I'm just beginning my research into ATV's (I guess you could say I'm an ATV "Virgin"). We are looking to buy one for our son (he's 6'2" about 200 lbs.) and are looking for opinions on what is the most reliable, durable, "best bang for your buck" machine. Any suggestions/comments (good or bad) would be appreciated. I'm not even sure if Kawasaki is the way to go. Help . . . . [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

well it all depends on the type of riding your son will do...what will he want to do???Trail ride, work around the yard, race quads??? Just need some more info...and ill help you out the best i can[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

thanks vunit - sorry I didn't think to include more info. He will be using it mostly trail riding with his buddies. I thought a workhorse type might be a good idea, but he's looking at a sportier model. His buddies have pretty fast ones, so I think he's afraid he won't be able to keep up with a workhorse model.
I appreciate any comments you might have.

 

personally i am the same size as mentioned and i have a 2005 prairie 700, and love it to death, would never go back to anything smaller or other brand. if you are riding technical trails, wide open trails, riding wheelies or just plain rippen it up, this is the wheeler for him. a very comparable and a little less expensive substitute would be the 2005 650 brute force, other than those two quads, in my opinion there is no other for the riding that i do. hope that helps , feel free to ask any other questions

 

colewulf,
Here is my .02. I have a 2004 Prairie 700. I am 6 ft 225lbs and I ride mostly trails. I have ridden some sport quads including the Z400, 400EX, Banshee, DS650, and Raptors. In my opinion the prairie 700 is just as good and better than some of the bikes I mentioned in many situations and trail riding. The Prairie weighs 602lbs a bit heavier than the other bikes I listed except the DS which is near 500lbs and it jumps, corners, turns and handles just as good as any sport bike. The steering is a little bit heavier than the sport bikes, but that is due to bigger tires. I am not partial to the prairie but for my needs it is the best bike for me. It is fun and can also take me to the hunting camp. Best of both worlds in one bike

 

If he doesn't need the 4x4 you might look at the KFX700 (V-Force) they fit big guys great are a little lighter than a prairie and sportier looking. They are little faster than the prairie too and handle better. They will out due most sport quads on trails due to ground clearance and great power. Also they are automatic so no shifting. They will dump you over backwards if your not careful with the throttle on a good traction surface. Just another option if he is looking at more of a sports quad. I love mine and I also recomend the Prairie 700 I wish I could have kept mine to go with the V-Force but money made me choose just one.

 

I'm 19, 6'2' 210 and I love my V. It hangs with my buddies Raptor all day long, but on the trails...I have the advantage: More ground clearance! I rode a warrior for years which is chain driven, this makes the ground clearance in the rear horrible. Because the V is shaft driven, the ground clearance is quite a bit higher, and not to mention there is no chain to oil. Many kids my age are stuck on shifting, "shifting is the only way to go" well I disagree. I can ride for longer without fatigue, and there is less concentration on what gear i'm in since the V is always in the perfect gear. I'm able to have more fun this way, I can ride faster and harder because I have greater focus on trail obstacles. If your son is going to be riding trails with little to no mud/ruts then he can get away with a chain driven quad with a good rear skidplate. Where I ride there is just too much crap to traverse, and too many mud holes and ruts that I have to have the added ground clearance. My dad rides a Prarie 650 and it is a beast too, not as quick or nimble as my V but it holds its own with ease. He has some mud tires on it, which basically makes it unstoppable on the trails. I suppose the main reason I didnt buy a Prarie like my dad is the fact that I still have the agressive, sporty "ride it like you stole it, no fear" mentality. If i had to do it all over again, I'd still buy a V. And reliability is top notch with the kawies as well, I have had no issues with mine thus far and believe me, I have ridden it hard. I hope this aids in your decision making.

 

Thank you all for your very helpful advice and suggestions - especially Manic - a teenagers perspective was very helpful! I appreciate "real people's" comments as opposed to salesmen's advice. Thanks again!

 

No problem, anytime.

 

I was going to give you a big write-up but ManicHaze did such a nice job of that so I won't have to.
One other thing I could suggest is this. If your kids buddies have sport quads I would recomend he get a sport quad. If they all have 4X4's then this is what he should get.
I also have a V and love it for what I do. There are faster quads on the market than the V but no other quad can beat the fun factor of the V. Your kid is bigger than me and I feel silly sitting on anything other than my V or a DS. That is what I recomend him getting. You might also check into a Raptor. They are all nice quads for bigger people.