My Cuz bought a new 700 Grizz and then badmouthed my polaris " Said it didnt have enuff ***** " last week he was riding that Grizz Hard and broke a front drive shaft, we had to load him into a truck and my Polaris was ridden back, He was real embarassed, The Jap machines are okay but most are just throw away and isnt worth 1/2 of what you paid.

 

I just thought of something, what if the extra weight is caused by LEAD PAINT????, one lick of your frame, and you're a gonner !!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/devil.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
No, seriously, jumbo frank is dead on, there is something about the shipping tariffs if the quad weight exceeds 600 lbs dry weight, I may be wrong on the exact dry weight, but that is why you see a lot of sub 700 lb. import quads, while Polaris and Arctic Cat can make them as heavy as they want, since they are made here, and not subject to import tariffs.

 

I can't remember what the exact number is but I think it's 606 pounds, not 600. Everyone just rounds it off when they talk about it.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: 95wolv

No, seriously, jumbo frank is dead on, there is something about the shipping tariffs if the quad weight exceeds 600 lbs dry weight, I may be wrong on the exact dry weight, but that is why you see a lot of sub 700 lb. import quads, while Polaris and Arctic Cat can make them as heavy as they want, since they are made here, and not subject to import tariffs.</end quote></div>

That may be the case with Yamaha... but not with Suzuki, Honda, or Kawasaki. They assemble many of their ATV's right here in the states. No shipping tariffs for them... at least there shouldn't be. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Whats up with the lead paint thing? My cuz was telling
me about that with a HUGE recall on the Jap. ATVs
can't remember if it was Honda, Suz, Kaw or Yam.
He was in a dealership a few days ago and it big
news, the dealers are up in arms about it, b/c these
are the 400 and up models and they believe it shouldn't
matter about the LEAD b/c KIDS shouldn't be riding it or
passenger, etc. etc.

There you have it!

R'

 

that goes a long way in explaining Honda owners! HEHEHEHE!!!!

 

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

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



The "imported" machines are lighter because over 600 #'s the have to pay a higher tariff.</end quote></div>



You're right. That's all there is to it.



When two of my friends bought Grizly 660s they had less tread on the tires brand new than my Sportsman with over 4,000 miles. They had aluminum wheels that didn't take long to get bent and mine were steel. The plastic on the body is thinner on their quads too. Everything about them from the frame up is lighter and seems kind of flimsy compared to mine. Out of all my friends with Yamahas, all of them have bent rear wheels except one. When I ride behind all the rest I can see one wheel wobble. The next time you're behind a Japanese quad see if they do that.



<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Text</end quote></div>so they can bSome ATVs have plastic skid plates while ours is solid steel built right into the frame. Depending on which Japanese brand you look at, some have almost pencil-thin driveshafts and axles. Polaris doesn't have to make things lightweight to meet 600 poundseef up the whole machine.</end quote></div>

I agree with all of the above with one exception,
The XP's have plastic skid plates on them![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

Arent most of the Japanese quads built here in the states? I know Kawasaki has a plant in Nebraska, Honda in SC and Yamaha in GA...I think. Suzuki also has a plant in the southeast as well.

 

They are assembled in the United States , all parts are shipped in.

 

Tariff rates are not based on weight but are based on the value of goods and types of goods being imported and exported. There are multiple ways of calculating tariffs and weight driven is not one of them. Being involved in 2 manufacturing firms selling and buying light materials and heavy materials overseas we do not pay tariffs based on wieght but on value and types of products. However, we do pay higher shipping costs for the heavier materials/products. Dont get tariffs confused with shipping costs.