if so .... what do you like about it and what about it do you dislike. and if you dont mind me asking what did you pay? considering one for my girlfriend and to use formyself while hunting etc...

 

matykrak

Here is a quick review that I had written on another site a while back.

I purchased a 2004 Bruin 350 for my girlfriend about a month ago. We have put over 300 problem free miles on the bike, and we are quite happy with it. It does very well up very steep hills, and in the mud. I was actually surprised at how well the bike handled pretty much everything that we threw at it. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a full out mud bogger due to the lack of low gear, but to do some trail ridding, and go through the odd mud hole, it's plenty capable.

We have never owned anything but Kawasaki ATV's, so this is our first Yamaha ATV that we have purchased. For the time being, we are very satisfied with it. I would highly recommend that you get the 4x4 version.

Another nice thing about this bike is that it's quite peppy for a 350. My buddy has a 2001 Honda Rancher 350ES, and we tried them out in a drag, and the Bruin was over 10 quads lenghts ahead of the Honda. I would say that it gets between 42-45mph top end, which is plenty fast for her.

The only complaint that I have about the bike right now, is the design and comfort of the seat. A few weekends ago, I decided to take the Bruin out to the camp instead of my Prairie 650. I put over 100 miles that weekend on the bike, and I was very very uncomfortable after a long long period of ridding. I couldn't wait to stop and strech my legs. I can ride my Prairie all day without even having any discomfort. It's not that bad, I'm just used to my Prairie which is plenty roomy, but the Bruin is still nice.

But overall a very good little quad for the money. I did plenty of shopping before I bought this quad, and for the features you get, you can't go wrong. I looked at the Prairie 360, but it was too wide to fit in the back of my flareside Ford Ranger, I looked at the Honda Rancher but it was $1100 more then the Bruin, it was a standard shift, had drum brakes all around, and was full time 4x4. The Bruin was an auto tranny, with in an out 4wd, had disk brakes in the front, and was the cheapest of the bunch. Plenty of bang for your buck.


Let me know if you have any questions. You can also check out my picture page for plenty of pictures of the Bruin.

Dan

 

Dan thanks for that write up it was very helpfull. I am tossing up this quad and the rancher. So far Bruin is in the lead. However I like the ESP shifting of the honda and it also has in and out 4wd and auto shift. Less clearance however less suspension etc. thanks again
matty
oh yeah sweet pics too!

 

Well, Ill tell you. my uncle just purchased an 04 bruin, and it looks good in the front end, with a sporty design, but there is NO way i would have bought this over an 04-05 rancher. around here , every rancher owner I know comments about how they hold up. in fact there are still a few 300 hondas going at it. the rancher has too many options to pass up over the bruin, i.e. at, 350-400, es, 4x4, etc. and around hear they are in the same, if not a lower price category. if your looking for something that will still be running good in 7 years buy a rancher, unless your gonna keep it in a garage, and ride it once every blue moon, if so then get the bruin [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

matykrak

I also looked at the Rancher 400AT with the ESP transmission, but they wanted over $1600 more for that model. The manual shift Rancher 350 is the one that I was initially looking at, but they wanted $1100 more for that one.

So for the price difference, I couldn't justify spending that much more money, for less way features. I know the Honda is a very reliable bike, but $1100 will buy you plenty of parts.

Another nice thing that I liked about the Bruin is that even though it's a new quad, it basically uses some proven components. It uses the Big Bear motor which has been around for years, and it also uses the well proven Ultramatic Tranny. So overall I don't think you can go wrong.

 

Yeah I think dollar for dollar and feature for feature the Bruin is stil in the lead, the things it lacks IMO just through reading is the weak low end the lack of electronic shift Program(ESP), the display (odo/speed O) and honda reliability thats it. Other wise the bruin has more suspension, more ground clearance, more rubber, more engine, more room Oh and one down thing I have noticed that the Bruin DOESNT have is AFTERMARKET PARTS. K&N does not make a filter and Nobody makes and exhaust so it's basically static... the rancher can have lots of upgrades. Then again it may some down to sue saying...... "Oh I like this one because it's Blue Or I like the way the honda has that pretty yellow plastic!!!"""
LMAO

 

I was looking at a Bruin v/s Rancher ES, both are good quads, you'll like either one. I ended up buying the Bruin because the Yama dealer was willing to "deal", while the Honda dealer wouldn't budge off of full retail price. I paid $4550 OTD for the Bruin and feel I got my moneys worth. I've had mine about 9 mos and haven't found anything I don't like, and I haven't had any problems either. The dealer said it'd do about 45 mph, I didn't buy it to "go fast" so can't say for sure if it's true. I primarily use mine for hunting and light trail riding.

 

justlisten...i read this sum where , a bruin has 21 hp a rancher has 19 ooooooooo wat now biggen , jk lol

 

this threads over a year old man i know your new and its cool man i got a bruin 350 myself..but leave the old threads alone lol..welcome

 

bruins rock the house