[Navistar82]

Hey all,
I'm going to look into one of these units. I've never owned a Suzuki atv nor anyone around me for that fact. But I've read and heard good things about Suzuki atv's in general. To start off, I'm 6'6" tall, but lean, only 220lbs. I don't need a big bore machine, so I'm more interested in the 400 eiger, 500 vinson or 450-500 king quad. My uses will be mainly for trolling around the property, spraying weeds, deer hunting with some road use,(ride to work) and minimal trail riding but its possible. I don't know much about any of the units. My preferences are something that I can fit on with my height, selectable 4wd, diff lock isn't needed but cool if it comes with it, the least amount of engine braking possible as I don't like it for my uses, whichever machine has the smoothest engaging CVT and whichever quad creates the least amount of heat from the engine. I'm coming from a 570 sportsman that would bake your legs, aggressive engine brake and jumpy CVT engagement, I don't like the rev rev rev then bang off you go clutching.

What's everyone's input?

Thanks

 

[ajl719]

The 500 Vinson or the 400 - 500 King Quad would be my choice. Mainly cause the Eigers were known for the magnets coming unglued from the flywheel. King Quads in general are real reliable atvs. As long as you keep up with maintenance it’ll serve you well. I think either one of these machines will meet your expectations.

 

[John1960]

Hey all,
I'm going to look into one of these units. I've never owned a Suzuki atv nor anyone around me for that fact. But I've read and heard good things about Suzuki atv's in general. To start off, I'm 6'6" tall, but lean, only 220lbs. I don't need a big bore machine, so I'm more interested in the 400 eiger, 500 vinson or 450-500 king quad. My uses will be mainly for trolling around the property, spraying weeds, deer hunting with some road use,(ride to work) and minimal trail riding but its possible. I don't know much about any of the units. My preferences are something that I can fit on with my height, selectable 4wd, diff lock isn't needed but cool if it comes with it, the least amount of engine braking possible as I don't like it for my uses, whichever machine has the smoothest engaging CVT and whichever quad creates the least amount of heat from the engine. I'm coming from a 570 sportsman that would bake your legs, aggressive engine brake and jumpy CVT engagement, I don't like the rev rev rev then bang off you go clutching.

What's everyone's input?

Thanks

Having owned two, of three of those machines and being near your height and weight (6’3, 215#) I feel almost qualified to answer. Lol.

AJL just added insight I had forgotten about regarding the magnets coming unglued. I have no direct experience with the Eiger. I may get flamed for this, but I have to say it. I will be as gentle and diplomatic as I can be……. I consider the Eiger to be the ugly sister of the other runners up.

The weak link of the Vinson is the lack of an Independent rear suspension. It rides a bit harder than a King Quad with an IRS. I am not sure you are going to be doing the type of riding I did with my machines. I would often go 130-180 miles. 180 on a machine with an SRA is a long day. 180 on a King Quad with an IRS is a breeze.

In my opinion the Vinson is a bit louder also. I don’t know if you are is objectionable to that.

The King, and the Vinson are both excellent machines. I sold my Vinson with around 4K miles on it. Same with my 2009 King. Great machines.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[KangKwad]

I loved the reliability of my 07 Vinson but the swing arm rear suspension rides harsh and is only good on lever ground. If you get it on off cambers they want to roll easy that's my my only complaint with them. But if your riding on flat ground spraying weeds it would be a very good ATV.

 

[Navistar82]

Regarding the noise, the quieter the better for me. How are the CVT's on the king quad compared to a sportsman? Are they similar to Yamaha ultramatic that they have constant tension on the belt for smooth movement or are they more like a Polaris that slips until it grabs then you take off? How comparable are the 450 and 500 king quads? Hypothetically speaking, if a good shape 450 can be found is it worth looking into or are there know issues with them to stay away from?

Thanks

 

[John1960]

Regarding the noise, the quieter the better for me. How are the CVT's on the king quad compared to a sportsman? Are they similar to Yamaha ultramatic that they have constant tension on the belt for smooth movement or are they more like a Polaris that slips until it grabs then you take off? How comparable are the 450 and 500 king quads? Hypothetically speaking, if a good shape 450 can be found is it worth looking into or are there know issues with them to stay away from?

