WHAT ATV TO BUY

[bjess8]

I am looking to buy a new 4 wheeler and it has to be atleast a 500 cc and would like to here some pros and cons on some.I am looking at honda,suzuki and polaris and it has to be 4wd.I will be using it mostly for hunting and alittle bit on the farm.Just want to know what you all think of your machines.I guy I work with says polaris 4 wheeleres are junk but I like the looks of them.So any info would help thanks.

 

[GBeck]

not sure if it is just in the r and d stages, but do a search on the quadski....it's moved to the top of my want list.
not really sure how that helps you though

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

the best thing is if you can spend some time on one.....

there are sooooo many choices any more it's crazy!

polaris is a far cry from what they used to be and if you aren't going to ride HARD or bury it in a mud hole all day long, the polaris has a great ride, power, some cool features, etc.......they really do try to cover all the details......i've always dogged polaris (and still do) but i have really come around on them in the last couple of years.....

any of the major brands make some awesome choices.......expensive but the can am 800 series is off the charts in power.....with a pipe they'll make give up sex with your wife they sound so good....

of course honda still has an awesome reputation i'd say they are bullet proof......the certainly aren't "follow the leader" in cutting edge stuff but they are very solid atvs with proven records of reliablity....

yamaha has something for just about everyone.....they are rock solid too....the grizzly 700 is a very nice quad...i have a couple of buddies with them

kawasaki and suzuki have some nice quads, i just don't know as much about them as i used to.....when we were younger, i knew every model and spec......the field is so vast now, i don't even try to learn them all.....

save a bundle and find a mint condition used one.....

anyway, these are just my opinions, whatever they are worth!

 

[rdbrumfield]

I bought a honda rincon over the others because it is not a belt drive. It has a torque converter like a car so it is a totally sealed tranny. The only thing I wish is that it had a lower low gear. Other than that it has plenty of power with the gearing it has and is faster on the top end than I want to go.
You will want to change the tires though. The stock ones aren't much more than innertubes with bumps on them. Had a flat the first time out. Put a set of bighorns on it and it made an amazing handling difference.
Heard too many horror stories about burning up a belt on the polaris and artic cats and having to walk out. Maybe they have worked out some problems with mud and water getting the belt wet. Of course we are all partial to what we paid out the bucks for.

 

[johnk]

I had a Honda 450ES and now own a new Rubicon . The foreman was a great workhorse and the Ruby is even better. Problem free on the one I sold and had almost 3000 miles on it. The Ruby is 9 months old and 700 miles without a pronblem. I also like the Yamahas but don't rerally care for the polaris'. Matter of personal choice I guess but in my opinion the Hondas are basically pretty tested, proven and bulletproof. Just my opinion.

 

[Shmudda]

Bjess.....

I see you want a 500+cc Quad and a 4WD, to do some hunting and work around the farm. First and this is a big question....do you want stability, hauling ability or the best ride possible?

Here's the main options you have to consider:

Straight rear axle - This design is by far the best design for stability, working, hauling, pulling and overall work, plain and simple. This offers no "sag" when loading up the machine when carrying a loaded rack or pulling a big heavy trailer full of fire wood.

Independent rear suspension - This design is by far the best for ride comfort, slow speed handling, and is somewhat unstable at higher speeds. I wouldn't give you two cents for an IRS machine for hard work, they just don't have it. But you can ride them all day and not get tired.

Power steering - A few higher end machines have it today, makes a world of difference too.

Transmission type (Belt or no belt) - Most ATV's of every brand use these rubber bands to propel their machines other then Honda. I have been riding for quite a while and can tell you from personal experience that belts don't last for heavy work, pulling, or lugging the machine. Honestly, stay away from them totally! If you are looking at a Honda, their transmission on the TRX500 Rubicon (which I own) is a Hydrostatic transmission, just like you find on the tractors around this place. It truly is bulletproof, and will run forever, all it asks for is an oil change every 600 miles. This transmission was first designed back in the early 1960's as it was called the "Hondamatic". Attached is document on the transmission that you might find interesting.

