Karen McMahon 2, Editor

October 1, 2008

2 Min Read



Download the 2008 ATV Spec Sheet Here

THE RIDERS

VIDEO ON THE WEB
See each Team FIN farmer evaluate one ATV in videos online at www.farmindustrynews.com/tv/

ABE HODGEN
ROACHDALE, IN
YAMAHA GRIZZLY 700 FI

“The Grizzly 700 is a conventional, good-looking, four-wheeler. The power steering is the biggest feature I liked the best. I loved the side gearshift. It is very functional and the display is very user friendly.”

JAKE GERVAIS
TRACY, MN
KAWASAKI BRUTE FORCE 650 4×4i

“Overall, the Brute Force had a nice package. It has a lot of power, is very comfortable and feels like you are a part of the four-wheeler. All the controls are very accessible. It had two front pockets that are good for storing stuff. I like the styling.”

JEFF RYAN
CRESCO, IA
SUZUKI KINGQUAD 750

“The KingQuad has a tremendous amount of power, a very comfortable ride, a great engine to do lots of jobs on the farm throughout the day. It's an overall excellent machine. I would feel comfortable owning one.”

PETE BAKKEN
LUVERNE, MN
YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 FI

“The Grizzly 550 was a fun vehicle with lots of adequate power, even though it is the 550cc model. It handled real well and was a comfortable ride. I don't have a bad thing to say about it. It was an easy machine to run with all the instrumentation right in front of you.”

SCOTT VEENKER
WINDOM, MN
POLARIS SPORTSMAN 550 XP

“As far as a 550, it seemed to have plenty of power. The active descent feature worked well to slow you down on a hill, and the controls are real comfortable with the display easy to read and right in front. Appearance-wise, I think it is one of the best out here.”

SHIRLEY HODGEN
ROACHDALE, IN
POLARIS SPORTSMAN 500 X2

“I really enjoyed this two-passenger model with its back rest that flips up to carry two people. I could see this vehicle being used every day and in a lot of places where two people need to go, like checking cows and fixing fences. I felt very comfortable and safe on the back.”

PAUL GERVAIS
TRACY, MN
HONDA FOURTRAX FOREMAN 4×4 ES

“After driving the Honda machine, I think it is a good overall machine. It is well balanced, and with the Honda nameplate on it, it has proven durability. The power steering was a real big plus. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but just a good, sound, solid machine.”

THANKS

to Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha for sending their vehicles to test and their company representatives to answer questions. And a special thanks to the folks at the Caribou Gun Club, Le Sueur, MN.

About the Author(s)

Karen McMahon 2

Editor

Karen McMahon has been editor of Farm Industry News since 2000. She joined the staff in 1998 as senior editor and previously worked on the company’s National Hog Farmer magazine.

Karen grew up on a crop and livestock farm outside of LeMars, IA, and earned her journalism degree from South Dakota State University. After college, she worked on the local newspaper as farm editor and later started writing for various livestock and crop magazines.

She has written extensively about trends and technology related to corn and soybean production, the equipment needed for row-crop farming, and livestock production.   

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