Not even interesting....

[Wait4me]

I wanted to do a product review of the latest and greatest ATV/UTVs that have been hitting the market over the last year or two.....and I just couldn't do it.

For lack of any interesting developments, I will summarize every shootout, showdown and comparison by just stating that Polaris and Yamaha OWN and have OWNED every title to every consumer need for the past few years.

Some brands have shown some interest in being a contender, but their offerings come with price tags that could buy a new car, or remodel your entire kitchen. Another brand has tried entering the new arenas opened up by UTVs and large bore sporties, but they are so stuck on their own reputation that their "new" vehicles were surpassed in design and performance a decade ago! (Sidenote: A certain, brand new entry into the UTV market was SOOOO 1980's in design and performance that the ATV magazines have to do shootouts against it using the Kawasaki MULE!!!!! hahahahaaaaaa)

Anyway, in closing I would like to say that if you are looking for a utility quad, please.......PLEASE let me save you hours of research. EVERY magazine out there will rank the Yamaha Grizzly #1 for the fun-riding utility crowd. If you want fun AND work, then the Polaris XP utilities are #1. Don't even waste your time looking at the rest......they are chum bait.

For you big bore sporties, the #1 seller will be all you need...the Raptor 700. Your next best bet is the Outlaw 525........the rest are wannabes.

Racing the 450s? The new YFZ450R is already beating every contender in the magazine showdowns....and if Bill Ballance hasn't already proved what a winner rides....then you shouldn't be racing, maybe golf is your calling. (Not convinced? Who is the most unstoppable MX rider on 2 wheels? What brand did he go to when he wanted to stay the best? Sorry Kawasaki....you weren't good enough to power the best.)

Ok, maybe you just want to ride for leisure, or want a first quad for your wife or your child. Polaris has the best adult quads to learn on with a large line of auto sporties and utilities. For beginner quads with a clutch.......blasters have been the staple of learning. Not into 2 strokes?......well the new Raptor 250 is lighter than the Blaster, has a higher power to weight ratio than it's 350 sibling, and once modded, can hold it's own against the big boys on the trails.

I just want everyone to enjoy their purchase and enjoy their ride. For that reason, I am condensing 2 years worth of consumer reports, 2 years worth of leading magazine reviews and 2 years worth of statistics. Buy Yamaha or buy Polaris....or throw your money into a big pile and light it on fire. I am only looking out for you.

[themacs4s]

I still love my 1987 Honda 250R. I still have a january 2000 issue of 4-wheel atv action magazine, in which they did a shoot out with an 89' 250R(stock), a new 400EX, a new banshee, and a new DS650. In the end they chose the 250R as their favorite sport quad. I know this was before all the 450's came out, but I think they should do a modern day shoot out and include an old 250R. They are sooo lite and handle like their on rails. Most of the 450's out today have more powerful engines but the frame and suspensions are copied from the old R's. I just think it would be a cool comparison. These things dominated all kinds of racing for over a decade AFTER they were no longer available! Just my two cents wirth! If your mechanical, think old school when buying something new.

[Weck]

Magazine shootout results are almost completely based on advertising dollars.

[ubnpast]

May 12, 2009 20:39:11 GMT -6 Wait4me said:

Racing the 450s? The new YFZ450R is already beating every contender in the magazine showdowns....and if Bill Ballance hasn't already proved what a winner rides....then you shouldn't be racing, maybe golf is your calling.

Put Ballance on another machine, and you will have a new popular race bike.

Dirtwheels has been Yamaha biased for many, many years. Somethings will never change.

[themacs4s]

I've rode (and broke) plenty of Yamaha ha ha's, I'll take a Honda any day!!

[muddawg]

Rich anything breaks when you kiss a tree at warp speed!

[themacs4s]

That was a loooong time ago!

[MrYfz]

Did someone say YFZ. You all know YAMAHA rules, thats why Dirtwheels is all about them.
UB is right about Bill though, but it doesn't matter cause he knows what to ride. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quit whining about it already.Jeez.

[Wait4me]

Geez, I was hoping for some better responses than old cliche's and whining. I guess when you can't unvalidate anything I said, you have to go with unverifiable opinion. Naaa Naaaa

Macs had a valid stance about the 250R's.....they are still a favorite for speed and racing even today. On the other hand, I would bet that the Banshee is even more favored when it comes to people who want old school speed. I will give kudos to the 250R though.....it is the one ATV that still disproves the tired old saying "There's no replacement for displacement." More engine doesn't make a winner.

I would also like to know how Yamaha could afford to "buy" their (big bore utility/mid-size utility/big bore sport/450/small bore sport) shootout wins in at least 4 different magazines? Let's not forget, the results are based on the input of contracted test riders who all get paid the same amount from the publishing company......meaning there is no money trail to any brand or perks for picking a specific manufacturer.

OK, I will stop putting salt in your wounds.... I know it burnssssssssssss ;D

[themacs4s]

I've beat lots of banshees with my R, they're not that fast and handle terrible (especialy the old ones that had "J" arms instead of "A" arms- how cheap can ya get). When we raced flat track at the east moline speedway a few years ago(before the 450 4-strokes came out) I finished ahead of every banshee. In fact at the end of the race if you weren't riding a 250R or a modified 400ex you weren't going to win. This was a long track with no jumps, you could easily get to top speed on the straits and I never once had a banshee finish ahead of me. There was one DS650 though I raced against, that thing was pretty fast. It was ridden by a guy named Lonnie Brit, I believe he started this club. Anyway I could go on all day about disliking banshees, but I'm sure I've already upset enough banshee riders so I better quit! ;D

[themacs4s]

I've got an idea. Lets get all the sporty riders (or any other class for that matter) together and we'll take turns riding each others quads then write our own reviews on this forum. Kind of a Two Rivers shot out. I'll make my R available!

[Weck]

Hey finally some traffic on this site.

Wait4me all you know is what you've read so someone else has given you your opinion.

Mac, If you are beating Banshee's in a straight away there is more lurking under the hood of your R than what Honda put in it. I'm a big Honda fan but that's just what I think.

[themacs4s]

Nope, Paul Turner pipe, boysen reeds, and a thinner head gasket for a little more p.s.i., other wise stock!

[Wait4me]

macs....I must agree with Weck (gulp)....Banshees are known for their straight-line speed.....as evident by their being the most popular drag quad. Of course, the Banshee's ability to be fast is only possible with an operator that can use it. I get the feeling you have mastered your 250R better than those fellas mastered their Banshees.

Weck....clean the salt out and it won't sting so much! hahahahaaaaa Silly me for relaying the findings of the leading ATV magazines, instead of just consulting with the ATV Buddha for enlightenment.



sizzzzzzzzllleee........siizzzzzle...............sizzzzzz...BOOM !!!!

haaaahaaahahaa HAAAAAAAAAAAA

[themacs4s]

I just don't like banshees. Yes they are fast in a strait line (when they hook up), but are nose heavy, have poor front end geometry, their heavy, and have crummy suspension. Otherwise their really nice quads!