arctic cat brought back its diesel atv for 2010, and they also have a model comparable to the sportsman X2...it has a dump bed type rear and is a 700. worth a look if you can afford them. best bang for buck for a new machine is probably the suzuki king quad 750AXi, though, and has gotten very good reviews.

 

first time ever posting here at atvconnection so bear with me through this...

seems like im in a similar situation of buying a new big bore utility atv and have been doing extensive research, so any ideas/reviews or opinions would be appreciated.
im looking an atv that is primarily going to be used for hunting. terrain can be very steep in spots, swampy in others and very tight trails elsewhere. i might end up plowing some snow with it and possibly someday working food plots with it. i want an atv thats going to be comfortable riding trails. power is nice, but i doubt im going to be lacking power in the big bore segment. i plan on owning this machine for a while so reliability is a top concern. power steering looks nice but do i really need it and is it just something else to go wrong? here is what my research has come up with, please share your opinions

polaris 850xp- a MONSTER machine, tons of power, but VERY heavy and polaris doesnt have the best reputation for quality
yamaha grizzly 700- a very reliable and well rounded machine, light making me think it would be nimble, my #2 choice right now, but weird shifter that is a pain for forward and reverse shifting (plowing) and the grizz is only a single cylinder (v-twins are nice)
suzuki king quad 750- really liked this atv, esp push button front diff locker, nice power, nice riding but more of a sport quad than a utility, losey front and rear rack ratings
honda rincon- hondas have by far the best reputation for reliability however seems as though honda's technology is the same as it was during the regan administration, (not much utility in their utility segment)
kawasaki brute force 750- my #1 choice as of right now, plenty of power (v-twin), middle of the pack in weight, seems like the best all around. weird diff lock though
can am- have not dont too much research so i am kinda ignorant of this brand, heard some reliability issues, but idk...
i appreciate any objective input (seen too much, "ive owned only *insert brand here* all my life and is the only thing i'll ever ride and own" in some forums)
Thanks again!

 

I recently purchased the Polaris 850xp with EPS, 60" Plow and 3500lb winch. I did a good amount of research on the BIG BORES and with the help of this forum I came to the conclusion that the 850xp would be the best machine for me.

The machine is a MONSTER and the ride is amazing, it feels like your driving a car, that smooth.
I went with this machine over the others for the following reasons:
-Ride Quality: Simply plush and enjoyable.
-I like the added weight: Better for Plowing, Hauling, Towing.
-Much Stronger frame than others. (Reports of CAN-AM Frames bending)
-Power-- Obvious
-AWD systems, I watched a few videos vs the other makes. Simply the Xp's AWD system is much quicker to engage all 4 wheels (locked). Vs. other machines you have to hit additional buttons (Grizz), levers(Brute) etc.. Otherwise your spinning three wheels which is not 4wd! The Can-AM has the VISCO-LOC system which is similar to the AWD on the 850XP however the 850XP is much faster to engage..
-Lock and Latch system
-Lights: 150 WATTS total output.. 3 Lights
-Power Steering that adjust to speed, and is activated without moving the machine. Great for rocky terrain, snow plowing, mud..Other makes, the machine has to be moving for the power steering to activate.
-Reliability: Every Machine will have their quirks, overall the quality of the machine is dependant on the owner and how they ride and maintain the ATV.
-Re-sale: Purchased a 2010, second year of the model change hopefully any small problems were fixed. I don’t expect any major updates for the next few years as this machine has the latest technology in place..

I could go on and on about the other machines as well, however you must pick the machine that is best for you as each rider has their personal styles and necessities. The decision is not easy!!

GOOD LUCK AND SAFE RIDING!

 

Well, I own a Grizley and a Rubicon... So I guess I can speak a little about it. First, I have to say that my Honda has been Rock Solid. Never had an issue, always starts, can pull a ton etc etc. But I don't think it rides as nice as my Griz. If I am going to pull a trailer or haul weight, the Honda is the go to machine. If I am just trail riding, then I grab the Griz. Or maybe the Raptor, but that is not what we are talking about here.
The Honda has a straight axle and for pure weight hauling and pulling, it is the way to go. But the Griz and it's IRS rear is real smooth over rough trails. If you want to compare transmissions, well, the Honda has no peers. It has an automotive type torque converter like you have in a car. MUCH stronger than a belt drive like I have on the Griz. Don't get me wrong, I have no complaints on the Yamaha, but the Honda's tranny is so much stronger it is not a fair comparison. As for engine design and HP rating etc. Who cares. I am not concerned about speed when I am working. I ride my raptor when I want to go fast. Sure my Honda is a tank, that is for certain, but it always pulls the weight, it always starts, and that old design motor is absolutely bulletproof. It also sits sideways in the chassis so it doesn't have the power loss other machines have, so all in all, I don't think it is at any disadvantage. If you think you like the Honda, then get one and don't worry about what others may think. Do I think a 500 class machine is big enough. Sure. In fact, if I had my way, they would be limited to 500 CC's and we could end this my stick is bigger than your stick mentality once and for all. Everything else is just wasted power that you probably will NEVER use. If you are going that fast on a Utility machine, you are way over your head.

 

Check any, results at any ATV dead weight sled pull or mud run compassion and you will find a belt drive in the top 5. Not sure how a belt drive is considered weaker,its the same system they use on 150+ snowmobiles.

 

I have a Rubicon and a Grizzly 700. Of all the belts I like the Yamaha system the best. Of non-belts (limited selection) the hydrostatic drive is a great design. Witht hat said, I dread the day the Rubicon's tranny fails as it cannot be repaired and must be repaced, for a price of about $2,000 NOT counting labor!!!

 

I know you were looking into the 500 and up size - For around the farm and the house when you go big getting on and off can wear on you a little. Give the EIGER 400 a try. It's not to big and definatly not to small. It's really easy on the back and legs getting on/off --

OH and it tows a crazy crazy amount with ease. Much more than they have posted anywhere web or paper based. It's got major torque (especially in low gear) and I love the simplicity. That's a major point too cause there's no gadgets to break.

To boot it's very easy to manuver. I know for a fact it's Lots easier than an old friends 550. It's a very well balanced machine. It has a great 'footprint' very, very stable.

I dont know - It's your quad & you are about to spend your $$ - Now you can think about this angle from my side. I could of went big like the Jones's, I'm so glad I didnt. Good luck...

 

As of 2008, now the King Quad 400--same simple/reliable powertrain of the Eiger, but with the newer King Quad bodywork.

 

Yea Yea what he said...I rode that eiger today pretty hard. It's so good on a tight trail and in the creek. WOW -

 

As mentioned, the OP poses a very broad question.

What is the intended use of the quad? The hydrostatic drive in the Rubicon is hard to beat for snow plowing, pulling a heavy mower and going through water. I use mine for those purposes and put up witht he carb troubles (already relaced it once) cold-bloodedness *(&%*^!%#!_, drum brake in the rear, solid rear axle, and lack of features compared to other machines.

Once I learned more about quads, after realizing that there is more to qading than just work I researched and reserached and researched which landed a 700 Grizzly in my garage. I am VERY happy with it for a trail riding utiltity quad. Of all the belt systems, Yamaha's is best IMHO. The 500 Grizzly is an excellant machine and very similar to the 700 - except for the engine, of course. The "tippy" feeling some get is very relative and readily cureable (if it even needs to be "cured") with suble suspension adjustments and tire selection.

I have many friends with Polaris bikes and considered them but their belt system and reliability issues scared me away. Though they do have a comfy ride if that is a consideration.

Honda has gotten away with charging more money for less feature but that trick is getting old as competition improves and boards like this keep opinions and information flowing.