BUYER’S GUIDE: 2015 Sport Quad Buyer’s Guide
The sport quad category has something for almost every kind of rider. There are high-performance competition quads with incredible engine performance and fully adjustable suspension for racers and aggressive riders. Most trail riders want ATVs with smoother power, so there’s a good selection of these machines. Younger, smaller sport riders need sport quads sized right for them, so there are scaled-down sport models too. We’ve got them all in “ATV UTV Action’s Sport ATV Buyer’s Guide”!
BIG-BORE SPORT ATVs
Yamaha Raptor 700R: The 2015 Raptor 700R is more powerful than ever, thanks to a new high-compression, single-head-pipe, four-valve, single-overhead-cam head. Handling is improved, too, with re-tuned, fully adjustable front shocks and new taller front tires. All that, and the price is the same as the 2014 model!
Motor type 686cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 102mm x 84mm
Transmission 5-speed manual w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/9.1″
Rear Pro swingarm/10.1″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.9 gal.
Length/width/height 72.6″/46.1″/44.5″
Tire sizes: f/r 21×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 422 lb.
Colors Blue/white
Price $8199
Yamaha Raptor 700R SE: Special black-and-white bodywork with a red frame, a Yamaha GYTR front grab bar and heel guards set the Raptor 700R SE apart from the 700R. Both have all the great 2015 performance and suspension upgrades.
Motor type 686cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 102mm x 84mm
Transmission 5-speed manual w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/9.1″
Rear Pro swingarm/10.1″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.9 gal.
Length/width/height 72.6″/46.1″/44.5″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 422 lb.
Colors Blue, white, SE black/red
Price $8799
Yamaha Raptor 700: The base Raptor 700 lacks the 700R’s sophisticated, fully adjustable suspension, but it comes with the same great engine updates and hybrid steel and aluminum chassis as the 700R and 700R SE.
Motor type 686cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 102mm x 84mm
Transmission 5-speed manual w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/9.1″
Rear Pro swingarm/10.1″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.9 gal.
Length/width/height 72.6″/46.1″/44.5″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 422 lb.
Colors Blue/white
Price $7699
COMPETITION ATVs
Apex 450F: Powered by the carbureted, kick-start Yamaha YFZ450F motocross bike engine, the Apex 450F comes ready for motocross with wide A-arms, Elka suspension, nerf bars, and beadlock rear wheels.
Motor type 449cc, 5-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC
Bore and stroke 95mm x 63.4mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/11.5″
Rear Swingarm/12″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.6 gal.
Length/width/height 71″/49″/42.9″
Tire size: f/r 20×6-10, 18×10-8
Claimed wet weight 340 lb.
Colors Black, white
Price $13,000
Can-Am DS450 X mx: Machines don’t come more motocross-ready than Can-Am’s DS 450 X mx. You get wide A-arms, nerf bars and beadlock rear wheels, along with Fox Float X Evol shocks.
Motor type 449cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC
Bore and stroke 97mm x 60.8mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/10.7″
Rear R-type swingarm/10.7″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.9 gal.
Length/width/height 72.4″/50″/41.9″
Tire size: f/r 20×6-10/18×10-8
Dry weight 349 lb.
Colors Yellow/black
Price $9799
Can-Am DS450X xc: The DS 450X xc is the woods racing version of the DS 450 X mx. It comes with handguards, ITP Holeshot XC tires and beadlock wheels, nerf bars, bumpers, a taller anti-vibe steering stem and aluminum oversized handlebars.
Motor type 449cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC
Bore and stroke 97mm x 60.8mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/9.6″
Rear R-type swingarm/10.5″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 3 gal.
Length/width/height 72.4″/46″/41.9″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10,, 20×10-9
Claimed dry weight 349 lb.
Colors Yellow/black
Price $9099
Honda TRX450R: Honda’s 450R is a popular, well-proven choice for all forms of racing, and it’s affordably priced for a high-performance ATV. The carbureted engine and steel frame perform as well as machines with fuel injection and aluminum frames.
Motor type 450cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 96mm x 62mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.4″
Rear Swingarm/9.3″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.7 gal.
Length/width/height 73.3″/46.3″/43.3″
Tire size: f/r 22×7-10/20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 388 lb.
Colors Red, white
Price $7799
Yamaha YFZ450R and YFZ450R SE: Yamaha’s YFZ450Rs are motocross-ready, high-tech machines. Fuel-injected five-valve engines in hybrid aluminum/steel frames with fully adjustable suspension make these machines potent platforms for racing and serious sport riding. The SE comes with black bodywork, a red frame, special graphics and a GYTR grab bar for $200 more.
Motor type 449cc, 5-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC
Bore and stroke 95mm x 63.4mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/9.8″
Rear Swingarm/11″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.6 gal.
Length/width/height 70.7″/48.8″/41.9″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 403/405 lb.
Colors Blue/SE Black
Price $8799/$8999
Apex 250F: The engine from the Yamaha YZ250F motocross bike is the heart of the Apex 250F motocross quad. This lightweight, kick-start machine comes with Elka suspension.
Motor type 250cc, 5-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC
Bore and stroke 77mm x 53.mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/11.5″
Rear Swingarm/12″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.6 gal.
Length/width/height 71″/49″/42.9″
Tire size: f/r 20×6-10, 18×10-8
Claimed wet weight 340 lb.
