ATV advice

[Dean2]

Mud, so you would or would not take a polaris for free...? Polaris isn't one of the top four?? Doubt that...Hmmm

I am not mud but I was offered a free brand new Polaris if I would promote them, I didn't take it. Stuck to the Honda and Yamaha that we had to pay for.

 

[Reloder28]

I have a Honda FOR SALE. It is a 2000 Rancher ES 4x4 TRX350. It has never given me any trouble, starts first time, every time. It has new tires, new wheels, oil recently changed. I have all maintenance records from warranty recalls & a carb rebuild. I am asking $1800.

Bought a 2018 Honda Pioneer.

 

[Slim13]

If any Honda shows up in that price range I'd jump at it.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

My current and favorite 4 wheeler is an Arctic Cat 650. Its an older machine. It has the Kawasaki engine on it.
For what I do, its a stud. Plowing snow , pulling a trailer and sled in the woods logging. Skidding logs. Going for joy rides . ECT ECT.
I REALLY LIKE ! The 2" receiver hitch on the rear. It has front axle locker in it that helps when traction gets real iffy. But can't turn when fully locked. Just forward and back.
Mine has never liked starting at much colder than -10° F. Without an exterior heat source( ready heater, bon fire. Ect.
I've had and used a bunch of 4 wheelers in Southeast and interior Alaska. Honda Four Trax 300. Suzuki 250 Quad Runner , Suzuki 330 BearCat , Polaris Sportsman 500 and my 650 are what I've owned and worked the snot out of.
One time I packed out a trophy bull moose in 1 load on my Polaris500. Just walked it out in low gear. No problem what so ever.
The Polaris 500 is also the fastest4 wheeler I've ridden. Scary fast. Good towing power. The 650 Arctic Cat has more pulling and pushing power but not as fast.
Get one of the main brands and you should be good.
If you think a solid fear axle 4 wheeler is tippy, you should try going off road on an old 3 wheeler. ;-)

 

[Tree Farmer]

Own 97 Suzuki King Quad and 2000 Honda Rubicon. Both going strong, even after 3 boys. I love the KQ (300 cc), rear independent suspension, low and super low gear range and it easily fits in the bed of my pickup. It's got a winch and is small/light enough to get unstuck by myself. The trend in new machines is big and powerful, but small and maneuverable works for my hunting and farm needs. My boys like big and fast, but too scary for me.

 

[DWill]

Have an older Polaris Sportsman and mostly use it around the farm for spraying etc. Works OK but always seems to need maintenance. Bought a Honda Pioneer side by side and it's been outstanding, no belt drive, has a regular trans and driveline. Next quad will be a Honda too.
Lots of good brands out there, I'd recommend finding a good dealer and shop and go with what they sell. Good local dealer support is worth a lot.

 

[TBuckus]

I own and run an ATV-UTV service and repair shop , my favorite is Honda's lines of foreman's. the Rancher 420 is a very good bike and plenty of power. you can get it in many different models, with out without Power steering, electric shift or manual shift. We rebuild all makes in here and that particular motor is by far the least expensive to go through, guys water ride here and destroy them all lol we just went through an arctic cat 1000 xtz side by side and his bill was 3995.00. can ams are the same way with their babbit plain bearings on the cranks, very pricey to go through and maintenance parts are high. the rancer comes in straight axle rear or IRS, independent rear suspension

I agree with these two Hondas. I owned a Foreman and regret selling it. My FIL has the rancher and loves it along with myself. I will give the edge to the Foreman, but only because I'm not used to the shifting on the handlebar.
My suggestion is to go everything manual/ basic. It will save you money in the long run and less of a chance that you get stranded.
IRS is a smoother ride, but replacing boots cost money. PS is great, but increases cost and another thing to break.
You should be able to find those Hondas in the '05-'10 range for 3-4K.

 

[Dean2]

May not apply to your situation and I meant to post this in my earlier one but where we use and keep quads there is often no dealer for at least 300 miles, many spots it can be 800. On top of that, many places have no road access to haul a quad out to the dealer, you have to barge it or fly it out. A quad being easy to fix/work on as well as maintain, good parts availability on older models, bullet proof reliability and being free of major failures like engine transmission etc are all highly prized in those locations. Honda is the clear leader and almost the only quad you see in barge and fly out locations. I have NEVER seen a Polaris in these spots.

