Hi all. Yes, i'm a fng with another "whats the best" question, but please bare with me...
I'm looking to buy either a used or possibly a left over sport quad. I've been researching and reading the archives on this website for awhile. (what a great asset this forum is)

We have 80 acres of land to ride on which consists of hayfields, woods, gullies, hills, etc... My riding will be 30% open hay fields, 20% trails through the woods, 20% jumping and thrashing, and 10% gullies and streams, and 20% hills (grass and dirt)
My size is about 5'11 and 205lbs

I've ridden a couple different quads over the years and am currently an avid Harley rider and snow mobile rider but I'm in need of something new.

So far, i'm considering the following:

Polaris Outlaw 525 (if I can find a good deal) (undecided on ind frnt susp or straight)

Yammy Raptor 700

Suzuki z400 or a Kawi equivalant..

Suzuki scrambler 4x4 (I know, but it seems so versatile)

I want something that is respected and that can hold it's own and wont break the bank (or my back) but will be a good long term fun quad. Power, handling and comfort are very important...

I've seen alot of Predators for very good deals, but i've read alot of negatives about them. Are they really a problem child?
My year range will probably be between 02-05 depending on price. I dont really wanna spend much over $4k....

So, gimme the dirt on the quads ya'll think I should be looking into....

Your help, input, and opinions are appreciated....
Thanks,
D

It's hard to beat any of the Z400 (plus any spinoff clones) or a TRX400 for price and reliability. There's been a bunch of them sold so the used market is pretty full of choices for them.



And in a lighter note:




"Bear with me" means we'll listen to what you have to say. "Bare with me" means that we both have to be nekkid.

Welcome to the forums.

Jaybee

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'07 Outlander 800 XT Camo
'02 Eiger 5-sp
'02 Ozark
'96 TRX90

Old rides: '89 Warrior, '93 KQ 300, '97 Warrior, '84 LT50, '98 LT80

'07 GMC Sierra 2500HD DMax
25' six-place flatbed trailer

The Z400 and its clones, along with the 400EX are the solid reliable great handling all-around machines!

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Southern California.....

Desert: 450R, 400EX
Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and 90
Dual-Sport Bikes: KLX250S and XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

the z400 is a great quad and in your price range. i whould also say the raptor 700 but thats a little over your price range. you can find raptor 700 for like 4500-4800 stock on a good deal if you can swing that but if you cant you can find a nice z400 for under your budget

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06 raptor 700....way way way to much stuff to list but makes real good hp and has long travel suspension

[/Q]"Bear with me" means we'll listen to what you have to say. "Bare with me" means that we both have to be nekkid. Welcome to the forums.
Jaybee

i dont like the irs but that is because i ride deserts alot. like glamis and other so california areas so it does not work good out here. but for you it will do good i think. and the 525 is a good engine made by ktm. it is kinda of inbetween a 450 and a raptor 700. i whould say away from the 500 because i they only made them for a couple of years so parts chould end up being expencive and hard to find. i whould eather get the raptor 700 (if you can swing it) the 525 outlaw or the z400. all of these quad will hold there value pretty well 2.

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06 raptor 700....way way way to much stuff to list but makes real good hp and has long travel suspension

The Suzuki Z400 clones are the Kawasaki 400 and the Artic Cat 400. They are all the same bike as made by Suzuki but have slightly different plastics and colors.

Jaybee

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'07 Outlander 800 XT Camo
'02 Eiger 5-sp
'02 Ozark
'96 TRX90

Old rides: '89 Warrior, '93 KQ 300, '97 Warrior, '84 LT50, '98 LT80

'07 GMC Sierra 2500HD DMax
25' six-place flatbed trailer

Thanks for the info..

How would a Kawasaki V-Force fair against the others mentioned? I just saw an add for a used one for what appears to be a pretty good deal..
Again, for the riding I will be doing...

I've thought about the Scrambler (for the 4x4 option while still staying in the sport catagory)

i dont like them. they are very heavy, have a auto tranny. they are almost not a sport quad. this is the 700 we are talking about right?

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06 raptor 700....way way way to much stuff to list but makes real good hp and has long travel suspension

btw where are you from?

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06 raptor 700....way way way to much stuff to list but makes real good hp and has long travel suspension

Yeah, the 700. It looks heavy and cumbersome, but thought it might be an ok all around fun quad.
I'm in Olean, NY. A small town about 60 miles south of Buffalo.

What year did the KTM engines go in the outlaws and what year did the Raptor get redesigned with the 700? 2006, wasent it? (for the Rap)

So what's the true scoop on the Predators? Were they really unreliable?

2006 for the raptor. not sure on reliablety on the 500 or what year they changed.

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06 raptor 700....way way way to much stuff to list but makes real good hp and has long travel suspension

I would probably stay away from the Predators, but I have no first hand experience with them either. It just seems every one I have ever seen for sale is all ratted out. For winter riding the Outlaw with IRS should go through a lot more snow than the solid axles, but you sled so?? My personal fav for a trail quad with all around capability would have to be the Z400 or it's clones Kawasaki KFX400/Arctic Cat DVX 400. If you can swing a Raptor 700 they are an awesome ride though.

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Yamahaulin' in NY!

The Vforce is fun unless you like to shift. They are fast and ride smooth. But the weight is rediculous for a 2 wheel drive. I own a z400 and I love everything about it. And for the people saying that its not enough I disagree. Great speed. Shifts smoothly. Handles great, comfortable, and reverse is nice. I don't have any complaints and we are about the same size. You can usually find a good deal on them too if you look. If you get 05 or newer you get the larger carb and piggyback shocks.

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Just a simple ole 05 Z-400........named Carmela!!! She's fast and fun to ride though!! Modifications coming soon!!