Thanks

I know you are interested in specific models, but in these times, rather than narrow the field unrealistically, I would see what is available. The King Quad is smooth and quiet . I am not a fan of any Polaris machines. The King is going to be smoother and more reliable.

I will say this , it’s a really bad time to be buying an ATV. I sold three ATVs for more than I paid for them. That includes a 2020 King Quad 750 with just over 1,000 miles, a 2006 Vinson with 4K miles and a 2009 King Quad 750 with about 4K miles.

It’s a sellers market now.

 

[Navistar82]

I agree with you 100%, I'm not in any hurry, just wanted to get an idea of good and bad and what model to look for in case I run across one in my travels.

 

[John1960]

I agree with you 100%, I'm not in any hurry, just wanted to get an idea of good and bad and what model to look for in case I run across one in my travels.

You can’t go wrong with a King Quad , or a Vinson in good shape. Either way you will have a good machine that will be with you for a while.

I bought a used Ozark for my son when he was little and had outgrown his 110cc machines. I sold that to a good friend for his wife to use. I have no doubt that my friends daughter will be using it in the coming years.

My only beef with Suzuki is that they don’t make side by sides. After nearly ten years of riding Suzuki ATVs I decided to move to a side by side. I bought a Can Am Maverick X3 Turbo R. It’s fast , handles like a sports car and can show its taillights to just about everything out there. It does 0-60mph in just over 4 seconds. It just doesn’t have the build quality of a Suzuki.

 

[Navistar82]

Ya, we bought a new Teryx4 S LE last March and I thought it was odd that Suzuki didn't offer one. Haven't heard of anything coming down the pipeline yet either. I know ATVs are somewhat of a dead market but I still enjoy riding one vs driving a SXS.

 

[ajl719]

The King in my honest opinion is the better machine. As John stated, the IRS suspension can’t be beat. That and reliability. The King Quad has proven to be a dependable machine throughout the years, and still is. Maintain it, and she’ll treat your well.

 

[John1960]

Ya, we bought a new Teryx4 S LE last March and I thought it was odd that Suzuki didn't offer one. Haven't heard of anything coming down the pipeline yet either. I know ATVs are somewhat of a dead market but I still enjoy riding one vs driving a SXS.

The market has totally shifted where I ride. Ten years ago ATVs outnumbered side x sides by at least 10-1. Now I see 2x as many side x sides. Maybe even more.

I didn’t get into it to join the crowd. I got into it to lengthen my season. I was tired of driving three hours to ride and getting rained out, or pulling the plug early in the season because it was too cold to ride. In retrospect , I am sorry I didn’t get into side x sides earlier.

 

[KangKwad]

Ya, we bought a new Teryx4 S LE last March and I thought it was odd that Suzuki didn't offer one. Haven't heard of anything coming down the pipeline yet either. I know ATVs are somewhat of a dead market but I still enjoy riding one vs driving a SXS.

My aunt bought a new Kawasaki Teryx a few years ago. I absolutely hate riding in it it's extremely loud and obnoxious to ride in. A friend of mine owned several Polaris RZR's and i dont remember them being that loud. Another friend of mine had a older Yamaha Rhino it was also so loud inside you couldent hear yourself think and it gave me headaches. Do you notice your Tyrex being loud?

 

[Navistar82]

My aunt bought a new Kawasaki Teryx a few years ago. I absolutely hate riding in it it's extremely loud and obnoxious to ride in. A friend of mine owned several Polaris RZR's and i dont remember them being that loud. Another friend of mine had a older Yamaha Rhino it was also so loud inside you couldent hear yourself think and it gave me headaches. Do you notice your Tyrex being loud?

Yes, they are hot and loud, I don't care what anyone says otherwise, its a fact. I've done a lot to mitigate the heat and noise and its way better now. Still loud but from what I've read, all SXS's are somewhat loud...some more than others. The Teryx is a dated machine for sure, heck even our model is the new S model with updated suspension is still behind on wheel travel with every other machine, but its the most comfortable for 4 people seating and short wheelbase for trail riding in our midwest woods and will go just about anywhere, 3 year warranty from Kawasaki and the most affordable compared to the Rmax or Commander, similar size, mid engine 4 seater. They are geared low so they are very torquey but that also means they scream on the top end and top out at 50mph.

