What ATV to buy

HGM · Mar 15, 2006

In my opinion the HP wars have gone wild in the ATV market as well as most others... A 350cc will do anything you need it to do, they are always underrated because of the "bigger is better" attitude..

Again, IMO, Honda pioneered the market.. I have seen different issues with the other brands, and Honda appears to be more reliable to me.. We have always owned the Hondas ('75-2000) for our ATV's and NEVER had a problem with them.. They have held up to all the abuse we could dish out, from mud and water in the Glades to hills and swamps in Georgia..

4x4 is a must for a utility type 4wheeler in the situations you mention here..

I dont doubt other brands can be reliable, I've just seen less issues with the Hondas in general..

century3045 · Mar 16, 2006

I agree about the hp wars but disagree about Honda pioneering the market, don't get me wrong Honda is a great machine and I have owned a couple but I think Suzuki may have been the pioneer. Its kind of a Ford or CHevy thing, we could go back and forth all day about who is better but I think any new 4- wheeler will do what you need it to. If I were gonna give suggestions I would suggest independent rear suspension, 4wd with differential lock, and fuel injection. But this is what I would buy. I have a 700 King Quad and it is a dream to ride. Smooth and Powerful and I also have a Vinson 500 which is a nice ride but for about the same money you can get a 700 with fuel injection and a lot better ride. As far as what you are gonna use it for, Id get a Honda Rancher 2wd, A Yamaha bear tracker 2wd, or something in a 300-350 of most any brand. Probably which ever one was the cheapest. I bought a new Yamaha Timberwolf in '95 and It has been stolen, abused in about any way you could abuse one and my cousins kids are still riding it today. They(4 wheelers) are tough animals. The Timberwolf was replaced by the Bear Tracker but I used mine to haul deer, pull a trailer, you name it and it is surprising how a 2wd 4wheeler will go in the snow if you dont try to just rip it up and spin. Yea you could go with a 4wd for a little more and upsize for a little more but when you put all the little mores together you have a lot and if you are gonna spend a lot, buy you RTV that you know you wanted to start with. For someone who wants a beast of a 4wheeler, hunting working or just riding I'd say buy the King Quad for about 7 grand. 6600.00 to be exact. For what you want a 2wd will do what you need and will be a good bit cheaper. My opinion, hope it helped. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

HGM · Mar 16, 2006

( I agree about the hp wars but disagree about Honda pioneering the market, don't get me wrong Honda is a great machine and I have owned a couple but I think Suzuki may have been the pioneer. Its kind of a Ford or CHevy thing, we could go back and forth all day about who is better but I think any new 4- wheeler will do what you need it to. If I were gonna give suggestions I would suggest independent rear suspension, 4wd with differential lock, and fuel injection. But this is what I would buy. I have a 700 King Quad and it is a dream to ride. Smooth and Powerful and I also have a Vinson 500 which is a nice ride but for about the same money you can get a 700 with fuel injection and a lot better ride. As far as what you are gonna use it for, Id get a Honda Rancher 2wd, A Yamaha bear tracker 2wd, or something in a 300-350 of most any brand. Probably which ever one was the cheapest. I bought a new Yamaha Timberwolf in '95 and It has been stolen, abused in about any way you could abuse one and my cousins kids are still riding it today. They(4 wheelers) are tough animals. The Timberwolf was replaced by the Bear Tracker but I used mine to haul deer, pull a trailer, you name it and it is surprising how a 2wd 4wheeler will go in the snow if you dont try to just rip it up and spin. Yea you could go with a 4wd for a little more and upsize for a little more but when you put all the little mores together you have a lot and if you are gonna spend a lot, buy you RTV that you know you wanted to start with. For someone who wants a beast of a 4wheeler, hunting working or just riding I'd say buy the King Quad for about 7 grand. 6600.00 to be exact. For what you want a 2wd will do what you need and will be a good bit cheaper. My opinion, hope it helped. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )

Honestly, I couldnt agree more about the "Ford/Chevy" thing.. There's not doubt that each MFG makes good products.. When I say they pioneered it, I refer mainly to the fact that ,when I was growing up as a Fla Redneck, all the bikes(3wheelers and 4) were all called "Hondas", because they were.. I've seen these bikes run under water and in many other conditions they shouldnt..Sure there are different bikes(good bikes), but its funny how loyal one can be to the brand(again, Ford/Chevy like).. Again, its just in my experience, with many freinds and family having bikes as well. Its really just a preference I guess.

The only thing I can disagree with is the 4x2 recomendation. I have a 4x2 Rancher, and like it.. But, for hilly terrain and utility type work, I'd prefer a 4x4.. It has a little more weight to it and traction is always a plus..

In short, I guess you couldnt go wrong, unless you got too small of a bike..

bota7800 · Mar 19, 2006

UPDATE:

Thanks for all the input. You have all convinced me to stick with 4WD models. I agree that the hp wars are out of hand. I think a 350cc would be OK and 500 ideal. But, this week a shop got a 2003 Polaris 700 with less than 800 miles in our budget. It is a nice machine, auto, engine breaking, Warn winch. It is more machine than we need but I'll find uses for it somehow. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif So I did not end up trading off between power and 4WD (my original dilemma) after all.

One more question. The tires had been replaced late last year so they are near new. Great, right? Then I got to thinking - why would you need to change the tires so soon? Is this normal?

I did see a similar used large Polaris that needed new tires bad so maybe that is normal.

kenmac · Mar 19, 2006

The tires may have been upgraded to a better tread design . Just a thought . I think you"ll be happy with that polaris. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Wish I had bought a 700 /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

HGM · Mar 19, 2006

If the bike was ridden on hard pavement it would wear the tires quicker than you could immagine.. They are very soft...

The "better" tread design or larger size idea is another good reason.. I wouldnt worry about it if the bike is in good shape, does it have an odometer?

Congratulations on your deal, sounds like it will work out good for you..

Tractors4u · Mar 19, 2006

A bddy of mine bought a pair of "His and Her" Sportsmans last year. He had new tires and wheels on it before they left the dealership.

avorancher · Mar 19, 2006

I have a 600 ft. concrete driveway to get to my dirt roads and the tires on my Prairie leave black scuff marks even if I put it in 2wd, neutral gear, and just push it along by hand.

You'll appreciate the extra size of your new Polaris when you start to pull things with it.

bota7800 · Mar 20, 2006

( If the bike was ridden on hard pavement it would wear the tires quicker than you could immagine.. They are very soft...

. )

The tires are Goodyear Rawhide Grips so maybe they are an upgrade. The look like the stock ones to me but I know nothing about ATV tires.

I had thought of the pavement wear. I already have some marks on our concrete. I'll just have to see how the tires last. One task this will take over is taking the trash to the road on our paved driveway so I will wear the tires some.

Already used it staking where our horse fence is going.

It does have an odometer -- 792 miles.

kenmac · Mar 20, 2006

If you are concerned, I'am sure you & I could work up a trade. Hou much $ would you give to trade her off for a 400 ? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I have the factory original tires on my 400. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I know you'll love that polaris. It's a good machine.