Kawasaki and Yamaha ATV's...opinions [Archive]

Kentuck

11-08-2006, 07:56 PM

yote hunter

11-08-2006, 08:06 PM

get a honda

raktrakr

11-08-2006, 08:06 PM

Was in a ATV store in Winnemucca, NV and looked at the Kawi and Yamaha atvs. Nice ATV's and the kid helping us seemed to know a lot about them and of course had good things to say about them. He mentioned that Kawasaki was leading the industry in several areas. What do you all think?I think he needs to go back to salesman school and actually ride a Yamaha,JMO. The new Grizzly has some new features and quite frankly,I would not buy a new production model atv. Too many unknowns and bugs to be worked out

ribsplitter

11-08-2006, 08:50 PM

been there done that honda for me

RocketRider

11-08-2006, 08:57 PM

I ride a lot in Georgia due to my involvment with a state off road trail commission (we do trail maintenance and repair) and, truthfully, don't see many kawasaki or yamaha atv's out there. Most are hondas, polaris, bombs, etc.
I have my opinions of course. I will only say that I've pulled more that one polaris out of the mud (and a artic cat 500) but have never needed a hand with my rincon 680.
Just do your research and buy what you want. ATV's are a lot of fun and a great tool as well. Whatever you get, have a blast!

RR~

Art

11-08-2006, 08:59 PM

I've had them all. It's hard to beat the current Kawasaki's. Honda's are nice for the average rider but if you need a serious ATV with big power and off road capability then they are not the best choice IMO.

What it will boil down to is how much you are willing to spend and what your primary use will be.

C.L.Button

11-08-2006, 09:19 PM

I was a service rep for 3 brands MANY moons ago. ATV's are just like any other vehicle that you purchase. They have good and not so good models. IF there is a particular model that you like, examine it very closely for TSB's (technical service bulletins) or any other info you can find out. Go to a book store or the web and search out any articles/magazines on what model you are looking at. Last go back and look at your dealer that you will be purchasing from. They can make or break a brand if the mechanics are not factory trained, parts are readily available, and last but not least have some type of history or longevity in the ATV/Motorcycle industry. Just my 2cts worth. Good Luck :D

schroader

11-08-2006, 10:19 PM

get a honda

Aman............... The Best

I think
Schroader

Xi Bowhunter

11-08-2006, 10:43 PM

I have a 1997 yamaha big bear that I bought for $700. It has outlasted all the other 4 whelers I have ever owned. We have put that wheeler through the ringer and back and it is still going strong. I used to be a honda man until I bought this one. Now, when I get enough money I am planning on buying a new yamaha 4X4.

Dangermouse

11-08-2006, 11:22 PM

Kawasaki's are for me , had several and no hang ups. My ATV trailor blew a tire and broke at the hitch , fliped upside down. My Kawasaki went tumlbing down I-75 at 70 mph . Put it in the truck, got it home, heat skrink some wires together . Straighten the handle bars started it and rode it for two years. Till someone broke in the garage and stole it .

TJay

11-09-2006, 07:50 AM

Get the Griz, baddest in the woods. I've had Yamaha's & Kaw's and it's hard to beat a Yammie.

25-06

11-09-2006, 08:05 AM

I got a '99 Grizzly 600 and it seems to be the best Ive had so far,cant stop it or havent yet.All the power anyone could ask for.I think Honda has really fell behind and arent keeping up with the other brands very good anymore.

MrHank

11-09-2006, 08:24 AM

You can't go wrong with a Yamaha or Honda. But if you want to be broke down all the time buy a Polaris.:D

GreatWhiteHunter

11-09-2006, 08:40 AM

I have owned my polaris for four years and the only thing that I have done to it is change the oil and kept it full of gas. While I have seen my uncles honda broke down on a regular basis. I have also yanked many of my friend's hondas and my dad's kawasaki. It is all a matter of preference. The same way it is with Ford, Chevy and Dodge. A person is going to talk up what he owns and what he knows. Get what you like.

corndogggy

11-09-2006, 09:57 AM

I think Honda has really fell behind and arent keeping up with the other brands very good anymore.

Yeah, that's why Honda always absolutely dominates most every cross-country ATV race. :D

As for utilities though, I agree for the most part, I would rather have a yamaha utility quad.

150PandY

11-09-2006, 12:00 PM

littleindian

11-09-2006, 02:03 PM

We have 3 Yamaha's , 220 moto 4, 350 big bear, & 450 kodiak.
1 Honda 650, 4x4, and 1 Polaris 330 4x4. And if i was buying one today it would be a Yamaha.

quackrstackr

11-09-2006, 06:46 PM

No complaints about my Kawasaki.

