i like to ride fast and prefer IRS. not only do you get more ground clearance, but when you're going fast you don't get beat up near and much and the rear end doesn't start bouncing over the bumps.

 

I agree with Formula, my IRS Grizzly is MUCH more stable and feels much safer at speed than my SRA Polaris - especially on rough terrain (pasture).

 

AmaZang,

Again you missed the point.

You may have good intentions and may be a great guy I don't doubt it. I don't want to get into a battle with you so I'm not going to bash. I welcome and look forward to all your posts on this board.

Good luck with the Griz.

 

In My Opinion

The american manufacturers like Polaris, and Bombardere and John Deere, are all heavy weights, all the jap manufacturers seem to have some under 600 pound theory going on. If your a crazyly insain agressive driver that flips their quads on a regular basis, stick with the jap manufacturers, you dont want to have 800 pounds on your leg or whatever. If you change elevation alot in riding, live in cold area, or like crisp and exact throttle responce, EFI is the way for you, otherwise a carborated model will work just fine for you. I'm a polaris guy myself, so just dont listen to me, get others opinions, but i know my polaris's. Polaris has the best OEM tires at the moment, their PXT tires function well in all conditions and look agressive too. If you like polaris, but want a solid rear axle, you may have to look at their ATP line, I'm not sure thats what your looking for though. Solid rear axles are for sure the most sportyest you can get with these types of 4x4's. They slide around corners excellent and are good for your hauling/weight needs if you were to put it to work. IRS on the other hand has a more comfortable ride at slow and fast speeds, more so fast speeds because thats when it really starts working. Polaris and Kawisaki offer the plushest and sportiest indapendent suspentions available ATM. If your looking for a real hauler, Polaris is for you, there quads are heavy, and hard working and are sturdy. They can pull 1500 pounds, and have alot of onboard storage, and right now you can get a 2 year warrenty on them, also the belt is a life time warenty belt, so if it ever breaks, you get a new one free. Kawasaki is the fastest at the moment with their Brute Force, it can work for you, but its more a sport in the sport utility market. The suzuki line offers all there stuff, im not familer with theres, so get another persons opinion other then mine on them.

the 4 wheel drive system on the polaris isnt the best, but when it gets in gear it works like a charm. its an All Wheel Drive system, so when it sences the rear wheels slip, it will engage the front wheels, some times one of the wheels dont activate or deactivate, but they have one of the best 4x4 systems so far. Yamaha has a good 4x4 system, but its confusing and takes a while, you have to put it into 4 when its only really 3 wheel drive, and hold a lever, and i think it has a max speed limaterin 4x4 for 25 or so miles an hour, the grizzly is a good mudding machine though. I dont know too much about kawasaki's 4x4 system, but i hear its desent. Honda has a good 4x4 system, its full time, but i think it uses limated slip differentials so if you get stuck in a area when all 3 wheels are locked up, and one wont pull, you may have a problem.

Like the others have said, go to your dealer and test drive all of them, and choose the one you want. I would also recomend to stick at or above 500 CC's, but if you really want some massive torque get a twin cylinder one.

 

Spyder- good post.

Since your Bruin is a SRA you already know how to slide around corners and how SRA quads handle so test some IRS bikes. Power is my thing because without good power one will get stuck in thick mud. This is why I bought a Kawi 700 not to mention the 3 year warrenty included free.

Outrage I live in Regina Sask Canada- and my dealer will sell a BF 650 for $8600 CAD which is close to a Vinson 500 that retails for $8500 CAD + tax. No brainer IMO.

Bottom line is that all of the 500cc+ bikes are good. Most quad owners are brand loyal so you need to sift through the bs and then spend your bucks.

My next quad will be EFI because I don't like rebuilding carbs. My dam snowblower is going to get thrown out if it doesn't start this winter. And yes for all of you wrenchers out there I know about fuel stablizer.

Now having bought a Yamaha why are you not looking at the Griz? Anyway good luck with your purchase.

 

Sask,

What are you talking about??? The Brute Force is a 750cc machine not 650cc. You must be talking about another quad all together?

I can get a Vinson for $6,000 US and all the 700cc+ quads around here are at least $1,100 more than that. Are you sure we're talking about the same thing?

 

Yup!

There is a BF 650 available in Canada and the US (2005 model). The BF 650 is priced close to 500cc classed bikes. The BF 650 has the plastic of the 750 but it uses the P700 frame including SRA. Check both Kawi sites.

Don't get me wrong I like the Vinson and in no way flaming your quad.

 

Thanks I didn't know this...I'll have to check out the site.

 

i think im down to three the griz,kodiak450/vinson most likely gonna go with yamaha

 

If you're going with IRS then the Kodiak would be your best option IMO. For some reason the Griz misses the mark for me their smaller 450cc machine is better. Either way you'll be happy.