went to the dealer and sat on the 400 and 700. i am trying to decide between the two. first of all, they had no demo models and would not let me test drive one. they told me i had be "serious" about the purchase. how can i make a decision if i can't ride one? also otd price on the 400 was $5883---is this high? the 700 was $800 difference. hope you guys can give me advice. thanks.

 

What are the prices before taxes ????

 

before taxes was 5415. msrp 5699 and dealer said he would knock off his commission of 5%. also the two bikes felt great to sit on. the 700 felt pretty big, but i am worried that it's going to be too big through tight trails.

 

I am having the same decision. I wish I could ride a 700 first. They seem a bit higher than the 400 and probably not as easy to throw around. I have the 400 already, really it is my wife's and I just sold my 87 250x that four Stroke had totally done up for me. Time to move on, but to which one?

 

I would buy the 700, you wont have any problems fitting the bike through trees. I overalled Raush Creek GNCC on a bone stock V-Force. They are awesome quads, the best part about them is you can ride hard with them and still just putt around on it if you'd like. Reliability is better on the 700 also.

 

I own a 700. I'm 6'2 and 240 pounds, so I wanted a big ATV. The 400 is a nicely balanced bike. If you love to shift, buy it. If you want gobs of power and don't mind a slightly stiff ride, go with the 700.

 

I’m relatively new to the ATV scene but have been a dirt bike rider for about 30 years. With ATVs I’ve started with a 99 Grizzly (sold). Then an 02 Grizzly, an 01 Wolverine and finally an 04 V-Force (traded in the Wolverine).

The one that’s best for you depends on a variety of things. For starters, the type of riding you like to do, your physical dimensions (I’m 6’1 & 215 lbs.) and which one “feels” the best ergonomically to you.

Then there’s the manual versus automatic transmission issue. The manual has its advantages (such as more control options when going down hills and being in full control of what RPM you want to use at any particular time), but an automatic coupled to an engine with ample power (such as the V-Force) can be fun too (imagine attacking a hill without having to worry about if you are starting out in the right gear or keeping your momentum while trying to downshift on the way up). The V-Force will always keep the engine where it produces maximum power and can continuously accelerate up the hill if you want to since your only limitation is power versus the application and the fortitude to get the job done. With the 700 if you find yourself going too fast, just back off the throttle, reapply the right amount and you will still have all the king’s horses working for you.

Has far as handling goes, the 400 probably has the advantage overall but the 700 is no slouch and can compensate (i.e. with all that power on tap, snap turns are a breeze). The 700 carries it’s fuel low down under the seat and has a lightweight air filter where other quads carry their fuel. The inherent design of the V-Twin engine is not as tall as an equivalent mill with only one cylinder so that adds to its low center of gravity. It has a wider stance than many stock quads (at nearly 49 inches) and longer A-arms so that helps some too. So even though the V-Force may be “heavy”, with all of the other good qualities you just don’t notice the weight. Some say the 700 has a stiff ride. Compared to my Grizzly, yes it does, but that’s like comparing a Lincoln Town Car to a Porsche. However it offers a more comfortable ride than my Wolverine did and certainly out-handles and out powers it in most situations with twice as much engine and two wheel drive. Other advantages the 700 has over the 400 include increased ground clearance (no rear sprocket) and no chain to adjust or lubricate.

One does have to learn to drive the 700 a little differently though because of its capabilities. Instead of the throttle being an “on” or “off” switch (I’ve tended to be at either wide-open or no throttle with my other machines), you have to apply the throttle with care, using only enough to get the job done the way you want to do it. On the 700 for instance you can be cruising along the edge of the field, come to the corner and snap a 90 degree turn while continuously applying throttle and lift the front end off the ground as you ride out a power wheelie for a hundred feet. Being ham handed with this velvet hammer can get you in trouble (i.e. an out of control wheelie or attempting to execute a turn with some air space between the contact patch of the front tires and the ground), but when you learn to control it you will be rewarded with an adrenaline-pumping ride. Of course if you are having a lazy day the 700 is more than happy to just putt around, but you know that under that pistachio green or lollipop orange skin is a monster ready to explode into action at your command.

