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Posted by: Robert Venable
As long as you don't say that it is better than another quad I don't think anyone will start a brand war.
So what did you get? Honda, one of Polaris's 335, Arctic Cat, KingQuad, Bayou, or a 99 Big Bear?
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Arctic Cat 500, Not your average Kitty, The New King Of the Jungle
Posted by: Bog_Hog
AlaskaTRX,
I'm hearing Nov from my local dealer for the Rancher.... But then again - he barely knew what a Rubicon was and didn't know how it differed from the regular Foremans.
Happy Trails
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Steve "Bog Hog" West
Honda 300 4x4 - Gordonized, Powered and Vamped
Posted by: Tree Farmer
My opinion: If you're REALLY interested primarily in trail riding, a 300 cc or even a 250 cc is probably adequate, as your friends say, with proper gearing (i.e., a dual-range transmission in low or a super-low on a five-speed will spin your tires while you're tied to a tree).
HOWEVER, if, deep in your heart, carefully hidden, beats a desire to smoke your buds on their 450's and 500's on the fire roads, "the only substitute for cubic inches is more cubic inches," or cubic dollars, which you say you haven't.
You can develop your skills on a small machine so you can lead 'em all through the tight trails and over the rocks; however, the biggies will always beat you on the drags and the straights.
Honestly face where your major interest lies and choose the right tool for the job.
Tree Farmer
Posted by: Tree Farmer
Shear Madness!
"Sheer Madness" is the name of a very long-running play where the audience chooses the ending of this murder mystery.
SCman gives us the same opportunity!
Each reader imagines SCman's choice; strangely, each reader selects the exact same quad he rides himself! Then, each reader imagines SCman, living happily ever after.
CURTAIN!
(Actually, I agree with Robert and with Phoenix1--no poster on this topic pushed any particular brand. I believe we are in agreement: the only bad decision is not buying a quad. So, fear not, SCman--c'm'on, you can tell US!)
Tree Farmer
[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 09-08-1999).]
Posted by: Tree Farmer
Excellent choice, SCman!
You have now been automatically inducted into the Eric Baatz Champions' Roundtable Hall of Fame! (I look forward to riding with Eric on his own King Quad in next months's Tour de Forest out of Marienville, PA.)
Eric proved at the Cochranton, PA, Mud-and-Poker Run how capable the KQ is under a capable rider.
Further, the King Quad bears frequent-poster Gordon Banks' endorsement as a superb out-of-the-box rock-hopper.
Congratulations again, enjoy!
Tree Farmer
Posted by: AlaskaTRX
I can't wait to throw a leg over that new Honda Rancher 4x4 (non-ES). I learned to ride 4x4 on a Honda TRX300FW and from all that I've read and heard, this new machine betters the old Class Champion in every way. Does anyone know when they are supposed to reach the dealerships???
Posted by: Andy Bassham
To be honest, the 300 and 350 4x4s will go anywhere the bigger ones will go and actually are easier to keep under control in tough terrain because of their lighter weight(ask Gordon Banks about that one). It all comes down to preference. Kinda like a Nissan 4x4 and a Chevy or Ford fullsize 4x4. The nissan will go anywhere the others will, but still is a bit of a lesser vehicle. Thats about it. Say like a honda 300 4x4 for instance. It will follow its foreman brothers anywhere, but it wont be quite as fast and it doesn't have the cigarette lighter outlet or the digital speedometer and stuff like that. As for being able to lug the machine around and getting tired, I'm not quite your size even and I have no problem at all lugging that 500 Cat around with the 26" tires on it.
If your question is will the bigger bikes go in a bunch of places that the smaller ones won't, my answer is no. Not without modifications such as tires, lockers, and winches. Different brands may perform different in some situations, but a grizzly won't go in any rougher places than a big bear, and a 450 won't go in any rougher places than a fourtrax 300 4x4.
Some people will tell you that the smaller bikes don't have the torque, but they do. If they have enough torque to turn all four wheels, then they have enough torque to get you anywhere a big bike will. They just don't always have the creature comforts and they don't pull as strong in the higher gears.
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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*
Posted by: Andy Bassham
phoenix, we always bungeed boat cushions on the rear racks for a passenger. It worked pretty good, in fact, my 500 has one on there all the time. As for the grizzly gas tank, it probably uses more gas than your honda. My AC has a 4.25 gal. tank, but will run out when the 300 honda's 3.3 gal. tank is around half full.
