hi everyone, im looking to buy my first atv in the next couple weeks, i've been researching and browsing the classifieds for a couple months, and im pretty sure i've got a good idea of what i want, but since i've never had much experience with quads (just trucks) i think a little heads up on what to look for from the experienced is a good idea!

wants: durability, parts availability, good power and comfort, excelent traction!

driving style: aggresive and spirited

terrain and use: 50% trail/bush, 10% rocks, 10% snow, 30% mud

i've been looking at 04 and up grizz 660's and 05 and up brute force 750's but im open to considering others if i can find a good deal for a machine that will meet my needs. will these machines do what i want? any that i should add to my list?

also, its worth noting that im not considering new machines due to the fact that im trying to find one that already has a bunch of extras included (winch, plow, heated grips, etc.)

also, i've got lots of experience working on cars and trucks, and a little with dirt bikes, so ill probably be doing all the maitenance and alot of more serious work myself, so basically im looking for well maintained and no frame damage than anything else.

sorry for the long read!

oh yeah, budget is about 5-6k.

 

Welcome! You look to have you choice in quads pretty well dialed in for what you are looking for. The way to look at you two choices in a bike is the 660 OK power GREAT reliability the BF OK reliability GREAT power. Other than that the only other one I would recommend is a Grizz 700 as has been a GREAT quad for me with similar riding terrain as you!

 

For most power per CC CanAm is the ticket. Polaris has the best ride comfort and best on board storage from 2005-2009. Yamaha Grizzly is a great all around machine that isn't most powerful or comfortable. Kawasaki Brute Force is a power house with great looks in my mind. Suzuki King Quad is often best bang for the buck but not the best in any one category. Don't know a ton about Arctic Cats. Honda is super reliable but a bit behind the times. Only Honda does not offer a full locking front end on their line of quads. All of these machines can do what you ask and can be fun to ride at decent speeds too.

 

the lack of full front locker is why i havent really been interested in the hondas. which brings up another question, in these irs rigs, are they fully locked up or limited slip? and in what year did the grizzly go from 660 to 700?

 

Everyone pretty much has a full locker on their quads now except Honda. Some are engaged automatically (CanAm and Polaris), some are an extra button to push (Arctic Cat, Suzuki, Yamaha), and Kawasaki has a little lever you pull with your left fingers to add as much traction to the last tire as you want. All rears are fully locked. With a Polaris Sportsman X2 and maybe their Touring model you can get Turf Mode where you can lock and unlock the rear. It gives you one wheel drive when you want so it's easier on the lawn and tighter turning.

 

sweet about the fully locked! also, how are the brute and grizzly as far as throttle response/torque? i originally was thinking about a 2wd sport quad because of the way i like to drive , but decided i'd probably get sick of geting stuck in the mud! does a different clutch kit make them a bit snappier? im not gonna lie, i like to drift everywhere, even in my yota on 35's.

 

07 Is the model year change to the 700! The 700 is EFI and you have the option of Power steering on the 700's as well! (Highly Recommended) No question that the Kawi 750 are a much snappier sportier machine to ride but the tree I ride with all three have had transmission issues on a stock machine. Don't get me wrong there are tones of 750's out there and they are a fun machine to ride but for me the nit picky stuff like the lever actuated 4x4 system and the motor actuated braking system sucks in my eyes. My advice is go to a dealer that sells multiple brands and judge for yourself and go from there!

 

Note you can find some pretty good deals on new previous model year quads right now! It's worth a look to buy new!

 

I would give as many quads as you are considering a test ride, if possible.

 

thats the plan this weekend, but a test ride still doesnt tell me much about overall durability. just trying to find out as much info as i can before i spend more time/money driving around checking differnt machines out. i've already test driven an 07 kingquad 700 and a 07 grizz 700. they were both out of my price range, but i deffinetly liked the grizzly better, but i didnt get to spend a lot of time on either.

still looking for opinions on clutch upgrades, and as far as axles/diffs/ and suspention, how do these machines stack up when presented with bigger/offset tire/wheel combos?