Any ATV guys checked out the Kawi Brute Force?

[Overpaid Slacker]

I'm seriously considering buying one. I've got a pre-tax out-the-door price of $7320 (with winch and having had it registered).

OK, the truth is, I'm doing this b/c I've got the get-a-motorcycle bug strong right now and could pick up an R1 or a Mille R if I'm not careful. This should sate the need for a toy I could kill myself on in a "safer" way and with better timing, given winter is around the corner.

The Brute Force is an absolute beast -- 750cc V-twin, IRS, 1250lb towing cap. and all kinds of coolness.

Some info here. You can also check it out at Kawasaki.com, but I can't post a direct link to the Brute Force info. You guys are smart; you'll find it.

Anybody been on one of these, got any informed opinions? I've looked at a bunch of ATV sites, but I figured I'd ask here as well.




JP

[dd74]

It's cool, I guess. But I'm sort of black and white with those things: you either race them off road, or you do farm-type of work with them. Otherwise, IMHO if it's got handlebars, it shouldn't have four wheels.

[concentric]

Originally posted by Overpaid Slacker

Looks like a zombie-killing machine to me.

I'd go for it. Can't have enough vehicles to do work with.

JCM

[motion]

What in the hell are you going to do with that thing?? Ride it twice a year? Get a bike. Learn how to control your right wrist. Be careful. Its all good

[911boost]

Preach on brother Beavis.

Richard is right. Get a bike, unless you live near all kinds of land, or travel to the sand dunes, or hunt, I cannot see a reason to own one.

Take your bike to the track and race there, on the street use your brain. If you fall off at the track, you dont get squished by a car...

Bill

[lendaddy]

The thing that sucks about the "workhorse" ATV's is that they are totally incapable of serious riding, they are just too damn heavy. So if you get the urge to "catch a little air" you better have a kidney belt on. I'm an old MX'er myself, so I would need atleast a banshee or something. I mean in reality you're not going to stop one of those either.

[911boost]

Lendaddy,

My next door neighbor is in the process of puttinig nitrous on his banshee. Crazy bastard, the damn thing is fast enough as it is...

But are they fun, smile!

Bill

[lendaddy]

The gurgle of a Banshee two-stroker twin is VERY high on my scale of best sounding mills in the world. Very unique.

[bell]

i use to run endurance races in the 80's with my atc 250R, that thing was fun.

jp it all depends on what you're going to use it for, these work good for pulling race cars....boats, kinda like a small tractor.
if you just want something to play with check out some of the light duty bikes, my dad's big red 3 wheeler gets the job done for pulling things around his property, so unless you're pulling tree roots that thing is just too heavy IMO.

[Simon S]

I'm gonna throw in a vote for motorcycle.
You can commute, visit, run errands, travel, give rides, and feel free out on any highway.

Seems like the ATV would be much more limited in enjoyment.

I plan on being a motorcyclist untill i'm too old to shift gears.

[Overpaid Slacker]

Appreciate the advice, guys. A bike is in the future, no doubt.
My crew of buddies upstate are the guys you see doing stand-up wheelies, high-chairs and endos all over the place, and I've got a hook-up for a bike essentially whenever I want it. However, I know enough to know, not having ridden for 8 years, not to jump on a machine that essentially has one horsepower per pound right away. The R1 is a gorgeous, sick bike, but I've already broken my neck once this lifetime, and I'm trying to avoid another stint in a halo (or worse).

I'll probably get a beat up 750 something to get back into it in the spring (winter comes early and stays late upstate NY, so getting a bike now is not a hot idea). After that, I'm not getting a stunt bike, but probably an Aprilia Mille -- a great handling bike that is more than fast enough, but not designed to stunt and you've really got to try to get the front wheel off the ground.

As for the quad, I know a lot of people are for the racing style quads, and they're fun, no doubt. But make no mistake, these "potato haulers" are plenty fast (this 750 will do 75 mph!) but the speed is 2ndary for me. I like the more technical riding, finding/making a trail and sick climbs. It only weighs 600 lbs, too. The Prairie 700 (last year's biggest Kawi, w/o IRS) easily climbed tough hills the Banshee struggled up. Though it looks cumbersome, this 750 is actually very "light", capable and quick.

My experience has been that private property owners (whom I ask for permission if I'm going to be on their turf) are more likely to allow quads than dirtbikes. I loved my YZ75, but it was too loud for most people to bear.

I can essentially ride from Syracuse to Cortland or Rochester or just about anywhere on firetrails and utility roads, so I've got plenty of scope for the quad. Dunno if I'll get back into hunting, but if I do, I've got one toy ready for it.

I'm planning to leave Long Island in the near-middle future, and wherever I wind up (probably upstate) will need to have space for quads.

JP

[gaijinda]

JP: Riding a bike anywhere in the metropolitan area is crazy! Too many bad roads and clueless drivers. Get a quad and come up to the mountain, PLENTY of trails, and a lot closer than Syracuse! B

[Overpaid Slacker]

I'm with you, Bill. I bought it today at NY Motorcycle. They're delivering it on Tuesday, and I'm going to install the winch myself. I'm stoked. This thing is bad-ass.

JP

[304065]

You freakin' BOUGHT that thing? Awesome!

[vash]

oh christ. i was just going to pipe in and suggest a dual purpose bike. fun on the street and in the dirt.

but a quad, is good for other things like yard duty and hunting. plus exploring.

[Overpaid Slacker]

I'm all for a bike, don't get me wrong -- but this I can ride all winter, rain, snow, mud, etc. And it's freaking fast and nimble. I'm more about the exploring/technical stuff than balls-out speed anyway. I'm sure excellent MX riders could get through/over/around what this quad can, but I'm not an excellent MX rider.

I ordered a set of Maxxis 8-spoke wheels with 27 inch Mud Lites (10" in front, 12" rear) with 1 1/2" spacers. This thing'll be cool. I'll post before (stock) and after (all JP'd up) when the gear gets here.

Unfortunately, that won't be 'til Monday (despite the merchants *promise* that stuff would be shipped yesterday -- this is an all too-common event when I order stuff).

JP

[lendaddy]

You'll have a ball with it JP. Just needs a fridge! Seriously it sounds like you and I take the same approach to our toys. I have always said "it is not a toy until it has it's own toys" Trick that baby out.

Not sure what upstate NY is like, but if it is rough terrain you're all set.

[Overpaid Slacker]

Up in the Catskills with the quad this weekend. Camped out Friday night, up at 6:30 and rode until 5. 65 miles in one day doesnt' sound like much, but when you're crawling, climbing and making your own trails, it's slow going.

This thing will go through or over just about anything. If you haven't ridden one, you wouldn't believe it. Take any opportunity you can to try out a quad.

The campsite (it's blurry b/c it was dark and foggy...):


The beast:


Top of Belleayre Mountain:


Met up with Billy (gaijinda) and his family, who were great hosts and fed us mid-morning. Forgot to get a shot of Billy on the quad ... next time. Thanks, Billy.

JP

[gaijinda]

Glad to have you guys stop by! Awesome machinery. Now the boys want me to "build" them one.. (??) As for me, I am sticking to the "snapper" riding mower!