Whoever told you it has NO low-end power or torque needs shot in the head. As was mentioned before, it is slightly detuned from the factory JUST enough that it doesn't wheelie with ease. No, it's not a V-twin, but it will certainly get up and move if you punch it from a stop and after 9mph, you really get going. It has PLENTY of torque so don't even worry about pulling something or turning oversized tires. Hopefully by the end of the year though/early next year, there will be a new CDI that will replace the factory ignition retard and give it the proper jump off the line. Trust me, to say it has no low-end is just ridiculous. As far as underbelly protection is concerned, they're all pretty sparse from the factory. That's what aftermarket skid plates are for. I don't personally know how good a Grizzly is with this aspect off the showroom floor, but I guarantee it's nowhere near what it really SHOULD be, or like what you get with aftermarket skids. I'm not saying the King is either though of course. As far as turning radius I don't know, but I will say if the Grizzly does have the KingQuad beat, that's not nearly enough of an advantage to get the Grizzly in my opinion. I have ridden a friend of mine's Grizzly and while it does have good steering habits, I think this is because the front end is pretty light. I noticed when I punched it, the back end really squatted, sometimes almost to the point where I didn't have enough rubber on the ground in the front to make a good turn if needed, though not a full-fledged wheelie. The King honestly does turn very easily though, I must say. It almost sounds like you're already sold on the Yamaha though.

 

I say ride em both if you can. Keep doing your reasearch. Don`t forget about honda`s, there nice bikes also.

 

I don't think you could go wrong with either one. If I had to choose between them based on the seat time I've had on each it would be the KQ. The KQ providing it was a "good VIN" model. I would like to see the KQ with more power but the handling and ride make up for that. I think the KQ handles and rides really well. As well as any atv I've been able to ride. I'd love to see the KQ with a v twin on par with the BF. That would be sweet.

The grizzly is a good refined machine but it is hard to beat EFI for feeding an engine. So much more precise than a clunky carb. No cold weather or altitude issues, no screwing around with jetting, the versatility of custom programming which can create totally performance characteristics, and most importantly given the cost of fuel these days is fuel economy. Given the reliability of modern EFI components I think the whole reliability issue is more or less moot.

The grizzly while a fine machine pretty much free of bugs at this point is beginning to show it's age a bit. Suzuki has a real winner with the KQ now that the defective reverse was corrected. Their handing of the problem was pretty sleazy which makes me a bit leery of their handling of any future issues but it seems that the KQ has been fairly bug free since the reverse debacle a few tie rod and ecm issues notwithstanding.