Well, I rode all three of them earlier today. One dealer has Yamaha and Bomb, and another dealer has Suzuki. I went to the Yamaha/Bomb place first. I compared a brand new Bomb Outlander 800 HO XT and a brand new Yamaha Grizz 660. First, the salesman and I talked and gawked at each machine's features. Then, I rode each one; the Grizz being first (salesman wanted it that way for a reason). I had ridden the Grizz a couple of months ago, so I more or less already knew how it would be. It was a nice ride. However, I did notice that the handle bars vibrated really bad while the bike was running. The salesman mentioned that it would go away a little once the machine breaks in. I thought it was way too excessive. Other than that, I was happy with the Grizz.

Next, the salesman and I walked over to the Bomb 800, and he says, "Are you ready to drive the Porsche of the ATV world?!" I said something back like, "Yeah, right..." He fired the thing up, and it sounded nice. The V-twin was a little quieter than the single on the Grizz. So, I got on, put it in high gear, and then hit the throttle a little. Needless to say, I could tell within the very first few seconds of the bike moving that there is basically a major difference in the ride quality between the Grizz and Bomb 800. I am now convinced...........that Bomb 800 has an awesome ride! Even though I would rather not admit it since I have been so skeptical over Bomb's in particular, that 800 XT was simple awesome! The ride of the Bomb 800 was just so much smoother than the Grizz; it was VERY apparent.

I gave each one about the same distance and drive time in the lot, with slightly more time going to the Bomb. I pulled the Bomb back over to where the salesman was standing and acted like I was going to get off. He comes up and says something like, "Wait a minute..........back her up over there near the entrance (to the dealership) and tells me to get on it a little so I could feel the awesome power of the thing." So, I did. I backed it up and positioned it to where I had a good 60 - 70 yards of runway on the pavement parking area. I leaned forward and nailed that throttle pretty good. All I got to say is VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! That damn thing lit out so damn fast that the front wheels left the ground, and before I even knew it I was at the end of the running space and already having to hit the break! Nice first impression of that particular machine, to say the least.

So, the dude and I go inside to talk about specs, pricing, etc. He quoted me nearly $10,700 OTD!!! Again, that's for the 800 HO XT (non-MAX series). He only has one in stock, which he said arrived just a few days ago. It is the yellow color, which after seeing it up close doesn't look all that bad at all. I think I would rather have the green though. BUT, even though it is a very nice machine and the ride was amazing, there is no way in hell I am going to pay that kind of money for something like that when I have can have semi-comparable from another quad.

Well, after doing all of that I decided that the afternoon just wouldn't be complete without a test drive of the Suzuki KQ, too! Off I went to the Suzuki dealer. Basically, I "oh'd-n-ah'd" over it for a few minutes, and then took it for a spin. Remember, today was the first time I had actually ridden anything other than the Grizz for a comparison. In other threads on this website, you can read posts from individuals like Toyeboy, Stocks, MercuryNewt, Beardman, etc talking about the KQ and its ride. Well, now I am happy to say that I am a firm believer in that regard as well. The KQ simply has an awesome ride, also! AND, as Beardman (and others I am sure) have recently stated, the KQ absolutely DOES HAVE a better, more smoother overall ride than the Grizz!!! It was the same way, I could tell that the KQ rode better than the Grizz within the first 10 - 15 feet of the quad moving.

However, I did notice on the KQ how the front end will dip a little when going into a turn. But, I assume that can be adjusted with the shock settings? Also, I have read some posts from others talking about the cheap plastic on the sides of the machine. I assume what is being referred to is the "protective" plastic around the engine housing, etc.? The salesman removed one of the covers to show me, but then had a heck of a time trying to get it put back on in place correctly. It seemed as though the little push-button plastic releases were not that reliable of a mechanism for holding on the pieces.

As a result, I am now 99.99% certain that I will not be buying a Grizz over the KQ. And, I know for a fact that I won't be paying $3000 more than the KQ to have a glorified Bomb 800 XT. Again, that Bomb seemed like an awesome machine, but that doesn't make it worth $3000 more in my book.

It will almost certainly be a 2006 Suzuki KQ in olive-drab green for me when it comes down to it.

By the way, I left the Suzuki dealer and headed over to the Honda/Kawi/Polaris dealer next. I just looked there; didn't ride anything. Was wanting to see a new 2006 Rincon, but of course I knew they wouldn't have any anyway.

 

First off, it really isn't a $3000 difference. The guy was trying to stick it to you over MSRP. Like many others, I purchased mine at a discount off MSRP. You also have to consider the extra equipment you get - Front and Rear Bumpers, Warn 2.5 Winch (installed), excellent factory tires, and hand guards. I did replace my wheels and tires, but I will use stock to race. They are great and are very light weight.

I bought mine for approx $9220 out the door. Compare that with the additional stock equipment, and you will see a tiny difference.

BTW...I have over 200 miles on my Outty in very harsh mountain, mud, and rocky conditions and she performed flawlessly.

 

The vibration on the Grizzly will not go away with time. You just get used to it. I have heard a lot of good things about the King Quad.