Starts every time, runs like a top and the ride is great.

bloodhounder

11-09-2006, 07:06 PM

I've owned or rode just about ALL brands of atv's(no bomb's) and have yet to see one fail as long as it's taken good care of. Yes you'll have a lemon from all of them at one time or another, but with the market as competitive as it is, any junk will soon be outta business.

Loomis1228

11-10-2006, 09:58 AM

1) Had a polaris 400 Sportsman. The gear lever broke off 3 times. Screw That!

2) Bought a 2005 Honda Rubicon. Love it. The only problem is a squeeky front brake.

3) Uncle has had his 350 Honda Foreman for 10+ years. The only problem? He backed into a tree and broke a piece of the back bumper off.

4) Buddy bought the Kawisakki (or however the heck you spell that thing) 750 Brute Force. He's 6' 9", about 325 lbs and it still makes him look small. It's way too much machine for you and me. I rode it and it dang near gave me whiplash taking off. It's too top heavy and it has a terrible center of gravity. It would be great if it had something to weight it down with.

Conclusion? Stay away from Polaris. I hate the way Yamaha's look. Suzuki makes a nice machine in the King Quad. Kaw are too big. Honda's will last forever.

corndogggy

11-10-2006, 10:05 AM

I use to be a diehard polaris man until my dad bought a 800 EFI sportsman. He has had it in the shop a total of 18 weeks since it was new. It is not even a year old yet. It still isnt fixed an polaris will not work on it anymore and the warranty has run out. I WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMEND A POLARIS!!!!

What I don't like about them is that they're so danged heavy. That might be ok for working, but if you're trail riding at all, it's just too much weight. A sportsman weighs 160 pounds more than a Grizzly or King Quad. Yeah it's got a little bigger engine, but the heaviness offsets that way too much. They weigh twice what my 400EX does. For trail riding, I'd sacrifice 100-200 pounds if I wanted a utility 4x4, but not 350-400, there's no way you'd be able to man-handle that much weight in tricky situations. I wish I could do a little more work with mine, but you can't beat the feeling of a sport quad on the trails. Low, light, fast, stable, cheap as compared to utilities, simple, etc.

fordguy

11-10-2006, 10:57 PM

I vote yamaha. I have a 98 BigBear 350 that runs real strong. It has the steel racks that are actually mounted to the frame so you can pick it up by the racks and move it around if you need to. Plastic racks are a waste. When I buy new, it will be Yami........

droopy

11-13-2006, 07:50 AM

didnt pay attention to who started the thread when i first read it,you know whats in my garage and how they are treated,never turned a screw,BUY A HONDA!!!!!

Buford

11-13-2006, 08:23 AM

Had a hell of a time getting my buck out of the bottoms saturday...I knew better than to even try with my 2x bigbear...went for my friends 4x4 polaris and still struggled mightily in the wet rocks and mud, 350 feet straight up.
Is there a machine that has the low center of gravity of a suzuki, weight of a polaris and all around utility of a honda or yamaha?

RDL270

11-13-2006, 08:47 AM

I recommend Honda for reliablity. Nary a problem with mine since 95 and its used heavily on the farm and during deer season. Just keep up the maint. I will tend to agree that Honda is not keeping up with industry trends......but market hype....you want one to last or you want one to show.

Polaris is junk in my opinion. I'd look at Honda, Yamaha, Kaw's or suz.....

not to hijack the thread, anyone had any experiece with Can-AM's yet....just renamed bombardiers????

corndogggy

11-13-2006, 08:50 AM

not to hijack the thread, anyone had any experiece with Can-AM's yet....just renamed bombardiers????

If I were going to race a utility, I'd have to choose them if possible. That V-twin engine is pumping out 40-50% more horsepower than the other brands on most size engines, 400-800cc's.

jeremys

11-13-2006, 06:31 PM

I've owned all of the big 4 and Yamaha is my 1st pick, Honda is a close 2nd just for realiablity but they really lack on performance.
My advice would be to go and test ride all of them and see which one fits you and your riding style best.

cobbhunts

11-16-2006, 02:02 AM

I have a Kaw 750 Brute Force. I like it a lot and haven't had any problems as of yet. The only knock I have about them are they seem to be top heavy. Could be cause I am on it! Also seems like it is going to flip going up steep hills. It hasn't yet but feels like it is going to. Fast as you would ever want to go on a utility ATV. I have had mine up to 70 and let up on it. My crazy brother had it up to 74 on the Cumberland PKY the other night, but he is braver than I.:D