Colors Black, white
Price $12,000
MID-SIZED SPORT ATVs
Yamaha YFZ450: The YFZ450 is a trail-tuned high-performance machine based on the original carbureted, steel-framed YFZ450. It has smoother engine and suspension tuning than the YFZ450R and a very affordable price.
Motor type 449cc, 5-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC
Bore and stroke 95mm x 63.4mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/9.1″
Rear Swingarm/10.6″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.6 gal.
Length/width/height 72.4″/46.1″/42.9″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 385 lb.
Colors White, Metallic Black
Price $6899
Honda TRX400X: Great handling; slim, sporty ergonomics; smooth, strong power; and plush suspension make the affordable 400X a pleasure for all kinds of recreational riding. The air-cooled engine’s reliability is legendary.
Motor type 398cc, 4-valve, air-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 85mm x 70mm
Transmission 5-speed w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.2″
Rear Swingarm/9.1″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.6 gal.
Length/width/height 71.7″/45.5″/44″
Tire size: f/r 22×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 408 lb.
Colors Red
Price $6399
Suzuki LTZ400: The Z400’s snappy throttle response and smooth, fully adjustable suspension make it an excellent choice for serious trail and dune riders. Reverse makes this machine easy to maneuver in tight spots.
Motor type 398cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled DOHC
Bore and stroke 90mm x 62.6mm
Transmission 5-speed w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/8.5″
Rear Linked swingarm/9.1″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.6 gal.
Length/width/height 72″/45.9″/45.7″
Tire size: f/r 22×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 425 lb.
Colors Yellow/black
Price $7149
Yamaha Raptor 350: Smooth power and suspension, reverse, and a rugged air-cooled engine make the Raptor 350 a sport machine that’s easy to ride and maintain.
Motor type 348cc, 2-valve, air-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 83mm x 64.5mm
Transmission 6-speed w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/7.9″
Rear Swingarm/8.3″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 2.4 gal.
Length/width/height 69.7″/43.1″/42.5″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 396 lb.
Colors White
Price $5599
Arctic Cat DVX300: A fully automatic transmission makes the DVX300 a sport quad that’s simple for learning riders to enjoy. The powerful, liquid-cooled, four-valve engine has enough performance for skilled riders.
Motor type 270cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 72.7mm x 65.2mm
Transmission CVT
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/6.1″
Rear Swingarm/6.5″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 3.4 gal.
Length/width/height 67.7″/44.7″/44.7″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10/20×11-9
Claimed dry weight 425 lb.
Colors Green, orange
Price $4399
Kymco Mongoose 300: Kymco’s Mongoose 300 is an affordable, full-sized sport machine for new and experienced riders. The four-valve, liquid-cooled engine provides plenty of power, and an automatic transmission makes it easy to ride.
Motor type 270cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 72.7mm x 65.2mm
Transmission CVT w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/5.7″
Rear Linked swingarm/6.5″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 3.4 gal.
Length/width/height 76″/41″/42″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10/20×11-9
Claimed dry weight 392 lb.
Colors Red, black
Price $3849
Can-Am DS250: The DS250 is the only 250 recommended for riders age 14 and up. A fully automatic transmission makes it easy to ride. The liquid-cooled, four-valve engine gives it performance that learners can grow into.
Motor type 249.4cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 71mm x 63mm
Transmission CVT w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/5.5″
Rear Swingarm/6.7″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 3.3 gal.
Length/width/height 72″/40.5″/43.5″
Tire size: f/r 22×7-10, 20×11-9
Claimed dry weight 429 lb.
Colors Yellow
Price $4149
Honda TRX250X: The 250X’s five-speed transmission has a unique automatic clutch that also operates like a manual clutch when the rider wants. It’s an ideal machine for beginners that also lets more advanced riders develop their skills.
Motor type 229cc, 2-valve, air-cooled OHV
Bore and stroke 68.5mm x 62.2mm
Transmission 5-speed manual/auto w/ rev.
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/5.9″
Rear Swingarm/5.7″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/drum
Fuel capacity 2.5 gal.
Length/width/height 68.5″/41.8″/42.4″
Tire size: f/r 22×7-10/20×10-9
Claimed wet weight 379 lb.
Colors Red
Price $4499
Yamaha Raptor 250: The Raptor 250 delivers serious sport quad performance in a scaled-down package. Its five-speed, manual-clutch transmission; agile handling; and great suspension give smaller riders the feel of a full-sized sport quad.
Motor type 249cc, 2-valve, air-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 74mm x 58mm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/7.5″
Rear swingarm/7.9″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/disc
Fuel capacity 3.9 gal.
Length/width/height 64″/42.1″/40.9″
Tire size: f/r 20×7-10, 19×10-9
Claimed wet weight 330 lb.
Colors Blue, white with custom graphics
Price $4599
Polaris Phoenix 200: Thanks to a fully automatic transmission, the Phoenix is perfect for first-time riders and learners who are ready for more power than mini ATVs. ο
Motor type 196cc, 2-valve, air-cooled SOHC
Bore and stroke 65mm x 59mm
Transmission CVT
Suspension/travel:
Front Dual A-arm/7″
Rear Swingarm/6.5″
Brakes: f/r Dual disc/drum
Fuel capacity 2.5 gal.
Length/width/height 65″/42″/42″
Tire size: f/r 21×7-10, 20×10-9
Claimed dry weight 395 lb.
Colors Blue
Price $3599
Comments are closed.