Hi all,

Just about to purchase a 4x4. Either a Grizzly or Prairie 700. I read all the reviews and it seems the Prairie always gets the nod, so I figured I'd check with some Grizzly owners to see how you like the ATV? Why a Grizzly and not a Prairie? Any feedback from those of you that own a Grizzly would be appreciated.

 

I’m sure you know the Prairie is more powerful and has better high speed handling characteristics but the fact that you are considering an IRS Grizzly perhaps those factors aren’t at the top of your priority list for the 4x4 you are about to purchase. I see you have a Vforce so you already sort of have a Prairie on steroids (except without the 4WD).

What the Grizzly will give you is comfort. It has a soft seat and a lot of suspension travel and will leave you feeling a lot less beat up at the end of the day, especially if rocky trails were involved. The Grizzly will “float” over rocky trails when ridden briskly, the faster you go the smoother it seems to get until you reach the limits of the suspension’s capabilities. IRS will give you more ground clearance, also an advantage when dealing with large rocks and a slight advantage in mud and trails with deep ruts. I like the Grizzly’s push button 4WD actuator better than Kawasaki’s, simply because there’s no delay to get it to engage. You can be stopped, push the button and it will engage, not so with my new Brute Force (it seems to have to move a little before it locks up, and this can be a problem if you are already stuck in 2WD and can’t move). As for the front diff locker, the Kawasaki design is better for most situations because it’s easier to engage, just pull in a lever and hold. If you wanted the diff lock on for a longer time then you may like the push button engagement of the Grizzly front diff locker better.

I’ve had a 02 Grizzly since July of 2001 and it’s been a reliable ride. I even removed the anti-sway bar for better rear suspension articulation. Sure, it has a lot of body roll but you can still drive it fast on the trail if you want to, especially when matched with the right tires (26” Dirt Devils work well with it along with ITP C Series wheels to widen the stance a little).

I used to have a Vforce too, but traded it in to get the Brute Force. Even though the Brute has IRS, it has a harder seat and stiffer suspension than the Grizzly so the ride isn’t as plush, but it does handle better. I wanted to keep the Grizzly though, it’s been too reliable to get rid of...

 

I think that the Griz is an amasing machine. I don't have a lot of experience with other machines, but I would not be without IRS. I really learned to ride on my Griz so I don't really know how to ride without a lot of body english. It really doesn't bother me at all. I can slide it into turns and power slide the tail end around at will. I really rips and when I jump, it lands soft, like a cat. When I hill climb, it accelerates up steep hills the whole way (in high gear)(I almost never use low unless I am going down a steep hill and don't want to use my breaks) and will launch off the top unless I let off. With the Mods I have done, it will lift the front end right off the ground without any help, in high gear. 2TV is right about the 26" Dirt Devil XT's and the C-series rims widening the stance. It is a welcome addition to stability. I hate the stock tires so I would do that first if I bought another one. It is very easy to effectively modify the griz to make it into an absolute monster. I really love my machine and it rewards me everytime I ride it. I think that most of the people who like the Prairie 700 are used to the punishment of non IRS machines and aren't used to riding it instead of just sitting on it. I am sure it is a great machine, but I would definitely buy another griz, especially if they come out with a 800 twin efi. Wa hoooooooooooooooooo!

 

What they said. If I was getting rid of my griz, the only other quad I would get would be a Brute Force. I won't give up IRS after finally having it.

 

Thanks guys, these are great comments and feedback. The more I hear the more that IRS sounds like the ticket. Would also consider a brute force, but it seems people have water trouble with these right now, maybe first year blues. Any paticular trouble with the Grizzly? Andy, why did you remove the sway bar?

 

Nevermind Andy, think i see why now. To help the articulation of the Grizzly.?

 

Yes, with the anti-sway bar on the rear suspension reacts like a semi-SRA because independent movement is somewhat restrictive. Remove the bar and you have true independent rear suspension. You do get more body roll with the bar off (a dangerous amount if you carry a passenger or otherwise exceed the magic weight limit), however if you switch to ITP C-Series wheels and 6 ply tires (like Dirt Devils) then the handling improves significantly, plus the suspension in the rear now works like the front. The only difference I notice now without having the sway bar on is that I can lift the inside front tire when cornering really hard, however it doesn’t feel out of control when it does this.

The Brute Force is nice and I have not had any water problems with mine. It has gobs of power and the ride feels more “sporting-like” than the Grizzly. However it doesn’t have as much suspension travel as does the Grizzly, the seat is harder and the overall ride is harsher than what the Grizzly will give you. I won’t give up my Brute Force, but I also won’t give up my Grizzly either because it is reliable and is one of the most comfortable trail machines out there.

Currently with the way my Grizzly is set up (wheels / tires, no anti-sway bar) I feel I can take it faster through a tight, twisty woods trail section than I can my Brute Force in stock trim (just ask my riding buddies with their SRA Rubicon and P650 who have to play catch-up when I really pour it on), although when the trail straightens out a little then I could make up some ground with the power advantage that the Brute has. Did I just say that a Grizzly will outrun a P650 on the trail? No, not really, it depends on who is riding what. What I did say is once you learn the feel of the machine and how to control it (it does take more body English to keep under control) it is no slouch in the woods, but the bonus is it doesn’t batter you as much as many other quads do...

 

2TV has had the best post between the grizz and bf. Being an owner of both (there is a god) those are words to live by. The accleration of the BF is nuts yet attainable with the grizz with a few mods. My riding buddy has one with the Hot cam camshaft,highcomp. piston, clutch kit and the white brothers exhaust and he would win by about 6" in the 300 foot sand drags. On the flip side though you modify the BF and it would still beat the Grizz[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img].[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]