Len Nelson-Contributing Editor
Kawasaki's Brute Force 750 is a beast to ride. If muscling the heavy steering while bouncing on underdamped shocks doesn't wear you out, the hard-hitting motor very well may. The engine quickly outpaces the chassis and becomes one great big roly-poly missile. I've ridden this ATV on two separate occasions, and on them I witnessed a steering-stem crack then observed a tie-rod end separate-not exactly what I'd label confidence-inspiring.
Yamaha's landmark utility ATV is a ball to ride. The engine-braking system is near-perfection, and a lesson to other manufacturers on how to get it right. I like how light the Grizzly feels once you're rolling along and how easy it is to maneuver. The machine is prone to some body roll during cornering, and I never got comfortable with it on the many off-camber trails that are common to our testing area.
I have to believe there are thousands of frustrated Honda Rincon owners who just want to go faster-I know I did. The Rincon offers superb handling over the very roughest of terrain and has excellent brakes and good tires, yet the engine is sorely down on power. Are Honda engineers afraid to take the cork out of this engine or what? The auto-shifting mechanism leaves something to be desired, as the engine is short-shifted before it can build any power. The manual shifter requires a lot of work to keep the engine in its sweet spot-maybe if the motor had more power
I fell in love with Polaris' 800 EFI upon its introduction. A heavy machine that dances under power, it becomes feather-light and feels more stable the faster you go. It has plenty of storage, rock-star wheels and an easy-to-use AWD/2WD selector right where you want it. It's a little thirsty when it comes to fuel, but then again, I don't recall anyone tiptoeing around on it-punching the throttle is just addictive. This machine is the most-able-bodied work machine of the pack. It's pricey yet loaded with features you won't find everywhere else.
The Suzuki KingQuad is the most-attractive package of the lot. Here you have a machine that will go just about anywhere, doing it in style, all at a terrific price. Sitting on this ATV reminds me of the Kawasaki-until you get under way. The engine requires literally no warm-up; it's always responsive while never being too much. This is a machine you can ride all day without growing tired. While handling is not quite on par with the Honda, it certainly is no slouch. Surefooted, rugged and utility-capable while still retaining a playful side, the Suzuki is my number-one pick.
Scott Voorheis-Guest TesterI awarded first place to the Sportsman 800. This year's Polaris has got it together. The new powerplant and the new suspension have made this model the clear winner. The lack of bump steer along with the addition of more engine-braking brings the Sportsman to the top.
Second is the Kawasaki Brute Force 750. Despite the lack of popular support, the Brute Force works well for my riding style. I like to hit hard and ride fast. The Brute Force is, for lack of a better word, a brute. It has gobs of torque and horsepower. It is not for the casual trail rider; this machine takes a rider who is ready for a fight. If you enjoy punishing yourself while on your day off, then you need to check this one out. (I must be a masochist.) At speed, I had a ball on the Kawasaki.
In third came Suzuki's KingQuad. The new KingQuad was easy to ride. The suspension worked as expected, with no surprises. Ergos and gear changes were well-thought-out. The new fuel injection did not work as well as the Polaris rendition, but the engine worked very well. For those looking for a very good utility quad, this is their unit.