My dad is looking to replace his 2001 Sportsman 700 sometime in the next month or two. We mainly use our ATV's for herding cattle, checking pasture fences, spraying with a 20 gallon sprayer on the back, pulling rock wagons from time to time, and also just having fun blazing trails and climbing lots of hills.

We have been looking, specifically at the new Sportsman 800 and the Kawasaki Brute Force. I favor the Brute Force, because of our bad experience with Polaris reliability in the past. (it is also 600 pounds, which is a nice change) My dad favors the Sportsman because of the EFI (the BF had trouble starting on the show room floor, and the SP fired on the first revolution of the motor) and because he love the 'ride' of his 700.

Can you please tell me what your experiences with these two ATVs have been. Which do you recommend, and why? I am more interested in personal experiences rather than magazine hype.

Also, what about the new Bombardier? Is it worth the wait? When will it be available to consumers?

By the way, which ever model he picks, he has already decided to get 27 inch ITP mud tires on it. (incase that makes a difference)

Thanks.


ps. the Brute Force, on the showroom floor, was making a weird sound on teh show room floor. The dealer said it was the electronic 4wd hubs trying to decide whether they wanted to be in 2wd or 4wd. Has this been a problem for BF owners?

 

I haven't heard of any problems with the Sportsman 800, seems to be very reliable. I have no experance on the BF. The Sportsman doesn't feel like a 765lbs bike, and has all the power in the world. It drives very smooth, and rides awesome. I say test drive both and go from there.

 

I'd wait on the new 800 Bomber. Looks to be a step ahead of everything else. I'm going to wait until nov or dec so I can try to get some *** time on it first. A friend rode one a week or so ago and said he was simply blown away. He's not easily impressed. I thinnk it'll pay me to wait a couple of months.

 

I have a little experience with both of these machines and they both have their quirks. The Polaris is definitely a nice ride maybe the best out there, but it is BIG. So, is it's price tag. That is the one thing that turns me from this machine. I don't know about reliabilty on these.
The Brute Force is definitely a fun, fast and powerful machine. Since I own a Kawi I read the kawi forums daily and these 750s have there reliability issues. They are a first year model and the tie rods are very weak and mud and water enter the air box just to name a few quirks that people are complaining about. They say the suspension is not up to par with other IRS quads either. I personally do not enjoy IRS so I own the Brute Force (Prairie in disguise) 650.
For the things that you have mentioned that you will be doing with your quad, I would personally recommend the Kawi Prairie 700. Reliablity is excellent and it will beat the Popo 800 on the dragstrip. The funnest ute quad on the market and has been for four years.
Just to relate, a friend of mine has an elk ranch and has to chase the elk around (herd cattle). He had the Brute 750 and couldn't stand it when he had to turn with the IRS, so now he has a Prairie. Try one out, I know you will like it. All the mags do to.
Can't tell you about the bomb 800.

 

i like the griz , its not 2 big or small it has plenty of power and ground clearance

 

he wants to upsize, not downsize

 

drove a brute last week, it was fast OMG! but is made to meny funny noises. it turned like it had 4 difrent sized tires... and it bounced alot. drove the 800 yesterday, it was not as fast as the brute but it felt better.
less noise. smother power. not bouncy...... and the 800 has all that nice storedge and the EFI cant hurt!
as for fun factor. i have fun on anything i ride. i can get on a lt50 and make it fun. just depends on how you look at it.... but all in all i take the 800EFI !



***!POLARIS FOR LIFE!***

 

the brute isnt that good. its ok but the 800 sportsman is better.

 

the kawi v-twin motor is smooth specially under alot of throttle. for what you guys are looking for you would need ground clearance and accessability and reliability. well for reliability i can tell ya first hand polaris is out of the race sorry you hardcore polaris guys i worked there drove their machines and never again. the bf is a heck of a machine but if you want good power (not as much as the 800 or the bf) but really good wheeliestanding power with accessability don't rule out the grizz or the 650 arctic cat. arctic has the mrp platform which is perfect for spraying and yardwork and hunting fishing whatnot depends on what accessories you want. the grizz is a good solid machine with as good of ground clearance as the polaris and arctic. they both have their minor infractions but they keep improving on them and since 04 both yami and arctic are at the top of their game.

 

THE KING!