What is the best ATV? Sport/Utility or Both!

[grsricky]

I previously had a Raptor 660r. I'm thinking of purchasing another ATV in the near future. I don't really plan to race. I do the trails alot but I really enjoy taking those jumps on the track. What would be an alternative to the Raptor 700r?Why?

[MachineDog]

KFX700 is supposed to be nice with it's automatic.. other than that you've reached the top of the sport-sector. Unless you want to get something like a Bomb 800.

[TRX450R_Racer]

A KFX700 is far from the top of the sport quad field. Any 450 would be better. A KFX weight 516lbs. I would get a TRX450R or a YFZ450. If you want reverse I would go with a Z40o, but only if it has been updated to an alumimun clutch cover. Also you moght want to wait Kawasaki is coming out with a 450 that is fuel injected and has reverse.

[rednipj]

A KFX700 is a good all around sport bike, he said he rides mostly trials and likes to hit jumps.  The 450s are good track or race bikes, but not an all around trail bike. (no reverse and rough ride.)  The 700 is like the cadillac of large sport bikes, lots of power and low end grunt, and fully automatic w/ reverse.  The 700 is a good all around bike, sure it's heavy but with the power of the V-twin it can keep up with the Raptor and is no slouch.  Also, it can be woman friendly being auto for the wife or girlfriend, just keep out of the gas a little.

[TRX450R_Racer]

A KFX700 is a good all around sport bike, he said he rides mostly trials and likes to hit jumps.  The 450s are good track or race bikes, but not an all around trail bike. (no reverse and rough ride.)  The 700 is like the cadillac of large sport bikes, lots of power and low end grunt, and fully automatic w/ reverse.  The 700 is a good all around bike, sure it's heavy but with the power of the V-twin it can keep up with the Raptor and is no slouch.  Also, it can be woman friendly being auto for the wife or girlfriend, just keep out of the gas a little.

I don't know where you get that from. Do you have a 450?

[rednipj]

Okay I should have started off my previous response with, "In reading different forums this is my opinion of an alternative to a 700r and this is why."  I have rode with people who have 450's and read in not only this forum but the atv connection forum and others, and it always gets the same response. 450 are great race and track bikes, but for long term trail riding it can be uncomfortable because of the hard seats and no reverse.  It's also high strung getting it's power in the upper rpm's.  This question has been asked many times, even back when the 400ex had no reverse, but they where comfortable to ride.  The KFX700 gets pretty good reviews in the ATV magazines for this type of riding. Here is one example.

http://dirtwheelsmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=C30CBF82E7C944C0ACB195CBBC129ED9&nm=Contact+Us&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=9E5E1846F5CB44AB8064DC91BD1E578E

Now given this and the input that you put in about how a 450 would be a good alternative for a 700r in the trail and occational jumping, then this can help grsricky make up his mind on witch ATV he can purchase in the future that meets his criteria.

[TRX450R_Racer]

Okay I should have started off my previous response with, "In reading different forums this is my opinion of an alternative to a 700r and this is why."  I have rode with people who have 450's and read in not only this forum but the atv connection forum and others, and it always gets the same response. 450 are great race and track bikes, but for long term trail riding it can be uncomfortable because of the hard seats and no reverse.  It's also high strung getting it's power in the upper rpm's.  This question has been asked many times, even back when the 400ex had no reverse, but they where comfortable to ride.  The KFX700 gets pretty good reviews in the ATV magazines for this type of riding. Here is one example.

http://dirtwheelsmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=C30CBF82E7C944C0ACB195CBBC129ED9&nm=Contact+Us&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=9E5E1846F5CB44AB8064DC91BD1E578E

Now given this and the input that you put in about how a 450 would be a good alternative for a 700r in the trail and occational jumping, then this can help grsricky make up his mind on witch ATV he can purchase in the future that meets his criteria.

I won't click on that link, because Dirt Wheels is the worst source of information as far as I'm concerned. I agree reverse is handy. Also the original question was about a KFX700 not a Raptor 700. Plus if you know how to ride you don't need reverse.

[rednipj]

The original post was "What would be an alternative to the Raptor 700r?Why?

I previously had a Raptor 660r........ What would be an alternative to the Raptor 700r?Why?

