I have heard that there are basically no changes exept for the reverse issue being fixed....is this true? Wondering because I am looking here soon and went to the dealer yesterday. This particular dealer had one green and one red '05 KQ left and confirmed what most of you have been saying...that he won't have the '06's until Dec.

I really don't care what yr I have unless there are improvements.....that and I like that '06 green. After, my ? on what changes are there, my 2nd ? is that if the changes are almost zero then you should be able to negotiate with the dealer on an '06 just like people are doing now on the '05's right? I have heard that a good price for an '05 in the midwest is low to mid 6.

 

Here are some obvious differences: The colors for the 2005 were Yellow, Red, and Green. For the 2006 they will be Black, Red and Green, but no Yellow. Also, the chrome wheels are gone and they are only available in black. The reserve has been fixed but no major updates other than this.

 

so when you say that the reverse is "fixed" does that mean with the reverse limiter that everyone is complaining about with top speeds that won't allow over 8mph or so??????

 

That's what I heard, regarding the limiter anyway. Haven't heard anything about a stated maximum output (MPH) though.

 

dshoe, if we get '06 KQ's then we can expect a "fixed" but slow reverse....I am guessing that is what you and everybody is saying. (?)

 

As far as I know you should have the new, properly designed reverse gear but you are still stuck with the crippled ECM.

I've got a friend who has a KQ and he had the new reverse gear put in due to a failure which occurred after he had the ECM fix. The machine is fine now but he really dislikes the new ECM he got. He hates the whole override BS and he says he doesn't think it has quite as much power since he got the upgrade. He is hoping someone comes out with an aftermarket ECM in the next few months or he is going to end up trading for something else. If you do a lot of mud or use reverse a lot it seems that the new ECM is incredibly annoying. A good machine otherwise. Hopefully the aftermarket comes out with a fix soon. That and new racks. Those are his only two gripes about what otherwise is a great atv. I've really enjoyed my limited seat time on it.

 

Yeah, the mudding won't be a problem for me. I'll be trail riding mostly. My main concern with the reverse issue was that I would not want to buy the machine, and then have it completely fail like some of the earlier 2005 models did. I want a reverse mechanism that can be trusted. Apparently the 2006 models will not have the same problem, even though reverse may be limited. The Grizz is pretty much the same way, from what I understand, so it doesn't make much difference to me. However, I would not knowingly purchase a 2005 KQ that could have the reverse failure problem. So, if I decide on a KQ I'll wait for an 06', and get the color I really want, too.

 

That's the main thing dshoe, be patient and get what you want when your ready.

 

Just to clarify, do the mid-year 2005 models also have the new reverse gear, or is that something found only in the 2006 models?

 

I think i am feeling ecatly what some of you guys are, when in mud and i try to pin it it just bogs out. Also i believe mine should way more power for a 700.