Do you like engine music? If so the 700 wins hands down there. The gentle roar of the 700 V-twin does sound better than what comes out of a single. The V-twin is also smoother at low engine speeds. At higher engine speeds there is no difference as you wont really notice any vibration especially as you concentrate on the duties at hand, such as keeping the rubber side down and staying out of the way of trees, etc. Along with the V-twin rumble on the 700 you hear tranny belt whine, especially when decelerating. This may be objectionable to some, but I think it’s kind of neat. It kind of reminds you of the sound of a full-blown top fuel eliminator at the drag strip.

That being said the choice is up to you. It might be somewhat helpful if you can find a dealer that will let you take a test ride, but in many cases that is probably not enough. It would be more useful to borrow a ride from a buddy where you can get more of a real life feel of the machine. But if you can’t manage either then do your research, find out what others have experienced and determine which one suits your needs best. I did not get a ride before I bought, but I am very happy with my choice. Having plenty of power to start with does offer you more flexibility. I am of course biased to the 700 because it suits my needs better and that is where my hands-on experience resides.

Whichever one you choose I’m sure you will enjoy it. Get to know the machine. Gently feel out its capabilities, what you are able to do with it and you will be rewarded with many hours of adventure and enjoyment.

 

Most of the guys on the team run DMC Alien because they gave them to us. But I have also heard rumors from a reliable source that the Aliens actually lose power. DMC does not reccomend jetting the carb, that makes no sense at all, if the pipes increase power you would need to feed the bike more fuel. I would personally recommend waiting for Duncan Racing to bring their pipes out. The best on the market at the moment is HMF.

 

Hello I am new to this forum. Whew after reading through these forums I must be very LUCKY because the dealer I am working with took off $600 and another $100 cause I asked. I haven't test drove any but I do plan on purchasing 2 KFX 400s. If this guy hooks me up as good as he says he can I will post his name here for those of you living in Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Most of my talking was done over the phone. I also had an A$$hole of a dealer that said they do not low ball and would not reduce the cost, something to the effect of their showroom floor was immaculate or something. 5% really doesn't seem like much and also this guy stated that the dealer gets $100 or more for selling the bike, kinda like a rebate from manufacturer.

 

Hey, way to go Team Green.....what class?? I'm guess'n 4-stroke stock or Utility mod..

Down n Dirty you'll have to choose what's best for you. 2-TV hit it about right on the V-Force, I have just switched over from an 03 LE Cannondale to the V-Force. I feel I am definitely faster and smoother in the woods with the V-Force when compared to my riding the
Dale in the woods. I was concerned with switching to an auto tranny, but I "really" love it! One less thing to do and always in the right gear.

However I have also ridden my V-Force on the MX track (stadium type) and was basically impressed with the overall handling, but I found the suspension (stock-fronts) definately have their limitations for this type of riding. You can jump as far and high as you want as long as there is a decent landing angle on the down side of the jump. Landing on all 4 wheels and on a flat surface, and it will bottom out just about every time, and I only weight about 145lbs - 150lbs. The total ride also seems somewhat stiff for my liking and rider weight, both on the trails and on the track, yet seems to bottom rather easily.

So if jumping and MX-ing is your thing than you might want to consider the lighter / nimbler KFX 400. However you could upgrade the V-Force suspension and be a contender on MX type tracks. The handling is great and the power is awesome for this size bike ...you will find it hard to believe that it does weigh (500+ lbs)...until you go to lift it ....if and when you get hung up..LOL (Eat you Wheaties!)

If trail riding, play riding, and the occasional race is your thing, then I would highly recommend that you give the V-Force serious consideration for your next quad.

I plan on jumping into the GNCC later this Spring after I get my bike ready, i.e.: front bumper, front shocks, wheels tires and ect. I think I will need to address the tie rod issue.

Hey Team Green, who can I contact for the team green tie rods that you guys are using??

Good Luck D&D
and...
Thanks T-Green for any info on the upgraded tie rods.