv jamboree with the Kawasaki praire 650 and met up with more friends some with Yamaha grizzly 660 and polaris sportsman and scramblers.The fastest quad by far was the praire 650 and it handled great power slides etc.The grizz was the most comfterable with the smoothest ride. No machine had any mechanical problems except for the polaris quads. The praire got a little better mileage but all of them were fuel hogs.This is an honest opinion and I hope it helps.
Bearman

 

Have you looked at the Quest 500 or 650? Or even one of the Traxter's?

 

We've got a new Grizz, and it's pretty cool, lots of power, good suspension. We HAD to widen it to make it handle i.e. powerslide, and it is a gas hog. My DS will go the same distance the Grizz does on half the gas, the Raptor even better.
.....I like the Prairie, love the motor, 4-valve Harley, but I think the plastic looks cheap, and I love the IRS on everything else. I had a SP and an H.O. and love the IRS, and that's about all. I think the new 700 motor is suspect. Fugi 4-strokes are forklift motors, and Polaris has little engine building experience, this two valve pushrod design is very uninspired and gadzooks, what a pig!
......I think the new Honda Rincon looks really cool and if you can wait, it's going to be the new King of the Hill. I think it will outhandle the Grizz (wider, lower)and the Polarises (lighter), out ride the Kaw (IRS). And last forever. The only fault I see on it is a lack of a low range, but with a real torque converter it may not be needed. IT seems to be aimed at being a true "SPORT/Utility". Frankly, anything in the 650 class should be a sport utility, that much power is for going fast, or extreme mudding, I guess.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I havent owned a 4wheeler for 10 years and previously owned a TRX250R and a Kawi Bayou 350 4x4. I Just droped some dough on a brand new Bombardier Quest TX 650 and I have to say This machine is the best thing i could buy for the money. I got a lot of standard goodies including a warn 2000lb winch, crome rims, handguards, windshield, custom seat and bumpers and all for under $6500. Yes its heavy but I had it going 60 plus mph with more to go but ran out of road. It has the only TRUE 4 wheel drive called visco lock and drives like a recliner on wheels. Im very very happy. i think its faster than my 250R was!

ColdNCruel
aka: Bob in Deronda Wi

 

ColdNCruel
I am a big Bombardier fan owning a DS650 but never had any experience with the Quest.Both the Praire 650 and Grizzly 660 feature true locking 4 wheel drive.If the Quest is nearly as good as the DS650 then it is a winner.
Bearman