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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*
Posted by: Andy Bassham
4 more words- He won't be sorry. You got a good bike. Its funny that your choice was a bike that nobody in this thread ever pushed on you or bragged about. I like that. It shows that there are more people out there that can make up their mind for themselves, rather than just getting what every one else has. Thats like when I got my Arctic Cat. I don't know of anyone else that owned one at the time. Everyone torched me for not getting a honda, until they actually rode it and decided, "hey, this isn't such a bad bike afterall." I wish you the best with your new KING QUAD, and like I said, you will see that you can follow the bigger bikes anywhere. They might be a little faster, but they aren't capable of leaving you behind on a rough trail somewhere.
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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*
Posted by: Sport400
2 words polaris explorer.
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Wesley Shelby Sport400,Trailblazer 250
Posted by: ecbaatz
YES! YES! YES! Excellent choice, not that I am partial or anything.
I enjoy mine, you can push it, even jump it but not real high or far.
I have made numerous modifications to mine so if you would like some help let me know.
Modifications include.
- Adding 12 outlet to console (cigarette lighter type).
- Modifying the shifting lever so I can use differential lock in any range.
- Modifying the starting circuit so I can start it in gear, this comes in real handy.
- Adding brake and backup lights.
As for the questions concerning differential lock on dry ground, it steers very difficult and does not like to turn. But when you want to make sure all four and I emphasize "four" wheels turn you cant beat it.
Good luck and I know you will enjoy it.
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Eric Baatz
Remember the KING Lives!!
[This message has been edited by ecbaatz (edited 10-12-1999).]
Posted by: Bill.Ciliberti
I too agree that the KQ would be a good choice for a first time buyer of a 4x4 atv.As the previous owner of a 87 KQ, and my bro's 97 KQ stays here at my place,I've got alot of experience with them.Good reliable engines,I like the 4x4 system,and over-all,just a pretty reliable 4x4.The downside to the KQ?One of the worst turning radius on the market of any 4x4.My oversized Sportsman will turn much-much more tighter when compared to the KQ,and the Sportsman is WAY bigger to..Brakes?Be prepared to remove the brake drums after any serious mudding event,very ,very poorly sealed brake drums on both the 87 model and my bros 97 model.I've heard of this problem from other mudders of the KQ too. Keep it out of the serious mud,and the brakes will last a long time.Very poor engineering on Suzuki's part. Power?It will not climb loose packed steep hills anything like the bigger CC 4x4s will.Stay off them kind of hills and your fine.The engine on the KQ just dont give the wheels the speed they need to conquer them types of hills.This engine has tons of torque with it's selectable Sub-Tranny ranges.Oh yah,the stock tires on the KQ are not really good for anything much more than casual trail riding.My bro has the Super Swamper Vampires on his 97 model.WOW.What a differance.Enjoy this quad,I know you will. BILL
Posted by: Phoenix1
After Tree Farmer's excellent response, there isn't much more I can say, except how big are you?
Common sense dictates larger bikes take more strength and energy to manuver. Not that I am calling you weak or anything like that, but if you ride for 8-10 hours, your arms can get pretty tired, as well as the calluses on your hands.
Sometimes I wish I had a smaller bike, but then I snap out of it.
Posted by: Phoenix1
You may also want to consider if you are going to have a second rider (did I say that). It seems that Yamahas have longer seats than Hondas.
On my Honda, however, I zip-tied some padding to the front few inches of the rear rack, giving my wife a much nicer ride (and me fewer headackes).
I also wish that my Honda had a larger fuel tank, I know that the Grizz has about 2 more gallons than mine. Its not a problem on short trips (under 4-5 hours) but I need to carry extra gas on longer (mostly camping) trips.
Sorry I did not mean to make this into my wish list.
Posted by: Phoenix1
SCman, surely you must tell us what you decided on. If not it would be like watching a 4-part miniseries and having the cable go out during the last ten minutes.
We promise not to fight.
Posted by: Phoenix1
An excellent choice, and a sound decision. Looks like you weighed all the factors before buying.
