I think to have the consumer reports type thing for quads would be awesome dbeck. You guys could make a section on that for the Connection. You could poll all the forum members and any affiliated dealerships.

 

dbeck,
I think for a test to be fair in any kind of market, a few things should apply.
1) comparable displacement, keep it within 30 cc's or so. (don't compare a ds650 to a 400 ex)
2) compareable weight
3) comparable features
4) intended market (whether sport, trail, or utility)
5) handling on same terrain, by equal experience of riders, (race circut riders, trail riders, novice riders..etc)
6) run them in a varied setting, dunes, trails, x country, mx, tt, etc..)
7) suspension & handling
8) ease of maintenance
9) bang for the buck
10) other things to compare that are hard to put real numbers on..dealer support, warranty, factory contingencies, etc..
11) real cost to make competive..(suspension if needing upgrading, tires, pipes, engine work, etc..)

then you would have a pretty fair list of comparisons that all could live with, that would not necessarily throw cannondale out of the picture..or modifications to another brand to make "race ready"

 

I started this Thread hopeing to get more input as to what everyone felt would make for a fair and informative Shootout. Just a thought, what about testing all of the top Quads in each catagory and DON'T pick a Winner. Just present the facts. What do you think?

Surveyor

Thanks for your input. I need to ask you why you wouldn't compare the top Quads from each of the manufacturers? What I think most people are looking for is a comparison of each of the manufacturers Flag Ship Performers (In each of the catagories). In the performance catagory (Which seems to envoke the most controversy), if you limited them to 30cc of each other, you would not accoplish anything. On top of that, you would end up having 5 different shootouts, Raptor vs DS, Suzuki/KFX400 vs Honda and you would end up with the C-Dales, the Predator and the Banshee competing against themselves.

Just curious.

 

well,
if displacement is not an issue, throw all of them in there, you know what will win before you start.
it is hard to overcome the performance between a 400 vs 700 cc, (or 2 stroke 350), and that is what this is based on.

see what the GNCC classes are, as that is what determines the brackets for top racers (paid contingencies)
if there is an 250 cc class, compare all of them, if there is a 400 cc class compare them, if open class compare the rest of them.

for the 400 cc class, a comparison would be a banshee, z 400, kfx 400, predator, cannondales, and other similar quads.

for open class, compare raptor, ds650, kfx700, and larger displacement.

I just think for someone to put a some faith in a test between 6-13K$ quads, they should be closly matched as far as displacement.. otherwise I've seen way to many ("big bore kits- 50cc or less) and folks bragging on them..

all boils down to one thing....No substitute for cubic inches (or cc's)

handling is a major comparison as well..weight, how it jumps, how well power delivery is, how well it hooks up, steering push, etc..

well enough about my thoughts..

 

I'm still interested in knowing what criteria everyone would like to see in a Shootout. Be specific, what would it take to put together the best test.

I possed this question:

"What about testing all of the top Quads in each catagory and DON'T pick a Winner. Just present the facts."

What do you think?

 

I still think you need a winner as long as it matches the results the criteria shows. You could come up with a ranking almost like a qurterback rating but you could just use average ranking of all the criteria for the number. I think the above posts have enough criteria ideas listed to come up with a complete test.

 

So far I see 2 posts with what they feel the criteria should be. Both have good ideas, but there is definately NO concensus.

 

I still like the Consumer Reports approach. Facts, just the facts. Show the stats, and let the consumer meld it all together to determine the best choice for themselves. Dbeck, need a TLD Predator to test? Mine should be broken in shortly.

Ken

 

I think if you did it as a consumer reports type thing you would just pick quads in the same class and give them all their individual ratings and let the consumer decide. I think that is a great idea I would love it if someone or consumer reports did that. On the other hand this isn't really a shoot out in my opinion it's more of a group review. I think if your going to have a bunch of quality riders spend equal time on all the quads in the test you would have to pass on to the readers which quad the riders all liked best as well as which quads where best at individual tests. It's a fine line I'm talking about here and I could see it either way personaly I like a clear cut winner and then the if ands and buts about which may be the best if you fall in a certain rider group.
my .02 Diggler

 

I will say this much, no matter how you do the tests, it seems that we have better ideas than some of the magazines. I do notice that there was no one who mentioned we should go with a certain brand because they paid us to. This already puts us head and shoulders above the Hi Torque rags. No, IMHO we should group the quads into classes as far as displacement. 200- 250cc, 300-350cc, 400-440cc and open. Just as it isn't fair to compare a 250 two stroke like a Trailblazer to an open class DS 650, you also have to consider each quad's usage. Either Sport or High Performance. You could use the GNC or GNCC class guidlines as a starting point.