the honda 420 dominated in just about every event in the shootout, the quads there were the honda420es, the suzuki eiger 400 auto, yamaha grizz 400, kawi prairie 360, arcticat 400, kymco 500, and last but least the polaris hawkeye 300. and that is also their finishing order from best to not so best.
You guys were saying how u don't need a diff lock but it is actually really useful, on my dads grizz i had it stuck between a rock and well another rock the front right was the tire that i really needed but it wouldn't go, so popped her in diff lock and on i went. my scram has a very plush monoshock and i love it, the grizzs suspsion is very soft for those very rough rides, i'm pretty sure spool is right about the "locker"...

 

Yes, that may work

 

Nuchi, I believe what your refering to is a term called feathering the front brake. Its used on torque sensative front differentials. One wheel has more power than the other, applying light brake pressure to the front wheels while still applying gas aids in a more even transfer of power to the front wheels. The same method is used on the old farm tractors to get both rear wheels to spin. It does not achieve the same status as a locker. Turning your handle bars back and forth can also transfer power back and forth from wheel to wheel. Keep in mind that if your trying to keep up the momentum than feathering the front brake may not be a very good idea. Both rear wheels spin the same. You had mentioned earlier that your intention was to use it for some yard work, with both rear wheels spinning the same be sure to make wide turns or your yard will get torn up in a heartbeat. Rack mounted sprayers for chemicals and mosquito repellent/killer for lawn and field are the cats meow on these things. They will pull a 5x8 trailer around with ease. They all pull at least 3 times there rating but stopping can be a little tricky.

I know 4wd seems tempting to 3.5wd, but unless you are one of those that is serious about burying your bike in some really deep mud and having the added expense that goes along with doing so it may not be worth it. I see 2wd's go through mud that some AWD's get stuck in because of weight, better driving skills and more appropiate tires.

The price seems fair. Right now the bike is the latest and greatest so you may have to wait a few months or so to save a few hundred. If you have to finance it will cost you even more by not waiting. The upside is that no atv keeps its resale value like a Honda.

Just a word of advice, if and when you get a bike NEVER SELL IT, unless your intention is to get something different. Alot of people get a bike, ride it for awhile and then let it set. Then they sell it because its not getting used that much. A year later they want a bike again and fork out more money. Ive seen it happen a hundred times. If your the occasional rider always mix sea foam with your gas, especially ethynol enhanced gas.

Hope this helps

 

Great ideas and thanks but whats seafoam?

 

Gasoline does have a shelf life believe it or not. If you winterize a boat than a fuel stabalizer is used to keep existing gas fresh until the next season. It aids in keeping carburators from becoming gummed up due to non use. It comes in a white can that can be puchased at many auto supply stores. When filling up a gas can dump in a few ouces of sea foam in to help protect lawn mowers, generators, chain saws or just about anything that is motorized. It is a fuel system cleaner, carbon cleaner, fuel stabalizer, cylinder lube, gas dryer and de-icer. The can says how many ounces per gallon to use and a 99cent baby bottle makes a dandy measuring cup.

 

its not always you need a locker for hard core mudding its just those really awkward angles and the weird ditches, or when your slowly creeping over those kinds of things. thats when 3.5 wheel drive meets its limit

 

Agreed, there are those situations.

 

Whats the top speed of the 420 ?? im thinking im gettign a can am 400 but think the efi on the honda is swaying me and im going to be riding with a polaris 500 efi and outlander 400 so dont want to be smoked on open roads cause theres alot here ? should i go brp ?