If you could buy "any" top end, big bore utility atv, without consideration for price, which one would you get? Granted the Prarie has an advantage in the performance department, but without that performance advantage, which one?
I'm interested in using it for snow plowing, hunting, and an occasional trail cruise. My 400SS and SP500 are now both up for sale and I'm looking to get a new fat utility ride that is dependable. I don't want to spend a zillion $$$$ modifying, adding tires, wheels, clutch kits, pipes, etc. I want something off the floor that looks good, handles and rides nice and does the job. Snow plowing is of prime importance. In fact, I'm probably going to have to do something about eliminating the reverse rev limiter in any machine, since it is a real drawback to plowing.
I'm considering: Honda Rubicon, Polaris SP700, Grizz 660, Prarie 650, and the Quest 650.
Find a copy of the current issue of ATV magazine that includes a "shoot out" review of all the big-bore quads. It might help you make the decision.
I have exactly the same requirements as you do in a quad. I spent a fair amount of time checking them all out and ended up with an AC 500i auto. If it wouldn't have been for the snow plowing I'd probably have went with the manual. I've only had it for a month so can't can't tell you anything about reliability but it will certainly handle the situations you want it for. When you go looking for a machine take a close look at the frames anf the snowplow hookups, that's what finally sold me on AC. They're heavy (a plus to me) and slower than most but I think they are very well built for the kind of work I want them to do. Worth a look and test drive!
When someone has just paid $6000-$7000 for a quad, don't expect them to start telling you what they DON'T like about it. You're more likely to get that information from test riders.
It sounds like you want a work-horse, that can also take you down a trail on occasion. If that is a fair assumption here is my 2 cents:
The Quest has a good solid drive train that is built to work. It is wide and stable, and a fairly comfortable ride. It's also pricey. They bring a lot of technology to bear on their machines. They also target a specific segment of the industry with this machine.
The Arctic Cat 500cc machines are solid, and develop awesome torque. Though it won’t go as fast as my grizzly 660, it will develop more torque, even with a smaller engine. You can get last year's model, with a winch, plow, and upgraded tires for the same price as a 2002 bare bones machine, at least up here in Anchorage. I would imagine you could do something similar near your locality.
I know there are more experienced riders who may disagree, or who may have another perspective. In my humble opinion my choices would be one of those two only, if my riding needs were what yours are. I wouldn't even consider the Honda, or the SP700. I am not saying they are not good machines. But I wouldn't spend money on one. I don't want to start something here, nor hurt anyone’s feelings so I'll leave it at that. It's strictly an opinion.
I chose a 660 because my riding needs were a little different than yours. I primarily needed independent suspension and a locking front differential. From what is out there, my choices were limited. The Grizzly will plow, and tow, and do well at it. It is very comfortable to ride and operate, personal opinion. Where it really excels is in the 'rough stuff', again personal opinion.
I hope you get some time in the saddle of your prospective machines before you sign on the dotted line.
Jack,
I can tell you what I have and how I use it. I have a 2000 Arctic Cat 500 manual. I use it extensively for cutting and hauling wood. The Cat is really good here. I live in fairly hilly territory and so I'm always pulling a full trailer (5'X8') of firewood up hill and I never run out of power. I'm pulling about 1/3 cord of wood at a time. I also use the Cat to pull down trees that have broken off and are leaned up against other trees as well as skidding some trees out to make them accessable for cutting. The Cat works well here also. It has never run out of power, but I have run out of traction. The Cat digs holes under each tire about 8"-10" deep before I stop trying. It seems like it would likely keep digging all day if I let it.
I have used it a few times plowing snow with the Arctic Cat factory snow plow. This settup was perfect. I plowed 8" deep wet snow uphill for about 250 feet with no problems with power or traction. I have a 60" plow and one pass up the hill and one pass back down and my driveway is done in about 1 minute. I wish I had neighbors near by so I could plow their driveways also. Again, this works great.
I also have a Quadivator cultivator and disc that I use for making food plots and generally rooting around. The Cat has all kinds of power to pull this rig. In fact, I wish the Quadivator was about twice as big as the Cat would likely pull that much. I never have run out of power or traction and even on 90-100 degree days it doesn't overheat at all.
I also ride my Cat recreationally, but very, very leisurely. I usually don't get out of 2nd gear and often have a kid or my wife or both on board (yeah, yeah, I know I'm not supposed to, but get real) and the dog running along side. It has a nice ride and is comfortable to drive. I don't mind the heel/toe shifter, although I recognize that it's not the slickest shifting rig in the world.
All in all, I can easily say that the Arctic Cat 500 won't run out of power for any type of activity that I could forsee using it for. It's very heavily/sturdily built and the racks are really built well. I'm not going to say there is none better as I don't know that, just that I'm exceedingly happy with mine after using it for over a year in pretty rough duty.
i just wanted to ask a question not concerning the topic How do i put up a folder so i can ask a question the help menu is not helping me much please e-mail me at bagboy1232002@yahoo.com thanks for you time
that would be "new topic" in other words thats the post bottom took me a minute to man so don't feel bad you hit that in the subject you want to post in like "hond" sport quads" etc etc ....ok here's my 3 cents on 4wd's the SP700 is the fattest girl in school at 740lb's if you roll it your dead lol the 500 forman is nice it has all kinds of goodies and is honda's baby they really out did any utilty ever built plus with this you can shift with bottoms or click it into esp which is ful auto and it has more of an automotive type tranny it's all gears none of that belt drive crap lets leave that to the sleds o yea its only 20lb's heavier than the forman 450 the grizzly 660 "the new one" with its long travel shocks and the fact its so much lighter but still has lots of low end to get the job done and is an ideal trail quad i don't think much of belt drive like i stated befor but the gizzly was a good step for yamaha
