Howdy all. I've researched alot of forums and I haven't really found an answer that suits me. I was in a bad motorcycle wreck, messed up right leg real bad, pinned, probably amputate in next few years, you know that kinda thing. So here is my situation. I need a quad that is STABLE and doesn't require alot of pushing with the legs to keep it sure footed. I had an 05 Brute 750 and LOVED the power but felt it was very top heavy. I rolled it down a mountain in WV because of this. My bro said it was me and tried riding it and he too ended on his side and said "dude that thing is not safe". (Maybe it was just a factory fluke or something) He had the outlander 800. Then I tried the 07 King Quad 450 efi. Nice quad but missed the power of the Brute and the suspension felt too soft especially with my plow on it. BTW, I run about 310 and am 6'2" so I'm sure I had something to do with suspension not feeling stiff enuf!
Anywho, I've been looking and the new brute efi with lower center(im told), the sportsman 850xp, the outlander 800 and the king quad 750.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for slamming each others advice either, PLEASE.
Thanks,
Mark

 

A buddy of mine was disabled in an MX crash many years ago and lost the use of his legs. He will now only ride machines by Suzuki and Honda.....

The reason is, that the Polaris are too heavy, and he cannot control them well enough. Plus he has the fear of getting crushed by 800 pounds of machine. And the Yamaha and Kawasaki rides are too top heavy and that bothers him too. He always liked CVT tranny but those machines were always too big and wide for his legs too to deal with.....He did not feel stable on top.

He rode a Honda Rancher for a while and then moved up to a Foreman 500, which he had for years.

Now he has a King Quad 750 and loves it. He said the stability is the best he's ever ridden for him.....and the power is more than enough. I've ridden it too and it is a really nice machine, very stable, very powerful..... If I was choosing between all the ones you've narrowed it down to, the KQ would be my choice far and away.....

 

There is nothing more stable than a 2-up quad when it comes to going up and down hills. The added length=greater stability on steep grades. Polaris has the Touring model with a very comfortable second seat, and the X2 which is more work oriented with a pickup bed that converts into a second seat when needed. Very comfortable seats, 48" wide, and good power in the larger bore engines. I don't know enough about the CanAms and Arctic Cats to make too much of a comparison.

 

i had the 07 brute and after i put on new tires it was dramadicly different after it was a little bit wider. but its up to u just think about the tires becuase it always helps stability i would always go with the big bikes good luck

 

While I agree the weight issue is there for Popo's, the XP is very stable, gobs of power, and is much narrower in the seat then the old sportsman platform. 800lbs is a lot of quad though. The KQ 750 is a great ride, as is the Grizzly 700. A 600lb big bore might be the best choice for you.

 

Thank you guys for your wisdom. I am still looking. The KQ is by far the least expensive of the entire bunch and I'm kind of leaning that way. Well unless I win the lotto. LOL

 

The reason I bought an XP Polaris is because of the stability and smooth ride. No complaint's about the handling and power too. Even though I'm close to 62 yrs old and my hot rodding days are well behind me the 550 would have been enough engine for me but the wife talked me into getting the 850. Maybe it's to get rid of me quicker! Good luck with your decision.

 

Hi TORQN,

Sorry to hear about your misfortune & prayers out to you that you don't lose the leg....

I was in the same boat 2yrs ago. Needed an ATV to do farm chores and general mobility around the property following being hit by a speeding police cruiser while crossing the road on foot. Multiple fractures to my left leg that required an IM nail, pins, plates, etc etc on top of other body injuries, all of which I am STILL recovering from. This followed a very serious MVA in '86 that has made my mobility quite challenger to say the least.

I am 6ft4 248 lb and turning 47 this month... I was driven around by friends and relatives to try and find an ATV that I was both comfortable on, and that offered the best stability for my needed endeavors on the farm.

The one I ended up going with was the 2008 Arctic Cat 700 H1 SE. I chose it because of the ride in feature and higher stock ground clearance. Although it didn't offer power steering I found its maneuverability adequate for my surroundings, and the torque of the H1 perfect for the plowing and hauling harrows, logs and wagons around (couldn't use the clutch on the tractor).

I did have a clutch kit installed and added 27" mudlites XTR's on 14" SS212 rims for better working manners (ya, and looks too, lol).

I love the ride completely and has done me quite well, even after needing to replace the front diff that blew up at the less than 100km mark ('08 Cat factory defect), (and thank the bejesus that it happened to the mechanic while he test drove it after the clutch install and not me).

As I'm progressing in my recovery I've managed to hit the trails and some decent pond crossing and mud holes without issues and truly enjoy the performance of my purchase.

I hope you will find the same "confident" stability and satisfaction in your purchase, and extend my personal hopes that you recover fully without further mishap.

RideOn,
Greg