Buying Advice ATV 4x4 for Hunting Price and Opinions Please

[sksmsllc]

I am looking for a used 4x4 ATV and would appreciate any opinions on which model and make is best. I will need to navigate 1 mile steep and rugged dirt/mud/sand road getting in to property and out. Also, the ATV will need to be able get around on hilly sandy and muddy 300 acres for hunting.

Would like to pay less than $3,000. What year and hours/miles should I be mindful of?

Thanks again for any advice or experience you can provide.

 

[TripleR]

Man, there are almost too many variables to even mention. My personal preference is for an automatic with Independent Rear Suspension and a locking front differential and definitely water cooled, but for the price you may have to be more flexible. I would not limit myself to any one brand as all the top four or so make good dependable ATV's and your needs are not really all that demanding.

I would not go below a 350 with a good winch; sorry I couldn't be more help.

My personal choice is a 700 Yamaha Grizzly with Fuel Injection and power steering, but I got by fairly well for twenty years on a Yamaha 225 Moto 4 and a come along.

 

[Gator6x4]

Man, there are almost too many variables to even mention. My personal preference is for an automatic with Independent Rear Suspension and a locking front differential and definitely water cooled, but for the price you may have to be more flexible. I would not limit myself to any one brand as all the top four or so make good dependable ATV's and your needs are not really all that demanding.

I would not go below a 350 with a good winch; sorry I couldn't be more help.

My personal choice is a 700 Yamaha Grizzly with Fuel Injection and power steering, but I got by fairly well for twenty years on a Yamaha 225 Moto 4 and a come along.

Well said. The only thing I could add would be add 50 foot of cable. Many a long walk has been taken because of the lack off 10 foot of cable to hook the winch cable to make a connection to a tree or rock.

 

[nickel plate]

Go to the various ATV forum sites, they are easy to find. You will be suprised at the number of models that are continually breaking down. Stay away from those that have a carburetor.

 

[TripleR]

Well said. The only thing I could add would be add 50 foot of cable. Many a long walk has been taken because of the lack off 10 foot of cable to hook the winch cable to make a connection to a tree or rock.

Agreed, depending on where you ride a good ground anchor might not be a bad idea, but no substitute for extra rope. Cabela's and others offer good kits with extra rope and tree anchors that won't damage the bark.

 

[TripleR]

Go to the various ATV forum sites, they are easy to find. You will be suprised at the number of models that are continually breaking down. Stay away from those that have a carburetor.

One caveat I should have mentioned is that even Honda riders will advise you to stay away from the older Electronic Shift models.

My 1987 Yamaha Moto 4 is carbureted and still runs like a top as does my 75 Ossa and 53 Ford though for power and fuel efficiency FI is the way to go, just may be hard to find in that price range.

 

[sweettractors]

I am looking for a used 4x4 ATV and would appreciate any opinions on which model and make is best. I will need to navigate 1 mile steep and rugged dirt/mud/sand road getting in to property and out. Also, the ATV will need to be able get around on hilly sandy and muddy 300 acres for hunting.

Would like to pay less than $3,000. What year and hours/miles should I be mindful of?

Thanks again for any advice or experience you can provide.

Unless you are mechanically inclined, I would try to buy one that has local dealer support. Ken Sweet

 

[deere5105]

I purchased a new one two years ago. Looked at them all and wound up with a Suzuki King Quad 700. Independent rear suspension, automatic transmission, fuel injected and locking differential all reasons I went this route. I looked at used, but wound up buying new. I replaced a 10 year old Yamaha Kodiak 400 that was ultra reliable. The ride, handling and power of the newer bike is night and day difference though. If looking for used and strictly working/hunting off the bike, I would likely be looking at something like the Honda Foreman or Yamaha Big Bear or Kodiak. Good luck in your search.

 

[whistlepig]

My first hunting ATV was a used 2000 Honda Rancher 4x4 with a 350CC engine. It has the electronic shift. It did everything I needed it to do and would stay with the big dogs on rough and soupy ground. Money well spent. We still have this Rancher. My wife uses it 365 days a year to hay the horses. I have a 800 EFI Polaris Sportsman with automatic shift, independent front and rear suspension. The Rancher will do about anything the Sportsman will do except the heavy stuff. I.E. pushing snow, pulling, and rack capacity. The Sportsman is faster and rides better. The 4WD on the Sportsman has a lot more traction than 4WD on the Rancher. The Rancher is smaller and easier to get around tight spots in the woods. For a starter ATV that will do whatever needed it's hard to beat the Rancher. There has to be a zillion of them out there and you should be able to find a nice one for the money you have to spend.

 

[Will_C]

I would look for the best condition Honda I could find-probably you should be able to find a nicely maintained 5-6 year old Rancher or Foreman in you price range. The Hondas are not usually as feature laden as other makes, but I know scores of them that are 10-15 years old, and many of those units have had no more than irregular service, at best.

I would look for a manual transmission unit at your price point.

Will