Which of these two quads would you go with?
#1
Which of these two quads would you go with?
Excuse the long-winded post, but I'm about to take the plunge on my first quad and am having a heck of a time deciding on which one.
In less than a week I went from a Big Bear 4x4 to a Kodiak to a Vinson 500 to a BF650.
For the last 6 months I've had my heart set on a Z400/KFX400. That is until I rode my friend's Wolverine last weekend. Despite the Wolverine being underpowered and not fast enough for me, I had a blast on the little Yamaha. I especially loved the automatic clutch and the 4wd. It was alot of fun on the trails, just a bit slow on long stretches of open woods and fields. Also, I couldn't imagine riding the trails having to use a manual clutch. After riding the Wolverine and knowing that most of my riding would be done on trails, I knew that a utility quad was the right fit for me.
So I abandoned the Z400 idea and started looking at utility/sport utility quads.
The Vinson 500 with an automatic clutch and manual shifter seems to be the perfect fit for me. I think I'm one of the few riders who would like to manually shift. However, that's coming from someone who's never ridden a fully automatic quad. I am going to test drive a BF650 this Saturday and that might just be the deciding factor for me. Also, I've called about 3-4 Suzuki dealers in my area and not one of them has the Vinson with the manual shifter in stock. In fact, they all said that nobody even asks for it. So again, I feel I'm in the minority in that sense.
Given that the Vinson and BF650 are in roughly the same price category, what do you maniacs think about these two bikes? I've read alot of people saying that you get much more quad in the BF650 for roughly the same price. I can pick up a BF650 out the door for about $6,300. For what it's worth, I am an experienced rider. I'm 36, 6'2" and about 225 lbs.
I would appreciate any input from people who own either machine or know of others who own them. I'm aware of potential belt problems with the BF650 that aren't a factor with the Vinson. I'll be posting this thread in other sections of the forums also.
Thanks in advance for all your advice.
In less than a week I went from a Big Bear 4x4 to a Kodiak to a Vinson 500 to a BF650.
For the last 6 months I've had my heart set on a Z400/KFX400. That is until I rode my friend's Wolverine last weekend. Despite the Wolverine being underpowered and not fast enough for me, I had a blast on the little Yamaha. I especially loved the automatic clutch and the 4wd. It was alot of fun on the trails, just a bit slow on long stretches of open woods and fields. Also, I couldn't imagine riding the trails having to use a manual clutch. After riding the Wolverine and knowing that most of my riding would be done on trails, I knew that a utility quad was the right fit for me.
So I abandoned the Z400 idea and started looking at utility/sport utility quads.
The Vinson 500 with an automatic clutch and manual shifter seems to be the perfect fit for me. I think I'm one of the few riders who would like to manually shift. However, that's coming from someone who's never ridden a fully automatic quad. I am going to test drive a BF650 this Saturday and that might just be the deciding factor for me. Also, I've called about 3-4 Suzuki dealers in my area and not one of them has the Vinson with the manual shifter in stock. In fact, they all said that nobody even asks for it. So again, I feel I'm in the minority in that sense.
Given that the Vinson and BF650 are in roughly the same price category, what do you maniacs think about these two bikes? I've read alot of people saying that you get much more quad in the BF650 for roughly the same price. I can pick up a BF650 out the door for about $6,300. For what it's worth, I am an experienced rider. I'm 36, 6'2" and about 225 lbs.
I would appreciate any input from people who own either machine or know of others who own them. I'm aware of potential belt problems with the BF650 that aren't a factor with the Vinson. I'll be posting this thread in other sections of the forums also.
Thanks in advance for all your advice.
#2
Which of these two quads would you go with?
both the vinson and the bf are great quads. The bf will have a deffinate advantage in the power dept. That is the deciding factor in many peoples decision. I havnt had any riding experiance with the vinson but i do know it is a good reliable quad. The bf is a prairie 650 in bf plastic. It is very reliable. It offers a very smooth ride and handles obsticals easily. To keep problems from arising from the bf, you must use low gear as much as possible. So basically, whenever your on slow trails(id say !5-20mph), hills, mud, and puling things. If you put strain on the belt in high gear, that is when you have problems. But anyways, i would go bf personally, just keep it in low when ya need to and your set. good luck on your decision.
#4
Which of these two quads would you go with?
Question about the recall on the BF650. If I buy one, then the repair should probably be made before I even take the bike home, no? I mean, the dealers are already aware of the defect, so I'm assuming they're going to fix it before I even take delivery. (That's if I get the BF, of course).
