new to the site. I ride mx and am thinking about getting a quad. I think I want a 450. I want something pretty fast that I can take on trails, sand, jump it, and maybe eventually on the track. I have only ridden a a trx450 (not sure if it was an R or X) and a yfz450. i think both were 05 or 06 models.

anyway... I was at a dealership today. they had an 07 and 08 suzuki they had pretty good deals on. also had a 08 yamaha (I know the 09's are badass, but they were a couple grand more). I'm hoping to spend around $5000 or possibly $6000 tops. I'll probably end up getting a new quad that is an 07 or 08 model. any suggestions???? I was hoping to get something fuel injected. I'm about 6'0" 195-200lbs. I live in AZ, so trails are pretty compact. some loose dirt, rocks and sand. not too much mud unless it rains and the washes flood.

They also had a couple 08 polaris outlaws... i think 525's or 550's. How do these compare to the 450 race bikes. any imput is greatly appreciated as I'm pretty clueless when it comes to four wheels!

 

I ride the southwest deserts, and the Honda 450R is the king of desert endurance racing, like Baja and Vegas to Reno. You know, start it up and ride 1,000 miles non-stop! If you aren't on the Honda, you won't likely even finish the race, much less win. That's all I ever needed to know.......

As for the track, most anything in your price range is going to need some mods.

 

thanks...
does anyone have any imput on the polaris outlaw? doesn't it have a ktm engine? how is the speed, horsepower, handling and suspension compared to the 450's? how about ktm's 525?

 

None of the 450's make good trail quads. They need to be ridden reved out, so you have to do a lot of annoying clutch slipping. All the 450's need frequent oil changes. Some reading on the subject:

http://www.belray.com/scripts/...1d7-b921-64a4cf6d0144


I pick the HRC equipped Honda for open country. I like the Yamaha for the track. If I had to trail ride a 450, I would pick the Kawasaki. The guys camped next to me a few weeks ago had low hour Suzukis and had already had to do rebuilds, so take that for what it is worth....

No experience with the Polaris, and don't even know anyone who owns one.