2007 ATV Buyer’s Guide
GET ON, GET IT DONE — THE NEWEST SINGLE-RIDER ATVS CAN BE USED FOR WORK, PLAY OR BOTH
ATVs have matured and evolved as much during the last couple years as the pickups and SUVs that we use to tow and haul them around. The ATV manufacturers have not only broadened the sizes of their offerings, they have also dedicated a lot of their engineering efforts establishing more job/task-specific models so buyers can choose a machine more suited to a particular use.
For instance, outdoor aficionados who need an ATV better suited to negotiating rough terrain, hauling gear, and doing work rather than clearing tabletops and flat-out speed, the sport/utility quads are an easy choice. They are powerful, versatile machines capable of handling just about any task at hand while being a joy to ride on the trails.
If your riding style and use is more toward covering rough terrain quickly, and less on towing and hauling, then the newest 4x4 single-rider ATVs are the way to go. Their well-tuned suspensions and easy-to-use fourwheel- drive systems allow everyone to find a combination that comfortable and in control.
The toughest part about buying a new ATV isn’t finding one with enough power, load capacity, or accessories-it’s making the choice between the brands and styles. Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll find when you start looking at the 2007 offerings. There’s something new in just about every category.
1. ARCTIC CAT 700 EFI LE ($9,299)
Power comes on strong from the new electronically fuel-injected,
695cc DOHC single, and its power is easily planted to all four wheels
with a push of the electric 2WD/4WD button on the handle bar. Need
all four wheels locked? Just flip the lever on the handlebar to activate
full-lock mode for those really tough conditions. The LE comes wellequipped
for off-road adventures with polished aluminum wheels,
front and rear cargo racks, brush guard-style bumpers, and a Warn
winch at the ready. It is also come standard with an automotive-style
2-inch receiver hitch rated for towing trailers up to 1,050 pounds. A
full 10 inches of ground clearance, fully independent suspension,
and four-wheel disc brakes add to its riding comfort be it for work or
play. www.arcticcat.com
2. KAWASAKI BRUTE FORCE 650 4X4 ($6,599)
It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 633cc, 90-degree V-twin engine featuring
single overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. It is fed by
dual 32mm Keihin carburetors drawing fresh air from a snorkel intake
located high in the frame near the steering head. Automatic continuously
variable transmission (CVT), with high or low forward gears,
plus neutral and reverse, the Brute Force 650 4x4 can also be started
in any gear, provided the brakes are applied. Four-wheel drive plus
front dif lock. Braking is handled by dual front disc brakes with dualpiston
calipers plus a sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc rear brake
system. An engine brake control system monitors ground speed and
uses the engine’s compression to help slow the ATV. Other features
include front and rear steel racks that can carry a total of 264 pounds
of cargo, and a tow hitch so it can tow up to 1,250 pounds. Kawasaki
engineers also provided space inside the front guard so it can
accommodate a Warn 3000 winch or Super Winch 3000. The Brute
Force 650 4x4 comes with fully digital instrumentation, including
speedometer, odometer, dual re-settable trip meters, clock, hour
meter, fuel gauge and 2x4/4x4 indicators. There is also a DC
power outlet. www.kawasaki.com
3.YAMAHA BIG BEAR 400 4X4 IRS
($5,799)
If your off road experiences
4 5
involve a lot of mud, this is the machine you need. From the air-cooled
engine (no radiator to get mud packed) to the completely sealed rear
brakes the Big Bear was designed with a purpose. Increased ground
clearance from the independent rear suspension, on demand four
wheel drive, locking front differential and made-for-mud tires are
among the many features that help the Big Bear get it done without
getting mired in the muck. www.yamaha-motor.com
4. ARCTIC CAT TBX ($7,399)
The “pickup” of the Arctic Cat ATV line, has endeared off-road adventures
for a couple years because it offers a pickup-like dump bed that
can hold 300 pounds of whatever material might find its way into it. This
year the TBX gets the full 650 H1 4x4 platform including the new 641cc
liquid-cooled, carbureted four-stroke single that takes the place of the
old 500. Monster low-end torque, electronic shift 2wd/4wd, full-locking
front differential, dozens of Arctic Cat’s Speed Rack accessories, and a
whopping 12-inches of ground clearance make this a very versatile utility
quad with a penchant for play. www.arcticcat.com
5. CAN-AM RENEGADE ($ 9,299)
It combines the performance and edge of a sport quad with the
capability of a 4x4 quad. Power from the 800cc, 4-stroke, V-twin runs
through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for instant acceleration
and ultimate simplicity - there are no gears to shift. Engine
braking is built-in. The Renegade’s 4x4 capability is augmented by an
automatic transfer of power away from a slipping wheel to the gripping
one - all the way up to a full lock. The front sport-style bumper is
winch-ready. The new BRP 2500 XL winch kit by Warn is a perfect
complement for this quad. www.can-am.brp.com
6. HONDA FOURTRAX FOREMAN 4X4 ES
($7,049)
Electric Power Steering offers speed and
torque-sensitive steering assistance for
increased control and comfort and decreases
bump-steer and kickback through the
handlebar in all conditions. Riders can shift
between 2WD and 4WD with the simple
push of a switch. The new Foreman ES is
powered by a four-stroke 475cc OHV aircooled
longitudinally mounted engine,
which has rubber-cushion engine mounts
and gear-driven counter balancer to reduce
vibration. Snorkel-type air-intake, electric
carburetor heater and a closed crankcase
vent equips this machine for tough weather
conditions. Push-button up shifting and
downshifting moves the transmission
through five-speeds and reverse.
