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Posted by: Kodiac400
If your looking for an atv that is pretty rock solid then try the Vinson. My step father has one and it beats my stock kodiak hands down. The drive quality is very good and the seating position is perfect ( at least for my frame).
Good luck
Posted by: Kraw
get you an 04 Grizzly... they are fast and will go anywhere.
Try one out, I didn't think I would like the CVT either, but I LOVE It now
Posted by: vhcat400i
Check out the Arctic Cat 500.It has the same motor as the Vinson but with irs.It will definetly take any abuse you can give it on the farm and get you through just about any mud you can find.
Posted by: vhcat400i
JACTUPVINSON,You need to lighten up a little.Beecam asked for a little advise and you turn it into a slamming match.Everyone has an opinion and are intitled to it. Beecam,My advice is to go and check all the manual machines on the market and decide for yourself.It is you that has to ride whatever you choose.And what ever you might decide,enjoy.
Posted by: Predator03
You 're missing out on other fine machines. That is the Polaris Sportsman 500/600/700. It will out mud any of the machines listed. Has more clearance, more towing capacity, better stock tires, better ride with IRS, if you look at the 600, it also has more power. If nothing else, the ride is far superior than the ride on any of the straight axles. If you can possibly take a ride on one, you should.
We've got three of them with over 8000 miles on them in the last 15 months. Other than a busted ball joint, and a couple of cv boots. We've been very pleased, I highly recommend one.
Posted by: Predator03
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Originally posted by: Beecam
Polaris stuff is expensive though.
Could you be a little more specific? Actually, the msrp is the same for the 500 Vinson as the 500 Sportsman. But with the sportsman, you will get Independent rear suspension, a little more clearance, better stock tires, and a higher towing capacity. I recommend you at least give one a try.
Posted by: Predator03
It certainly won't hurt you to try. Polaris is what we like, and that's why I recommend them. I know guys that like their Arctic Cats, and thats ok too. Give em both a ride. It's best to do your homework before you go to the dealer. Research the machines and stuff on them you like. Find out the best prices on the internet. Take those with you when you go to the dealer. There is a dealer in Chattanooga, Tennessee that has excellent prices on all the Polaris models. It think it's southernpowersports, or southern motorsports. Something like that. Do a search on yahoo, polaris atv Chattanooga. They have the prices listed for their inventory.
An informed buyer is always the best one, in my book.
Good luck
Scott
Posted by: Predator03
The Sportsmans are all automatic, with a high and a low gear. When you are gonna pull something, go over an obstacle where you need low end torque, going through deep mud, climb steep hills, that sort of thing. You just shift into low, then when you're clear, shift back in high. It's pretty simple, really.
The Predator is the Polaris sport quad, it's a five speed. It doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for though. I own a Pred, and I love it. You really wouldn't regret owning a 500 Sportsman, they are very fine machines.
Posted by: Predator03
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Originally posted by: JactUpVinson
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Originally posted by: vhcat400i
As for Polaris, If I wanted a automatic work or mud machine, well I wouldnt. The 700 rips until you go muddin and that belt staarts a slippin. I saw something funny on another thread concerning ATV theft"the best anti-theft device is putting Polaris stickers on my quad, nobody would want it"
So we're back to problem with crappy advice. We have 3 Sportsmans. 8000 miles in 15 months. Know how many times we slipped a belt??? NEVER. If you use low gear when you're supposed to, and unless you do something real silly, you will not slip the belt. This guy is looking for advice about dfferent machines. I've offered him some about a Sportsman. You've offered yours about the Vinson. You like your crappy jap quad, then fine. But don't rip on a machine you neither own, or that you obviously don't know enough about.
You should stick to advice about your own machine.
