Ok I'm going to buy myself an ATV after researching this for about two months. I've gone through tons of possible bikes and all my research and obsessing has me narrowed down to two Kawasakis (well one Kawasaki and one Suzuki with green plastic [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] ). I'm talking about the KFX400/Z400 and the KFX700.

This will be my first ATV since I was 13 or so and rode an ATC125M. I'm 27 now and looking for something that is fun and reasonbly fast. The lower maintaince the better. I like the idea of the 700 because it's got gobs of power and an automatic. But I like the 400 because it's probably just as fast but lighter and cheaper. Plus it's got a manual which is something I had been meaning to learn anyway.

By the way I found a dealer taht has an 04 700 for only $100 more than an 05 400 so the price is not really an issue.

 

wel, i was considering what you are, but i got a raptor, but i would have a kfx400 before the v-force as the 400 is lighter, but i think it would be more fun. and it would use less petrol. its notjust as fast but i think its better looking and will sell better.

 

I have a KFX700 it rides a lot harder than the DS650 I have. I am thinking of trading of the KFX on the new rapto 700it has a lot better shocks. I hope this helps.

 

The 400 is a great all round machine. I think the 700 is more for a certain kinda rider. But I'm not sure what that rider is. I'm sure it's fun to ride but I can't say I would get one unless I already had a sportier ATV.

 

While we're on this, I'd like to add that I'm disappointed in Kawasaki for making the V-Force. That's a great engine that got in there from the Prairie. I just don't see why they didn't make something that was more comparable to the Raptor with that engine for those who don't want a Raptor but want something similiar. I think the public would receive it better and it would sell more. Makes you wonder what these high-priced execs and product developers are thinking when the come out with such odd designs.

Had they brought in a panel of 20 average sport ATv enthusiasts, this panel would have told them to make something better than the Raptor and GREEN. Sounds logical. Oh well, what do I know.

 

The 700 is a great all around bike. I think it fits the Big and Tall rider . Its pretty nice riding a Quad w/a V-Twin. With Duals,and primary spring ($29) changed, its faster than the 400s, and the 660s. And yet still the best on trails out of the other sport quads out their(Auto Tranny) Just my $0.02

 

This is the kind of info I'm looking for. I'm definitely in the big and tall category (6-2, 240). When I sat on a VForce it seemed huge. I'm going to go test ride both of these bikes this weekend and see what I come up with.

 

Also what's the deal with the weak frames on the 400s? I've seen stuff that says the frames are weak and that they can break. I certainly don't want to get into something like that.

 

I'm not sure but they may have strengthened the frame after the first year. Besides, they're talking about MX punishment I think. Most regular trail riding, even agressive trail riding, isn't gonna bend the frame.

But anyway, at your height and weight, I'd go for the 700 ort maybe even a raptor if you don't mind blue. The new 700 Raptor seems like a really good quad. I'd get that over a VF and I'm more of a Kawi man. Brand isn't always everything. You don't Team Green your business. I'd go for the best machine for the money. Even the 05 Raptor is a good quad and can be had new for a good price. All the same though, I think the new improvement on the 06 model are worth extra price.

 

ajd187 for me to answer your question I'm going to have to know what you are going to do with your new quad. Trail ride? Dunes? Open fire roads? MX? Big jumps?
I have a V and love it. It seems to me the things I don't like to do my V does not like to do either. Like jumping. If you like to jump I personally would get something light.
Tell us what you are going to do with your quad and we can tell you about these quads.