<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: rtboy

If you read dirtwheels mag gon on there website and get the 650/700 shoutout





The winners grizzly,sportsman,rubicon,brute force,can am,and the last arctic cat I would get the grizzly or sportsman. I am 95% sure that the grizz is the utility atv of the year</end quote></div>



Those "shootouts" are BS. They shouldnt have any meaning to anyone looking for a quad. Its another money market fraud if you ask me

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: rtboy

If you read dirtwheels mag gon on there website and get the 650/700 shoutout





The winners grizzly,sportsman,rubicon,brute force,can am,and the last arctic cat I would get the grizzly or sportsman. I am 95% sure that the grizz is the utility atv of the year</end quote></div>

Most of those writers are sport-machine riders and for the most part don't know 'jack' about off-road. For a true 'off-road' you need clearance, wheel travel and ability to put the usable power to the wheels and get traction. An engine that is too big will work against you by having too much power - the key is usable power for traction, this means 400-500 class machine. If you want a fast, mud-machine, or hill climber then a bigger bore would get that done. Most machines will do something well, but as an all-around, variety of trails it is pretty hard to beat an AC, as by design they are more geared for articulated really rough stuff as aposed to being closer to a sport machine or a Baha racer.
The writers of these articles base most shootouts on handling and sport riding, and more of a fun machine.

 

Dont listen to DW's... the 700griz is so tempin. What a cadillac of a ride

 

You got to ride a 700 Grizzly and then there will be no question in your mind. I have had zero problems with mine. Once you try out the power steering you will never want to ride another quad again. Even if the power steering went out yamaha designed it to steer like a normal quad. You need to read and watch this video. Even a one arm guy can drive it. There are quads with bigger engines but weigh a lot more. Give it a try!
http://www.atvscene.com/machin...zlyexperiment-07.html#

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Steveo10

Thatz tru about the chain drive... but some polaris owners wish they could do something about their belt drive</end quote></div>

I'd heard that about Polaris belt drives but I've had zero problems with mine. I had to replace it when I bought it due to sheer mileage and age wear just as a precaution but since, I've dunked the machine in water and mud up to the seat several times a week and punished the thing unmercifully and the belt has held up fine. I've been pretty happy with it in that respect.

As much as I hate to admit it, Polaris machines are growing on me. Seat time on an 800 was very enjoyable and made me seriously consider making it my choice when I purchase a new big bore in a few months. The deluxe model I rode was very comfortable and capable machine. Very difficult to not like.