Posted by: bigbear034x400
I agree with the guy talking about how guys who mud there trucks dont like IFS or IRS. I own a jeep cj-7 with 32" tires and mud it ALOT and love having a solid front axle, less moving parts means less maintenace in my opinion. cj-joints can get expensive if you get big tires and mud it. I saw get one with a solid rear axle, you will get high centered on it in the mud but get some better tires and just haul through the mud or something, I got a 2003 big bear 4x4 and I hardly ever get stuck and I really dotn think my bear rides all that bad considering what I hear about its suspension, but i did come from a 3wheeler with only front suspension
Posted by: bigbear034x400
lol, I can honestly say that my winch has pulled my self out many many times, I go through EVERYTHING i see believe me, ive sunk my 4wheeler up to the handlebars accdently and couldnt keep the bigbear running and the winch pulled me out and didnt drain my batter to my suprise, I dont have the stupid solenoid so I can use my winch when my wheeler isnt running but ya I actually have ridden with only one polaris and that was for about 30 minutes and nothing went wrong with his, but now that same kid is buying a 400ex I didn't ask why
Posted by: PURPLESCREAMER
First things first. My family has had quads for almost all my life. I thought i would never buy an automatic atv too. But then my dad bought a sportsman and boy did that change my mind. After driving the sportsman through the woods and on the trails I told myself I would never buy a manual shift again. It was just plain easier to use and handle and never had to guess what gear u were in. Automatic belt transmissions have been used in snowmobiles and atvs for decades and are very reliable.(manual transmissions are also very reliable) So don't let them scare u. And as for belts slipping and all that stuff, I have never and i mean never had my belt slip in water. I was just out on the trails last weekend and was in a mudhole with water up to my seat. I was playing in it for i would say a half hour and even had to get off my atv and let it sit so i could hook up a winch. Jumped back on and out i came, no belt slipping at all. And i do this all the time so its not a fluke. Now as to what to buy, it all depends on what u are going to do with it. I found Polaris to be best for me because of awesome ground clearance, true 4-wheel drive (not any of that 3.5 crap like on the vinson, and believe me it makes a huge difference), irs suspension, great stock tires, and a reasonalby strong motor. Now lets get another thing straight, i am not a big polaris nut. I only like the atvs, and wouldn't buy any snowmobile or watercraft with a polaris sticker on it. Just so happens i think there atvs have the right features for me. Only other atv i would maybe consider would be the new Arctic Cat 650
Posted by: powerstroke01
Take a look at the Bombardier Outlander 400 4x4... It will haul butt and do well in mud.. The only thing is you said you wanted a manual, the outlander is auto....
Posted by: 1wook
If your hung up on a manual tranny I would recomend trying an artic cat 03 500i manual. Same engine and carb as the vinson. The cats are slower cause the're heavier built though. For utility work and rough trail ridding you can't beat a machine with independant rear suspension. If you are more concerned with power slidding around corners go with a straight axle. The bs from some people about autos having belt slipping problems all the time is just that, bs.
Posted by: Beecam
Ok im more than likely going to be in the market for a new ATV.
I want to have a utlility ATV that will still go fast and do good in mud.
The big bear looks like a good option but im hearing its slow in the top end. My friend has an older model one and its slow so i figured this was true.
So what other options do I have for a utility atv that will really still haul some ass. But I dont want an automatic i want to be able to switch gears.Cant see putting my atv in drive lol.
Posted by: Beecam
Yes I definately want a manual i cant handle having an auto. taking me out of control
Posted by: Beecam
whats there top speed
suzuki vinson looks like a good option?
Posted by: Beecam
Im leaning towards a vinson
Because im moving to place thats going to need bush hogged and im gonna use it a little on the farm but mainly to mud with and since 4 wheeler are tax deductacble (i think ) lol.
Has anyone else bought a 4 wheeler for farm use and did that? How much do you actually end up saving if you buy it for farm use.
Posted by: Beecam
Polaris stuff is expensive though.
Posted by: Beecam
Thing is though at the suzuki dealers they will hagle with you a lot and come down on price
Is it this way at the polaris delaers, i heard them and artic cat where kinds set.
Posted by: Beecam
Im gonna give polarisis a ride. Everyone seems to like them but everyone seems to have a good word for the vinson to.
Posted by: Beecam
Looks like there all automatic?
Posted by: Beecam
Well I gotta have a manual. I cant stand automatics so that takes polaris out of the picture. Although Im still gonna test ride an autmatic but im about sure i will not like it.
