I am looking at buying a 500 Quadrunner or a Artic Cat 500 manual shift for me and a Quad King or 300 AC for the wife. Would appreciate the opinion on pros and cons on both brands as well as reliability on both brands.

 

Don't think you'd be disappointed with any of the candidates you mention; however, of them all, only the KQ has a locking front end (as-built, you can modify the AC 300 for this feature).

Tree Farmer

 

Both models of Arctic Cats cost less than the comparable Suzuki. The 500 manual cat can be purchased for about 5500 Here in Boise, can't help much on the 300 as far as price goes , but friends tell they cost less at AC. You won't go wrong with either though.

 

Well they both use the same powertrain so reliability will be esentialy equal. With the AC i think you get WAY better brakes and a larger overall chasis layout also bigger fuel tanks. I would personaly choose the AC in this situation. BUT i think you might be better off going with the 500 and 400 they are basicaly the same quads with diffrent cylinders. It would keep your maitnence easy (same filters, plugs, brakes and such). The cost diffrence between the 300 and 400 is not that great. Also if your wife is new to the whole quad thing a auto trans could make her much more comfortable. If you dont really dislike them perhaps a Kawasaki Prarie 300 and 400. Or a Polaris Magnum 325 and 500. If you are trying to keep costs reasonable a pair of Yamaha Big Bear 400s are an excelent value. But as to the original question i would take AC over Suzuki.

 

Hey Bahnerman, I have a '98 AC 454 and my friend just purchased a 2000 Quad Runner 500 about a month ago. The answer to the question you ask would depend on what you're mainly going to be using it for. If it's sporty and nimble like a compact, then go Suzuki. But if it's comfort and cargo capacity, then go AC. The AC has some body roll but it sure does have a smooth ride.
Both machines are good ones.

 

I stay to stick with the suzuki... Suzuki makes the engine for the Arctic Cats, so you don't have to worry about the engines, plus the suzuki is known more for their reliability.... Stick with suzuki

 

I have both brands but this is easy. Suz is slightly higher quality, BUT Cat has much better brakes, much better tires, more foot protection, much better shifter ( once you get on to it ), much softer seat, much better protected oil or water cooler, much better rims, & last but not least the 300 probably has best ride in the business,except possibly equaled but 1-2 off the pol's!!!

 

If you're going to buy two quads at once, don't make the mistakes my neighbor made, by his own admission. Try to get like machines, so you have interchangable parts. Don't buy a two cycle engine and a four cycle engine without some concern and thought. Check cruising range. You'll want them to get similar gas milage. Weight might be a factor too, if you intend to trailer them. One quad's going to need a toe rope on the trail that could be used for either pulling the other. I probably missed something but you get the idea.
Chuck, Suzuki KQ 300, GPS & lunch...