Hello all!

I have minimal experience on any atv except the 2 hour rental in Mexico last year, I do not remember what it was. I have decided that I must have one and I have done some research and it appears that Suzuki is the ticket and besides I live less than a mile from a dealership. The out the door on an Eiger auto 4x4 is $5400, tax, title and blah. I did not inquire on the Vinson but it is about $1000 more.

I am 6' and 275, is the 400 enough to haul me around? I am 45 yoa and have no desire to do 60 or 70 on the trails around my house but on the other hand I do not want to be wearing this thing out and kick myself for not getting something bigger. My intention is to travel some back roads and trails in the desert, I will buy a helmet and gloves and relax on mostly rocky hills with some sand here and there. I would like to say that money is no matter but it is. Is the $1000 extra a good insurance policy or do you think I may be wasting it?

I have spent the last week or so reading up and studying as I would like to make an informed decision and I find alot more info on Eiger's than the Vinson's but the majority of info on both is favorible.

So help a newbie out, please. What do you recommend?

Thanks!

 

I think if you are doing much sand (like playing on dunes all day) or really thick mud, you may want the extra power of the Vinson... If you are talking about going through sand and mud to get past them, then the Eiger is probably going to be pretty good. I have an Eiger, and it is fine power-wise, but I like trails, not mud or sand, so I just go through them to get to the other side. (I have fun if I am in the mud, but I don't look for it).

As far as the power on trails - I am 230 pounds, and if wheelies and powerslides are important, then the Eiger may be a little weak. I can whip the back end around corners fine, and I don't think I'll be running out of power on any hills, but wheelies are a no-go (I can wheelie my wife's Ozark - barely, but I can also feel that it has a lot less power, so I think it is more the CVT than the engine power, but it's my first CVT, so who knows.)

 

Never rode a Vinson but I can say that I am 6' 255 lbs and my Eiger has no problem pulling me around through trails, mud holes, rocks, streams, snow, etc... I have been punishing my Eiger for 3 years now and haven't had any problems. Good luck and be safe on whatever you choose.

 

I am only 150...but i have and Eiger manual and can get the front end up by popping the clutch (after i put a little load on the gears so they don't bang and break)....it has excellant power for a 376cc motor...i have rode a vinson around in a dealership parking lot and liked the power but never really got to drive it..so i can't comment on that

 

back in 2001 i almost, bought a eiger, and i mean by the hair of my chin, all the sudden the vinson was released, and my dealer had there first one in, almost the first one off the assembly line. here are my reasons for chooseing the vinny over the eiger

electronic PUSH button 4x4
5 way preload shocks
i liked the location of the gear shifter better, and liked the park feature alot
bigger motor
more comfortable seat
bigger- i thought i might plow with it, and i did so that was important to me
handle bar mounted head light- nice plus
DIGITAL display vs. analog on the eiger
Cast aluminum wheels, and i love there appearance to date.
fender storage is kinda handy actually
styleing- preference...

v581

 

Ditto!!! But given the choice............... get the Vinnie! Or look at the new Brute Force 650. I believe its the same price as the 500 Vinnie.
There's no replacement for displacement!!!!!!!!!

 

I bought a Vinson 3 weeks ago (brand new 2005), and I already have 210 miles on it. I LOVE it so far. Great power, nice engine, not too heavy of a machine, one of the (if not THE) most comfortable ATV in its class also. I tell ya, the only thing this quad lacks is the front diff locker, but who cares, its a nice plus, but if you dont really need it .... then blah [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] (you can buy one from highlifter later anyway) The Vinson is an excellent ride, you just can't go wrong buddy!

 

More?

 

jakkk, with posts like that you'll be a prorider in no time. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

 

If I weighed 275 I'd get the Vinson