Independent double-wishbone front suspension
uses KYB shock absorbers to give 6.7
inches of travel while providing 7.5 inches of
ground clearance. www.honda.com
7. SUZUKI KINGQUAD 450 4X4 ($6,499)
Powered by a 454cc, SOHC, four-stroke,
single cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. Drive
train components include V-belt CVT automatic
with high/low range sub-transmission,
2WD, 4WD and 4WD with front differential
lock. Front and rear suspension feature
independent, double A-arms, oil-damped
shocks, and five preload settings for
adjustability and providing 10.2” of ground
clearance. A polyethylene skid plate provides
front-to-rear underside protection with
minimal resistance over rocks and rough terrain.
Easy-to-read LCD instrument display -
includes speedometer (mile/km selectable),
odometer, twin-trip meters, hour meter,
clock, fuel gauge, drive range (H,L,N,R) and
drive mode (4WD, 4WD lock) — LED indicators
for neutral, reverse, 4WD lock, FI/water
temp. warning. www.suzukicycles.com
8. 2007 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 700 4X4 ($7,999)
Features Yamaha’s Ultramatic automatic
transmission system and On Command®
push-button four-wheel drive system, fuel
injection and electric power steering. The
new Grizzly gets the 686cc Raptor engine,
which is tuned for utility use and improves
low and mid-range power. The Grizzly 700
offers the convenience of high- and lowrange
gear options for times when low-end torque and maximum pulling power are
needed. The three-way On-Command system
features push-button 2WD/4WD and
4WD with differential lock. A fully adjustable
wishbone front and independent rear suspension
provides 7.1” of travel up front and
a class-leading 9.5” in the rear plus 11.8” of
ground clearance. The Grizzly has two water
proof storage boxes and can also carry 99
lbs on the front rack as well as 187 lbs on the
rear rack. Towing capacity: 1,212 lbs.
www.yamaha-motor.com
9. ARCTIC CAT DIESEL
SUPER DUTY ATV ($12,499)
is an industry-first. This diesel-powered
quad, first developed for the military, is
based off the popular TRV 4x4 platform —
but with a twist. The 700 twin cylinder, SOHC
diesel engine, provides 30% better fuel
economy than the gas-powered model and
provides stump-pulling low-end torque. The
engine runs efficiently on six forms of diesel
fuel (DF 1, DF 2, DF A Arctic, JP 5, JP 8 and
B20 Bio Diesel) with a glow plug pre-heater
assist for starting. “Arctic Cat was very
impressed with B20,” says Ole Tweet, VP of
New Product Development. “The blend
burns cleaner than conventional diesel, producing
fewer carbon dioxide emissions and
lower levels of hydrocarbons, carbon
monoxide and particulates. That complements
Arctic Cat’s stewardship goals”,
Tweet says. “We’re trying to reduce the
impact of our ATV’s on the environment and
we like the idea of making an ATV that could
run on renewable fuel grown by farmers,
some of our best customers.” Although the
Arctic Cat 700 Diesel is no lightweight-it has
a dry weight of 823 pounds-the powerful
diesel gets it moving like a quad half its size.
www.arcticcat.com
10. POLARIS 800 EFI DELUXE ($8,399)
It has all the bells and whistles the avid offroad
adventure could want in one powerful
package. For example, the Deluxe model features
such factory-installed accessories as a
2500-pound-capacity Polaris Winch, cast aluminum
wheels, dual exhaust, extender for the
rear cargo rack, and dual rear work/brake
lights. Under thumb is the powerful and reliable
liquid-cooled, electronic fuel-injected,
twin-cylinder Polaris Liberty 800 engine coupled
to an on-demand 2WD/AWD. The independent rear suspension
is one of the
best in the industry, offering
9.5-inches of travel
and more than 11 inches
of ground clearance.
Tough composite body
components, integrated
front storage, cargo
racks with a capacity of
300 pounds, and the
ability to tow 1,500
pounds puts the Polaris
800 Deluxe at the front of
the big work and play
Utes. www.polarisindustries.
com
11.YAMAHA
WOLVERINE 450 4X4
($ 5,999)
The Wolverine 450 4x4
combines features like 4WD and a sporttuned
adjustable suspension combine to
make a very versatile trail machine. A liquidcooled
421cc- single feeding power through
a full-auto constantly variable transmission
makes it easy to ride. The Yamaha On-
Command® gear selector system means
switching from 2WD to 4WD is as simple as
tapping the handlebar-mounted button and
you can go practically anywhere. Other features
include Raptor-inspired styling and
aggressive bodywork, integrated floorboards,
a comfortable sport seat and an
integrated rear rack. Sport style solid rear
axle and all-terrain tires make the Wolverine
fun to corner. www.yamaha-motor.com