out of all those listed, i would choose the rancher 420 4x4 FM (foot shifter). i would stay away from the electronic shift. i also like the zuki and yamahammer.

Thanks for protecting our freedom!!!!

 

yeah acpower. I'd love to see the roll over pics or any other pics of the ac you want to post. I didn't think that color looked good on the web site but looks good in those photos.

kurt, I don't think the honda has what I'm really looking for. I know they are good machines. A friend has one and has rolled it down a mountain side and uses it daily on a dairy farm, but I think for a few more bucks I can get 3 times the machine and I def. want a true locking 4wd.

It seems the more and more I hear...the more and more AC and Yamaha are the way to go for what I want. But I am still open to all considerations. The only thing I get from polaris owners is that its a nice ride and dependable...honda has been virtually none existant in the arguments. Lot of people like em, but can't give me reasons why other than nice ride or dependable. Again those two things are def a part of the consideration, but by far not everything to me. Thanks for the posts...keep em rolling and I'm certainly interested in pictures.

 

i ruled out the artic cats due to their brake levers...they only have the option of engaging all the brakes at once...no separate front and rear hand brake levers...if you ever need to back down a steep hill, your gonna want separate front/rear brake options so you don't flip.

 

I can help a little bit, I had a Sportsman 400 2004, very simlar to the 450 they have now and I can tell you it was a good atv, but the smaller sportsmans are more of a ute than a "fun" atv, they're underpowered IMO and far to heavy and big for trail riding, plus AWD instead of real 4wd with locker... they do have the best ride out there though.

So I switched brands and got a King Quad 700 EFI, I like it a lot better than I ever did the Polaris, I ride fast trails, some mud, and I plow with it in the winter. It's a great ATV, 4wd with front locker, 70mph top speed, very sporty but still can do work. Suzuki makes a 450 KQ EFI now that's about $6,700 MSRP so that'd be great for you. Much lighter than the Polaris and much better IMO plus EFI!! BUT you may find the 500cc class a bit low on power though b/c I sure did when I got a 400cc, so you may just want to spend a little more and get at least a 700cc b/c to me it's still not enough power.

By the way, about the buying in the america thing, I am all for supporting this great country, I did when i bought a polaris, but now that I have a suzuki it's clear to me that the Japanesse brands of bikes are just plain better than american made bikes, they've been doing it longer and they are just better built.my opinion of course.

 

do yourself a favor. since you are ruling out Arctic Cat, which IMO is the best ATV money can buy, order the Yamaha DVD and see how they add up all these other 4wheelers that ppl are talking about, its clear that Yamaha is a clear winner compared to Polaris, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki. There are so many advantages to AC and Yamaha so stick to those if you want a wheeler worthy of you. if you need me to explain the info and not wait for your DVD tell me which ATV and i will list it all here.

 

acpower, I'm def. not ruling out the AC yet? I mentioned in my last post that AC and Yamaha are really sounding like the way to go for what I want. In fact, I have another post going in the Polaris room titled Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. vs Yamaha Grizzly 450 and a guy sent me a review in which Polaris was the winner...I responed by asking how? They claimed that Polaris was superior in rock climing etc etc. I can't figure that if they are limited slip?? I'm no pro or even close, but I would tend to think that a locking 4WD would dominate this scenario. I was also impressed with how well the y 450 did against the 500 class comp. I asked what would happen if I blind folded my wife and got the Griz 660...it would surely be superior.

Talk to me about the braking on the AC.

 

Just curious as to why you've ruled out the Suzuki KQ 450, it is loaded with features, EFI, front locker, excellent engine braking, and one of the best CVTs in the business. It's got all the features of the 700 just a smaller motor..plus it is a great looking atv.

Have you checked powersportsnetwork.com for rider reviews, they've got a ton of reviews on all these atvs your considering, it might help you out.

 

honda foreman 500, put some 28, 29 inche outlaws and roll with it!!!!!!!!

 

toyeboy

I ruled out the zuki because of the locker system. I was informed that you had to hold down a switch to lock and when you let off the switch it would unlock. I will admit I haven't studied the zukis as much as the others...but that was an immediate turn off. As is the limited slip 4wd or AWD of the Polaris. I'm sure both have great 4wd systems, but I want a locking 4wd and don't understand why anyone wouldn't? I'm not bashing...don't think that. I hardly have the knowledge or experince to bash. I'm just going off instinct and what learning from the post and research. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or elaborate on why a limited slip is better (other than handling of course).

Also....Mykool61679 the above is pretty much why I have ruled out honda as well. Limited slip and no locking 4wd. I want to choose when the machine slips or grips. I know honda's a tough machine...and fairly priced as well, but I want a locker. Again, if you guys can give some feed back as to why the AWD (non locking) vs a locking 4wd is better I'm all ears...

thanks for the posts. Keep em going.

 

Battle,

Suzuki's 4WD setup is the same as Yamaha - actually uses the same "control pod" on the right side of the handle bar. I would think at this point Battle you have 3 distinct machines to choose from. As far as reliability goes (and I will probably get bashed for this) the order is Yamaha, then Suzuki, then AC. Same goes for overall quality Yamaha, then Suzuki, then AC.

1. Yamaha Grizzly 450
2. Suzuki King Quad 450
3. Arctic Cat 500

So now between the 3, you should look at weight, size (width especially well at least for where I ride..), braking systems ,engine braking.

To be slightly biased.. don't let the 421cc engine of the Grizzly 450 scare you away.. it has plenty of go where it is needed and with slight mods it can be a monster. Mine tops out at 50mph.. .which is rare for me. Also too, the Grizzly 421cc engine has been around quite a while now... 2002 at a minimum from my limited knowledge. It is used in the current Wolverine and the Rhino 450. Also my grizzly has excellent Engine braking!

I ride with big bores AC 650's, Brute 750's and Grizzly 660's. I can go everywhere they can and some places they can't. They do better in mud mostly due to non-stock tires. My stock maxxis tires on my Grizzly work well everywhere except gooey mud. But hey, that is what a buddy is for or the winch!