I love the idea of having a locking differential. Maybe you can write a report about how well it works. You could try it on hard packed trails (just for the hech of it) and tell us how much harder the steering is with it on. Then you could go through the same mud pit with it locked and unlocked to see how effective it is. Then perhaps some hill climbing.
I think that there is going to be a big difference. It would be an ideal test since it would be the same bike, same driver and same track.
Lets hope that some other manufactures can add the locking differential in the future, I think it would be welcomed.
Posted by: Phoenix1
SCman, how did the King Quad perform? How do you like the differential lock? That has to be the best part of the bike, it really has the best of both worlds.
Posted by: SCman
I am ready to purchase my first atv. I can afford one in the 300,350cc range now. Some of my friends have 450 and 500cc ones, and say I should wait. I will be mostly trail riding. They say more horsepower is needed for torque. Others tell me low enough gearing and keeping rpms up will do. Any suggestions would be great
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I am definitely going 4x4
[This message has been edited by SCman (edited 09-01-1999).]
Posted by: SCman
I really appreciate the responses. I am 5'10, 170 lbs. I won't be on ESPN's strongest man competition, but I don't get sand kicked in my face at the beach...LOL. (My 5yr old son sneaks a cheap shot in every now and then)
My main concern is being able to keep up on hills. I live in the foothills of the Great Smokies and the group I will be riding with rides mostly on mountain trails. (Although I'm sure there are good spirited drag races) They are planning a trip to Tellico next month and I would really like to go. But I also want to be prudent about my purchase since I will keep it for at least a couple years.
Posted by: SCman
Just wanted to say thanks for the input. I bought my atv today. I don't want to start a brand war, so suffice to say I got one in the 300-350 range. My only regret is that I had to get off of it until tomorrow.
I have read most of the threads and you guys are certainly a great fraternity. Keep up the good work/advice!
[This message has been edited by SCman (edited 09-04-1999).]
Posted by: SCman
Ok..Ok
You all were indeed quite helpful without being pushy. Your replies played a large part in my decision. I went with the King Quad 300. I will share my reasons (not in defense , mind you, but because you all seem genuinely interested)
1. Price
2. I acually liked the gearing choices. Being somewhat of a greenhorn, I liked being able to choose the diff/lock + Hi or Low/Super Low, 2 or 4WD.
3. The dealer was the most helpful and objective of all I visited (11 in all)
4. Did I mention price?
5. LOTS of reading (mags and the net)
6. Independent rear susp. (albeit single arm)
7. Ground clearance for that size (8"+)
9. A size I believe that won't tempt me to push the envelope too much (YET)
10. A size I can pass down to my sons.
Oh yeah........Price. $4823 put it in my truck (dealer threw in trifold ramps). Obviously this list is not all-inclusive.
I went with some of the 'gang' yesterday. (Grizzly, Sportsman500,Foreman,Expedition425, and a Timberwolf. I scooted right along with them, never hanging up or encountering an impassable obstacle or grade. So welcome me into your midst, and I will welcome the opportunity to learn from your collective experience through the posts.
Again...........THANKS!!!!
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Posted by: SCman
Thanks all! We leave for Tellico OHV area Friday night for a weekend of camping and RIDING! I can't wait! I will post our adventures in the Where To Ride thread. Six of us going, all have different quads, (except for two Grizzlies) so will be a great comparison opportunity.
[This message has been edited by SCman (edited 09-15-1999).]
Posted by: SCman
The KQ has performed flawlessly. We had to postpone the Tellico trip until Nov. We did go to Brown Mt, though. I posted that in Where To Ride. There is one semi-technical rock climbing section at B.Mt. where I locked it in. It climbed like a champ. I had no problems going where the 'big boys' went. Also, I have found that some obstacles I can approach locked and crawl right over them, instead of having to come at them fast and bounce the front end over. The only drawback I have found is not being able to switch from 4wd to 2wd seamlessly. But overall I am very pleased. I am now winch equipped and ready to tackle Tellico!
Posted by: BigRed450
Very Good Choice! From all the articles I've read either the King Quad or the AC 300 are the best in the 300 class and the fact my Buddy bought one, I know first hand what it can and can't do (we put on many miles together). I have a Honda 450ES and there isn't much I can do that the King Quad can't. The only real draw back I found was the real short wheel base compared to the Honda's, but that's me. It's a great machine and I'm sure you'll have loads of fun with it.
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