I've came down to 3 quads, the kawi kfx 450r, Honda trx 450r, and the Yamaha yzf 450. I would like to know which quad is best all around.

Frame, suspension, acceleration, top end, durability, quickest over all, longest lasting, easy to add on accessories......

 

Well...... I would say all around, go with the Honda.....

The KFX is nice, handles pretty well, has nice smooth power and is relatively comfortable. It also has reverse which is a nice touch. IMO the one downside I noticed was that it is a little bit harder to keep the front end down while exiting turns, and it tended to two-wheel easier than I expected. But that might be something that would correct with different tires, or perhaps a softer suspension setting in the rear. Quad Magazine said it was because the swing arm was a bit too short but I'm not sure if that is a real concern for the average rider.

The YFZ is a great machine. Handles excellent, gobs of usable power all the way through the band, it is a solid machine. It is fairly comfortable, though it sits lower in the saddle than the Honda and KFX, it forces you to bend your knees a bit more but not so much a taller guy feels uncomfortable. I have a buddy who is 6-3 and rides his fine. But it is geared a little high and will run out of top speed before the other two. So if you are a desert rider you might want to change gearing for more top end. It is geared for the MX track and will work well in the woods....

The Honda IMO handles the best of the three, and has the best rider position for all around riding. It has a good amount of power stock (probably on par with the KFX but behind the YFZ) but as with most Hondas it takes well to mods and has a vast amount of aftermarket parts available. It also of course comes with typical Honda reliability and from what I've see is cheaper than the other two. Plus a nice bonus is the engine oil is separate from the trans oil.

IMO it is a close call between the YFZ and TRX.... they are both excellent machines and several years ahead of the KFX in terms of R&D and implementation. I give Kawasaki credit for a stunning 450 debut, but lets face it, sport ATVs have not exactly been their focus for nearly as long as Yamaha and Honda.

 

I have the R, and my buddies have the other two, and we change off bikes now and then, so I have put in saddle time on all three.

First off, all the 450's like to be ridden reved out, so none of them makes a real good tight trail quad.

I like the YFZ for the track and play riding/jumping. I do not like it for any serious cross country work.

Of the three, the Kawi is the best for trails. Its engine will lug down an little, so there isn't so much clutch slipping involved.

I picked the Honda myself because it is the king of desert races, like Baja and Vegas to Reno. This machine can go the distance! You show up to a desert endurance race on anything but a Honda, you probably won't even finish, much less win.......

All the 450's need frequent oil changes. Here is why:

http://www.belray.com/scripts/...41d7-b921-64a4cf6d0144

 

No Can-Am DS450? No Suzuki LTR 450? Why why?