I'm thinking of trading my 400EX... and I have a list of several quads. One is the Outlaw of course... but I think I might could use to narrow it down a bit!!!

I am primarily a trail rider... and often I'm in tight switchback woods trails...

I need low maintenance, great reliability, great handling and good low end when I need to go slow.

So should I get the 500 Fugi or the 450 or 525 KTM?
Elaborate....


The 500 I found is IRS and I'm pretty sure the KTM powered ones are straight axle... though I have found one 525 IRS far away and have 1 lead on another possible.

So with that in mind... which rear axle?

I myself would really like to try the IRS for the ride and clearance... but not if it's not going to handle well and carve through the tight stuff well.

Also, if it's like I'm thinking and I can only get the Fugi/IRS combo or the KTM/Straight axle combo.... well I'd hate to be missing out on one part or the other....


Just trying to narrow things down.

 

I thought there were some Outlaw owners here?

 

Where'd you guys go???........................................

 

The Outlaws come in both Straight and IRS. The Straight axles are called 525/450 "S".

Outlaw 525 IRS and 525 "S" review.

 

Yeah, I have read that review.

I have also read more, one was the 525S and 450MXR.
In that one they didn't have a lot good to say about the 525S front shocks.
They preferred the 450MXR shocks.

I have a hard time narrowing between the two. Of course I would prefer the 525 engine and larger tires. But there is also a lot to be said for better suspension. Tire-wise, somehow there is no difference in rear clearance... I'm guessing the 18" tires are more of a performance (stiff) tire than the 20" tires (squatty) on the other?????

 

i have the outlaw 500 irs and man your going to love the irs for trail riding. if u plan to do some mx or something like that go for the straight axel. my 500 has the ktm and has plenty of power for me, beats out my buddies z400, raptor 660, and is almost dead even with the predator just do to the wieght which the outlaw comes in at like 439 with irs and the predator comes in at just about 4. mine has 20in tires in the rear for trails the 18s you mentioned are more for accerelation for mx types i believe is what i was told. my 500 feels very comfortable on trails i can remember riding with a few straight axel guys goin up a rocky shale hill and those guys were bouncing all over the place and i just made it with ease. watch this vid although sponserd by polaris u get the idea.hope this helps your descision
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUa1ivOYTcY

 

Man I actually know where a brand new 06 Outlaw 500 IRS is at. It's a little cheaper than the KTM powered 450 & 525 Outlaws too.

I've just gotten so much mixed feedback at other places that I'm no better off than before I asked.

I have a 400EX, so obviously I'm not the type that has to have the FASTEST bike. But I wouldn't turn down some bonus snap either. Bottom line is that I want it to handle as good or better, and I want an engine with good low end lugability for those tight spots, and good mid-range to accellerate quick through the open places.

I'm 34 now and spent several years not riding at all from a back injury. So part of me would love to have the IRS for the ride quality. But so far I haven't decided.

To this point (locally) my Outlaw choices are...

500/IRS combo ('06)
450/straight axle ('08)
525/straight axle ('08)

And honestly I'm only considering the 450 for the better shocks, and I would have an bonus set of tires/rims off it for if I ever take it to a track... because I'd probably put an XC tire/rim set on it front and rear first thing. I'm looking at them as a bonus because they look worth keeping v/s most standard equipment.

 

That video make you want to buy and IRS for sure... lol...

 

Well guys... the bullet has hit the bone on this one.


I'm going to have to rule out the 525 IRS model.
I can't find one for a reasonable price.
The only ones I can find they want last year's full MSRP and their fees.
I'm just not will to pay that in today's buyers market.
The IRS or the 525 KTM are not worth that much more to me.

I think the only way I'd ever come close is to become an Ebay hound and take a chance on buying like that.


So I have these choices...

500 IRS....... for the IRS
525 S.......... for the KTM 525
450 MXR...... for the premium shocks all around and the KTM 450


I'm hung up in a 3-way tie here on them and can't narrow it down.
I'm not even considering the tires because I am likely to replace stockers.

I'm wondering if the IRS + some price savings is worth giving up the KTM engine?
Are the Fox Podium X shocks (all around) worth giving up the cc's of the 525?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: outlaw5oo

my 500 has the ktm and has plenty of power for me, beats out my buddies z400, raptor 660,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUa1ivOYTcY</end quote></div>


Just to give you a heads up, but if you have the 500 Outlaw, it is not a KTM engine, it is a Fuji.