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Posted by: pads
Mud lites really give you a rough ride compared to stock tires. I would run the stocks until you really need the Mud lites for the terrain. I have a Prarie and the ride is much stiffer with the Mud lites. I have the XTR's on an Outlander and they are way smoother than the non-radials. Good shocks with the stock tires would be a good combo before I would spend the money on another quad.
Posted by: Scooter86
Out of curiosity, have you ever tried one of those neck roles the racers wear? It might help take some of the strain off of your neck, distributing the weigth of your helmet and head out a bit and stabilizing everything. Aftermarket shocks will definately smooth out your ride, but they can't eliminate bump steer. Also, since judging by you riding usage, maybe you could go with a tire like the ITP ATR radial. Better handling and easier steering, they would suffice for everything but the deep mud runs.
Posted by: CaptainQuint
A couple of thoughts.
You could put a set of elka shocks on that BF that should really improve the ride along with a good set of radials.
The other thought is that you might want to try one of those specialized neck braces some motocross riders wear. Actually you might want to run the whole issue with your neck by your orthopedic and neurosurgeon and have them refer you to a good physical and occupational therapist who may be able to help you adapt some helmets and neck protection get to take some of the strain off of your neck and disks. Get some good shocks on that BF (I think that stock BF suspension rides like crap ) and some good input from a PT/OT as far as getting your neck stabilized (even have them take a look at the way you sit on it and stuff) so you're not compressing and twisting those disks and irritating those nerves and nerve roots etc.
A softer set of quality shocks and some medical direction would probably do a world of good. Not to scare you but if one of those disks in your neck ruptures and compresses a nerve you're gonna wish you were dead-hideously painful. You need to be careful.
Posted by: CaptainQuint
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Originally posted by: 700vtwinman
Thanks for the good imput. But, does anyone know how much those Elka shocks cost and will they stop the "bump steer?"
They aren't cheap. Elka shocks will probably run over a grand or something close to it. Something like 450 for the front and 600 for the rear. You give them your machine, your riding style, your weight and the loads you carry and they custom valve them and stuff as I understand. They make a night and day difference in a BF though. Make it an entirely new machine I'm told. One befitting that wonderful V-twin engine. Would they help the bump steer? Probably. I would bet that bump steer is being caused by the BF suspesion simply not flexing and working as it should which is what I have observed with the BF. It's just all wrong. In any case they'd certainly help the ride. Combined with one of these: ARC Neck Support I bet it would go a long way to helping you out.
Posted by: CaptainQuint
700Vtwin man- make sure you get some seat time on an outlander 800 before you settle on the Polaris 800. I thought the Outlander rode about as smooth as the Polaris machines and was a far, far better trail machine. Power wise...well.....I'll let you experience the 800 rotax for yourself. Bring a change of underwear.
Posted by: CaptainQuint
If you're not going to be riding in extremely tight woods - and I mean extremely tight - and want an extra comfortable and stable ride then I would consider the 2-up Outlander instead of the 1-up model. They do ride a bit smoother, are more stable and are madmen when it comes to hill climbing. In fact you kinda have to watch as they'll climb a hill steeper than you can safely get back down if you're crazy enough to try one steep enough. If you ever carry a passenger then the 2-up is a no brainer. Go with the 2-up. Even if you don't, the extra length, stability and tad better ride is enough to make one consider the 2 -up model. I'd like to get one to test out here on the farm to see just how well it can handle my very tight wooded trails before I would commit to one. In the more open terrain where I rode one it was great and I didn't notice the extra length at all and it actually felt more stable that it's shorter stablemate. As for a 650 or an 800 my thinking is that if I'm sinking that much money in a new ATV I might as well spend a few bucks more and get the 800 cc engine. Besides as we all learned when we first tangled with a big block in a street race "There is no replacement for displacement".
Posted by: CaptainQuint
In that case I'd go for the 2-up 800 Outty in a heartbeat. All you have to decide on is a color.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
I currently have a 2005 kawie bf750. I have tons of accessories on it and it is an awesome quad. I had a kawie 700 prairie with many of the same accessories and it too was a great quad. Now here is the question. I am 39 years old and in pretty good shape except for the 3 herinated disk in my neck. After riding my bf750 for about an hour, my shoulders pinch near by disk problem. I love the power of the kawie vtwins, but I am starting to think that I need to get the best riding quad out there. I really like the polaris X2 concept more than any other quad I have seen. But, if I do decide to get one ( I will probably keep the 750bf), my questions are the following:
1. Do I really "need" the extra 300cc's difference between the X2 800 and the X2 500? Ok, here is my riding style:
Trail Riding (0 to 40mph) = 40%
Farm Work = 10%
Hunting Use = 15%
Towing (16ft lowboy with hay or deer stand) = 10%
Heavy Mudding = 10%
Carring a passanger = 10%
High Speed Riding (>50mph) = 5%
2. What is the top speed of the X2-800 and the X2-500? Remember, that I don't ride greater than 50 too often, but am just wondering.
