I live in SW PA. I'm looking for a 2005 midsize quad 400 to 500cc. I will be plowing my driveway(350ft, steep),hunting and some light trail riding(no mud, no deep water)and possibly some yard work(hauling, towing) I have my eyes on the Suzuki Vinson 500 auto 4x4 camo(love the color)Suzuki 400 Eiger 4x4 camo, Honda Foreman Fourtrax 500fe and the Honda Four trax rancher at400. I like the vinson mainily because of the power ratings and the camo color, however I'm concerned with Suzuki reliability, specifically cold starts and running in cold, weak frame and tranz troubles(questionable) and this valve check stuff. Honda seem way more reliable but I love the looks of the Suzuki(mainly the camo) I need a plow and winch also. Looking to spend 6k possibly 7 tops. Suzuki does have the low financing and 69dollar winch or plow. So I'm stuck. My heart says Suzuki but my thrifty side says reliable honda. Hondas are expensive. But the Hondas seem to be just get on and ride, no valve check no indepth maintenance, no nothing. Please let me know what you would do. Adv/dis of each. Any quotes on prices for out the door(not M.S.R.P.) is appreciated) Again thanks in advance. Hopefully I can get to the dealer(have 4 of each within 20mi) and be riding by monday. hope you guys can give me some answers. Thanks in advance.

 

I would like to address the issue of suzukis having weak frames, i recently had an 05 vinson and i got t boned by a car. The machine was totalled and needed a new frame, but after the accident i inspected the frame and though it was slightly bent there were no visible cracks. It seems like this is a rare issue, rather than a mass problem. I regret to say that i did not own the machine long enough to test it in cold temperatures. Hope this info. helps you to pick the machine that is best suited to your needs.

 

I payed about 6100 for both the 05 and the 06.

 

If you are willing to go 6k-7k then how about considering a KingQuad. You'd get 700cc for plowing and you would grow into the power plus EFI for those cold starts! The msrp is $7200 and I know you could get an '05 (double check the serial #) for way below that.....at least here in the 13th biggest city you can. (I said that just to say that Arnold, MO is not in the middle of nowhere....it's a few minutes south of St. Louis).

Just a suggestion....but when I heard the 6k-7k figure than I immediately think KQ over the Vinson for the extra cc's, EFI, & IRS. I have been on here every single day for about 120 days reading, reading, and reading.... the KQ is great but just make sure you buy an '05 with a higher serial # (do a search here and you will find what # it needs to be above) so that the reverse issue is fixed and spend $20 for a UNI air filter RIGHT AWAY.......then you are set.

If you are spending that much then why go without all of those features and a smaller engine?

 

Thanks for answering two of my questions....As far as the King Quad.....it's a cash issue. Id be at 7500-8000 by adding a plow(380 for 60") and a 2.5ci winch(300+ for warn) so your adding 700 right there including tax. I'm 6'5 240. Shure a King would do me better but the 500 is believe is more than enough plus it's 1k less than the king. I'll get a price on it though.....I'll let you know. Thanks so much for the help. Hope I can get the other stuff answered.

 

I am 6'5 as well......255lbs. I am really wanting a KQ ('06) and will probably end up with one, but I'm not a full 100% yet. I would negotiate with everyone for the best deal including keeping my options open for places that may take hours to drive to but is worth the savings! The other reason is the re-sale since most atv's are slowly taking the EFI route and the cold weather in PA! Also, Suzuki has the warn 2.5 for $69 bucks so you wouldn't be anywhere near $7,500-$8,000 imo.

I know here in St. Louis people have gotten '05 KQ's for the very low 6k's. I only plan on buying one and keeping it for yrs....my average time with a vehicle is 7 yrs and my wife's Camry is a 95. I am a big guy as well and I don't think I will have a problem throwing it around a little and getting used to the power. I may even plow as well although I admit it won't be as much as you in PA. I just think that when you get to the $6,000-$6,500 range that you have come so far and you might as well get something that you will grow into! Look at what you are getting for $500-$1,000: 1. EFI, that is huge! 2. IRS!! 3. 200 more cc's for plowing and having fun and the weight is basically the same as the Vinson.....I can't think of anything in the ATV world that you could get more with for that little money!

The choice is yours and I am just a rookie, but I am a very educated one at that...I'm not at 200 posts for not asking ?'s and learning everything I can!!!

Good luck and let us know what you buy on Monday! (you could get a manual Vinson and save money.....if that is the route you are taking no matter what anyone says...)

 

I love my Vinson. It does everything well and is good enough for anyone. Mine is the 5 speed and I recommend trying one of those

 

SuperSuzuki,

I'm sure the Vinson is great and plenty powerful for most but I don't think you can put a blanket statement out there that it is "good enough for anyone"

The guy is 6'5" 240lbs. Also, ask any of the guys that have traded up to a 700cc if they would go back and most of them are probably MUCH SMALLER.

I'm sure the Vinson is great (I'll say it again), but this is not tiny guy we are talking about........

 

I'm heading to a local dealer tomorrow am who carries Suzuki and Honda. I will try them all. I was talking with a Honda guy on another site and he said that the Suzukis' are v belt driven and that they need to be shimmed and mantained frequently. Is this a PIA or something very simple. He said he rides with some Suzukis and they constantly have problems. Just trying to find the facts. I'll check out the King quad...if I can get it for that then so be it. I'll let you know. Thanks for understanding the Big guy thing. Hey Pro....what did you find out about the tranny on the Suzukis. What made you pick that brand over honda or polaris....Just curious. Oh I need an auto....wife wants to ride.....she would be clueless on the gears even though there is no clutch. I'll let you know what I find out tomorrow. I'll try and talk to the mechanic also. Keep the info coming...thanks guys.

 

This is my second Suzuki, and I haven't had ANY problems with either, I just got over 800 miles on my King Quad. While Honda's are very good reliability and quality, they are underpowered in comparison to all of the other brands, their transmission's rob their power. I've done no maintainence to my belt or tranny so far on my King Quad and it's worked flawlessly. The owners manual says replace the belt every 1200 miles but someone has a KQ with 4000miles+ with the stock belt still working fine so I think it's just a recommendation, and it doesn't say anything about shimming, that's a lot of ridding without any maintainence. The Vinson seems to be a good quad as well from what I've heard on these forums. Late model utiliy Suzuki's in general are reliable.