ATV Florida Forum

Well looks as if I am going to be getting a new Utility in the next month or so for a trail quad so I wanted to see what yall thought since I know most of you have seen these in action. I only have a few things that are a must have on it but it seems those are the hardest thing to find. It's got to be a manual, got to be selectable 4x4 and got to be at least 450cc or close to it. Other than that I just want one that is going to be tuff as nails. Whatever I choose will get a set of 26" Mudlites almost immediatly. These are the only 3 I have found that fit those 3 things, if I missed one feel free to let me know and I'll add it to the poll. Right now I am leaning toward the Foreman 4x4 with the larger 477cc engine over the 433cc of the Foreman S and have read about some belt and axle problems on the Vinson that are pushing me away from it.



Option 1- Foreman 4x4 475cc $6399
(http://powersports.honda.com/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/atvs/2005/FourTrax_Foreman_4X4_ES/Medium/Foreman_4X4_ES_med_02.jpg)

Option 2- Foreman S 4x4 433cc $5799

(http://powersports.honda.com/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/atvs/2004/Foreman_S/medium/Foreman_S_gall_med_08.jpg)

Option 3- Vinson manual 4x4 493cc $6199

(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/LTF500FK5_green_395b36.jpg)

Option 4- Arctic Cat 500 4x4  $6599
(http://www.arctic-cat.com/atvs/lineups/2005/images/header/635_atv.jpg)

After looking at the Cat I'd say even though it's a little more $$ it leads the class. With the IRS it has more ground clearance than the rest by over 3" and has the susp. travel by almost the same amount. Looks good too.  

DUDE?

what's the fate of the 400?

Id@

I have an '03 Vinson w/ about 2000 miles and have had no problems at all. There is no belt on the manual tranny. I abuse my bike everytime I ride and it has performed flawlessly. I would like to have IRS for the smoother ride. My wife will be getting a King Quad when the '06 models come out. Have you considered a KQ ?

Isnt the Artic Cat 400/500 about the same as the Vinson? Except that it has IRS  ;D I know the DVX is about the same as the Z400, so I would think the same is true with the Vinson... just a thought.

NPR- Isn't the KQ an automatic  :-/ I thought it was. Guess I'll check and see.

Thanks Ash I forgot all about the Arctic Cat's going to check them out tonight.

Ida- You don't read the For Sale section do you. lol Most of it is being parted out. The rest will be kept for a later project.  ;)

It is an automatic but it runs like a raped ape.I ride one and love it.I'm telling you, go check them out.

Thanks for the advise Mike. I'll look into it.

yeah it does run like a raped ape........i saw him spray better roost on it then on his raptor!  :o but i donno which is better.......wheel falling off or whole hub  ;D lol  [smiley=abduct2.gif]

Dang, You don't forget anything do you?  ;)

haha somethings but that one just stuck

i would go with the foreman 4x4 very good atv lot of my friends run in nasty mud and it hold up

thats why they make allen wrenches and zip ties!

not when someone literally drives the wheels off of something ;-)

thats a tough one to forget.

Id@

The Foreman 4x4 and Foreman S you have listed all have the same motors. All O5 Foreman 4x4 has the selectable 2x4 4x4.

honda honda honda

CAN YOU SAY              ( HONDA )

I've NEVER been stuck ;D Love my Vinson .... but ya gotta get the LE  ;)

I have not one complaint about my LE Vinson,but if i was to buy a new quad i beleave i would goto a IRS,So i say artic cat

Might want to go check the Honda site again.  ;) The Foreman 4x4 is the 500 and the Foreman S is the 450. 433cc vs. 477cc read the spec sheets.  ;D

It will be hard to stray from the good ole Honda but I got to look into the Cat harder and see what the owners have to say. That IRS is a pretty nice addition. I really haven't heard much about them good or bad.

I've seen all those bikes perform and they do well.  My pref would be the LE vinson first and the honda next.  Only probs I have w/ the IRS is it's tougher to hit woops at any kind of speed.  Talk to Thrasher about that.

Check again dude all 05 Foremans use the 475cc motor.

That is a good point. Looks like it is coming down between the Vinson and the Foreman 4x4, it most likely will end up being which dealer wants to sell one the most.  ;)

Robb- Just go look at the site yourself. Click on the Foreman S then click the specifications......engine=433cc  :) edit: My  bad guess that was the 04 I was looking at didn't think they'd still have 04's on the site.  :-/

hollywood...check out the prices at http://www.southernhonda.com
it's worth the trip...i did it last saturday.  left the house at 0530 and got home at 1130pm.  and saved a bunch!!

also check out the 2004's   great savings!!!!!!

Go to the Highlifter website. They talk about all of these 4x4s. If I were you I would get the Arctic Cat. My buddy just got one and we put 27" outlaws, a lift, and wheels and that thing is huge! I am pretty positive it does have the same motor as the vinson but it sure is alot nicer atv due to irs

Hollywood, I would go with the foreman 500.

Check out hondaforeman.com

Cain't beat the dependability. With the Perfex suspension upgrade, it rides very much better.

Hollywood, I forgot another thing I don't like about the IRS.  Have you seen me put the bike on two wheels on the side?  You can't do that w/ the IRS.  I would agree w/ everyone that it does make for a nice ride.  But it does have some limitations.

You can do that with IRS All Day long The only Down Fall To a IRS is that its 2 more axles to replace!

Yea I've been doing some reading on there checking things out.  ;) That's where I am leaning right now. I really like the AC500 too and even though the IRS is nice I really don't see where I would need it that much plus that's just more stuff to break. Got to love the simplicity and reliabilty of the old air cooled, straight axle Foreman.

I have driven all 4 of them and i think the cat can get through the most .

Ground clearance is the key to the big IRS bikes . I have a Cat 500 man . Locking diff , huge gas tank ..put on a set of 27's jet kit and it becomes an extremely capable machine .But the little hondas are great quads also .I just think the 500 Cat is a great quad ! And I'm saying purely as an enthusiast .

Ihad a vinson 5 speed and it was an awesome machine. I put 2700 miles on it and it was great.

lol You guys are making this a tough decision! Honestly what I have read so far on the Cat I am not impressed....broken diff. housings, broken axles and poor customer service for repairs. Not exactly what I am looking to get into.  ::)

Shortcut told me this weekend that you an get the KQ at ARS in Okechobee out the door for like $6600 right now.

Thanks Mike I'll see if I can get in touch with them and find out.  ;)