I am still a big fan of my 2005 King Quad. A year ago it was the top rated big Utility out there. I refuse to believe that it has lost it's appeal in such a short time.
In the latest edition of ATV Rider the king finished 5th out of 5 ATV's tested. What this test was is a test of high speed riding for big utility quads. The Rincon finished 2nd and the Outlander 650 finished 2nd. If there is one thing the Rincon is better at than the King Quad it is at high speed riding. But that is the only thing. It is not as technical, nor does it handle as well at low to mid speed riding, and it has ATV's worst tranmission. I had one for 2500 hard miles. The Bombardier's are winning all the reviews right now. The thing that bothers me about them is that the riders report in forums and magazine test riders both say they are tippy on both off camber and steep hills.
I would like to ride a Outlander (650 or 800) and see if it's all they say it is. I wouldn't like it if it going to come over on you on steep hills, one really bad trait can ruin a machine.
Bottom line is the King may not be the best for high speed riding but for everything else it is a most excellent machine.

 

Don't worry what one magazine says, ecspecially ATV Rider because anyone that rates the 660 Grizzly above the KQ 700 EFI is just plain stupid...do you know why? Well Because last year they rated the KQ ahead of the Grizzly and Prarire all 3 of these machines are unchanged for 2006 so it's obvious that Yamaha and Kawasaki spent more money supporting ATV Rider this year.....Some magazines rate stuff by how much funding they get from each manufactor...this is a perfect example.
Now with that said hopefully Suzuki will get the point that they need to get ride of their low end lag, it makes it feel underpowered when in reality it has more than the Grizz, Honda, and Kawi.

 

I came out of semi retirement to comment on this thread. I have found out the hard way that some of these magazines are not to be trusted. Either they are getting incredible kick backs from manufacturers or they enjoy playing devils advocate...either way..you simply cannot believe everything that you read. The Bombardiers are nice machine...the reason: the engine. Probably the best ever on a ATV. However...that's all folks! This machine, and others that I have heard of are not ALL they are cracked up to be. Apparently they have problems coming off inclines. One owner had his actually go into a pot hole and flip on top of him. I have looked at these machines very closely and they have the motor and that is about it. The K.Q. is still the King on bang for the buck. Period. I remember the same publication that gave the King ATV of the year, turned around and said that a Kawa Prarie 650 was better than the King. Go figure. In a day where money can be thrown around to get just about anything printed...I just dont rely on reviews or the opinions of the magazines. I own one of these...and couldn't be happier!

 

I have that issue where the prarie beats the kingquad in just about everything I couldnt help but laugh

 

I rely on forums like this one for the real reviews. When a "rag"azine rates a fuel injected great riding machine over a carberated machine that is built on old technology, something is fishy. I start thinking that the only good thing the ragazine is good for is rapping fish in it. It's all about the money. It always has been and it always will be.

The Grizz is a great solid machine. I've ridden a friends Grizz allot and it's just not in the same class as the KQ.

I won’t buy this magazine again. It's not about me being a loyal KQ owner and how dare they slam my ride. I just get tired of arm chair know it alls trying to cram neatly packaged highly paid for crap down my throat.

That’s why I really like these forums. These forums balance the equation.

The article should have been called "ATV Rider Advertising Revenue Dollars Yearly Report Ranked by Manufacturer "

What am I thinking, of course I’ll buy this magazine again. I need something to rap my fish in.

Happy trails.....

mjpmin

 

Im just glad I bought a 05 because they kicked azz and the 06 kings suck HAHAHA