I need some help makind a choice. I currenly own a 2003 500HO Sportsman. I luv it except when its time to ride FAST. It takes alot of work to ride it fast, turn fast and control the brakes.
Im ready for a new ATV. Its beetween a left over 05 HO Carb $5999 or a 06 King quad (aprox $7299) when they come in.
I luv the Polaris but I like to ride fast and I think the KQ is better for that. HOWEVER I would like to know how much worse the KQ ride than my PLUSH Polaris. I cant find anyone to let me ride a KQ so I dont know how they are. HELP

 

FireCaptainSteve, I can't vouch for the "06" King Quad as I haven't ridden one and have not ridden with anyone who owns one. I am pretty much Pro Polaris and just purchased a new 700EFI after just owning a "00"SP500 which has been passed down to my son. I know the term "fast"is a relative term. Does this mean fast as in 50-60+MPH out over a flat field as in drag racing; fast as in 20-40+MPH on whooped out fire roads and open trails or fast as in 1-20+ MPH in tight rutted and rough boulder ,root strewn or seat deep mud bogs. The Polaris Sportsman are heavy utility machines. (check their weight VS. anything else in their class) They also have great gobs of suspension travel to cover rough terrain fairly quickly also.This extra weight has its advantages and disadvantages. I'm 5'11", weigh 215 lbs. and am in fairly good shape at 43 years of age. The weight does not bother me but it could be a real problem for a smaller or weaker rider. I will have to say it does take quite a bit more rider input for these machines to go fast as opposed to some of the more "sport" type quads. If you are happy with Polaris as a brand, still need 4wd but without the extra weight you might check out either the Scrambler or the new Hawkeye. Maybe some other people will put in their two cents worth also to help you with your decision. I would also check out the Suzuki forum and see how the King Quad is doing amongst those who own them. You will find some very "biased and opinionated" posts from time to time, but you can usually tell who is telling it straight and who the B'S'ers are. I could sit here and tell you all day that you should buy the Polaris just because I own one. That does not mean that it is the correct machine for you and your riding area or style of riding. Do your homework by checking out what others have posted about their experiences. Talk to others you meet out on rides. Most riders will always be glad to share with you why they purchased the machine the're riding. They may not point out it's weak points as readily, but if you can find a group with varied brands amongst the riders someone will usually point it for them. When that happens it doesn't mean that any particular machine is to be avoided. If it's weak point happens to be lack of ground clearance for example, you will probably find that the machine also has a lower center of gravity and will be alot eaiser to control in tight, steep, rough sideslope conditions. What is great in one situation may become a great hindrance in another. Take your time and find the machine that has the most strengths in the areas where you find yourself spending the most time riding. You'll stand alot better chance of getting a machine you'll be happy with. Best of luck.