ReconRanger:

Sorry man, I just can't agree with you.

I'm sure that if you did a survey, most people hurt or killed on quads were probably riding sport quads. This is probably more of a reflection of the rider attitude instead of machine, however. With the capabilities of the modern sport quad, it is very easy to get in over your head.

As far as the smaller "sport ute" quads, yes it is possible to get big HP numbers out of small, modern engines but, they don't make a lot of torque or they don't make it low enough in the RPM band to be effective in mud and utility situations. Also, if we look at what most people use utes for, big mud tires would destroy a sport-type suspension because of the weight of the tire/wheel. Even if we keep it small, the lighter weight makes torque-steer that much more pronounced and harder to control at speed. Polaris tried it with some success on the Scrambler, but that machine is still heavy by sport quad (and some utility) standards.

Another factor to consider would be price. The new yfz/honda 450 is already pretty darned expensive stripped. I would hate to see the price with all of the extra running gear for 4wd added. Most of us would just stick to our normal, heavy utes and save money.

In my opinion the 400-500CC machines are about at "sport ute" as you can get and still maintain decent weight, good power, and ute features.

This class would be my choice if I wanted a "sport ute".

 

(back to the original post)
Heck, for that matter, I think Sport Quads suck when compared to 2-wheel Motocrossers; no comparison whatsovever - Bikes have it all over quads for speed and agility and that seat of the pants, lightweight, flying through the air feeling. Quads rut-out the trails bad too and make them $%it. I used to smoke every quad at the track that ever challenged me on a bike!

Got my quad for work - I think that's thier best quality! JMHO.

 

Even though I live in Nevada, I can't see me getting a sport quad. Yeah there are some nice dunes here and there, but most of the riding that I've done is trail and rock climbing. I've ridden a borrowed Polaris Trailblazer and 400 Scambler and let me tell ya, after 6 hours of riding, you feel pretty beat up. On the other hand, 6 hours on a Sportsman and I feel much better. Plus, when we go for extended rides, it's quite funny to see my friend try to load up all his gear on the tiny racks on his Scrambler. Granted, it sure is fun tearing up some dry washes on a sport bike, but since my wife will only allow me to get one ATV at a time, I'm gonna have to go with the ute.

Brian

 

LOL... they dont have power huh? Tell that to the 2 warroirs, a 440ex, and a stock banshee that i killed in 450ft with my prairie on a flat strait drag. Then I had to turn around and pull them out of mud holes all day.... get you facts strait buddy, there are now some 4x4's being made that have HP numbers higher than most stock sport quads, they just dont have the light weight and manual clutch to keep up in the sand.

 

Well now.....that is your opinion and only yours. My view is why would anyone want a sports quad. They are not for anything but racing. You can't use them for hunting, they don't have racks for carrying hunting equipment or deer. They are not 4wd, so they would get stuck. They don't have the ground clearance, so they would get high centered. You can't tow a trailer or pull an implement like a disk or plow. THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR ONE PURPOSE AND ONE PURPOSE ONLY......TO RACE. Many of the utility quads are very fast. The polaris efi 700 will run in the low 60's and the kawa700 prairie will run in the high 60's. Also, if you want to mod the kawa700 prairie, you can. Then motor is the same as the sport quad V-Force. I am glad you like sports quads better than utility. But remember, that is your opinion. I like utility quads because they are multitask quads. You can ride them fast, slow, go mudding, trail riding, farming, and most anything that one could think of. That is why we are all different and what makes life so interesting. Wouldn't it be boring if everyone rode the same quad, drove the same vehicle, ate the same food, dressed the same way, talked the same way......etc.

 

And by the way......where do you get off saying utility quads can't climb a hill??????[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] They have great HP and torque and many have low range. So let me see, let's say we approach a hill with a 60 degree angle. You would have to get a running start to try to even make it up the hill whill your back wheels are spinning like crazy. My quad on the other hand, would have all 4 wheels pulling me up and in low range so I won't spin my tires as much. HMMMMMMMM...........[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

You guys need to quit bashing each other. Without utility AND sport quads, the industry would die. Just enjoy what you have and don't knock the other guy because he likes something different.

 

ok I dont know what has all been said in here because i dont feel like taking the time to read it all...but as far as utes not having power...that is a lie! talk to alltoys...he had his prarie at 98 mph...then wrecked it....now I guess he is going to shoot for 125 because he knows he can do 100...utes have the power but you just need to know where to look for it

 

98 mph? Maybe 58 mph.

 

NO OFFENCE , TAK E A RIDE AND LEARN WOT YOU ARE MISSING , YOU WILL GET A FRIGHT , THERE IS LITLE DIFFRENCE . JOHN