I'm considering purchasing a Suzuki Quadmaster and want to know if I should wait on the 2001 model or is the 2000 model okay.

Is this a good choice in atv's?

http://www.suzukicycles.com/sr_01/atv/fs_qu500a.htm

Also is the on-line credit application secure and safe:

http://www.suzukicycles.com/finance/finance.htm

Any advice will be appreciated since I have never owned an atv but sure would like to have one....

Thanks... Marshall
http://www.huntamerica.com

 

Hi Swamp,
I don't really know if this is the right quad for you, but I can tell you why I decided it was right for me. First, there's a couple of informative articles on this board, which reviewed the QMaster; worth reading.
What I liked most was re-design of the auto tranny (continously rotating pulley with support-end bearing), compactness, torque, semi-independent rear suspension and Suzuki's reputation for reliable engineering.
I ride rocky mountainous terrain, so the relative compactness, tight turning and torque were important.
I've got about 400 miles on mine and I'm very happy with it.
The 2001s are identical, save a new electrical outlet; as far as I know.
Problem areas reported have been fan fuse blowing (not me), gas valve "choking" (not me either), and a weird sound going downhill in 2WD (me too, but minehunter explained it away as normal).
I ran through the Suzuki on-line app and didn't notice a secured transaction notice (which usually spawns an SSL secured transaction which banks use). My feeling is that unless SSL is spawned, don't use it. Practically speaking, there's so many ways for "identity thieves" to get SSN, birthdate, etc., that it's getting difficult to protect our identities.
Look for deals. There's so many new quads getting better press that I've heard of great deals on leftover Y2K Q/Masters. I got mine $6200 OTD last November. Also, mine came with a winch deal and camo kit that was nice, although I'm not crazy about the factory mount. If you want more speed (50mph+), plusher suspension (6"+), IRS, or "peer-branding", look elsewhere. Otherwise, I think it's a darn good quad that will serve its purpose for years to come. Hope this helps, good luck.
BTW, the local forestry who patrol/search/rescue in my area use quadmasters and quadrunners.

 

I've got a 2000 Quadmaster and it is a great bike. The best in my opinion, overall, with one exception. The belt. Mine has gotten wet about three times now and it is for sale. If it's not sold when the 2001 QuadRunner comes out, I'm going to trade it. I like the automatic, but I can't deal with the belt getting wet. It's not deep water that gets it wet either. It can be relatively shallow water which splashes into the belt vent intake. The new Honda Rubicon is nice, but it has drum brakes, you can't take it out of 4WD, and it doesn't have the semi-independent rear suspension like the Suzuki. By the way, the 2001 QuadRunners will be 2 and 4WD.

 

This is a great forum and I appreciate the information you all have given me. Will the 2001 quadmasters have improved "high water" features.

 

The "belt snorkel" is under the tank shell, a few inches lower than the air snorkel, as I recall. The review in this forum noted this and tested it in deep water concluding that fender high water crossing was OK, but avoid rack high crossings. I haven't heard of this problem before and I doubt there's a design change for new models. I'm surprised since the belt snorkel is behind the Q/Master's huge fenders and under the tank shell, which should block splashing water.