A little off topic (ATV Question)

[astor]

Guys,

You helped me several years ago in deciding to buy my bx2230. I have just purchased 20 acres mostly wooded with hills, a 2acre field, and all fenced. I want to by an utility ATV to work on the property. I can't afford the RTV Kubota has so I want to go with a used ATV, maybe spend around 4,000-5,000. Does anyone have advise on which brand of ATV to look at?? I am a total rookie when it comes to these

Thanks,

ps: sorry its off topic but I have trust issues....

Steve

 

[johnk]

Astor,

This is like asking what brand of tractor to buy. There are many great ATV's out there but I myself prefer Hondas. They have been bulletproof in all the abuse I have given them. I don't just ride em,,, I work em...

 

[rattler]

Suzuki made the first 4 wheeler and their early quad runner's were/are great bikes. Whatever you buy, get an independent suspension with 4wd. Between the tractor and 4 wheeler, you may need a good divorce attorney.

 

[duce50]

Well my guess is that your taste is good....you have a kubota. In reference to which brand of quad to buy, I have had a Yamaha, Honda, and a ole SuzyQ. For what you plan on using one for any of the major four brands will surpass you expectations. (Kawasaki too) Ive seen all four brands just get beat to death and they just wont die, My personal favorite if I were to go buy one would be a Yamaha Grizzly 660. There a automatic and are comparable to a 4X4 Caddy. You can pick up a decent used one any day of the week Im guessing for about 5K, give er take for the year.

Good luck.

 

[GaryCrowell]

Honda by far.

 

[hwp]

I got one of the very first Bombardier Traxters and it has been great. Step through access, direct drive (no belts) gear selector with park, five speed electric shift, automatic four wheel drive. I've used it extensively for skidding logs out of the bush on a steep side hill and it has been great. The only problem I've had is when I fell a tree on it - some cosmetic damage but nothing major. I had the dealer instal an electric winch and it has been a godsend. Not only has it helped me et the ATV out of places I shouldn't have been in, but it has got the Kubota unstuck on several occaisions. I looked at Honda, Polaris, Kawasaki and Suzuki but found the Bombardier was better suited to my needs.

 

[escavader]

STEVE,
Diehard atver here.I own POLARIS,I think HONDA is the toughest for working,Polaris is the nicest ride,skidoo,bombardiar,camam or what ever they are talking about dont got it yet.We have two in our pack [new] and they break alot.kawasakis havent had good luck with[too many electronic crap and front end pops up easy[prairie].Arctic cat is starting to come along,buy a newer one.[friends have had several this is how i know this]Yamaha is a good one and might be my next.If you go with the POLARIS i tell you from experience [i own 3] the sportsman have the muscles ,but the magnum has the lower gear for crawling,pulling a load.For polaris,kawasaki, and bombi,most are belt drive,dont let that deter you i haul a 4 by 10 trailer of wood with mine[flat ground mostly] never slipped the belt.Back to my original thought hondas break down the least[std tranny]most are pretty dependable though.confused more now aint you? Whaty ever you buy,make sure you got a dealer near that you like.
ALAN

 

[johnk]

I second all escavaders thoughts. I have the 450 Honda because its a great work machine with the gearing. The others are what he states.

 

[Northshore44]

As an owner of a Yamaha Kodiak 450 I would say you would not be disappointed with a 450 or the Grizzly 660 which has power steering with EFI. The Suzuki is the innovator of the ATV world, but Yamaha (my opinion) has just refined it much better.
As noted by others, they are all pretty much bullet proof so you're not going to have a bad choice. The independent rear suspension is a must for trail riding and the locking differential is nice for pushing, pulling or getting out of deep trouble.
Just like a tractor you need to ask yourself what you will be using it for. I use mine for trail riding on old logging roads, hunting and plowing about 200' of driveway. For what I wanted to do the 450 was all I needed.

 

[WayneB]

I had an early King Quad and it was a nice riding machine, but I am not too sure it would be a great working machine. We also have two Honda's that my boys have and they have been used only for fun riding. Lots of miles on them and still going strong!

You might want to take a look at the Polaris machines, many of my friends ride them and like them. Most of my riding was done up in northern New York, but recent years there has been a major shift in many towns to stop the 4-wheelers so if you don't belong to a hunting club it is hard to find places to ride. I do belong to a club and there is 18,000 acres to ride on, but after awhile it gets old going to the same places.

Lot of people use them for work and not for riding fun, but I on the other hand feel the work I put mine to is very limited.

Pull the log splitter: I used it for awhile to pull it into the woods and back, found I had to adapt a different hitch so as to easily get it on and off from the 4-wheeler. Also I could no split wood while it was attached to the machine.

Pull trailer with load of wood: Hre again I found that it was limited as to how much it would pull and how much weight you can place on the tongue before the front wheels start losing traction. Much easier to do with the tractor and a good size wagon!

Plowing snow: Bought a plow for the front end and used it during one snow storm. My thumb froze up thought I had frost bite! Ended up buying hand and thumb warmers and then sold the plow.

It did the job and would push snow, but the problem is the tractor does it much better and faster.

Garden cart: I still use them to pull the garden cart to and from the garden. Keeping in mind I do have a JD garden tractor that would do this job and maybe do it better.

Get the Mail: Mail box is about 1500 feet from the house so on nice days I might just jump on the 4-wheeler and get the mail, fun having a convertible!

Bottom line is I don't think 4-wheelers are all that good as a workhorse. Yes, people will tell you all the things you can do with them, but the bottom line is most people just ride them.

Any tool you buy for one is extremely expensive, just look at the mower deck with an additional engine or even the stupid snowblower with a second engine hooked to the back of the 4-wheeler. Heck buy a nice tractor with a cab, heat, air, CD player and you will be much happier on your land working away.

just my 1 1/2 cent!

Wayne