Any advice/comments on a particular ATV or brand?

[johndeere2210]

RaT, we have had three Kawasaki 220 Bayou's. They are two wheel drive, live axle models. We currently own two of them. They are extremely reliable, fun to ride and not too hard on fuel. We like to take evening rides. They have a semi-automatic clutch. We use them for spraying the lawn, pulling a large cart and recreation. Hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BigAl]

Rat ,
I'm 300 pounds and my 2004 500 Polaris Sportmans does everything I ask . I have towed and moved two axle car trailers (not loaded) and hauled out whole elk on it when hunting . It has" independent suspension" and that sure is nice . My 2004 has a automatic with Hi and Low range and it is great . It also has a "park" on the transmission, (new in 2004) which is very nice if your on a hill and don't trust just your brake when parking .I also like the push buttom 4wd . The ditital dash is great .
Yes, they are pricey . I see your in Northern Cal . Try "Reno Cycle" in Reno Nevada for a great price . I paid $6250 out the door with a 2.5 Warn winch . No one could even come close in Calif.
Big Al

 

[Lazy]

Hi
we bought an Arctic cat 400 early this spring and we like it very much. I don't see how you could ever have one arm free as the throttle is on one handle bar and the brake is on the other. there is a foot brake but it doesn't stop the atv very well. thats the one thing i dislike about it.

Charlie.

 

[ChadWS]

For 2up riding check out bombardier and artic cat atv's I have an bombardier outlander max which is 2 seater 400cc, passenger should be 12 years are older,i use my outlander to pull a trailer and feed and check on horses.

 

[1bush2hog]

I have owned a 400 foreman (manual shift 4X4), 250EX (2X4), and currently a 2002 660 Yamaha Grizzly.

I sold the foreman as it was too "utility" for me.

I love the grizzly. It is fast, strong, dependable, good looking (IMO) and has great suspension (for an aging kid). I did beef up the springs on the shocks to carry 25 gal sprayer on the back.

I chose the grizz over the 700 polaris mainly due to reliability concerns I had heard about.

I am 6'3" and 250lbs also so a smaller atv was not an option for me. I have ridden just about everything on 2 and 4 wheels, starting with a mini bike when I was 5. I like having power to do what I want to do when I want to do it - whether it is working or playing. IMO there is nothing worse than being under powered as this creates a safety issue all it's own.

RaT - There are some really great machines out there now, with every new year offering even more new and improved models to make one's decision even tougher. Honda's and Yamaha's are reliable and will usually do what is asked of them, but are outpowered now by Suzuki (700cc), Polaris(800cc) and Kawasaki (750cc)

The only way anyone can pick a bad machine these days is if they don't quantify all of their needs before they purchase.

Good Luck cause buying is half the fun! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dltimmons]

Rat,

Three months ago I bought a Bombardier, Traxter Max 650. It is the largest two person ATV that Bombardier makes. Mine is what they call the XT model, comes with a winch, brush guards on the handlebars, and "radial" tires.
So far I've put 420 miles on it, all off road/trail riding in the Rocky Mountains.
My reasons for this particular model; it is made specifically for two up riding, passenger has raised seat area with raised footrests and grabhandles also a padded backrest, 1100 lb. towing capacity, large 8 gallon storage area in the front (works great as a cooler for picnics), radiator is in the rear so no engine heat and doesn't get full of mud or rocks, bullet proof Rotax engine, also has great engine braking for slow/controlled down hill creeping, hardly ever use the brakes.
I took it Elk hunting for 9 days the first week of November, in camp were about 12 other various makes of ATVs. Second day we had 6" of snow, no problems. Rest of the week we had 4" of mud, no problems. I was able to go everywhere the other brands could go, and a few places they couldn't. The longer wheel base means it takes a little more room to turn, but this was never a problem - it also makes it a lot more stable on steep climbs/descents.
I would recommend that anyone who wants to ride more than one person, take a serious look at these "two up" ATVs. Your 3 year old wont stay little very long, then where do you put him? Bombardier makes several models of 2 person ATVs, including a gear drive - auto/manual shift, one which is convertible for one or two people, and has one of the best 4 wd systems in use.
Also if you want to keep the ATV in the tractor category, John Deere is selling rebranded Bombardiers that will match their tractor colors.
I have a small daughter, my wife and I have ridden some easy trails with one of us driving, the other on the back, with our daughter between us. Taking it real easy, great fun.
I have friends that have the padded add-on rear seats so they can ride a passenger on their regular, one person, ATVs. While this gets them by for easy trails, the short wheelbase with the passenger sitting over/behind the rear axle, is pretty dangerous if attempting any steep ascents/decents.
These models are a little pricey compared to some of the other single person models, but the additional price is more than offset by the added versatility and safety.
Hope you find a Zooter that everyone can have good safe fun on, good luck.

