If you could buy "any" top end, big bore utility atv, without consideration for price, which one would you get? Granted the Prarie has an advantage in the performance department, but without that performance advantage, which one?

I'm interested in using it for snow plowing, hunting, and an occasional trail cruise. My 400SS and SP500 are now both up for sale and I'm looking to get a new fat utility ride that is dependable. I don't want to spend a zillion $$$$ modifying, adding tires, wheels, clutch kits, pipes, etc. I want something off the floor that looks good, handles and rides nice and does the job. Snow plowing is of prime importance. In fact, I'm probably going to have to do something about eliminating the reverse rev limiter in any machine, since it is a real drawback to plowing.

I'm considering: Honda Rubicon, Polaris SP700, Grizz 660, Prairie 650, and the Quest 650.

Thoughts . . .

Jack Schultz
jackschultz@adelphia.net
www.godigital-design.com/schultzmotorsports

 

i would go with the 660 grizz.great power/indepentent suspension so it rides excellent/four wheel disc brakes/plenty of ground clearance/it will lock in four wheel drive so you can use its front wheels for engine braking on long down hills.and it looks like the beast.

 

Jack,

You could always wait for the Honda RINCON to come out. I've heard it's sporty (well, not up to your 400SS standards), has independant rear suspension and is light weight (again, for a 650 4X4). As far as removing the reverse over ride on it, who can say? Since no one has had a chance to test it yet, who can say if it will even have one.

Of the available machines out there, I'm most impressed with the 700 Sportsman. I've had a chance to ride one recently, and it will leave the 500 H.O. (and everything but the Prairie) in the dust. The only gripe I have is with the engine compression braking on it. That would have to go if I were to get one. Hey while you're in there, replace the stock clutching with the stock clutching from a 500 Sportsman. I've hear it's one wild ride, pretty much the equivilent to a stock Prairie. At least with the 700 Sportsman you know you can remove the reverse over ride.

 

ATV Magazine (March 2002) had their ShootOut of the Arctic Cat 500, Bombardier Quest 650, Honda Rubicon, Polaris Sportsman 700, Suzuki Vinson and the Yamaha Grizzly 660. The overall winner????? POLARIS SPORTSMAN 700 ATV OF THE YEAR

 

I don't mean to be rude, but they can take all those "of the year" awards and shove them where the sun never shines. I'm not impressed by atv magazine articles, never have been. I'm looking for "real world" information.

Mike . . . I have to agree with your assessment of the SP700. I've thought about the Rincon, but who knows what is coming or sure. The SP700 "felt" the most comfortable so far. I'm not sure if I can stand the engine braking though. I hated that on my SP500.

I'm keeping a very open mind on this and am not partial to any one make.

 

Jack,by looking at what you are intending to do with the quad I think either the quest or the sp 700 fit the bill.You mentioned that one of the main things you are looking for is a quad that will plow and I think these two bikes with their added weight will be more effective in that department.They will also do all the other things you are looking for a bike for,maybe not the best at everything,but good all round packages.They also have very good tires for stock machines.I'm not saying the other bikes aren't good I just feel these are the more appropriate...........

 

Doesn't sound rude to me..thought I let you know though they had chart breaking down the spec's of most of the model’s you're interested in..I use that in my decisions. Anyway in the group we ride in there is a SP700 and Rubicon, I have rode both and prefer the comfort of the SP700 over the Honda. The EBS is a bit of a pain the Polaris though. If I had a chance to buy either I would go with the SP700.

 

If your conserned about the EBS...just don't let off the throttle all the way, a thumbs presence is all it takes on my sp700. Oh yeah, who has more accessories than polaris?? Plows, mowers..etc![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Well since no one else has asked how much for the 400SS?

 

Jack,

Yeah, the first time I let off the throttle on the Sportsman 700, I was darn near thrown over the handlebars. The engine braking is THAT good. Perhaps too good in my case. I'm sure this would be a great feature if you were riding down a cliff or sheer rock face, but it stinks everywhere else.