Quads

[Joe Sixpack]

A few other guys have mentioned what I have, a 2000 Suzuki King Quad 300 4x4. I found mine with only 600 kms on it last fall for $4400. Basically brand new. I threw on a set of mud tires because most of our hunting is in swamps and mud. Has Hi/Lo/Superlow/Diff lock so it'll grunt through anything. No belts to get wet and slip. Only downfall is you can't get the wheel spin or momentum that big bore autos can get when climbing hills. If you don't want to spend a lot of money and get something that is bulletproof, it's an idea.

If you want to spend more money, other guys I ride with ride Can-ams. One has a 400, another a 650. They are the same, but the 650 goes like hell. Throw on a set of mud bugs or mudzillas and they'll go through anything.

Polaris's have good AWD but we've found they are very unreliable when they get quite a few miles on them.

Most importantly, have fun but ride responsibly. We have a hard time with a few bad apples ruining the sport for the rest of us by tearing up fields and back allys. I'd like to see many small towns be ATV friendly like some where you can ride down main street, go to the stores, gas stations, etc. If we all ride responsibly, it should happen. The rallys I've been to have generated a lot of money for local economies, so if we treat them well, they'll do the same for us.

 

[soldier506]

Anyone ever tried using the old abandoned rail lines for trails?

 

[silverado7]

'05 kawi 650 brute force with 27" mud shark rubber does well but the 700 came out the year after. i'm partial to the sra (soild rear axle) fun for sliding corners. no one has a better rear brake set up period!... all depends what you like

 

[silverado7]

Anyone ever tried using the old abandoned rail lines for trails?

yup...
http://www.sentierscanada.ca/english/08_news_e/08_whatsnew_e.cfm?id=20

 

[senior]

Whast it comes down to is that there is not one true "Do all" machine.
Want one? You need:
Honda Engine (hey..it's a Honda!), Yamaha's automatic (NEVER buned a belt...it's always under tension), Kawis 4X4 (progressive hydraulic diff-lock...no electronics Bomb's "visco-lock" is a real close second)), Kawis rear brake (Clutch pack inside the rear drive shaf...NO maintenance!), Honda's susoension (from the Rincon only) and the seating of the Outllander Max.

Agree with everything you say except the "Visco-lock" bit.
Having a 400 Outlander I can tell you absolutely posatively it's not one of the better type of true 4 wheel drive systems. The only advantage it has, is if you don't know enough to "lock her up" before you get into trouble, in which case generius quantities of throttle will give you that extra with-out fumbling for a button. BUT & I enfacize BUT far too many times if your crawling thru a technical section you'll slip yourself into trouble before that other wheel decides to start to pull, where-as the electric lock is instantainious. Visco takes 3 good full revolutions of one front before it'll start to drive the other tire, don't believe me!! jack up one front tire & spin it till it locks up

 

[Wrong Way]

Thats why I said it was in second place to the Kawi

Kawi has, by far, the best diff-lock setup. If you are not familiar with it, it's a little yellow lever (kind of like a brake lever) on the left side of the handlebars. You hook it with your index finger, and pull: The harder you pull the more torque is progressively transfered to the diff lock...squeeze it all the way and the front end is locked. Instant, progressive, any speed, any gear, no servos or electronics (hydraulic clutch pack)
VERY nice setup

 

[Anglinfool]

Currently have an 06 Kodiak 450 with clutch kit, Dyno Jet and 26 inch Mudlite XTRs. It's pulled out lots of deer and firewood and the occasional Honda. So far, I've had to replace the rear brakes, choke cable and an axle seal. I also had an air leak which took a while to find (carb intake). Most of the work I've done myself. I haven't been nice to it and it still goes good!

I'm trading it in for one of these next spring. Polaris RZR. Should be fun!

 

[DAVEL]

I have the same bike as Silverado. 2005 Kawasaki 650 sra.
If I was to do it over again I would have bought a 500 (Vinson or Arctic Cat).
The 650 is super fun and fast but when you are traversing or crawling over technical stuff the 650 is just to torquey.

Except for top speed the smaller machines are just as capable and will go more places and they are more manueuverable.

I hope Kawi comes out with a 500 model with all the goodies of the 650. I would buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[DVXDUDE]

thoughs Polaris ranger RZR are badass!! Best side-by-side out there right now. I've seen some vids and they got power! my cousin has a rhino hes going to trade in on one. Only good thing i've got to say about Polaris.

