d on't know whether to start this with the "rant" I feel I must spout, or just give you the facts - how about a shortened version of the rant first?

Have you ever noticed in reviews of ATV utility models, that the lead photo is always that great shot of the quad launched in the air - either popping a wheelie or flying through the air off a jump? Boy, it looks cool to see that skidplate.

Wow, what a great photo, what a great rider. What's the reality that the BUYER of that utility vehicle actually intends to use it that way?! I've been told by those "in the know" (our own reporters that actually do their stories that way too!) that it's a testosterone thing - you do it "Just because you can."

It's the first thing the Editors and Reporters do when they hop on a brand new quad at a Press Event - someone will ALWAYS do a burn out, an impromptu wheelie contest will launch, and the manufacturer reps will be hiding in the tent cringing and reviewing the insurance waivers. But wait - the Vinson may just be your EVERY weekend ATV - if you COULD wheelie it, maybe it wouldn't live in the barn with the farm implements... hmmm..... Could this be why the market for Sport/Utility ATVs is booming?

After riding it, we've seen even the Editors find several applications for it, including major FUN. And for those of you that think those photos are indeed cool and really DO want to wheelie your quad through the woods, you'll get a few of those in the photo gallery (of the factory riders).

Now on with a review of how the quad works for the rest of us... The great thing about this quad is what it's NOT - it's not a radically new everything that may or may not be thoroughly tested, intended to replace a model that just wasn't working out, or to fill a secret niche that no one else was addressing.

What it IS is a quad that is based on an already very popular model (the Vinson 4x4), giving riders an exciting new way to take more control of their riding experience.

It shares many features with its automatic cousin - its engine is based on the Quadrunner 500, a big-bore 493cc liquid-cooled single with an overhead camshaft, a four-valve cylinder head, a vibration-reducting balancer shaft, and a large aluminum alloy radiator. (If you like the factory specs, go to the Suzuki link at the bottom of this article and soak it up to your heart's desire. You can read that stuff anywhere....)

It offers the electric starter backed up by recoil system (a must for long-distance trail riding, or if you break the starter while jumping the quad), and an exhaust-valve decompressor eases the load on the battery, so hot-starting shouldn't be a problem. You've even got a snorkel-type air intake so those really deep mud bogs won't end your day of riding.

In addition, another great feature is continued on the Vinson 500 Manual - the Mode Selection Button. This allows switching from 2WD to 4WD with an easy push of the well-marked button at your right thumb. This allows you to slide around those corners when you are just out for fun, but easily get the grip you need when the trail calls for it unexpectedly. (We wish it was shift-on-the-fly when using this quad as a sport/utility, but it means you just have to be a little more aware of what's ahead of you and plan your gearing.)

Great styling and thought went into this model, including one of the best proportioned seats I've been on in a while - T-shaped, it is very comfortable for long riding sessions, and also transitions well to the gas tank area. No more bruises at the knees.

There's a curious 3 quart water-resistant storage comparment built in to the front fender (looks like an over-sized Pringles can!), that is just right to keep a spare rain slicker and a pair of binoculars handy. Keep your tools and a few spare parts in the rear storage box; it's more traditionally shaped and holds about 5 quarts.

But let's get to what's most important to this model - how they squeezed out an amazing amount of torque and response for the new manual transmission by re-tuning this engine to pull more from the higher end of the rev range. Yeah, it's definately there. An increase in the compression ratio from 8.5 to 10.2 gives the new Vinson more off-the-line-power (YES, YOU CAN WHEELIE THIS BABY!) and a broader torque curve (How about a straight line tractor pull competition?), so acceleration happens smoothly through the gears.

Looking deeper into the changes to make the Vinson manual transmission work, starts with the foot-shifter. Manual shifting is done exactly like you are used to, except there is no clutch. Instead, Suzuki has made good use of an automatic centrifugal clutch. I'll admit, that did take me a while to get used to.

It was too easy! I found myself getting off the gas and grabbing a handful of left brake lever; you have to make yourself think about it. It doesn't take long, however, to make the mental shift. You don't even have to get off the gas at all to change gears, so you don't lose momentum going up a hill, or control coming down. It makes riding much safer and lots more fun. The engine can even be started in gear (you must put on the rear brake, with either the hand or foot lever).

So, how does it RIDE?! We started mid-morning on a very dry red-dirt Georgia trail, about a four mile loop. The trail outlined for us took us right next to the Road Atlanta Race Course, so each lap offered a glimpse of high-speed Porches in their own training session. We challenged the Vinson to loose dusty trail, tight spots between trees, narrow dirt-banked turns, up and down hills. There was even one creek crossing that turned into a mud-hole extrodinaire by the end of the afternoon, and allowed us the opportunity to test the Suzuki OEM winch accessories. Not a lot of rock crawling to be seen, but we had everything else!

After a single lap, the first impression is one of immediate POWER. 1st gear in High Range is very low - generally starts out well even in 2nd gear. To test it, we put it in 1st gear High, and it crawled down a long steep grade with no braking, at a leisurely 3 mph. (Did I mention the LED digital instument panel? Very handy!). We were also able to climb up out of the creek bed from a dead stop at the bottom of the hill - the low range 4WD is impressive. At around 600 pounds (605, to be exact) it's surprisingly nimble and manueverable, especially compared to other quads with only a few more pounds. It feels like the center of gravity may be slightly higher overall, but it never felt unstable - except one too-quick turn in the middle of one too-quick deceleration on a downhill, but as they say, that may have been my fault....

The only thing on this quad I did NOT immediately love is the placement of the High/Low shifter - it is down on the left side, just behind your calf. At first glance, it's placed very inconveniently, however, since you are required to stop completely to shift between High and Low, you are fully stopped anyway, so finding the lever should never be a problem. It's a simple lift lever and is easy to move between the gears, and easy to tell which it's in, so we'll give it a passing grade.

But would you BUY one? Overall, huge thumbs up for the Suzuki Vinson LT F500 Manual. It will join a short list of the "Way To Go" and "We'd recommend it" models for the 2003 Production Year.

MSRP - $6,399 (And with special financing deals we've seen advertised, now would be a good time to take a stroll down to your local dealer!) And make sure you ask about the FREE ATV Safety Course offered to all purchasers of Suzuki ATVs and Motorcycles. There should be a riding course available in your area to start you out right.

Photo Gallery

http://www.suzukicycles.com/