Pages: 1
Posted by: weedy
Artic Cat 650 for sure. Fast and 13 inches of ground clearance.
Posted by: Scrmblerman
GasMaster, I was wondering why you ruled out the Polaris 700?
Posted by: TrEvIn
You left out the Quest650
That thing is a beast!!!
Its unstopable in the mud.
Posted by: BigRed1
I have a Honda Rancher, and I love it. I do not know about the rincon. I did alot of looking before I brought mine. I came very very close to buying an artic cat. I looked at all the dealers in my home town. I could not fine know one that wanted to help me. I guess they thought I was jokeing about buy one, or they did not think I could ride it being I have one short hand and one long. So when I went to the ac dealer they were the nice people I met so far. Then I started the paper work. It all went fine till they said I had to have a co singner. I said no and walked out. I called a friend and he made a call and told me to call the Honda dealer in Natchitoches,La. They were my next stop. I called gave the lady some info, and she called back, and said come pick out your atv. I was happy, and been happy every since then. I would not buy a ac, no it's not because what I went throught, it is my friends dad has one and it is a P.O.S. It wont run worth a dam.
Posted by: BigRed1
my Rancher is a 2003
Posted by: rhinhd
If you're going to do trail riding go with the Rincon all the way! That's the kind of riding I use mine for and it's awesome! The ride is great, power is there, and I have never had a problem! I beat mine like a redheaded step child and it always comes back for more!
Posted by: thomez
I think your decision is made. Power + great ground clearance and mudding = the new AC 650
The best of the IRS of the Honda and the Yami combine with the V-twin power of the Kawi - simple enough decision if that is what you are lookin for, in my eyes
Posted by: GasMaster
Choices don't seem to get easier. I want to know from you experienced riders out there if you had choice between these three bikes what would you choose. Agian, fist time will own. Went to check out bikes this weekend, ruled out the Polaris 700. Only got to ride the Polaris though. I will use primarily for Trail riding and hunting.
This how I see it:
Prairie:
Gotta love that power
Has a Swing arm, I would prefer IRS
Disk brakes all around
Lever locking Diff, nice
Can get in Camo
Rincon:
Also got the big 650
IRS
Hydromatic Tran, like this
Drum brakes front, not good
No locking Differential
Artic Cat 650:
Has the Kawasaki 650, so nice
Disk
IRS
Locking Diff
Styling not sure
Big tank, nice
Read its great in mud
Grizzly:
Has the power
Locking Diff
Nice styling
Posted by: GasMaster
Well Scrmblerman, I was really considering the SP700, it was top of my list. I guess the others just felt better. Test drove the Polaris and liked the feeling of the bike but felt the engines rode hard. I know picky but the Kawasaki was smooth, and figured the AC was just the same
Posted by: WileyCoyote
Just bought two new quads: Prairie 700 Camo, and a Sportsman 500. I expected the Sportsman to be the king of the nasty boulder gardens. But the Prairie is smooooth and refined compared to the Polaris. I've ridden both in nasty, full front-lock, low range situations. The Prairie actually handles the situations with less fuss and a better ride that the Sportsman. I was surprised. IRS is cool, but overrated, and not always a better ride.
Posted by: SuzukiQuadKid
I'll be purchasing the 650 Arctic Cat around Christmas, I can't find a single thing I don't like about it, The thing I like most is the Ground Clearance. 13 inches. I choose anything else.
Posted by: Jackus
GasMaster,
I just got my 2004 Grizzly 660 this tuesday (blue) I test drove all the machines at a dealership in cobleskill NY, (except the AC650) The prairie is a great machine, its very fast, but the VERY limited amount of ground clearence (something like 7 inches) kills it in offroad situations. My buddy chuck has a P650 and he got hung up on some center ruts the other day... I had me and my girlfriend on the grizz and could freely back up to him and get his winch cable.. we could move back and forth about the same mudhole without losing traction or even getting worreid about being stuck. And he was on his machine alone. The grizz is not as fast as the p650, but the new 04 grizz seems almost bullet proof. ive had it going 66mph already with no mods. Consider it if your buying..... i did, and im happy with what i got. I got it for 6299.00 with warn winch at Phibbs Power Sports in Colonie NY.
Later!!!!
Posted by: Jackus
GRIZZ GRIZZ GRIZZ GRIZZ GRIZZ
Posted by: kawasaskirules
prairie all the way
Posted by: Xcessiv4c
Im in the same boat. The reviews I've read about the AC says that its a good work vehicle at low speeds. I believe dirt wheels rated it 6 of 6 because at high speeds it wasnt very stable. Im interested in hearing otherwise from AC users. I'm leaning toward the Prairie, but 04 Rincon looks and sounds like its the best of all worlds and I ruled out the Griz. While hunting a couple weeks back I watched a Rincon, a Polaris, and a new Griz 660 LE approach a moderate hill sideways and the Griz rolled over. Not impressive. Very confusing.
XC
Posted by: Xcessiv4c
Actually the article I read was for a 03 AC, but the new ones are supposed to be really nice. Think Im going with a Prarie at the begining of the year. Im gonna buy a Polaris 500 ho remington edition I found from a guy for 2800. It's good to have a couple quads around Im sure. Hey BigRed1, I went through Lousianna last year moving my brother from San Diego to Pensacola for OCS just wanted to say you have one of the most impressive states in the US. The hospitality was incredible. I look forward to going back when I can visit Vicksburg and New ORleans again and enjoy that fantastic cooking. Best on earth.
XC
Posted by: PrairiePOwer2k3
bigread1.. what year is your rancher? ive put alot of time on the 2004 rancher AT nice machine, probaly hondas biggest breakthrough in the 400cc class of ATV's selectable 2x4/4x4 and full auto or electronic shift i like it but doesnt do so great at high speeds.. and it is easy to role.. but its a fun machine
Posted by: momma
Hey Gas Master, buy the cat. You will be very happy. I purchased an '03 500 auto & I love it.
It works really well in the mud. Trail rideing is comfortable also. The ground clearance and IRS is something to really consider. I have been out in the mud with all kinds of other bikes & as far as i'm concerned the only one that competes with the cat is the polaris. they still dont have the ground clearance or suspension travel. the 5 postion shock adjustment is nice. I just wish i had waited a little longer a got the 04 650. it wil be awesome.
get dirty!!!!!!!
Posted by: northboy
Buying a new quad is getting harder and harder every year with all the choices you have. I would say go out and drive as many as you can and at the end of the day buy the one that you want! I have 2 quads myself one with IRS and one with a solid rear, just remember IRS can be tricky. Everyone advertises all this clearance but, what happens when a load is put on a IRS quad. My 2000 500 sportsman has tons of clearance sitting in the yard but with a trailer and myself on it, it has less than my brothers p650 with the same load. This is just something to think about.