The link wasn't really meant for you.  It was information that a magazine happin to post online and is still a resourse for grsricky to look at without going and buying every magazine.  And yes you really don't NEED reverse for trail riding, It's just a nice option for someone who is not in the racing scene and not trying to save a little weight.  I will say again the 450's are a good bike and the horsepower to weight ratio is the best, period.  But, as far as a regular trail bike it might not be the best choice.  Not saying the KFX700 is, but the 450 get's it's power at a high rpm and will require more gear changes to keep it in the optimum powerband.  It also has stiffer suspension and a harder seat making trail rides with alot of seat time not as comfortable as say the big 700 of either Kaw. or Yam. being their suspension is not as agressive and they have larger, softer all terrain tires, not the small Maxxis or Holeshots which are made primarily for performance.

So it's up to the rider - Do you want a heavier bike that's not great at one thing but is good at pretty much everything, that soaks up some of the jaring bumps but still able to get some air, with alot of horsepower and tons of torque that is always on tap when you give it gas? or Do you go with a lighter, more agile bike with alot of racing performance, the best horsepower to weight ratio, where your peak horsepower comes from keeping it at an optimum high rpm, and which the manufactures built to do one thing great - Racing, comfort features coming in second.

Like the poster of this trend said he was looking for an alternative to the 700r and Machine Dog gave him one.  I came to the defense for the KFX700, not to argue, but to say I too think its a pretty good choice for a trial bike.  Are there better ones out there, probably, that's why he asked the question, to get feed back.  It really doesn't matter to me I already made my choice and if the 450s where out when I made a decision it would have probably been my choice, but I like going balls out and it would be more for my riding style.

Good luck grsricky in choosing, there are alot of good bikes out there and they are just going to get better.

[MadMudder]

I agree with rednipj, he nailed it on the head as far as these bikes are concerned. The kfx has allot of power, reverse, automatic trans, and a softer suspension. Thats not to say you couldn't have a little fun on a track. The 450's dont have reverse and have hard suspensions. But they can be ridden fast on trails. Just not for like an all day ride. And as far as im concerned dirt wheeles is a great magazine that is very informative. But thats my oppion. Its just like the old saying goes, Oppinions are like armpits, everybody has them but some of them stink. Anyway grs, you'll be happy with either bike class you choose.

[gatorjohn]

You may want to wait for the Can-Am Renegade 800. Pretty pricey, but should be loads of fun. Looks kinda like the best of both sport & ute.

[rednipj]

That does seem to be a good trail bike, it's like a 450 wolverine on steroids.  If the KFX700 is the Cadillac of atv's then with the 4X4 this would have to be the Hummer H1 of atv's, but with balls.  Still heavy, but I'm getting older and this could be relaxing with some Adrenaline when you want instead of the Adrenaline with some relaxing when you want.  Like I said there are some good bikes out there with many more to come.

[Bleedsblue]

There is no single best Utility ATV just like there is no single best Sport ATV. It really all comes down to what you ride in the most, how you like to ride and what you want to spend.

I choose a King Quad for many reasons over the Brute, Grizzly and even now over the Bomb. The 700's power was enough to turn big tires, Suzuki's have been very reliable for me, EFI was a plus in my book, handle bar headlight and price. Throw in a clutch kit, snorkels and some SRA offset wheels with 29.5's and I have a great mud ATV that can still pull wheelies and goes through most anything.

Bill

[fastrnrik]

Wow, what an interesting thread. There seems to be a lot of KFX haters floatin' around. I have a KFX700 and a YFZ450, and both have been modded pretty good. I can tell you this, it all boils down to what your doing with it. On a track the 450's will waste a V Force, but on a trail the Kawi will rule over the 450, and be comfortable all day while doing it. Plus a KFX, with a few mods, is a bad boy. In friendly drag races, mine will spank my full race 450 and my buddies hyped up Raptors and Banshee's by several lengths. Anybody who doesn't believe me is welcome to bring 'dem 450R's or YFZ's to Ocala to try it. 
I'd say for trail riding and occasional racing/jumping, get the KFX700, put pipes, a jet kit, and most importantly, a clutch kit & spring and go humiliate your friends on their "racing quads".

   

[Scramdaddy]

You'll never win a pissing contest without a 450.

