Chinese atvs

[ruffdog]

I would rather get a used "known" brand with good dealer support than a fly-by-night brand. Sometimes, you don't get what you paid for.....

 

[check]

Does anyone have experience with Kymco brand specifically? I was looking at a couple of these and the dealers swear they are as good as the name brands. I don't want to end up in the same boat as some others here have already posted.

Kymco makes the small ATVs for arctic cat, and they are very good. I have had a 50, a 90, 150, and the 250, and they're all very good and sturdy bikes with lots of power.

 

[tractorshopper]

Thanks Check. I have also been looking at the name brands, but these machines have become so big that it's ridiculous. New ATV's are mostly 700 and larger now. Kymco still makes smaller ones and I think you can get 4X4, but most of the name brands new machines are 700+ to get the 4X4 option.

My thoughts are that if I wanted something that big, why wouldn't I just buy a side by side. I'd rather have a 300-400 size or even frankly a 250 with 4X4 would be more than enough machine. These days it seems it's all overkill.

 

[ProjectKing]

Skip the Made in China atvs. Instead buy a well taken care of Honda atv. Or a golf cart.

 

[dfkrug]

Does anyone have experience with Kymco brand specifically?

I have had 5 Kymcos now, all sold. 2 Arctic Cat DVX250s, 2 Kymco Mongoose 300s, and a like-new Kymco MXU250.
All excellent units, with dealer service and online parts available. As noted, other makers OEM Kymco quads besides
just Arctic Cat; the Kaw Brute Force 300 is essentially the MXU 300.

Kymco not only makes a lot of quads, up to the MXU 700i fuelie 4x4, it is also the biggest bike (2-wheeler MC) maker
in Taiwan. I find their entry level utility, the MXU 250/300 to be superior in features vs. the entry level competition:
Honda Recon,Kaw Bayou 250, Yam BearTracker250/Suzuki Ozark250/etc. And the MXUs cost less.

I have had all the 8 big brands, and I have worked on them, too. I even worked on a few Chinese quads, some
with success. I currently have 3 of the Coolster 250cc one-seat buggies. Fast and fun, but they need lots of
attention. These are not ATVs or gokarts....more like a dirt tracker/dune buggy, like the defunct Honda Pilot.

In general, the low prices on mainland Chinese ATVs is a false economy. They are cheap, but need lots of
repair attention. Parts ARE widely available now, as long as it is for 250cc and under. Labor? That will be
DIY, unless you can convince an independent mechanic to work on it.

My recommendation to anyone looking for a utility ATV is to buy Kymco, if new, or an old Japanese unit
from the 80s or 90s if used.

 

[dfkrug]

I have also been looking at the name brands, but these machines have become so big that it's ridiculous. New ATV's are mostly 700 and larger now. Kymco still makes smaller ones and I think you can get 4X4, but most of the name brands new machines are 700+ to get the 4X4 option.

All the makers of ATVs have 4x4 models down in the <450cc range. Yeah, you can buy Polaris and BRP ATVs that have
1000cc engines, but that it not necessary for most folks. I would also argue that even 4x4 is a wasted option for most
farmers/ranchers who do not tow anything or go up steep hills. 250-300cc 2WD is fine for most folks, and costs only
about $3-3.5K new.

A quick check on the 2016 lineups show that most of the <450cc utilities are no longer offered by the Big Names in the US. Too
bad. Size creep is a bad thing, IMO. Like the fact that Toyota no longer even sells a 2-door small pickup in the US anymore.

If you go to a dealer showroom for any brand, I will bet that they will have their high-end represented, but few of the smaller
units. If any.

 

[KubotainNH]

These are not ATVs or gokarts....more like a dirt tracker/dune buggy, like the defunct Honda Pilot.

Honda Odyssey?

250-300cc 2WD is fine for most folks, and costs only
about $3-3.5K new.

As mentioned, unless dealing with lots of mud or snow to plow, 2WD will go just about anywhere. I have an old Honda Fourtrax 250 that has amazing traction and plenty of power. Autoclutch 5 speed so simple to drive.

 

[jix]

CHinese = crap material, crap service, crap warranty, They are certain trouble, one way or another. no aftermarket value, especially Gio brand. Money spent on them will be lost. They are frustration generators. NO TOUCHEE! Better a used Kawasaki. Not a Honda, not a Polaris.
Jix

 

[firemech]

Kymco actually makes units for Arctic cat and Kawasaki the current 300 two wheel drive Kawi is made by Kymco

 

[fordmantpw]

You can get a Honda Rancher 420 in 4x4, but like others mentioned, unless you tow heavy up big hills or hit deep mud, 4x4 is wasted with an atv.