Anybody know 4 wheelers: ATV's? That has....

[CobyRupert]

Shopping the used market for a 4 wheel ATV. Anybody here know a model that has:
300-600 cc (approx, not set in stone)
4 wheel drive.
Manual (clutch less) or auto is ok.
Reverse.
Would also prefer a selectable differential lock. -Do they make them selectable, or does one have to choose limited slip or locked and live with it? I guess 2nd choice would be limited slip as I'm trying to prevent the lawn from getting torn up.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

I had an '07 Yamaha Big Bear 400 with a 5 speed shift with auto clutch. For a small machine it was a beast. Not too hard on the wallet either. I was out the door at the dealer with a set of ramps for the pickup for around $5400. I traded it to a guy a couple years later for my International 624, which in turn was traded in for my Deere last year. Once my final payment is made on the Deere, you can bet I'll be hot-footing it back to the Yamaha dealer for another one...

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[adirondackmtnman]

Oh, and the Big Bear was selectable from 2wd, to 4wd, to 4wd lock, all four locked in, it was unstoppable.

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[Will_C]

I would recommend a Honda Foreman or Rancher. The darn things are not as featured laden as some models, but they seem close to indestructible. The S models have the transmission you prefer, except for diff lock. I have had my Foreman for almost 10 years, and have never had a problem, except for replacing the battery 2 or 3 times. It does not get used a lot, but I need it-it starts and runs.

Will

 

[foreman Etexas]

I think the Honda Rancher 420 4x4,is good unit for the money,not real sure if they have dif.lock but my fathers Honda Rincon 650 is a great 4wheeler,then there is also A Honda Rubicon 500 any of those...

 

[DT86]

X3 on the Honda. I don't know what features the new one have but my old '06 Rancher saw it all.

I really like the electric shift, it gives you the ability to ride through deep water with your feet up on the rack and you can still shift if needed without getting your feet wet. Despite everyone saying "that's just one more electric thing to go wrong" it never gave trouble.

It has seen limited use since a RTV followed me home but still starts easy despite having at least 1800 hours on it. (The dash went out, under warranty, the first year and the new one shows ~1700)

 

[WilliamBos]

Look for a Polaris Sportsman 2 up, their Awd. Is second to none, and they have turf mode, meaning you can unlock the rear diff and not kill your lawn.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Never seen one that did not have reverse. ATV's hold resale well, wouldn't hurt to check out new models while you're at it.

 

[Ken45101]

I have a 400cc Honda Foreman with the automatic. It's a good unit. I also have a Yamaha 400ES Kodiak with the electric shift. The Honda is a bit easier to drive, the Yamaha seems to have a bit better traction. Both units are 13 years old and have been problem free although like D86 said, the ATVs haven't gotten much use since we got the TRV utility vehicle.

AFAIK, most ATV's have a solid rear axle, no slip, no unlocking. Maybe the bigger ones have rear LSDs? I don't know.

As long as you take the turns wide, I don't notice lawn damage. Maybe if it's real soft and muddy but I try to avoid the yard then.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

AFAIK, most ATV's have a solid rear axle, no slip, no unlocking. Maybe the bigger ones have rear LSDs? I don't know.

I know the Yamaha Big Bear chamged from a solid rear axle to an independent with a differential between 06 and 07. I can't speak for any others though

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[Ken45101]

I know the Yamaha Big Bear chamged from a solid rear axle to an independent with a differential between 06 and 07. I can't speak for any others though

Ah! Okay, thanks for the information. I haven't looked at ATVs since 2000.

 

[bucktaker]

another thumbs up for Honda.....simply reliable. Foreman Rancher Rubicon any of these depends on budget.....I had a 96 Foreman 400 neighbor still has it I now have a 07 Rubicon 500
never an issue with either other than a battery replacement.

 

[Redbug]

Honda. I have had 4 different brands over my lifetime and keep coming back to the Hondas. Like the others have said...Foreman or Rancher.

 

[troutsqueezer]

I wouldn't bother differentiating between something like Honda and Yamaha. They are equally reliable. I've had a few of both, all are sturdy machines. I'm sure the other brands hold up just as well.

 

[Scooby074]

Honda Foreman.

I had an older Suzuki Quadrunner 250 4wd that had a lockable diff.. that thing was UNSTOPPABLE when fully locked up.. but not near as tough as the Foreman.

 

[nybirdman]

We have owned :Honda,Yamaha,Kawasaki and Suzuki ATV's and SxS.All have been good.My first choice is Honda but our dealer is a xxxhole.The Yamaha's have been very good.Stay under 500cc if you want any kind of gas mileage.My Rhino has 3500+miles ,the Grizzley 4000 miles other than normal maintenance they have been great.Stay away from the Chinese knock-offs.

 

[WilliamBos]

I have a 400cc Honda Foreman with the automatic. It's a good unit. I also have a Yamaha 400ES Kodiak with the electric shift. The Honda is a bit easier to drive, the Yamaha seems to have a bit better traction. Both units are 13 years old and have been problem free although like D86 said, the ATVs haven't gotten much use since we got the TRV utility vehicle. AFAIK, most ATV's have a solid rear axle, no slip, no unlocking. Maybe the bigger ones have rear LSDs? I don't know. As long as you take the turns wide, I don't notice lawn damage. Maybe if it's real soft and muddy but I try to avoid the yard then.

Looks like Honda is the inly one with an SRA, all others have seen the light and went IRS. The rear diff is locked on pretty well all atv's, and can be unlocked on certain models,

 

[ddb123]

I have an '01 Honda Rancher with more than 11,000 miles and it starts INSTANTLY and runs like a champ! +1 for Honda

 

[jerrybob]

I have a 2003 Artic Cat 400....bought it new. It's a 4x4, auto and has a winch. Close to 6K miles on it....never had a problem. Replaced tires and a few rubber boots......other than that....great machine. Used on the property daily....has pulled some big elk out in Colorado in zero degree weather. Very dependable.

 

[mikehaugen]

It is disappointing that I have only heard one vote for polaris... I thought they would be higher regarded. I don't own nor have owned one, but drove a quite a few in the early 2000's. Most powerful was the grizzly 600, I liked the sportsman 500ho the best overall, but the rancher with es was the most stable because IIRC it was full-time 4x4 and lower to the ground than the grizzly. I also drove what I think was a trailboss (425 I think) that was 2 stroke. The es was nice on the rancher. I am sure that things are much different now, but I did learn a lot about what I liked/dislike about each one and it should help me make a decision if/when I finally get to buy one.

I still think the sportsman may be a better value (certain models anyway), especially if f.i. isn't important, you can sure get them a lot cheaper than the others it seems. The belt drive still makes me a little leery though, but haven't heard as many problems as I would have expected. Maybe more have them now?

I'd love to get a side by side, but man those things are expensive. I could buy 2 quads for what a middle-of-the-line side by side costs.