Mark Rolland
If you're not used to riding quads with this big of a motor, you need to understand that these ATVs are big and heavy. If you're a 5-foot-6-inch, 120-pound rider, they are too much for you to handle. If I lived in a place with wide trails and challenging rock climbs, I might consider the Brute Force. It's not for tight trails because it's hard to turn quickly at speeds. The Polaris felt as if I was riding on king-size feather pillows-way too soft. In fast turns, it leaned forever and wasn't fun at all. Power was good off the line, but the tranny had a slight delay once you were at speeds and nailed it. Ergos felt great for big riders and was relaxed. The flat racks were OK for strapping stuff down but really bad for trying to muscle while loading or unloading on a trailer. The Outlander was a dream. It had all the power you could ever ask for and had the suspension to handle it. I liked that it wasn't wheelie-prone when you hit the gas hard. I didn't like that the thumb throttle was stiffer than most ATVs, 10 miles into a trail ride and you really felt it. This is one quad I'd like to have in my collection. And if you're planning on taking any of these big quads to tight trails, install the biggest front bumper you can find. It could save headlights and plastic.
Thad Josey
In my opinion, BRP hit the mark with the Outlander 800. The power is exceptionally thrilling with a smooth but attention-grabbing delivery. Its suspension proved to offer stability at low- and high-speed runs through the trails. Even in those rare (but likely) moments that you come screeching up on a dangerous obstacle, the suspension granted just the right amount of forgiveness to keep you out of trouble. Even though the Outlander is fairly large and heavy, I experienced little trouble flicking it around as if I were on a lightweight sport quad. The massive storage area located in the rear-rack section was also a major plus for carrying needed items. My only complaint is that a rider must be attentive when tackling this monster ute because it is a handful and can get away from you when you least expect it.
The Kawasaki Brute Force is a force to be reckoned with. The power is absolutely outstanding but might be a bit too much for its chassis and suspension. The suspension can deliver a brutal blow when pounding into and over rough terrain. Maybe this is due to the lack of suspension travel. The steering wore on my arms a bit more than the other contenders but, overall, it was fun to ride. The Brute was the only one of the three with front and rear brake levers, which helped it earn its second-place finish.
The Polaris Sportsman 800 did not perform like its smaller 500 brother for some reason. At a slower pace, it was a comfortable and plush ride. However, the faster you pushed, the more difficult it was to keep her in shape. It almost seemed as if you were swaying all over the trail, which could easily diminish your confidence on this machine. This quad possessed great power and the suspension had no problem soaking up the bumps, but the handling just seemed out of sorts. Storage was a plus with plenty of room to stow water bottles, tow ropes and snacks for a day of pounding trails.
Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i
Retail price: $7599; camo, $7949
Engine
Type: V-twin, four-stroke SOHC
Displacement: 749cc
Bore x stroke: 85x66mm
Cooling: Liquid-cooled
Carburetion: Dual Keihin CVKR 34mm
Lubrication: Wet sump
Starting: Electric
Drivetrain
Drive system: Shaft, 2x4/4x4
Transmission: Automatic CVT with high/low range, reverse, engine-braking, diff-lock
Suspension (Type/Travel)
Front: Dual A-arms/6.7 in.
Rear: Dual A-arms/7.9 in.
Tires
Front: 25x8-12; rear: 25x10-12
Brakes
Front: Dual hydraulic discs; rear: sealed multiplate disc
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 50.5 in.
Claimed dry weight: 604 lb
Ground clearance: 10.6 in.
Length/width/height: 86.3/46.3/49.2 in.
Seat height: 36.8 in.
Fuel capacity: 5.4 gal.
Electrical
Taillight: Yes
Headlight: Dual 40-watt high/low beam
Instrumentation: Fuel gauge, speedometer, odometer, hourmeter, clock, dual tripmeters; neutral/reverse, high-temperature indicators
Colors: Aztec red, Galaxy silver, Woodsman green; Hardwoods Green HD camo, Hardwoods Snow camo