Opinions please.

 

My only opinion is that I wish my 05 had IRS for the ground clearance

 

C'mon, nobody on here has a 2007+ Big Bear?

 

i test drove one ,if you like to shift gears go for it ,but if you test drive a kodiak 450 you'll most likely buy the 450 instead. well worth the extra.

 

I didn't really want to spend any extra but I just talked to my dealer this morning and the closest BB is in Winnipeg Manatoba which is half way across the country. He said it would be no problem getting it but it would take three weeks. I told him I couldn't commit until I had the old KQ sold.

 

I've been on one. Out here in the Rocky Mountains its a pretty usefull machine. It suits my easy / slow going riding style very well.

The trails I go on usually have lots of rocks, fallen logs, river crossings, steep hills etc.

The Big Bear is slow by todays standards, but with the 400 it will run circles around the old KQ for power.

I too like to shift my utiliity machine and I also don't like driving the GINORMOUS big bore machines like Sportsman, Grizzly 660 / 700 or the new KQ700 / 750. Its a personal preference thing... I lost interest in the GARGANTUAN machines when I owned a Polaris Sportsman 4x4. I now also really hate CVT's.

In your situation and having been a Suzuki owner for so long, you may want to consider Suzuki again... The newly designed King Quad 400 also comes in manual version. It was previously Eiger, but has been treated to new racks, plastics, shifter, and seat.

I will tell you that I traded to my Eiger from Sportsman HO and have never looked back.

Either way, they are both a worthy upgrade from the old KQ and since I am in the market for a second manual 4x4 they are both high on my list again also.

 

I can run circles around the KQ for power lol.....

 

They are a little low on power but run forevah! They also have an almost infinite number of range/drive combinations. There is no H-L range on the new Bear, it does have a wide ratio 5-spd so you can motor down the trail in 4th-5th and yet 1st and 2nd is very low to get up the steep / deep.

I think you'd like it, I'll take mine in blue!

 

07 and 08 big bear 400 irs are great i have one and for a 400 it has lots of power, little slow compared to others but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in low end. can easly turn bigger tires in mud and slop irs = great ride on trail and better traction when going over obstacles.

 

i have a 08 big bear 400 irs (wifes bike) i build a lift for it and running 28 swamplites its great she love it and so do i. no problems