I currently own 4 Kawasaki's. A 1996 Bayou 300cc 2x4, a 1997 Bayou 300cc 4x4, a 2003 Prarie 360 4x4 and a Brute Force 650 SRA (Solid rear axle with single shock like a sport bike) 4x4. I've never had any problems with any and the 96 and 97 have been beat to death by friends with no respect for other's property. The 97 had a front tie rod and tire replace and was laying upside down in a beaver pond, winched out, started up and limped 1/2 mile back to camp. The 96 had the whole front of the frame from the motor up remade due to a freind, rock and tree. It seems to ride smoother then ever now though. Those are both considered automatic clutch (let off the gas and shift the lever, no actual clutch). The Prairie I have to admit is pretty slow being that it is 60cc bigger then the 96 and 97. It tops out about 35-40 MPH. The older 300's will go a little faster. The 360 also has a SRA like the 650. The ride is still pretty smooth and makes it sportier for those play sessions. The 650 will do a wheelie off the start and throw the person on your back off if they are not holding on. You'll notice the 360 will also squat in the rear when hitting the gas. Instant throttle response on both. The Kawasaki's come with a little yellow lever that will lock the front wheels in when you need to get unstuck. Some Suzuki's also have this feature due to a past relationship with both companies. The 360 will weigh in around 600 pounds as well as the 650. Hmmm? The Suzuki's again are going to be similar to the Kawasaki's because of the past agreement. Price is somewhat the same too. Oh the 360 and 650 are completely automatic. Put in 2x4 or 4x4 and go as well as put in D or R or Low range and go.
I've ridden several Honda's they run great also but price is higher too. But like some people said they run great. I can't complain about them. I sold my only Honda, it was a 300ex, sport quad. Never really got used plus my 650 will run with it stock.
Yamaha, I never rode any. My last ATV Magazine showed their new one that I think is a 450. It was made more for mud bogging. It comes with ITP Mudlite tire and is an autmatic clutch. I hear it is nice.
Polaris, hmmm where to start. I rode several Sportman's 500cc quads and watched a Polaris Predator Dale Earnhart Jr Edition fall apart as we rode. If you have a Polaris you swear by them. My thoughts are they are heavy (800 lbs heavy). To service them you need to take more items apart then the Kawasaki's but not sure on the Honda or Yamaha's. There are zerk (grease) fittings all over that you are supposed to grease. Good luck finding them all. I think they are a little over priced too. My friend rolled his just onto the side and cracked the fairing around the headlight on the handlebars. He has been haveing a ton of electrical issues with it now. The predator would not run in the rain without electrical problems and eventaully the intake boot came off the carb. Both my friends Sportsmans also seem to get the belt wet and it takes a few minutes to dry out so you can move again. I've been over my seat in the 360 to the point that the motor shut off and took the two Sportsmans to pull me out. Once on dry land she started right up and we resumed riding. My friend was up to the bottom of the seat and had to be pulled out cause the belt slipped.
If you have a chance ride as many as you can. Your price range should get you between a 300 and 500 class atv. Like stated above the 360 is somewhat slow but is a work horse and will go anywhere and bigger or smaller atv will go. Let me know if you have anymore questions. Check out each manufacturer online to see what is in your price range. print out the spec and compair. Then go luck at them to see how they feel and how easy it is to maintain each of them. Look how to change the oil filter and oil, as well as the battery and the air filter. These are the things you will be maintaining on a regular basis.
I have no expreience with Arctic Cats or Can-AM(Bombadier). Arctic Cats will have the best ground clearence probably, and the Can-Ams are better for speed then low end work.
