I am new to the ATV world. I am working with a limited budget and want to get the best value for my money in the long run (reliable, easy to maintain, etc.). I am also looking for one that is user friendly for someone with limited dexterity in the ankles/feet. I am currently looking at the kawasaki Praire 360 and the Polaris Sportsman 300. Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

A lot of the guys here should be able to help with some input. I have an 06 Hawkeye, same as the 300 sportsman and couldn't be happier. Not one complaint on it. I've ridden most of the others and found that it will go anywhere you want. Take a lot of the input you get with a grain of salt. Some might say its no good in mud (they probably mean 3 ft. deep)

Decide how you will ride it and where you will go.

Good luck on whatever you purchase.

 

My wife had a hawkeye ( I sold it to get $ to buy myself an 800 Polaris) and it was a very dependable and capable bike. It has independent rear suspension where the 360 prarie has a sold axle. Translation..the polaris rides infinately smoother plus the prarie sits up high (seat height) and feels tippy. On the 300 sportman/hawkeye you sit in it an not on it which makes it more stable. In my opininon get the polaris you wont be upset.

 

Are they the same price? I like that the 360 is 60cc bigger in engine size and has a low range. I use low range all the time for slow rock and log crawling types of trails and could not imagine not having it.

 

the irs (polaris) is alot better riding then the straight axle is going to be for sure. i know a guy who had a 360 and it seemed under powered and had a problem when he went in deep mud w/ the engine breaking.

 

We ride with a female that has a Kawi 360.......She does find the solid rear axle rough!!!

She was on the Rally up in Mattawa Ontario with us and I seen most of the time she was riding in the standing position to soak up the bumps............She told us the sportsmans can handle the ride smoother and faster through the rough stuff!!!.......However her 360 seems like a good quad, it keeps going and going for here with little or no maint. done to it!!!........
Plus she keeps it outside all the time........Good luck in your choice!!.....Let us know which way you go!!!!
...............Caper.............

 

i also own a 300 hawkeye/sportsman and really its an okay quad, as far as a capable quad it is providing you change the tires, if you decide on the hawkeye you will want to get the brush guards with it this will make it under 5k, and then it looks real good 4 wd is real capable, Kinda small for a 6ft person but okay and still runs 50+mph and is alot of fun to ride and is smooth.

The 360 prairie is a good machine proven results and okay performance, front lock on the 4wd is good , it rides ruff and is bumpy riding, but is a full size and has a soft seat, 25 inch tires and is good Atv all the way around. if they both were the same price dollar for dollar then I would Pick the Prairie 360 the praire will not outrun the hawkeye , but overall its the better Atv.

 

Mornin DaveDeb1618
Not sure what kind a riddin your gonna do, But my Wife just got the 300 and She likes it, It can go anywhere I go, We just do trail ridding, nothing hard when she's with me.
I am impressed with it. Mine is the work horse tho,
The Wife

 

My neighbor has the 360 Prairie and likes it. Goes anywhere his brother and his Rincon go. He like the large towing capacity.