 

[silverado7]

Only good thing i've got to say about Polaris.

and the predator are the only quads/atvs they seem to have got right!

 

[mahony1977]

I have a 2003 kodiak 450 paid 6400 in 2004 and a fourtrax 300 4x4 both good . bikes are like guns they all have their qualitys .I also used to be one of those guys that swore hed never own an automatic, until i drove one dont be scared of the belt burning off mine has been bullet proof . my only complaint is that ya got to drain the drive case when ya go in water over the racks. havent snorkeld it yet.

 

[SuperCub]

I hope Kawi comes out with a 500 model with all the goodies of the 650. I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Yea, that the trouble with Kawis right now either it's a 360 or a 650 / 750 with nothin in the middle. 360 is too small for me.



.

 

[senior]

I have a 2003 kodiak 450 paid 6400 in 2004 and a fourtrax 300 4x4 both good . bikes are like guns they all have their qualitys .I also used to be one of those guys that swore hed never own an automatic, until i drove one dont be scared of the belt burning off mine has been bullet proof . my only complaint is that ya got to drain the drive case when ya go in water over the racks. havent snorkeld it yet.

The CVT intake (with a few mods) on my Grizz is only a couple inches lower than the engine air intake. I much prefer to accidentally drown the CVT than the engine, kinda like a TOO DEEP warning

 

[DAVEL]

Yea, that the trouble with Kawis right now either it's a 360 or a 650 / 750 with nothin in the middle. 360 is too small for me.



.

My wife has the 360. It is a great machine with all the goodies of the bigger quads (diff lock, 2 / 4 wheel switch, etc.) but yeah its top speed is about 70kmh. The 360 weighs 2 lbs. less than my 650 go figure.
The old 400 Prairie is much better.
I can't for the life of me figure out what they were thinking going to the 360 from the much more versatile 400.

 

[soldier506]

I would assume that with my bigger 660 cc that it would use way more fuel than my older 350 did . Is there an engine size that gets the best fuel ecconomy with alot of power ? Something in around the 500 cc would be in the middle of size/power but how are they on fuel? Hate the thought of carring several jerry cans of fuel . Takes up extra space and weight.

What about wheel base ? Are all quads have a similar wheel base or are they different?

 

[mahony1977]

The CVT intake (with a few mods) on my Grizz is only a couple inches lower than the engine air intake. I much prefer to accidentally drown the CVT than the engine, kinda like a TOO DEEP warning

you can snorkle the air box as well. check out hi lifter.com

 

[senior]

you can snorkle the air box as well. check out hi lifter.com

I only snorkeled the intake enough to bring it higher than the lowest spot in that well Yam put it in Did the same with the CVT exhaust. Prevents that single splash & quickey too deep dip from making your belt slip. I really don't need to enter water any deeper than the racks, or I'd be riding alone

 

[303carbine]

forget the quad, but new boots and a gym membership, and an old suzuki 4x4.

Best advice so far.................

 

[Wolf@TS]

I would assume that with my bigger 660 cc that it would use way more fuel than my older 350 did . Is there an engine size that gets the best fuel ecconomy with alot of power ? Something in around the 500 cc would be in the middle of size/power but how are they on fuel? Hate the thought of carring several jerry cans of fuel . Takes up extra space and weight.

What about wheel base ? Are all quads have a similar wheel base or are they different?

500cc's is ideal as a do-it-all size motor. Seen several guys run tracks on 500's with no issues in the power dept.
I currently am running a Honda 350 with MudBug tires, but am considering upgrading in the near future. The Griz is a top contender for my next bike.

 

[moose_hunter]

I have a 300 suzuki king quad 1993 has 4wd diff lock and a winch and i just got new tires, let me tell you first of all the winches wont do much out on logigng roads unless you have a long cable so carry a tow rope, my quad goes anywhere a 600 will accept its always in the shop because i rat bag it so badly right now its getting new valves and timing chain and brakes ahaha, if you pick up a 600 yamaha grizzly it wont fail you yamaha is the way to go they can really rip if you got a logging truck on your ass and they get through tough spots like nobodies business, alot of guys say they dont kud bog but when you shoot a moose that is through some harsh land and you gotas get to it the good tires help.