Alright, need a little advice guys.

In the market for a machine predominantly for work purposes. ie. use at cottage to haul firewood , pull trees down with, lug stuff around (I'm building a cabin way out in the bush). There's steep hills that I'd need to scale while towing stuff. I'd also be using the machine to haul the kids around on, have a bit of fun of course....

Looking at 400/450 class machines, likely new (dont know enough about machines to buy used). Seems the 400 might be a bit better for work (ie. straight axle), 450 better for leisure/trail rides. Would that be about right??

Anyways, guess I'm looking for a little input for anyone who owns either of these. ie. Would the 400 be enough power for the work I'm doing? Would I be losing any work capability (ie. towing) with 450. I've heard the 450 might be worth paying the extra for but that seems to be based on the comfort factor (IRS) and by people who dont necessarily use the thing for work.

thx guys!

 

Any ATV with a low range and is 4wd will tow anything you want, its all about gearing and traction when it comes to towing. The 450 has a low Range also so it will tow fine,but when it comes to just pleasure riding it will ride smother and faster,thats why it cost more,it does both jobs,work and play.

 

The KQ 400 (Eiger) will do what you are looking for. The KQ450 is an all around better bike and will cost more. Overall, the 400 will be a little better for work - SRA handles towing better. The IRS 450 will be a better trail bike.

 

Get one that the rear rack is easy to strap stuff onto, as far as work, the straight axle is tougher, but in the long run. I believe I like IRS better. its such a better ride, and as far as IRS power, I pulled a stuck pickup truck out of a mudhole, and up a pretty steep hill. No problems.(with my arctic cat which I can never fix You nessecarily dont need a suzuki, Or a 400 or 450. The old 250 quadrunner 4x4's were unstoppable, and had the lowest gear i've found yet in a fourwheeler. But I must admit, Idk about other brands, but yamaha has a unique transmission. When your going slow, It has ALOT of pulling power, and will even pull hard enough to spin. but ultimately, I dont like it, because as lowly geared as it is, it still seems like 2nd gear on a stick shift atv. The Eiger seems like a better deal to me, but in the long run, you may be dis-saticefied with the ride, and get the one with gears, if possible.
Regardless, It's a suzuki. It should be a good fourwheeler if its not abused.

 

u need a suzuki thats what i have and it is the best wheeler i have ever had

 

I'm with the the rest of the crew- a KQ 450 is a GREAT Ride! It'll do anything that you want!

However; the lastest upgrade to this Class of ATV is the KQ 500 with EPS (Electric Power Steering). The EPS makes low speed control much easier for smaller riders (wife, kids, older riders and folks with bad shoulders) and for the rest of the world it smooths out the bumps that come with rough trails -so that at the end of a long ride you are not exhausted.

The Frame is the same as the KQ 450 - they just added the EPS and upgraded the engine to power it.

If you can handle the initial cost - it is worth the investment. IMHO

 

I agree with everyone else, like jaybee said, the new 400 KQ is the 400 Eiger in new plastics. It has a solid work reputation and will be less expensive as the KQ's. The 450 is still a great machine and I just got a new 500 with p/s and it is fantastic! I do have one question though...I thought Suzuki was not making any more 450's in 2010 due to the 500's?? Any truth to this rumour?? Anyway...good luck with your purchase, you wont be disappointed!