I have a dream. A dream that sometime next fall, I will be getting a new bike. So why not start looking now right? I have specific criteria I'd like to see in my new bike based on my riding experience and to match the particular terrain in which I ride.

-Has to be a 4x4
-I want disc brakes, at least up front.
-I want to be able to shift between 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive
-I would like to have independant rear suspension
-It must not cost me my firstborn child
-lastly I want an old school manuel tranny.

The last is actually my bigest criteria. I do not want a CVT, thats my preference. unfortunately thats the biggest restricting category, because it seems everything has gone the way of belt drives.

Know how many bikes I found met this critera? One - a Yamaha Big Bear 400 IRS. Anybody know any I missed?

Anybody who owns or has experience with a BB 400 IRS can you offer your opinion on this ride? Would you recommend it to someone else?

Why can't they offer a manual tranny on bigger quads as an option?

Can't help on the IRS part but I'm happy with my 05 Big Bear.Super low 1st gear pulls its a$$ off.It actuallu seems like 1st is lower than reverse.Don't look for much speed, mine tops out at about 45-48 MPH.My only problem is the lack of ground clearance because of my solid rear axle.Just my .02

I was in the same boat as you, I wanted a big bore bike but prefred the old manual tranny.... I couldnt find one over 500cc or newer then an 02. So I settled with a cvt tranny and honestly have zero complaints as of yet. The closest you will find is the honda Rincon, has the manual push button shifting on the handlebars.

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2008 bruteforce 650sra (stock atm)
2007 kfx90 (my sons)

old school... more like out dated... heh... There's a reason why everyone is switching to it...

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If you never wreck, yer not riding hard enough...

04 yfz 450 Curtis Sparks Big Core Exhaust Kit
Cam mod
Airbox lid removed
GYT-R Jetting Kit
GYT-R Grab Bar
AC Bumper
AC Nerf Bars
AC Belly skid plate
AC swing arm skid plate
TrailTech Xbars

07 Grizzly 700 (Ducks Unlimited Edition)
Warn winch - Full Yami skids - 27" 589's all around
Dalton Clutch kit - Reverse rev-limiter override

Yeah, everyone (aka the mfgers) are all switching to it 'cause it's cheaper to make.

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EastCoastWest
2007 Ski-doo GTX 500SS 9225 km
1997 Suzuki KQ 300 showing 1320 km but I know it's higher than that.

I'll just say this:

When I bought an ATV in '02, a manual tranny was a definate must have on my list. No automatics of any kind - didn't want them at all. I bought a CVT bike a few months ago - no regrets at all.

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

I don't think the cost is the biggest factor of no big bores are manual shift. I know after making some 100+ mile rides my shift foot is so worn out I can't ever wander why anyone would ever want a manual shift ATV. When I get riding a few miles at a time with my son I start getting the "a manual shift may not be so bad" feeling. But after packing on a couple hundred pounds of supplies and taking off on a semi spirted pace with a few friends for an over nighter I know why last year I was the only one with a foot shifter. I think many people think all belt drives are like a Polaris and slip the belt. And yes 1000 miles on one of those belts is a long ways. But the Yamaha belt drive uses a wet clutch to turn the primary and the clutches are always squeezing the belt so it doesn't slip. Belts last thousands of miles.

But back to the first question. I think all the new ATVs cost your first born. The difference in price between the 450-500 class ATV and the 700-750 is very little. I felt the 450 Grizzly ride was choppy. Probably worse riding than a Honda SRA. I think having a front locker is more important than the transmission. Before you limit yourself to one possible ride, go try a Honda Rancher. Life is about push and shove. Liquid cooling, EFI, one of the better front suspensions. It may be a SRA, but might be a better choice. And I don't like Honda. Also the Suzuki 450 and 750 KQ are high in shoot out results. Can't say I've ever even seen one outside a dealer but people seem to like them. I can't say it enough, go find a dealer that will let you actually test drive ATVs. It doesn't take very far before you turn around and say "Next". My local Honda, Yamaha dealer owner took me out to the used ATV shed and said try any one you want. I don't think you get that kind of experiance from a salesman. Sometimes it helps to live in little crap towns were everyone knows everyone. After you see how well a Rincon shifts and rides, and how comfortable a 700 Grizzly is without having to constantly shift just to slow down and cross a little ditch or bump you may change your mine on what you really want.

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2007 Grizzly 700
Vintage 97 Kodiak 400 4x4

That I'd argue, looking at the January '08 issue of DW, which has all the MSRP's for '08 models in their annual buyer's guide. Maybe not the difference between 500-700 but between some 400 and 700 models the gap can be 1800-2500 dollars. Thats alot.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking CVT's or suggesting theres anything wrong with them. It's just not what I want. I'm sure there's other who feel the same. If I'm going to pay alot of money on a new ride, I'd like to get what I want.

I've logged alot of miles on my 300FW. I've been riding at Rausch Creek and thats a brutal ride, especially on straight axle rears. Lots of steep hills, lots of rocks, lots of loose uneven slop. The improved ground clearance IRS buys you is almost a requirement, as is motor braking, which some CVT's I understand wont do. But usually when I go out, it's for all day and crunching gears has never been an issue. I just prefer shifting. Color me weird too.

Thanks for the great input though. Its exactly what I was looking for.

Edited: 05/07/2008 at 07:32 AM by Androctus

If your dead set on the list that you posted, check out the Big Bear 400. It looked like it had everything that you want.

I must say, I got my first auto in 1999 (Polaris Xplorer 300) and now you couldn't give a manual utility quad. You know - the "oldnfat" disease. Anyway, good luck. Looks like everyone else in correct about manufactures going the automatic route. Honda offers a beltless, gear driven auto on a couple of thier higher end machines.

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2007 X2
Vision 160 Wheels
Xtreme 3000 Winch
3 Headlight Mod.
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XR70R - "The Clown Bike"

I think Arctic cat makes a manual shifting 400 and 500 still with disks brakes,diff lock, and IRS.

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2001 SP 500 H.O

Edited: 05/07/2008 at 09:54 AM by TLC

^^ You appear to be correct, they have it listed as an option, though I don't know any dealers around me. I'll have to look into this.

Here is a good link of all ATV specs.

Seems like Arctic Cat only offerers a 08 500cc manual now unless you find a left over 07 400cc from them. Another bonus is they have a low range sub tranny not just a super low 1st gear like the Big Bear and Honda's .

I also love the AC super big 6.5 gas tanks,i wish all Utility ATVs had those.

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2001 SP 500 H.O

Edited: 05/07/2008 at 10:07 AM by TLC

i have a 2008 big bear 400 irs it is a great bike an great off road capabilities. front locking diff is nice and it easly turns big tires in mud with its low gearing. zero problems so far and love the foot shift. i have heard the 500 foremans have little power and are bad about tearing up the transmissions on the foot shift models