[rubicon500kid]

IMO I think a 450r is a great trail bike. I think its way better then a kfx700
I only ride trails,(want to race xc ) and sum mx (if i have to don’t really like it but got to try everything) and I think the 450r is better cuz
1 its lighter
2 smaller (can maneuver between trees better)

also some one said the 450r has

I agree with rednipj, he nailed it on the head as far as these bikes are concerned. The kfx has allot of power, reverse, automatic trans, and a softer suspension. Thats not to say you couldn't have a little fun on a track. The 450's dont have reverse and have hard suspensions. But they can be ridden fast on trails. Just not for like an all day ride. And as far as im concerned dirt wheeles is a great magazine that is very informative. But thats my oppion. Its just like the old saying goes, Oppinions are like armpits, everybody has them but some of them stink. Anyway grs, you'll be happy with either bike class you choose.

I think that’s very false I love the suspension on my 450r its awesome i have it on the softest setting and sum times it’s a lil bit too soft. Alot of ppl with z400(kfx ,ect...) ,400ex that cant afford to buy name brand shocks get 450r shocks

[klutchbuster400]

IMO I think a 450r is a great trail bike. I think its way better then a kfx700
I only ride trails,(want to race xc ) and sum mx (if i have to don’t really like it but got to try everything) and I think the 450r is better cuz
1 its lighter
2 smaller (can maneuver between trees better)

also some one said the 450r has

I agree with rednipj, he nailed it on the head as far as these bikes are concerned. The kfx has allot of power, reverse, automatic trans, and a softer suspension. Thats not to say you couldn't have a little fun on a track. The 450's dont have reverse and have hard suspensions. But they can be ridden fast on trails. Just not for like an all day ride. And as far as im concerned dirt wheeles is a great magazine that is very informative. But thats my oppion. Its just like the old saying goes, Oppinions are like armpits, everybody has them but some of them stink. Anyway grs, you'll be happy with either bike class you choose.

I think that’s very false I love the suspension on my 450r its awesome i have it on the softest setting and sum times it’s a lil bit too soft. Alot of ppl with z400(kfx ,ect...) ,400ex that cant afford to buy name brand shocks get 450r shocks

Youre right about most of that, but another thing is that most people go with 450r shocks becuase they lign up better then yfz shocks. Yfz shocks are probably the best stockers out their.

[rednipj]

I think that’s very false I love the suspension on my 450r its awesome i have it on the softest setting and sum times it’s a lil bit too soft. Alot of ppl with z400(kfx ,ect...) ,400ex that cant afford to buy name brand shocks get 450r shocks

People are putting these shocks on their sport bikes for performance not to soften up their rides for the trails.

I finally realise who grsricky is and the reasoning behind this question.  Sorry about the loss.  And you are right these are all opinions, good opinions that he is looking for to help with his choice.  As I said before 450's are just too high strung for me, but I am getting older and cruising with the occasional jumps are where I'm at right now.  Maybe you will be the same in 15 to 20 years or you might move up to racing, who knows. Give me another 10 to 15 years and it might be just crusing.  Right now I have a raptor with mods and it's perfect for me.  I am however looking for a second bike and the all around package in the KFX seems perfect for me, but It's mainly for the misses if she wants to tag along for a ride or for me if I really don't want to be that involved in a ride, and right now I'm not into the mud thing.  Could change, who knows.

Like Bill said

There is no single best Utility ATV just like there is no single best Sport ATV. It really all comes down to what you ride in the most, how you like to ride and what you want to spend.

But I like the tread and interested in the opinions of all, after all I will be looking in the near future.

Thanks,

[MachineDog]

Racing: Honda 450R is what I've seen to be the most powerful and best.
Mudding: Gotta be the Bomb 800. Most powerful stock ATV on the market, and it wins mud runs constantly with polaris.
Trails: Auto/KFX700 Manual/not sure but the z400 is pretty dang nice.
Hunting/Work: Arctic Cat 500M One of the baddest workhorses out there, and one of the only machines out there that can handle 29.5in outlaws without a lift kit. Might need a few mods powerwise though if you want power in the thick stuff.

[klutchbuster400]

I love my z on the track, off the track, I think the z400's are probably the best all around bike just because what they offer, they are light, so you can jump them pretty good, not too wide to they fit in the trials, torquey for the mud, and reverse. They can be pretty speedy when needed.
I'm not saying its the best bike out though. I'm saying in a situation like mines, since i ride basically anywhere they let you, its the best.

[MachineDog]

True, and when I get finished modding my rancher I'll be beating 450s and some 500s out of the mud. *prepares to make list of future mods*