I was expecting more...MUCH more of a poitive welcome to the much hailed King Quad. I absolutely loved the Vinson...who wouldn't? However, with the King Quad resurfacing...I was thinking that was going to blow us all away.
It is apparent that nobody is being ...blown away. I still want to give it a fair shake...but at what expense? Maybe I will keep looking....

 

I think one of the reasons people have not been blown away has been because of the such high hopes that many have. I really like the quad and suspect many others will also. I'll tack on my ride review from the kawie forum.

I think I'll just tack my report on here if you don't mind. I had a chance to ride a friends KQ yesterday, I put about 15 miles on it and we switched back and forth. My first impression was that this was a nice looking quad, better than my P700 anyway. Fit and finish seems good. The KQ fired up immediately with no hesitation and settled into a smooth idle. I was impressed with the lack of vibration for such a big single. I did not notice any hesitation when going wide open from a stop, when I rode it was fully warmed up; I also did not experience any other hesitation at any rpms as some have mentioned. The handling was the best I have felt from an IRS quad, much better than my old Grizz. Just as STAKK said there was very little body roll in corners but still a nice ride. The KQ tackled all the hills and trails we could throw at it with no problem. I really liked this quad. The only thing that disappointed me was the power and I think that was only because I had really high hopes for this engine. I love Suzuki bikes as they always bring it in the motor department. Please don't misunderstand me this is a very strong motor I was just hoping it would walk all over my P700. What we found was that with me on the P700 I would usually just eek out a bike length. Keep in mind I'm 340lbs. With me on the KQ and 200lbs friend on my P700 he would pull me by 3 lengths. This was not scientific testing by any means just a couple of guys in a pasture so take it for what its worth. All in all I think Suzuki has a very nice quad on their hands and one I would be proud to own. I don't think at this time I am willing to part with my P700 for one as I have come to love the sra but for those of you in the market for an IRS quad give the KQ a look. Just for everyone’s info I have not ridden the BF750 so I have no comparisons for you in regards to it

 

I have had the chance to ride the new KQ and Suz has done a good job in it's design. I was expecting
more vibration from the 700cc single, but with the dual counter balance it is very minimal. The body design is sharp. Very close to the Vinson with the exception to the grill and headlights. The wrinkle coat front and rear racks are another nice and different touch. The ride is very good with the indepent suspension. In the rear they use a box-tube upper arm instead of the Kaw tubular a-arm. Looks very strong. The KQ does not have the body roll like the BF tends to have in turns at speed. It is, I feel, better than the P700. I am very impressed with it's turning radius. Nothing on the current market turns tighter than the KQ. With it's sport bike microprosesser for the fuel injection, it did not faulter one bit. It starts right off stone cold (outside temp was 48f) and there wasn't a single flat spot or throttle response lag cold or hot. I would have liked to see the front diff lock like Kaw has, but the thumb switch on the 4WD button on the right handle bar works ok. I also would have liked to see a little more protection for the rear CV boots from the leading side. I can see some boots getting punctured when the machine is ridden over heavy deadfall or hardtack brush. I will be taking the KQ to my property in the mountains in the next week or so and try it over rocks in and out of a creekbed.
This was were I will see if it does as well as the BF did over the goober rocks.

 

The KQ rides really nice. This is my first IRS quad and I'm hooked. It does feel different than a solid rear axle, it rolls a bit in the corners and squats when you get on the gas, the squat is really noticable at night when all of a sudden your headlight beam is two blocks up the road. I've only got 12 miles on my KQ so keep in mind these are first impressions. I may set the shock pre-load up a notch as some have suggested and try that.

I should be out riding right now but it's opening day of the elk hunt which means bumber to bumber traffic on the trails with every red-neck in the state. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] Maybe next week, by then there should only be about half of the red-necks in the state.

As far as the hype goes; The KQ is 40cc bigger than a grizz, it's a single cylinder. Did you really believe it was going to eat the BF for dinner? I didn't and I don't care if the BF can beat me in a drag race. The BF manages to have stiffer suspension than the KQ and yet still has major body roll in the sightest turn, go figure.

Complaints about the KQ; The front diff-lock speed limiter sucks it's just like the reverse limiter, fortunatly you can overide it with the reverse overide button but it's still a pain. Engine breaking isn't as strong as my Prairie, I actually like this but am still getting used to it, coming down a steep hill I had quite a bit of clatter from the tranny, may have to use 'low' going down steep hills.

It's still early, give it a couple weeks for people to get their KQs and get some miles on them, then you'll start getting some reviews (both good and bad I'm sure).

 

SmokenBMW, you just beat me. You're right, the CV joints could use some more protection, so could the radiator, it's a lot like the Vinson that way. It does idle smooth, Mobyguzzer said it settles into a smooth idle, that's a good description, it vibrates just a bit at first then smoths right out.

 

You are correct Chainman, the radiator could be an issue for the guys that run the heavy brush. I haven't had the chance to look for a company that may make an alum boot guard, so if you know of one or find one let me know. If you take suspension up to the third position you may find the squat reduce and a nice ride. I will play with going down steep hills when I hit the mountain. I like to see if I hear what you did.

 

Did anyone get the 69$ winch deal, i ordered a KQ and the salesman said they keep the price lower by not offering the winch. I was suprised by this, and now im wondering who supplies the winch, dealer or suzuki. The price was 6400$ before the other garbage.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Don't they have a "go be a jerk somewhere else" section?

 

wow youre a dick.....and for the record...over in the kawi forum i know a few guys who's stupid big 4x4's would hand your 250r its *** over and over again in a straight line....
just so i know how easy is it to get 85+ horses from a 250?..oh ya and torque to match too...

 

oh big daddy stang come on down to southeast tennessee and show us how to ride those scary mountain trails and tellico paths. you da man, you da man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!