 

[KangKwad]

Yes, they are hot and loud, I don't care what anyone says otherwise, its a fact. I've done a lot to mitigate the heat and noise and its way better now. Still loud but from what I've read, all SXS's are somewhat loud...some more than others. The Teryx is a dated machine for sure, heck even our model is the new S model with updated suspension is still behind on wheel travel with every other machine, but its the most comfortable for 4 people seating and short wheelbase for trail riding in our midwest woods and will go just about anywhere, 3 year warranty from Kawasaki and the most affordable compared to the Rmax or Commander, similar size, mid engine 4 seater. They are geared low so they are very torquey but that also means they scream on the top end and top out at 50mph.

sxs's have their place i guess but i just cant get over how uncomfortable they are to ride around in. And im not the type of person who buys cars for a plush ride i drive old trucks and jeeps. Maybe of sxs's didn't make me rather get out and walk i would own one. I am not a polaris fan but i think the engine mounted in the rear helps out with the noise and heat. Mounting the engine under the seat is just a really bad design flaw.

 

[Navistar82]

Yes, the rear engine machines are quieter and cooler to the occupants inside. The heat and noise is still there, just not as close to you. The mid engine designs have their place, its not technically a design flaw. Designed for lower center of gravity and maneuverability in tight areas... and that's where the advantages stop, lol. We were limited to what we can fit in our garage due to length. Mid engine is all that would fit, so it was between the Teryx, Yamaha Wolverine and Honda Pioneer, Rmax is awesome but a lot more money than the 3 mentioned and terrible backseat comfort due to the engine layout. Teryx won out due to the seating comfort, we have two kids and the rear seating is the best out of the mid engine machines.

The main downside to the rear engine machines is length. They are extremely longer than a mid engine machine. For instance, the redesigned Can Am Commander 4 seater is almost 40" longer than our Teryx 4 seater, wheelbase is a little over 30" longer, Polaris General 4 seater is about 30" longer than ours. In the river bottoms where we ride, those long rear engine machines aren't practical. Its all based on your riding area, style and wants. Id like to have a rear engine for less noise and heat, but at the same time, I'll be very limited on where I can travel with it.

 

[KangKwad]

I dont know anything about the 4 seaters. My buddy always had 2 seaters and they were compact. Polaris RZR's are the only sxs i have ridden in that i didn't hate. But i am not fan of polaris and i would never own one due to quality issues. But if a Japanese manufacturer could take the RZR layout and make it more reliable i would possibly consider owning one.

This is the style i am referring too.

 

[Navistar82]

Size wise, the Honda Talon or Yamaha Rmax would be the comparable SXS's to a RZR. Rmax is Yamaha's answer to the Polaris General, sporty SXS with a dump bed that will still run 70mph and have outstanding suspension.

 

[John1960]

I bought a Can Am Maverick X3 XDS. Like all side x sides, this one has its issues with heat and noise. That is going to happen with any rear engine machine. The radiator is in the front and the cooling lines are under the center console above the floor pan. The only way to knock that down is to insulate the lines and remove the windshield.

I rode in my brother in laws 2022 Polaris RZR trail 50” machine. OMG! The heat is WAY worse than in my Can Am. Hard to believe that a 75 HP machine would generate more heat than a 172HP machine, but it was brutal and unbearable on an 80 degree day .

As far as the ride quality, my X3 rides like a luxury car compared to his RZR. Hands down the Can Am wins in that category.

Fuel consumption was something that amazed me both times we rode together. He either used nearly the exact same amount of fuel , a few tenths less, or a few tenths more. It is shocking that a 3 cylinder inter-cooled 172hp beast could have the same fuel consumption as a 75hp normally aspirated vehicle that was smaller and lighter.

Where does the RZR come out on top? Purchase price , it’s cheaper, size, he fits easily through tight gates with his 50” machine and noise. His is slightly quieter. I have done the noise reduction kit on the CVT air duct. That helped a bit.

The biggest difference is the heat. You BAKE in his machine. Then you feel the hard ride.

 

[sammys]

The 500 Vinson or the 400 - 500 King Quad would be my choice. Mainly cause the Eigers were known for the magnets coming unglued from the flywheel. King Quads in general are real reliable atvs. As long as you keep up with maintenance it’ll serve you well. I think either one of these machines will meet your expectations.

I own a Vinson and really never had any problems with it since i bought it. Replaced the fuel petcock that's about it. Great running ATV