The gas boiling problem has been done away with by '04 models. The belt drive system is one of the best out there on the Grizzlies. As far as power goes, the V-twin has more. The ride is very good on the Grizzly and the 4-wheel drive engagement is much faster on the Yamahas. The Kawis take a little more time to engage. The Yamaha is almost instantaneous.
I have never ridden a BF. I am speaking from a Prarie stand point. I bought a Grizz because there were very few problems with them in the later years. They have been relatively unchanged for the past couple of years. They are very reliable and proven.

 

Agreed. I do not mean in anyway to start anything here, but Yamaha's 4x4 system is better. My dad has a Twin Peaks which is basically the Prairie 700. You have to make sure you are not going to be needing 4x4 when going into something. When you put his in 4x4 it has to move a little bit before locking in and going. Where with my Yamaha Bruin it is instantanious. I can put it in 4x4 and keep going, I do not have to worry about waiting for it to kick in. Again this is from the stand point of the TP or Prairie. I would imagine though, that the Brute has the same system. I would suggest to ride both machines and see which one you like best, and then go from there.

 

yep and you have to squeeze a lever to lock the front diff.

 

the front diff lock on the brute is the best offered anywhere. i have used the locks that engage and lock the front diff, and they work, but double turning radius. the brute locker allows you to adjust the amount of "lock" with your fingers.
i gotta say that i'm happy as a clam with my brute. i could have purchased any atv i wanted at the time and i bought the '06 Brute Force 650i.
that said, i'm gonna also say that riding style, local dealers, and how you like the little differences will probably make more difference to you than the mechanical differences between the griz and the brute. either one is gonna be a good machine.

monty