Looking for a true ATV workhorse, nothing fancy or pretty just get down and dirty tough. My 01 Rubicon lacks the power I need and my 02 Polaris 700 spends more time in the repair shop than in the field. Any suggestions?

 

hausdog,
I suggest the 650 Kaw. Mine is 14 months old and has been in the shop once at 1000 miles for a belt adjustment. It has always run at the front of the pack. I am beginning to think it is made by Maytag!!!!!!! Good luck with your choice!!

 

I would suggest the Arctic Cat 500. It is a proven work horse, very reliable, one of the best in ride comfort and for '03, has improved engine for more power. One complaint in the past was that it was slow (55-60mph), it is now supposed to be faster and stronger. Offered in either auto or manual. Very nice machine, good luck.

 

For a true "workhorse", I don't think you can do better than the Bombardier Traxter or the Arctic Cat 500 (manual).

 

Honda 450 Foreman is also a great workhorse....not the smoothest or the fastest that's fer sure, but a dog of a work machine.

 

Don't get the Prairie 650.
Although it is quite capable of being a "workhorse" all you''ll want to do is play.

 

For the Ultimate Workhorse with NO Doubt is the Bombardier Traxter.

Very Stable
Very good top end, 55mph, faster then the Rubi.
Visco Lock front end, means it automatically locks up.
Great on gas, got 123miles on 1 tank, not even broken in yet.
Very reliable, the thing is a tank and easy to work on.
If you don't like the step through, get the bag that eliminates it, like I did.
Gear driven transmission with the Automatic Option included.

And the King of Pulling, dirtwheels did a shootout against a 700SP and it pulled it they said. It also pulled a 18 wheeler.

This thing is an animal, you won't regret it, it is pretty basic and Rock Tough, no bull.

2002 Traxter XT got it for the same price as a bone stock Rubicon. Came with Warren winch, extra bumpers, tire kit with crome rims, hand guards, oh ya and the best a 3 YEAR WARRANTY, beat that.

 

I can't imagine anybody saying that the P650 is a workhorse! It is not a work horse, it is a fun machine but not a workhorse. I have owned a Bombardier Traxter, had 3500 trouble free miles on it when I traded in for a P650 (wanted an automatic). There is no way the P650 will even come cloes to doing the work the Traxter is capable of doing! .....MJSTX

 

The Suzuki KingQuad is more than capabile of doing all of this. For work it all comes down to weight, torque and traction. The KQ has been around for a long time and has had no problems with any parts. I am sure it will pull just as much as a Bombardier.

 

If you hooked a KQ and a traxter rearend to rearend the guy on the KQ better like the scenery in reverse.