I posted this on the Yamaha atv site. I thought you guys could give me more opinions..............
I currently own a sportbike,a 2000 GSX1300R Suzuki Hayabusa.
I am considering getting an ATV also to ride with some of my friends. My friends riding stable consists of a 400ex,banshee,and warrior. I love speed and I am an adrenaline junkie but I have had second thoughts about an all out sport atv. I have had my eye on the Wolverine but my friends tell me they are too heavy,too slow,dont handle good,etc... I was thinking a combination of both sport and utility sounds good but I dont want to be completely embarrased when I ride with these guys. We dont do MX racing athough there are a few large jumps,alot of trails and some mud also. Would I be sorry I bought the Wolverine.
How close is the performance? I like the racks,reverse,and 4wheeldrive of Wolverine. What advantages are there to a manual clutch versus auto clutch? Help please. Thanks in advance.

Digs

 

It mainly depends on what type of riding you want to do. Seeing as how your friends ride sport quads you will be left behind in speed wise, but the wolverine is the best sport/utility machine out there, IMO.

What type of terrain are you guys always riding in? Just trails, open, mud? If its mainly mud and they are always stuck then yes the wolverine would be nice, but if you guys are never in deep mud, or getting stuck all the time then go with either the 400ex, Raptor (which has reverse), Banshee (for the 2 stroke power) or the little nimble 300ex or Blaster.

Up to you and how you guys mainly ride. Why dont you ask to ride some of their machines and see how you like it?

 

Get a pure sports bike. I was like you before getting my banshee. Wanted some thing fast, but didn't want to get stuck. I gave up "don't want to get stuck" and went for the real sport quad. hehe. Boy was I right!!!!
To me, the only advantages the wolverine has over a banshee (or any sports quad) are ground clearance (I often get hung up by the axle, rear wheels spinning free) and reverse.
I do get stuck with the shee, but not as often as I would have thought, and weighting 400lbs, it's quite easy to unstuck it by hand (even when we're just 2) or pulling it out of trouble with a simple strap.
It's simple, each time I twist the throttle, I think "What a mistake it would have been to get a Wolverine".

 

The wolverine will run with any of them in tight trails on top speed it will run with the warrior Same motor just heavier! If your going to jump anything real big stay away from it but it your just mainly woods riding it is a good choice. Another option is the polaris scrambler 400 4x4 or 5004x4 scrambler these will beat the warrior and ther close with the 400ex in top speed plus you can go anywhere on them mud, snow, water, jumps etc... I had one and they do go good I did get rid of it and got a raptor, but honestly in some cases the scrambler is better than the raptor! So check them all out and reverse is always a plus I would stay away from the banshee unless you do alot of dune riding too much wheel spin for the woods unless you dump alot of $$$ into it for mods.

 

What kind of riding do I want to do?Hmm good question. Well the old man in me wants something like a Grizzly for grinding in the mud,climbing hills,&just cruising around trails. The young man in me wants a 100hp banshee to ride wheelies on and chap everyone on the trail.heh heh. I have had 4wheel drive trucks for play,dirt bikes,street superbikes,drag race cars,etc...so I like it all. The thing is, I can handle being a little behind but I dont want everyone stopping and waiting for me like I have to do for everyone else when I ride my Hayabusa. But I am definately going to ride my buddies'bikes. I dont think I would like the banshee..I am guessing I would have a sore clutch hand in the woods trying to keep the R's up,plus the extra maintenance of a 2 stroke. How much of a pain is it not having reverse?? Seems like that would be critical. I know the Warrior has reverse but I was thinking if they have the same engine there couldnt be too much perforance difference so why not get 4-wheel drive for when you need it.
I know I'm one Confused individual. I just haven't found my inner self yet.heh heh. Keep the posts coming good people.

Digs

 

I LOVE my Warrior!! I can keep up with my buddies 400ex in the woods all day, when we get on a road or somethin he blows me away, but on trails I'm right on his butt. and these other guys I ride with I can keep up with on the trails no problem (1 has a 250r 1 has a Banshee, they both race pro), but on their track it is a joke, they can actually lap me (they are extremly better riders than me I'll admit). But overall I LOVE my Warrior!! It has reverse, a great benefit in the tight trails, and it is very low maintnence, I don't have to worry about changing plugs in the middle of nowhere like my buddies 250r, and electric start is much easier. I was considering getting a Wolverine, but I've have been able to go everywhere I went with my old Big Bear and haven't got stuck (yet!!), and I like the "sport" feel of my Warrior with the manual clucth and sporty handling. I'd get a Warrior if I were u!! Good Luck!!

 

I own a 99 wolverine and ride with my friends. Some ride sport machines and others ride 4x4's. I feel I have best of both worlds because when were out on the trails, I can keep up with the sport bikes on most trails, and when I want to go bogging in the mud and snow, I have the awesome 4 wheel drive power and traction to get me around. I have 25" Kenda Bear Claws, Supertrapp, K&N Filter, jetting, Helli Headlight, DG push bar and full skid plates with A-arm protection.
It looks more like a sport bike as well which is a plus. I don't regret buying my wolv and for the riding I do here in New Brunswick, Canada, its the best bike for me.

One of he last trips my buddies went on, my friend had to winch his banshee out of a few mud/water/ice holes with my other friends 93 Kodiak. The Banshee ended up overheating and he was pretty pissed.(probably wishing he had my wolv then!!hehe)

Also with the wolv, you don't have to worry about adjusting chains which is worth its weight in gold to me. The bike maybe heavier but it can get up and boogie if you know how to ride it!! I can get mine sideways with ease on trails. Also with the snow on the ground, its a ball doing donuts. I don't really hit many jumps with mine although I've seen some guys around climb monster sand hills in this pit we all go to. The wolverine is the only 4 by that was climbing some of the hills that the sport bikes were going up that day. Sometimes the heavier front end was an advantage in hill climbing.

Anyways, thats my feedback on the Wolverine.Good luck on picking your atv and have fun once you get it!! Ride on and ride hard!!

 

Well, I don't know about Digs, but you've certainly convinced me. I've been thinking about trading in my warrior for a wolverine for a while now, but was unsure if I'd be happy with the performance. I do like that way it looks, and I am very happy with the tourque output of the warrior - I hope the wolverine has the same. I've never owned a 4x4 quad before, and I think it would be a kick to have one.

 

I know no one here will like this idea, but anyway you asked.If I was you I would look at a Scrambler 500 4x4.It has reverse, and is pretty quick, enough to hang whoop a stock warrior(Im not basshing so dont reply like a smartass, please)and is real good in mud cause of all the ground clearance(9 or 10 inches I think).

 

I havent looked at the scramblers. I have had everyone tell me to stay away from polaris. They say the have lots of trouble and something about the belt drive being $hit. I dont know..never had a four-wheeler. Does anyone know how reliable they are??? Thanks again,
Digs