 

[TwoMore]

I agree with these two Hondas. I owned a Foreman and regret selling it. My FIL has the rancher and loves it along with myself. I will give the edge to the Foreman, but only because I'm not used to the shifting on the handlebar.
My suggestion is to go everything manual/ basic. It will save you money in the long run and less of a chance that you get stranded.
IRS is a smoother ride, but replacing boots cost money. PS is great, but increases cost and another thing to break.
You should be able to find those Hondas in the '05-'10 range for 3-4K.

I agree 100% I own a 450 es and have to shift it with my left hand and when you have a kid and two rifles and back packs its hart to have to shift it. the manual shift is the way to go , unless you go with the 420 FA or rubicon or rincon just put them in drive and go. you can get cv axles under 90 bucks now and the IRS is super easy to change out complete shafts in the rear, did one today

 

[Singleshotneeded]

hello all. Looking for used ATV advice. Not really in the market to buy a brand new ATV. Any recommendations on a good quality used ATV brand. My buddies all have Can Am and Polaris. Looking for something that won't break the bank. I know the new ones all have power steering heated grips EFI ect. Just want something that will handle most hunting and recreation jobs. Maybe in the $3000 - $4000 range???? Seems to be large range of prices on similarly equipped used brands of ATV. I understand this is a bit subjective but thx in advance for your help

Pete

Hey Pete, I have a few friends in the repair end of the ATV industry, and of course several friends I ride with...also recently looked at Consumer Reports as I'm looking at buying a new quad for myself and giving my bulletproof 2008 Suzuki KingQuad 750 to my son. So...the worst quads for reliability are Chinese, they're getting better but still the worst. Quite a bit better but still spotty are Arctic Cats. A bit better than AC is Polaris, who have improved a decent bit in the last few years. A bit of a hop up in reliability from Polaris is Can-Am, but make sure you put aluminum armour underneath and replace the stupid plastic. The Japanese brands are the best for reliability...trailing the group is Kawasaki, though it's still a very reliable machine. A degree better is Suzuki, that I've owned for years with zero issues, and tied for first place is Honda and Yamaha. If you buy a Honda, make sure you get an independent rear suspension model, it makes a big difference on the trails. Yamaha was the first with power steering so there's used Grizzlies out there with EPS going back to 2006. A friend bought one new in 2007 and it has great suspension, clearance, and reliability. The reason the EPS is so great is it absorbs the bumps you get from a large rock, say, just hitting one front wheel, without the bars trying to wrench out of your hands and turn the quad to the side of the rock. It's caused a lot of accidents. You can ride faster and safer in rough terrain with EPS, and feel more relaxed and less tired at the end of a long ride. If you can find one in your price range, I'd suggest a Yamaha Grizzly.

 

[merasmus]

Looked around a lot before I settled on a 550 Grizzly back in 2009. I'm on a farm so it is used all year long and still running great. My boys have all followed suit and have Grizzlies but of course they wanted 700,s My second choice would be Honda but they aren't near as comfortable to ride but do hold up well . From what I have heard Polaris are more prone to need repair and Can Am is really expensive if they need repair. If I was in the market for a new Quad I would definitely would still go with Yamaha because of how dependable ours have been and fun to ride

 

[seattleman1969]

Anyone try the Roxors yet?

 

[ptb]

well, I can't thank everyone enough for all of the insight and advice. I know when I asked the question it was subjective and a "Ford or Chevy" question. But what I have gained is the first hand experience from mechanics, users and dealers on ATV's. I will continue to comb the classifieds and websites to find a good deal.

I do want to add, that in this time of political and social unrest, I am humbly thankful that 8 pages of total strangers (to me) take the time to share their opinions and experiences. Thx again to all. be safe....

 

[therifleman556]

Oh don't think just because you made your peace that the total strangers are going to quit piling on the opinions lol...