#5
Which of these two quads would you go with?
Given your riding goals, my choices would be the P700 and the King Quad. The 700 is faster, more sporty, and the King Quad rides great on rocks, etc.
I'm pretty sure they won't have the kit installed on the BF 650 (orP700), if you're going to do this pretty soon.
I'm pretty sure they won't have the kit installed on the BF 650 (orP700), if you're going to do this pretty soon.
#6
Which of these two quads would you go with?
acctually, just the other day i went into my dealer and asked about my 360 kit which they didnt have but i thought i heard them say that they got kits for some 300 and 400s and the atvs on display. So maybe the ones new would have the new one on. maybe.
#7
Which of these two quads would you go with?
I was in almost the same position as you back in December. I had my heart set on the Predator and almost got it. Then, we got tons and tons of snow and realized that I can't do with out 4x4 on the trails near me. So a manual shift utility was what I wanted and the Vinson was perfect. Great handling, good looks, great ergos and an all around sporty 4x4. However it did not have a front differential lock. So I looked up the Detroit Gearless Locker and saw it going for around $350. Then, I saw the Kawasaki Brute Force 650 on Kawi's site (dealer didn't have one in stock). For about $200 more I could get the Kawie v-twin (power!) AND a locking differential. SOLD!
Would I have been happy with the Vinson? Of course! It is a great quad. If it had a locker I would have most likely bought it when I first sat on it. However, the Brute Force 650 was irresistable for the price. Kawasaki made a good move putting it in the same price range as the other 500's. You cannot beat the deal you get. Sure, you could spend another $500 over the BF650 and get the Prairie 700, but where does it end? The 650 gives you all the power you will ever need. Get the 650 and put the saved cash towards tires...you are going to need them b/c the stockers are crap!
Bottom line, no matter which one you get, the Vinson or Brute 650, you will be happy. However, if you get the Vinson you just might keep asking yourself, "What if I would have bought that v-twin?"
BTW, I plowed with my quad for 3/4 of the winter (snowiest on record last winter) for about 10-15 houses (driveways and sidewalks) per snowfall. I don't exactly baby my quad on the trails either and I have had ZERO belt issues so far. Just listen to what alwaysride said about the usage of low range.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Good luck!
Would I have been happy with the Vinson? Of course! It is a great quad. If it had a locker I would have most likely bought it when I first sat on it. However, the Brute Force 650 was irresistable for the price. Kawasaki made a good move putting it in the same price range as the other 500's. You cannot beat the deal you get. Sure, you could spend another $500 over the BF650 and get the Prairie 700, but where does it end? The 650 gives you all the power you will ever need. Get the 650 and put the saved cash towards tires...you are going to need them b/c the stockers are crap!
Bottom line, no matter which one you get, the Vinson or Brute 650, you will be happy. However, if you get the Vinson you just might keep asking yourself, "What if I would have bought that v-twin?"
BTW, I plowed with my quad for 3/4 of the winter (snowiest on record last winter) for about 10-15 houses (driveways and sidewalks) per snowfall. I don't exactly baby my quad on the trails either and I have had ZERO belt issues so far. Just listen to what alwaysride said about the usage of low range.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Good luck!
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#10
Which of these two quads would you go with?
Hey guys, thanks for all the useful advice.
I sat on a BF650 yesterday. It felt pretty good. It also felt big, but I really have nothing else to compare it to other than that smaller Wolverine 360 I rode last weekend.
As I said in my original post, I am going to test drive the BF650 on Saturday at a different dealer. I can't wait.
How or why would the P700 be more sportier than the BF650? I honestly am not prepared to go beyond the price of the BF650, especially if I get a good deal on it. There's a Suzuki dealer near me selling a used '05 King Quad with 70 miles on it for $6,000. That seems like a decent deal but I don't think I want the KQ because it has IRS and I'd rather stick with the solid rear axle.
I sat on a BF650 yesterday. It felt pretty good. It also felt big, but I really have nothing else to compare it to other than that smaller Wolverine 360 I rode last weekend.
As I said in my original post, I am going to test drive the BF650 on Saturday at a different dealer. I can't wait.
How or why would the P700 be more sportier than the BF650? I honestly am not prepared to go beyond the price of the BF650, especially if I get a good deal on it. There's a Suzuki dealer near me selling a used '05 King Quad with 70 miles on it for $6,000. That seems like a decent deal but I don't think I want the KQ because it has IRS and I'd rather stick with the solid rear axle.