Fourth was handed to the Rincon. Honda needs to step up in the horsepower department. It still has the suspension edge, but it has been left behind in the power/displacement aspect. The black plastic looked good when new, but after three days of riding, it appeared worn. Honda needs a power injection.
Fifth is the Grizzly. The Yamaha needs some updating. From the hard shifting to the vibrating powerplant, the Grizzly is outdated. Although it has more power than the Rincon, it lags behind it in handling. Yamaha has not improved this machine in a couple of years; it is time to step up to the plate.
D.J. Petrou-Guest Tester
The Kawasaki Brute Force cuts the most-imposing figure of this year's big-bores. It's big, tall and tough-looking, not to mention it has the biggest horsepower motor of any 4x4. Kawasaki needs to address the handling quirks of a machine with this kind of power that wanders and hunts on the trail. Fifth place.
Old school is the best way to describe the Yamaha Grizzly. Since its introduction in 1997, the old Grizz has changed little in execution. Sure, it has a bigger motor, independent rear suspension and a differential lock now, but it's lacking the polish of the newer models. Handlingwise, it does have a light feel that allows you to move it around a little better than some of the other machines. The Grizzly is like an old jean jacket: It's neither waterproof nor the most insulated, but most of the time, it feels good! Fourth place.
If the Rincon has one thing going for it, it's that the Honda R&D guys sure know their suspension! After 15 minutes of riding, one knows exactly how the big Honda will react to everything the trail throws at it. It reminds me of a German sports car, refined and surefooted. Now it is time for the R&D gang to work on the motor. Third place.
Suzuki has surely taken great strides to uphold the name KingQuad. The machine has a new chassis and a new fuel-injected engine. The motor ran flawlessly; it started every time (if we kept our thumb off the throttle when starting. Remember the FI?) and had great overall power. The new KingQuad is a great package and an all-around performer. Second place.
What do we expect from a big-bore 4x4 utility quad? Big horsepower? A smooth ride? All-terrain capability? Utility hauling? Well, all of the above! In my mind, the best all-around performer, the decathlete of the 4x4 quad world, is the Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI. If it wasn't the best performer, it was always a close second. One of the biggest measurements of how a quad is doing during the testing is how easy it is to get someone to give it up. The Sportsman 800 was the machine that no one wanted to part with. For me, the big, smooth horsepower combined with the user-friendly ergonomics and supple yet well-handling suspension set the big Polaris apart from the pack.
Paul Bremer-Guest Tester
Suzuki's KingQuad is my number-one pick of the group. Great throttle response, superb handling and good engine-braking make this machine seem effortless to ride. It makes difficult hillclimbs and steep descents seem easy without wearing you out. No matter what type of terrain you choose to ride, the KingQuad is your best bet.
With great suspension, easy-to-use controls and good power delivery, the Polaris 800 EFI is a blast. Hillclimbs are definitely not a problem, but steep descents become a little tricky. The Polaris seemed to push a little going downhill, and it could definitely use better engine-braking. Overall, this is a great machine for both work and play.
Once again, the Honda Rincon feels the most-comfortable. With the best suspension of the group, this quad handles like a dream on any type of terrain. Whether you want to fly through the woods, pick your own trail over rocks or climb up a mountain, it will take you there without beating you up. The biggest disappointment, however, is the lack of power. The Rincon is definitely being left behind in that department.