Which one should I get?

[bigworm6]

I am looking into purchasing my first ATV. My main goal in having one is for trail riding, and mud riding occasionally. I am stuck between two four wheelers, and can not decide which ride is better, I want one that is reliable, and will allow me to go through trails and mud on occasion. Any opinions?

2004 Kodiak 400 4x4 = $2840.00
2005 Kawasaki Prarie 700 4x4 = $3200.00

Both have around 240 hours on them.

[Roody]

Welllllllll...

Do you have any experience riding? The Prairie 700 might be too much to start with. My dad started with the Brute Force 650 (same engine as the Prairie 700, just a little smaller). It was too much quad at the time, which is why he ended up crashing it. If you have any experience riding though, you should be fine. It's a big quad with a super-powerful engine (the V-Twin has loads of power) but they're easy to ride.

The Kodiak is much more manageable (size wize, power wise, etc.). I had a Kodiak as my first quad and absolutely loved it...I'd recommend those quads to anybody and everybody.

Both quads are reliable. Yamaha has a great reliability record, but Kawasaki's isn't something to joke about either. Only thing to point out is that the Kawi's belt might get worn out...that's something to have checked before you start riding the quad if you buy it. Yamaha's transmission is bullet-proof.

As far as trails and mud, they're both truly great quads. They'll both go through the woods, they'll both go through the mud, only difference is that the Kawasaki will do it faster.

It really comes down to how experienced you are. You can't go wrong with either of those quads. It's just how much power you want.

[bigworm6]

Thanks for the reply. I talked to the guy who owns the Kawa, and he said he replaced the belt a couple months ago. I like the idea of having more power, JUST IN CASE I need it sometime.

[Roody]

The belt should be good to go then.

The extra power is always fun. It's rarely necessary (only times I find it a huge benefit are on the looooong hill climbs, in really deep mud and when flooring it) but always fun. You can always adjust the throttle limiter screw in until you're ready to use all of the quad's power.

Also, you need to sit on both of the quads and see if they feel good. Sometimes a quad just won't feel right...like when I got my first quad (the Kodiak), I was looking at Suzuki Vinsons as well and they just didn't feel right. It has to feel good ergonomically because you'll be spending a good amount of time riding.

That being said, I say buy the Kawi.

[bigworm6]

Thanks for the input!

[Roody]

My pleasure!

Edit: Let us know which you choose!