As we bash each other's favorite brands on occasion (Okay, as much as possible) the thought came to me that no one really makes what I would consider the "perfect" quad for me. I love my Polaris and it's been basically issue free, but I know others have had some problems with them. Others love Hondas for their well deserved reliability factor, but others don't like that you can't get a full locker. Yamaha makes a great all around quad but lacks much storage. Kawasaki's Brute looks great but they don't have a 500 class machine out there. CanAms have great power but their frames are a little on the weak side. So, the question stands. What would be your ideal quad?

For me, it's a quad that is very good at work and pretty good at play. It has to be a 2-up machine so the wife (who doesn't want to drive) can come along occasionally. Needs full 4wd for the soily or clay filled mud up here in New England, along with snow riding, and slow rock climbing.

So, my X2 comes very close. But, I would love to have CanAm's 800 in it, Yamahas belt drive and power steering, Honda's uber-reliability, Brute Force's great looks, Suzuki's prices, Polaris X2 towing, dumpbox/passenger seat, rack capacity, and under front rack storage. The new 850 XP version of the X2 is as close as someone will probably come but I can dream.

How about you?

PS for the ulitmate quad width utility machine I'd like to see the Polaris Big Boss 800 6x6 with the X2's convertible seat/dumpbox.

 

An Outlaw KTM 525 IRS with selectable AWD that weights in at about 450lb dry

 

Now that would be a quad geared towards fun. Don't know how you'd come in at that weight though. Dreams....

 

The dry weight of the two wheel drive version of the Outlaw is 389 lbs, so the four wheel drive components (front driveshaft, aluminum front diff, ring/pinion, axle shafts, CV joints) would have to weigh less than 62 lbs.

 

For my perfect quad, just give me a Honda Rincon with three times the horsepower that Honda gave it, and a Can Am quick engaging visco lock front diff. instead of the Honda 3 wheel drive system.

 

See i work on all them there all nice machines but every once and awhile you get a lemon that you have nothing but problems with and it also depends on how you treat them you can have what you think is the best quad out there and a year after buying it you have to sink the money into it see im a can am rider just because i like the power and they can pretty much handle my ridding style but id like to see them make after market performance parts for the outlander 400 they have lots of power but id like to bump it up a little

 

If Can-Am would redesign 4 aspects on their Outlanders- I'd have my dream quad...

1- I'm tired of toasting my left leg from the cvt. They need a quieter, cooler running cvt setup. The thing heats up so much that I've had to ride with my foot on the far side of the foot well and the decals fall off. They also whine like a turbo diesel!

2- They need to follow the polaris ergo's- the narrow seat on the xp is such a nice upgrade. Can-Am's seat is so wide, it can be a bit uncomfortable on long rides.

3- Although I've never had any problems with their spar frame- I can see where it would fail if you clipped a tree at moderate speeds- I'd much rather have an extra 15lbs of steel on the weak areas then a $3000 repair.

4- Their tti suspension needs attention- I like the clearance it offers over the double-A but it gets creaky, and it's a PITA to shut it up!

I love the visco front diff- its never let me down and I like how I don't have to think about it or "stop" to lock it up. From what I've seen, people who have problems with the visco- need to revise their riding technique and how they approach an obsticle.

 

the seat is pretty wide but i was ridding the other day and i though my *** was on fire it was throwing so much heat iv really never had problems with the frame but i could be stronger the suspension is smoth riding on the 400 i jump mine ever now then an it handles it nice the visco front end is nice but when i barry it its stuck good

 

You guys that think the Can Am makes too much exhaust heat wouldn't like an Arctic Cat Thundercat. I've owned both, and the Thundercat is far worse for exhaust heat. You absolutely cannot ride it on a really slow super tough technical trail in the summertime, and plan on having to shift your weight over the left rear fender. It will literally burn your butt and leg.

 

haha i think they need to find a way to cool the exhaust down a little by putting a wrap on it i noticed sence i did my valve adjustment its runnig way hotter it was 50 out and after running 10 miles almost wide open it felt like the seat was on fire then i touch the plastic and it almost burnt me