3. How is the ride? I have ridden a couple of 500 HO's (1999 and 2001 models) and they rode average. However, I have ridden a 700 and it seemed better. I have also heard that the newer polaris's ride much better. IS THIS THE BEST RIDE POSSIBLE? Please be honest because I don't want to hear about bashing other quads. Just the truth. Even though I have a bf750 that has more power than needed, I don't like the handling that much and the ride is average at best. I even set the shocks on the softest ride possible.
4. Is there anything I can do to make the ride better on my bf750? Remember, I will be keeping the bf750 even if I get an X2, so that means I will be riding it some and I need the ride to be better for my necks sake (no more pain in the neck....LOL).
Thanks for the advice and help me out here.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
Thanks for the good imput. I currently go to a specialized neurologist and receive shots in the neck once a month as well as therapy. I have been to 3 different neurologist and they all agree that it is not bad enought to warrent surgery. The shots have actually helped one of the disk to return back to it's normal position, although it is always vernable to petrude again. They have ensured me that riding a quad is totally fine as long as I don't go head 1st into a tree. And, as you can see in my original post, I don't ride >50mph too often. Then neck is actually doing a lot better, but once you have neck problems, you tend to compromise your riding posture to help compensate for some slight discomfort which in turn starts making the shoulders and lower back tight. I am not in too much pain, but I was entertaining the idea of exploring another quad that has the best ride.
Anyway, back to the BF with the shocks and tires. I currently have 27" mudlites. Do you think I should go with the 27" mudlite radials (the ones that look like the 589's)? Also, how much do those shocks cost and how much do they really help? Last question is can the bump steer be tamed on the bf?
Again, thanks for the great information. Replys like these are why this forum is great.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
How much would those Elka shocks cost for a bf750 and where can I get them? Also, do they help the BUMP STEER?
Posted by: 700vtwinman
Thanks for the good imput. But, does anyone know how much those Elka shocks cost and will they stop the "bump steer?"
Posted by: 700vtwinman
I went to my local polaris dealer and rode the new 800 sportsman. They have about 20 acres with trails, ruts, ditches and open fields to ride. WOW......that thing rides like it is on air. The best ride I have ever had. And there was no bump steer at all. I hit a ditch at about a 30 degree angle and was just using my right hand on the throttle and it did not jerk one bit. AMAZING. I had my bf750 with me because I was heading out to the deer lease so I unloaded it to ride with the sp800. That way I could get a direct comparision on the same terrain. The v-twin motor is awsome, but it stops there. With the body roll that I have on the front and the bump steer along with the front end diving in corners, I could not keep up the the guy on the sp800 through the trail route. Then we lined up on the 150 yard field they have and raced. HE BEAT ME BY 1-2 QUADS!!!!!!! Holy cow. Whats up with that? Anyway, I have might sigts now on the sportsman 800 X2 deluex.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
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Originally posted by: CaptainQuint
700Vtwin man- make sure you get some seat time on an outlander 800 before you settle on the Polaris 800. I thought the Outlander rode about as smooth as the Polaris machines and was a far, far better trail machine. Power wise...well.....I'll let you experience the 800 rotax for yourself. Bring a change of underwear.
The dealer where I rode the sp800 also sells can-am's. This next week, I am going to ride the 800can-am in depth to get a good feel for it. These are the only two quads makers I am considering now b/c of ride issue as well as power.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
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Originally posted by: BBR650
vtwin man i know we have done some arguing, but heres my thoughts. with the outty you can remove the back seat if you get a max and install your rack extension and you also have an option for a little utility bed to put on the back rack for 1 up use. you get your 3yr warranty and i do believe they have the free 6mo promotion still going on right now. ill check in the morn. and let you know. as far as an 800 goes, i have rode with quite a few 800's on my 650 and been doin everything they have. 300ft in the sand im right there if they flinch im gone. again its your money your decision, but i can am! can you?lol!
So, do you think the can-am 650 2 seater would do good? I keep think when a 500cc quad was all we would ever need and we did things on those that was quite amazing. I really don't want to drop down to a 500, especially the polaris sportsman 500 X2, b/c with the amount the quad already weighs plus two riders, I would think it might struggle going up a hill. And, what ever I decide to get, I plan on using for many years as my main trail, exploring and work quad. The bf750 will then be converted into a monster mudder where it really would shine the best.
IMO, I really think that if I went with can-am, the 650 two seater would work perfect. What do you think.
