Before you buy: Your first step for any purchase should be to figure out how you're going to use the vehicle. In the case of a quad, will it be used for fun, or utility, or something down the middle? Do you need room for two? Heavy-duty 4x4s are probably not the best choice if you are looking for nimble performance and light weight for speed. But if you plan to plow snow or dirt or tow around the property, they might be your best bet.
MSRP: $6,949
Engine: SOHC 641cc four-valve, liquid-cooled four-stroke
Drivetrain: It has an automatic continuously variable transmission with engine braking system.
Suspension: There's a fully independent rear and double A-arm front. It has preload adjustable shocks, and brags of 10 inches of travel. Ground clearance clocks in at 13 inches.
Dimensions: Its length is 84.8 inches, width is 47.5 inches, and height is 49.3 inches. The wheelbase rings in at 50 inches.
Dry Weight: 699 pounds
Brakes: Hydraulic discs
Tires: 25x8.00/12 in front and 25x11.00/12 in back
Towing capacity: 1,050 pounds
Fuel capacity: 6.5 gallons
What else? LE stands for Limited Edition, and it comes standard with front and rear brushguard bumpers, aluminum wheels, and extra-wide fenders. There's a full-length skidplate.
Get one: www.arcticcat.com
MSRP: $6,499
Engine: 498cc liquid-cooled four-stroke Rotax
Drivetrain: Continuously variable transmission, plus Visco-Lok four-wheel-drive system with a progressive locking front diff.
Suspension: Double A-arm front suspension, with rigid swing arm at the rear.
Dimensions: It's 84 inches long, 47 inches tall, and 45 inches wide, with a 51-inch wheelbase.
Dry Weight: 713 pounds
Brakes: Dual hydraulic discs in front, single hydraulic out back
Tires: 25x8.00/12 and 25x11.00/12 front and rear, respectively
Towing capacity: 1,100 pounds
Fuel capacity: 5.8 gallons
What else? The suspension has 7 inches of travel in the front end and 7.5 in the rear. There's an 8-gallon storage area at the front of the Buck, and the radiator is located at the rear to avoid getting compacted with mud or damaged by brush.
Get one: www.johndeere.com
MSRP: $7,599
Engine: 749cc V-twin, liquid-cooled four-stroke
Drivetrain: Continuously variable beltdrive transmission, with high and low range, as well as Reverse and engine brake control. Also features selectable four-wheel drive with a variable front differential control, and shaft.
Suspension: The front is double A-arm, while the rear is fully independent with a double A-arm.
Dimensions: It's 86.3 inches long, 46.3 inches wide, and 49.2 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 50.5 inches
Dry Weight: 602 pounds
Brakes: Up front you'll find dual hydraulic discs, and out back a sealed multi-disc system.
Tires: In front are 25x8.00-12s and at the rear are 25x10.00-12s
Towing capacity: 1,250 pounds
Fuel capacity: 5.4 gallons
What else? In terms of wheel travel, you're looking at 6.7 inches in front, and 7.9 at the rear. It has four-bulb headlights, making night runs a breeze, and there's 10.6 inches of ground clearance.
Get one: www.kawasaki.com
MSRP: $8,599
Engine: 760cc liquid-cooled four-stroke with electronic fuel injection
Drivetrain: Automatic Polaris variable transmission (PVT) with engine braking system.
Suspension: In front is a MacPherson strut, and the rear is fully independent with antiroll bar.
Dimensions: The wheelbase is 50.75 inches, while the length is 81 inches. The width is 46 inches, and the height is 47 inches.
Dry Weight: 765 pounds
Brakes: Single-lever hydraulic disc with hydraulic rear foot brake
Tires: 26x8.00R12 front and 26x11.00R12 rear
Towing capacity: 1,500 pounds
Fuel capacity: 4.13 gallons
What else: For 2005, suspension travel increased 22 percent, which means 8.2 inches in front and 9.5 in back. Double offset joint (DOJ) half-shafts reduce vibration during acceleration, deceleration, and when climbing, and dual exhaust is what you can't see in this photo.
Get one: www.polarisindustries.com
MSRP: $2,599
Engine: 149cc air-cooled four-stroke
Drivetrain: Automatic single-speed continuously variable transmission with V-belt
Suspension: Double A-arm in front and swing arm in the rear
Dimensions: The Viper is 68.1 inches long, has a height of 42.1, a width of 38.6 inches, and a wheelbase of 43.9 inches
Dry Weight: 379 pounds
Brakes: The front has dual mechanical drums, and out back is a hydraulic disc
Tires: Front: 21x7.00/10; rear: 22x10.00/10
Towing capacity: 330 pounds
Fuel capacity: 1.7 gallons
What else: This is a recreational/sport quad that's smaller than the 250cc models. Among the available accessories are a rear tote rack and a heavy-duty hitch. Eton offers a wide range of youth ATVs.
Get one: www.etonamerica.com