[btmoney]

Hello All,

I joined this club about 6 months ago when I bought XX and this is my first post. I've been on about 4 rides so far and figured I'd share my impressions of the quad after 1/2 a season of riding.

I live in Mass but do all my riding in the mountains of western Maine. So most of my riding experience is on rocky, rutted, and muddy trails. I'm pretty much a weekend warrior with no real interest in competing.

Now before I get into it. I just want to say that I love this quad. I bought after I got bored with my 400ex and because my 30 year old back couldn't take the abuse of SRA anymore. I was really nervous about buying this thing because all of the bad reviews (which do hold water in my opinion) but positives of this quad definitely out-weigh the negatives, at least for the type of riding that I do.

The Positives:
- The ground clearance is amazing for a sport quad. I never get stuck. I've taken this thing through old grown-in skidder trails, swamps, rivers, and deep ruts. It just keeps going.
- Unbeatable comfort. The ergonomics are great and the smooth ride of the IRS makes all day rides easy. I have gone out on a 10-hour day ride, came back to camp for burgers, beers, and gas, only to head right back out for a night ride. NEVER could I have done that on my 400ex.
- It's fast. I've read that some people are disappointed with the power but as far as I'm concerned it's got perfect amount for the woods. Any more and I'd probably be dead right now (read on for explanation). I have never found myself in a situation where the power wasn't there when I needed it.

The Negatives:
- Turning sux. Right now I'm running the stock suspension (which is talked about in plenty of other posts) and I finding it difficult to remember to throw the extra weight around to prevent myself from going on two wheels in tight corners. I know that other people say that they got used to it after a day but I haven't been able to. Instead I've find myself taking corners at slower speeds than I used to. Not sure if I just need more practice but as soon as I save the $ I'm throwing on new suspension.
- Front suspension bottoms out way to easy. I haven't tried adjusting the pre-load on the front shocks yet and I am hoping that will help.
- It's heavy. Just try loading it into the bed of a pickup on your own. Not happening. Ramps are a must.

I figured I'd end this review with a little lesson on what not to do with your XX. On my second ride of the season (just after break-in) I was out on a trail probably going faster than I should of. Hell, I just broke the thing in and I wanted to see what it had. I came around a corner only to find a drainage ditch had been added to the trail over the winter. Now it wasn't that big of a ditch so I tried opening up the throttle to wheelie over it. Yeah...didn't happen. The front tires grazed the other side of the ditch, bottoming out the front suspension, and launched me over the handlebars at about 50mph. The bad news....I had a separated shoulder, fractured pelvis, and gash on my elbow down to the bone. The good news, the ATV landed on all 4's and didn't even have a scratch.

Now, I take the majority of the blame for this accident for riding stupid but I convinced that if I had hit that ditch on my 400ex I would have been able to recover. Unfortunately I learned about the extra weight and plush front suspension of the 700xx the hard way. Again, I'm an idiot for reckless riding...80% my fault, 20% suspension.

You have been warned.

Aside from that I have had two other great rides with this machine and have been very happy with my purchase.

Money

 

[xx700xx]

L8ton racing sway bar, 13t sprocket and tires. You'll find a whole new love for this machine. Later on when you can afford the EHS big 3 you'll find again, a whole new love for this machine!

 

[Red-N-BlackXX]

Yeah then some fox shox and you'll really love this machine!!!

 

[btmoney]

Improving handling - If you had to choose

I hear you guys...I'm really looking forward to start mod'ing this thing.

Question for the community: I can only afford to one of these right now to improve handling. Which one would have the best results?

1. New tires and the l8ton sway bar for about $600

2. New front Fox shocks for $1300

Option 1 is obviously a lot easier on the wallet. If I can get the same performance improvements I'd definetely rather go that route.

 

[xx700xx]

If you're going to jump a lot the shocks would be nice. If you occasionally jump and mostly ride trails then the shocks can wait. If I were you id for sure go with first option! You will see a dramatic change in handling and it won't hit the pocket book as hard. Definitely throw a 13t sprocket on as well. If you're not going big 3 right away the 13t sprocket is where its at.

 

[Red-N-BlackXX]

Option 1 and some ds450 front shocks

 

[roadkill]

One other item I'd recommend for you and most any trial quad rider is a steering stabilizer. Especially since you say you ride rocky trails. Here is a link for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bill.../270621000008?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories

roadkill

 

[dagirl71]

send him an email directly he does less for club members

Here's his email. [email protected]

nash04 just ordered one

 

[Baxter]

I hear you guys...I'm really looking forward to start mod'ing this thing.

Question for the community: I can only afford to one of these right now to improve handling. Which one would have the best results?

1. New tires and the l8ton sway bar for about $600

2. New front Fox shocks for $1300

Option 1 is obviously a lot easier on the wallet. If I can get the same performance improvements I'd definetely rather go that route.

Option 3 . New tyres all round and as scuzz say's learn to ride the 700xx .
It handles way differant than the 400ex and takes some getting use to.
Basically if you go into a corner on the 700xx pretend that you are going twice as fast and riding the 400ex. You have to put a little more effort into it . Once you get youre head round this, the 700xx handles pretty good and a swaybar in my opinion is not needed !

 

[redrider]

nice review, i upgraded from a 400ex as well, i had the same first impressions during my first few rides. congrats on the xx and welcome to the site!

 

[xxTheDarkLumpxx]

I hear you guys...I'm really looking forward to start mod'ing this thing.

Question for the community: I can only afford to one of these right now to improve handling. Which one would have the best results?

1. New tires and the l8ton sway bar for about $600

2. New front Fox shocks for $1300

Option 1 is obviously a lot easier on the wallet. If I can get the same performance improvements I'd definetely rather go that route.

As a weekend warrior, definately the sway bar for sure and maybe tires. 13 tooth sprocket is $10 to $20. Front shocks sux, but adjust the preload to give them the ability to handle bigger jumps or impacts, helps with the body roll as well...still wont hold up to prolonged abuse, but OK for general trail riding. Id say try these first then decide if you need to spend more...

• Swaybar & adjust front preload - This is the best the 700 can handle without spending big bucks.
• Tires & 13 tooth sprocket - now you have a machine that is tuned and is pure fun and will keep you smiling all day.
• Big 3 - now you are smiling ear to ear, and the only machines that can touch you are, "They who emptied their bank accounts." (on the right trails you can even beat them)