Ok, I'm in the market for a ATV and I've been calling around town and so far this is what I've found. I can get a new 2004 Sportsman 600 Twin with double warranty (1yr) for $6k OTD. I can also get a 05 Kawi Brute Force 650 with winch for $6200 OTD.

One of my buddies told me he has heard nothing but bad things about the 600 twin. His best friend just bought one last year and has had so many problems that he has tried to return it to the dealer because of fouled spark plugs in the cold weather. He said that is a known problem and I shouldn't get a 04 600 twin here (I live in Alaska).

Is there any credence to his claim that 04 SP 600 Twin suck in cold weather?

Thanks

 

If you live in Alaska, try your best to get EFI. I live in NH and it sometimes gets to around 0 or even colder and my 700efi has absolutly no problem, it just starts right up. I used to own a 2004 600 and did experience some troubles at start up, though minor it still hesitated and needed to be "babysat" until it was fully warmed up.

 

I had an early 04 600 and it always ran great. Obviuosly when it was cold out I had to use the choke until it warmed up but thats typical for just about all carbed engines. If you don't want to use a choke pay more and get an E.F.I. or just deal with about 5 minutes of half choke and you'll have no trouble at all. I never heard of the "known" problem can only tell you mine always ran great.

 

I've had good luck with my Sportsman 600 and ride it more in the winter than any other time of the year, but the carbed twins are cold-blooded even with a block heater and the cold weather "carb update", it still needs some babysitting for the first 5 min of warm-up. Actually I just loosely tie a bandana around the grip and thumb throttle to bring up the rev's a bit and she warms up on her own.

But for $6k that seems kinda high for a quad that has been discontinued in '06, it seems like you should get a screaming deal. The twins also lack a back-up pull start. I've never ridden a Brute but if you plan on riding in deep snow and frozen lakes, you will need the extra power. (you won't need it but you'll want it)

I have a blast on my 600 with 589's and ice screws, the Polaris has never left me stranded on the trail but in your price range you have a lot to choose from. Good luck.

 

Oh! Jugernot. You might want to wait for the 06' line-up to come out. I hear the new Sportsman 500 HO has EFI and it also has a back up pull-start.

 

My brother-in-law has a really tough time with his in the winter, it is an 04.5. That price seems kinda high considering my dealer is selling new 05 700's with a year warranty for 6250.