Makes and Models - As you can see I am a fan of Honda's. They are a true engineering company and have some of the most innovative ideas out there. They will not provide you with the fastest, quickest, or biggest utility ATV, but what they will provide is a machine that will last a lifetime with only reasonable care and maintenance. I could go on and on about the different makes and models, but I won't. Ride each one and get a machine that personally fits you and your desires.......

One other thing....Polaris is all show and no go......trust me on that one. Been riding way to many times with them and there hasn't been once that we didn't bring one off the mountain on the tow hook for one reason or another. Needless to say those Polaris's are the butt of many jokes!

Good luck in your "hunt"

Read my signature....it says it all...........

Craig

 

[stevem5215]

I have a Bombardier Traxter 500 4x4 with the Visco lock diff on it. It will go over logs with that 4wd system. It's pretty incredible. My 01' has about 800 mi on it and it'll pull logs in low range. Plus it has the shift on the fly button instead of a CVT belt transmission. They are like having a mini tractor. It's that good. I've had it up to about 55mph and that's moving on a quad. They get unstable due to the tires on them. It's a blast to ride and great for working on a farm.

Steve

 

[Matt_Jr]

New ATV time is always exciting.
I've gotta Kawasaki Brute Force 750. It has Independent rear suspension and is very comfortable. I put a big wheel kit on it and the rear wheels stick out a little farther than stock so that it handles much like a solid rear axle. I also put a moose module on it so it'll excellerate like a bat out of he.... Although it is belt driven as long as the belt cover's sealed properly slippage won't be a problem. My boss bought one for the shop and we pull loaded one ton trucks into the shop with his all day long in 4wheel low. And plow the parking lot. Mine will pull the front wheels off the ground at 20mph and has a top speed somewhere around 70mph. Thats as fast as my manhood would allow me to take it. I've put a winch on it and heated grips(like to ride in the snow) and have rode through water and mud up to the seat with no problems. It has a locking front differential and low range in forward only. Even though mine's a 750 and takes off quick these bikes are real workhorses. They don't corner as well as some of the smaller ones and have trouble sqeeeeezing through some tight spaces. The high ground clearence helps with getting over logs, large rocks, and through mud.

I've found the Brute Force to be very tipsy with the stock tires and wheels but upgrading will make up for it. If you go with offset rims that stick out farther than stock prepare to get mud on your back, neck, shoulders, helmet, and thrown over your head. I find I switch back and forth depending on where I'm riding.

Go with fuel injected. You may also want to consider a newer bike with powersteering. Look for locking front diffs and good ergonomics that fit your build. And get a winch with the bike. You'll need it. If you don't end up needing it some one riding with you will. Besides if your not getting stuck your not having fun.

I've had Hondas in the past and they were always reliable too. I only bought the Kawasaki 'cause IMHO it's the fastest, stongest, baddest bike I could find.

The ones that do a lot of pulling with these machines upgrade the belts and have no problems. STAY AWAY FROM POLARIS. I'm always pulling someone out of the woods with one of these. One guy I knew had his frame crack in 6 differant places, but he rides a little crazy too. If you go with Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, or even Suzuki I can assure reliablity. Can-am had a good reputation with dirt bikes in the 70's and 80's but I've found the plastic to be a bit too brittle and break easily on their 4 wheelers. Especially in colder weather. Ride safe and never past your limits... which will get higher and higher. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[TWO GUNS]

I now own the Honda Rubicon.... Owned a Honda since think it was 1967 or 1968 >>>
When Honda introducted the first ATC 90 in 1970, I was one of the first to own one in the south. And since then, have owned every three or four wheeler that Honda has released, other than the racing wheelers . Used them much for hunting, and used them very hard on the farms....
I have NEVER, EVER, had to put a Honda three or four wheeler in the shop for repair !!!!!
Also, the farms has also purchased several other brands, Yamaha's, and one Kawasaki >>> and they were good pieces of equipment also. Much of the life of these machines is the service that one does on them. And use them they way they suppose to be used, and don't abuse them doing stupid things like I've seen on videos and such ........

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

as for as atv's go i would go with honda / yamaha thats your two main players now the engine in my hpx is a kawasaki and it's been trouble free for years too. but i would still go with a honda first yamaha second and a kawasaki third