hey guys in my search for the perfect utility 4x4(see below thread). i have a line on a 2002 manuel shift 500 4x4. brand new , for next to nothing. how are they? reliable? capable? i read a shoot out on one years ago and they said they were fantastic. what do you guys think? 10 gears and low to the ground seems like the perfect mountain bike to me. thanks! mark

 

I work with a guy that has one and he's never had any problems with it in the 3 years he's had it. He thinks it's the greatest machine in the world. I only rode it breifly and didn't find anything to complain about. Finding aftermarket (exhaust, lift ,etc )items for it take a little looking around though but he did find everything he wanted.

 

We have one my wife rides it now the thing is a great ride. Not very fast but if the tires can get traction it will go anywhere lots of torque. Tough no problems at all, still looks brandnew. Has a pretty good ride and shorter turning radius than a lot of other Quads. No complaints.

 

Hvyw8t,

I'll pass this thread on to you so that you are aware of it - not saying its something you need to be overly concerned about, but its worth knowing.

Early 2000 LT-A500AF QuadMasters had the main drive gear replaced due to failure when rapidly spinning tires suddenly got traction.

I'll let you read the thread for the details, but it is worth knowing if you are looking at these machines.

I can tell you from tearing down the drivetrain/motor on mine, the rest of the drivetrain is actually pretty beefy, and I am told with the superceding gear in place, they are bulletproof. Problem is when they go South, the crankcase very well might go with them (mine did).

I didn't do this to the machine - I bought it as a repo. When they did whatever they did to do this, they also bent the right rear shock, so I would say it takes some pretty hardcore abuse to break the gear - but it can happen.

Heres the link:

Suzuki Forum Link