DT

 

[Panache]

http://www.southernpowersports.com/group_new.asp?groupID=2 has 2005 Ranger 4x4 for 7999 OTD. What is a heelclicker?

 

[bczoom]

Rat,

I'll reiterate and concur with Will that you can't go wrong with pretty much any Honda.
Personally, I'm a Suzuki owner. Great machines. I prefer the slightly older ones ('99-'01) over the brand new. The new ones don't seem as "beefy". With plastic on the front bumper and stuff, they "seem" more susceptible to damage.
Not sure if turning radius is an issue for you but I have noticed that the Quadrunners in the 300-400cc range have a slightly wider radius than the 250cc or 500+cc machines.

 

[RIPOIL]

RaT, I thought I'd chime in and second what dltimmons said. About 6 months ago I bought a Bombardier 650 Quest Max (the 'Max' means it seats two). We use it along with a 2005 Honda Foreman with electric shift on a ranch in the Texas hill country. The Honda belongs to my father-in-law who purchased it about 6 weeks ago. I think if the truth were known, he prefers my "Bomb". The Bombardier has a smoother ride, way more impressive power, loads more storage room, the ability to safely and very comfortably carry two adults, and mine came with a 3 year warranty. Also, the continuously variable transmission makes it easier for my wife to use when she needs to. The Hondas have always been my favorite machines due to their reliability, but for our purposes, and since I have to carry everything but the kitchen sink with me when I'm out working, the "Bomb" was a better choice for us. Also, from what I've heard, the "Bomb" should be comparable to the Honda in durability and reliability. The Bombardiers have been the machine of choice for quite some time in Canada where its produced. When I bought mine in Fort Worth (Dealer: Honda Town) the Bombardiers were priced less than the competitors for a comparable machine. It seems they are trying to increase their share of the southern market.

Good luck with whatever you decide to buy. I think now-a-days they are all pretty much bullet proof and long lasting...it's just a matter of finding what will fit your needs the best.

 

[Keith_B]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I tried a quick search on the ATV urility forum and did not come up with much even though I'm sure you have seen or participated in a discussion about them. We are considering a general purpose utility ATV. Some trail riding on easily traversable terrain, maintanence around here like spraying RoundUp for the weeds, sprinkler repair, etc. About the only thing I'm pretty sure I want or need is the ability to have one arm free to hang onto a 3 year old boy. I must also say I have driven two brands in the distant past and one could go in and out of 4WD and the other could not. I really liked how the one that could go into 2WD handled in 2WD. Also entertaining is the thought of bringing it up north of here to a family member with several thousand acres of beautiful hilly terrain West of Mount Lassen in California. The Honda Rancher AT seems appropriate but I would appreciate your opinion. I contacted a fella here at TBN and he gave me some good info. I am looking now for more information from folks hopefully with a variety of experience and brands. Thanks, Rat... )</font>

I have way too many ATVs on the place, but all run and work well. If you want something with plenty of power, but isn't a speed demon, has the luxury of an automatic when cruising around, or the power of a standard shift for working then get a Honda Rubicon.

I have a really heavy duty 4x8 trailer my brother-in-law built that is very heavy. I can load the trailer as full as I can with horse manure and the Rubicon takes it anywhere. It is full time 4wd, yet handles better than many 2wd ATVs. The Hondamatic transmission is built extra tough, and is basically a hydrostatic transmission, so no belts to slip. I have had mine nearly two years and have only had to change the oil in it. I abuse the rascal, and it asks for more. I use it on the farm and have drug trees, fence posts and everything else with it. I have crawled it over 12 in diameter logs, rode up steep hills when checking fence, etc.

My wife rides a Bombardier Outlander. This jewel has plenty of power. It has a CVT tranny, with low gear and park. I had considered other brands when we got this one, but for the money this ATV had everything to make her feel safe going down and plenty of go power ascending steep hills. We don't use it for pulling as much as the Rubicon, but I have pulled the hay wagon with it, as well as draging some other stuff.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either of these models for riding and for work.

The Outlander now comes in a two-rider Outlander Max version, which may be what you need with a growing youngster that will be riding with you for years to come.

I would definitely go with something that has automatic features, as this makes it more family oriented.