Looking at buying a ATV

PhnxCaller

PhnxCaller

New member
I'm looking into buying a new quad. Gonna use it for hunting mostly, scouting, taking the kids for a ride. Looking at around $5000, 4x4 size: 300-400cc. Kinda partial to Suzuki but any brand name will due. Like to hear some of your opinions on the matter. Mostly hunt predators, occasional mule deer/javalina (went drawn). Not too worried about speed or anything crazy, just want it to get me up hills and out of the sand! NEEDS to be reliable! Thanks for any input!
 
Yamaha Kodiak 450 is a good atv.it's 4 wheel drive too.I think they cost around what u want to spend. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
The Suzuki's are fine, the Yamaha's are very good, Honda's are very good too, but I bought a Polaris Sportsman 500, I just sold it after 8 1/2 years of use for half of what it cost new. It was in perfect working order and always reliable. Polaris may not be quite as refined as the others but it has a very good record. The main reason we initially looked at it was because they were the only ones to offer a seat my wife & I could ride comfortably at the same time. With the lawsuit fear atv seats started shrinking or they were designed for one rider. The polaris ride is also well known. If we were riding seperatly then Honda would have been our second choice. Good Luck
 
Honda's rule...period.

If you are looking for reliability, features, and value retention, there is no other choice!

Rustydog
 
Well...there you have it. 27 different replies and 27 different opinions. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

What that should tell you is that they are ALL good machines, and if they weren't they wouldn't still be in business. My personal suggestion would have been Arctic Cat, and it hasn't been mentioned. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I have been riding offroad for a long, long time and I can tell you that the one, single, most IMPORTANT thing to your satisfaction is the quality of your dealer. If you have a good dealer, he'll make your machine perform properly and repair any factory mistakes.

There is a lot of information and reading here:

http://forums.atvconnection.com/
 
Honda Rubicon....automatic tranny w/ engine braking keeps you under control at all times. Hardly ever have to touch the brakes.
 
i have a kawasaka prairie 700 4x4 for sale. its a 2004 with 998 miles on it. still has 2 years extended warranty on it plus i have a new set of radial mud tires to go with it. priced to sell at 5500.00......it is showroom condition....i hope im not breaking any rules by telling you about my atv....
 
I have a yamaha kodiak 400 that I have abused and my buddies have abused on their ranch. I haven't done a thing to it and it still runs great.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gifQuote:
Well...there you have it. 27 different replies and 27 different opinions. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

What that should tell you is that they are ALL good machines, and if they weren't they wouldn't still be in business. My personal suggestion would have been Arctic Cat, and it hasn't been mentioned. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I have been riding offroad for a long, long time and I can tell you that the one, single, most IMPORTANT thing to your satisfaction is the quality of your dealer. If you have a good dealer, he'll make your machine perform properly and repair any factory mistakes.

There is a lot of information and reading here:

http://forums.atvconnection.com/



/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Plus!they are American made and have the Highest ground clearance available (12")
 
One that hasn't been mentioned is the Bombardier or whatever they are calling them now...Can Am I think.

I think they are all good but after having a Yamaha and riding a host of others, I bought a Polaris Sportsman 500. I like the one lever, all four wheel braking, all of the storage compartments, and, where the Polaris really shines, the on demand AWD. In 4x4, it is only in 2wd until the back tires slip a little then it is in all wheel drive. This is very minute, and unnoticable. It does this in milli seconds several time while driving so that you can still steer and have a tight turning radius. While there are others that you can stop and lock in all fours, the Polaris does this for you on the fly and is in and out of bad spots before you could even shift the others. The drawback to this system is the engine braking. Because the rear wheels have to spin slightly faster than the front before 4x4 kicks in, only the rear wheels will hold you going down a hill. Once I got used to this, it wasn't a problem as the one lever, all wheel braking does the same as engine braking only manually.

Polaris is a US company too.
 
I have a 4X4 automatic 400cc Artic Cat and love it. It's the only one I've ever owned, so I can't comment on the others. I have had several friends ride mine and rave about how smooth the independant rear suspension rides. One said the steering wasn't as responsive as the Polaris 600, but there is quiet a price difference. I agree about the dealer comment also.
 
I have a 2007 650 outlander made by can-am. I also have a 2000 500 suzuki quad master 500. The suzuki has been a great 4x4 for hunting and just general wheeling. Never had a problem with it. I wanted a little more power for trail riding, but still wanted a bullet proof bike for general use. I only have 15 hours on the can-am but its far and away the best 4x4 I've ever rode.
 
The Bombardier, used to have the engine farther back, I felt this would be bad on hills, with a load on front and back. An atv test showed the Bombardier used more fuel than the other 5 atvs. T.20
 
I am a Suzuki guy myself. Had 3 of their race bikes. When I was in the Market for a 4-wheeler the first place I went was Suzuki. After kicking some tires and riding some I thought I had one picked out. One day off for fun I went to a honda dealer (had a honda before) and everything I saw was way over priced for what you get. It's a known fact that you pay for the Honda name. My friend mentioned to me to look at polaris one day and I did. Long story short, I bought the Polaris 500 sportsman. Compared to suzuki, way more storage, better constructed frame and it rides like a caddy! I am Very happy with my polaris and glad I didn't settle for any other. Mine goes through or over anything!

p.s. The same day I bought mine my friend bought a Kawi 650 brute force. I ride way more than him and he rides the same trails as I do. He has broken 3 tie rod ends, had it in the shop for carb problems, has no storage and his "4 wheel drive" is really 3 wheel drive unless you keep a stupid lever pulled in and then it still barely works. All since september. Mine all I do is put gas in and go, not 1 problem yet!!!
 
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