Posted by: Beecam
I would rather have a higher top speed.
Posted by: JactUpVinson
I traded my 2001 Big Bear in on a 2003 Vinson. The big bear was a solid quad but I am more than impressed with the Vinson. THe Big Bear is geared super low which is awsome but the Vinson has the selectability from a stump pulling Low range to a well ratioed high range. The digital guages(which are sweet) said I was going 66mph down a paved backroad. Which is very fast for a 4x4. I'm there are others who p*#$y automatic quads. I haven't road with a machine that could outmud it. And it plows snow great.
Posted by: JactUpVinson
There allright till your tranny belt starts slippin(If you mud or go through water) due to moisture entering the crankcase breather(Ive seen it happen) along with vaporlock causing my buddies Grizz to stall while doing a hillclimb(he ended up with a dislocated shoulder and we put about 2 days into repairing the Grizzalong with his dishing out 800 smackers for plastics headlight, etc. But they are badass quads, man they got power and look cool.
Posted by: JactUpVinson
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Originally posted by: vhcat400i
Check out the Arctic Cat 500.It has the same motor as the Vinson but with irs.It will definetly take any abuse you can give it on the farm and get you through just about any mud you can find.
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Those Cat 500 are dogs. They use a smaller carb, have less valver=less power, just because they are the same displacement, I am ashamed to here A Cat 500 and Vinson 500 in the same sentence. As for IRS, what a joke. Straight axles are less U-joints, snap rings, needle bearings, CV Boots and headaches.
Ask someones who know anything about trucks and jeeps(not saying ido) and theyll say IFS and IRS are better left on soccer moms sport ute. As for Polaris, If I wanted a automatic work or mud machine, well I wouldnt. The 700 rips until you go muddin and that belt staarts a slippin. I saw something funny on another thread concerning ATV theft"the best anti-theft device is putting Polaris stickers on my quad, nobody would want it"
Posted by: JactUpVinson
Quote from PURPLESCREAMER "so i could pull out my winch"
I agree that all autos do not have belt slippage, but what wannabe mudders dont understand is manual allow the riders to select what RPM the engine runs at with different gear ratios, Autos on the hand change gear ratio contrasting the engine RPM. Take the Big Bears, they are a very solid machine, no pussy IRS of auto, and have stump pullin 1 and 2 gear (Predator03 i owned one so i can give accurate advice) Yeah the Vinson and Big Bear is Jap engineered but so is the Grizz, Rincon, Prairie which will eat Sportsmans and Raptor YFZ shees Z's will s%*t out a Predator. Dont get me started on this japjunk stuff, I like buying American as much as the next guy but you know this guy has Japjunk sittin in his driveway, has a Sony TV in his living room, and is on a Jap computer so what the h#@l can we do. And with that 3.5 4x4 thing all I gotta do is tap the front brake and it locks them up. Hey I have a Warn on the Vinson too, but it usually for pullin my buddies Polaris out
Posted by: JactUpVinson
Yeah I know Hondas can either be used in fully automatic our rider select using your thumb, which actually is a pretty good idea because you are in control of the gear ratio, they actually have a automotive style tranny with gears and chain(probably of a Civic while most other autos use a constant velocity tranny that does not have gears, rather a belt and a pulley that changes circumference constantly depending on engine RPM which sucks. So I think I just worded it wrong, but i probably still dont what the hell im talkin about THanx for pointing that out.
Posted by: JactUpVinson
Hey, I didn't mean to offend anyone(especially ATVer's cause most are good people) your right, I am pressing my opinion and shutting down others, but I try to state alot of facts too, I'll be happy to ride with anyone on any quad, and so will most others, but I am just giving facts on what I have seen, rode, or experienced. But when some idiot acts like he is better than me because he only buys American quads and I ride a Jap machine, now thats BS not me giving my opinions on a machine, not someones pride or patriotism, just a machine.
Posted by: BassBoyShocker
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Originally posted by: JactUpVinson
Autos on the hand change gear ratio contrasting the engine RPM.
im not sure if ur talking about trucks or quads. but with quads the only trannies that shift are rubicon and rincon. so u dont know what ur talkin about.