BTW, I never considered us arguing, I was working out some bugs in my brain....LOL.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
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Originally posted by: BBR650
i can get u a new 06 800 max with a winch for 8,900 with the exta 6mo. included.
Where is "cowtown?" And are you near the Albernathy's? I talked to them last week and they have great deals on the polaris, but I didn't ask them if they sell the can-am's.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
No matter what I decide on, it will be a 2-up because I want to ride the national forest here with my wife and you can only carry a passenger only on a manufactured 2-up atv in the national forest here. And furthermore, she will never ride my bf750 again b/c it scared here with the power. Yes I know the 800 outy will have more power, however, she won't be driving it. She will be the passenger.
Posted by: oldturtle
The lightest tire/wheel combo you can make work for you will equate to the best ride because of the unsprung weight factor. So if you still have your stock tires/wheels laying around this would be an easy test to make to see if the ride is noticably smoother when you don't need the 27's.
Regarding options for a different machine, I would start wondering if all that power that you love so much might be a contributing factor to your neck problems. What happens if you just rode your Recon for a day instead. If your pain is reduced maybe you should start thinking about something like a new 420 EFI Rancher for the days when getting to your destination without pain is most important factor.
Also since you only ride two up 10% of the time maybe the X2s are not the best option. I have spent time on 500 Sportsmen and I don't think it is any more comfortable than my new 700 Grizzly.
Posted by: JeffinTD
I wonder if you could adapt a steering stabillizer from the sport quad world to help with bump steer?
I also think a set of radials would be worth a try, maybe the new Terra Cross, or try the XTR? I'd also run as low a pressure as you can get away with.
Lastly, I had a buddy with neck issues, who found that keeping his neck warm made a big difference.
Anyhow, good luck. I hope you find a way to continue riding without causing yourself pain.
Posted by: JeffinTD
It might also be interesting to look into the new ones with electric power steering...
Posted by: JeffinTD
700vtwinman,
Although I'm sure nicer shocks would make a big difference, if I were in your shoes, I think I'd start with the cheapest stuff first.
You've mentioned bump steer a couple of times... I think Denton makes a stabalizer that can fit your machine for under $200.
If that doesn't provide enough relief, and if your tires are a bit worn, then I'd look at the less agressive tread radials, like Terra Cross or BigHorns or something.
Posted by: DesertViper
I had Elka shocks on a Prairie 700, and they made a huge difference there. The Elka shocks on your BF will likely ride better than the stock shocks on a Sportsman, and for about the same price.
A dirt bike would ride even better but it would have a tough time pulling that 16' trailer. I have similar problems to you, and on days where I am hurting (most) I take the bike instead of the quad, because it doesn't beat me up like quads do.
Posted by: JDQuadRider
Although I have no seat time on a Sportsman, everything I've read about it states that the ride quality is unparalleled. So even if it doesn't fix your problem, there isn't anything out there that is noticeably better.
Have you considered one of the Outlanders? The ride quality is comparable and you could keep the power you're already accustomed to.
Posted by: James1701
I have 4 herniated disks in my neck. I ride a 500 Sportsman, on rides as long as 80 miles in one day with very little trouble. I absolutly love the ride. Our last family cook out, me and my wife rode her cousins Honda Foreman. All I can say is I hurt for two days, and my wife said we are never leaving the house with out the Sportsman again when we go there if I ever want her to ride with me.
Posted by: BBR650
vtwin man i know we have done some arguing, but heres my thoughts. with the outty you can remove the back seat if you get a max and install your rack extension and you also have an option for a little utility bed to put on the back rack for 1 up use. you get your 3yr warranty and i do believe they have the free 6mo promotion still going on right now. ill check in the morn. and let you know. as far as an 800 goes, i have rode with quite a few 800's on my 650 and been doin everything they have. 300ft in the sand im right there if they flinch im gone. again its your money your decision, but i can am! can you?lol!
Posted by: BBR650
i honestly think you would be supprised at the ample power the 500 outty has. try it before you ride the 650, and 800. as our saying goes now " well its not an 800". you wouldnt be disappointed by the 650 im sure. another thing about the max is that your passenger sits just as/if not more comfortalbly as you do. the passenger seat is padded just like the operators and is very comfy with the highly padded backrest. i have went with cowtown to different shows and tried to sell bikes but i have found that the easiest way to sell one is let someone ride it. they basically just sell themselves. for your exrtra warranty got to www.outlandertvoffer.com . fill out the form and print out your certificate . too bad you dont live closer right now cowtown is offering the 6mo. warranty and a free warranty.
Posted by: BBR650
i can get u a new 06 800 max with a winch for 8,900 with the exta 6mo. included.
Posted by: BBR650
along way from texas we are in missouri east of rolla on i-44 exit 203
