Just thought this was interesting...

I had a dealer that sells all brands but Arctic Cat & Bombardier tell me that his other non-Polaris manufactures told him the reason they have a policy of keeping their quads under 600 pounds has nothing to do with performance or handling or status, but comes from the fact that they have to pay so much for shipping to get them over here from Japan. That may be BS, but it was interesting none the less. Anyone heard anything similar or contrasting? I guess there is no real way to verify this either way.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if that is part of the reason, but Japanese manufacturers have a tradition of making "gentlemans' agreements" for motor vehicle specs. I bet there are other reasons as well.

 

Some Japanese quads are manufactured over here.

 

In the performance discussion, power to weight ratio is always a factor. More power w/ less weight while retaining durability is the winner. If smoother ride, true 4x4, storage ,and made in the U.S.A. are big factors to you as they were to me, you overlook the weight. My 2000 has proved more durable than my 05 though.

 

I heard they put weight limit on them for the shiping reason. They all agreed not to go over a certain weight. I think even thought they are built here they still work under the same agreement.