Quad selection

M

Mike in Az

New member
Hey guys, I'm in the market to get a quad. Would like some help on choice. I'm looking at 4x4's from 330-360cc. My choices are the polaris magnum, yamaha bruin, or kawasaki prairie. Any help would be much appreciated. Also , I heard there are some aftermarket mufflers that make the quads extremely quiet, is this so? Thanks in advanced.
 
Mike I have a Poloris sportsman 400. It is very quiet from the factory. Haven't had any problems with it in two years. A couple of friends have the 360, bought this season. Both have trouble starting after sitting more than a couple of days. Maybe just there's but?

I bought the 400 because it had a better ride than any others I had tested. That was two years ago and more than likely the others have improved. If you can please ride them over the same type of conditions you plan on using them on. I did and am very glad for the chance, saved me from buying a very rough riding one at the time.

Good luck

John
 
I may not know a ton about predator hunting but here is a topic I do know a bunch about. personaly I'd stay away from the Kawi 360. I've rode one a few times and they are quite under powered for the size of the machine unless you are 5'3", 130lbs and riding alone all the time. if you want a machine that will start up every day plus get you in and out of the bush without any problem. For the $$$ it's really hard to beat a Honda 350 Rancher. It's not the fanciest machine out there and dosnt have alot of bells and whistles but thats what makes it so reliable. It's not the best at anything but does everything real well if that makes sense. I would deffinantly check one out.
 
Mike in Az I just purchased a Polaris 330 magnum 4X4 this fall,and now im wondering why it took me so long,i looked at them all,every make on the market and glad i went Polaris.
 
My two cents!

I own an older (1992) Honda TRX 300 4 X 4 and it would take an act of God to get me to sell, trade, or give away this wonderfully reliable machine.

I have friends who own all types of rigs, Polaris, Yamaha, etc, and they all wish they owned a Honda. Reliable, strong, and well built, are just starting points for discussions when I talk about my quad.

As for quiet, I just purchased a Exhaust Silencer for $149.00 including shipping and it is unbeliveable! Took 5 minutes to install, after a ten minute welding job, and is so quiet that I actually drove past a small herd of deer and they never heard me until I was 10 yards away from them!

I searched the Web under ATV Exhaust Silencers and I think the name was BENz Silent Rider. They were great to work with and wow what a difference.

HONDA..can't go wrong!

Rustydog
 
I also own a "91" Honda TRX 300 Very reliable machine, I am 6'1" and 250 lbs and it hauls my big butt all over Gods country. Where I work we have 9 ATV's of all brands and they are put to work. Lets just say when I buy myself a new one it will be a Honda or Yamaha. everything else is in the shop more than at work.
 
Rustydog....Thats exactly the same machine I have. I said the Rancher though becuase I assumed he was looking for new. I just bought my wife a new 400 Rancher AT. It's really sweet. Check out my Honda 300 site. They are one tough machine

Tims Honda 300 Site
 
My 2 cents here... honda all the way. find a forman 400 or 350 4x4. They are some of the best, most reliable atvs out there. The dealer where i buy my motocross and atv stuff recently had a guy come in with 33,000 miles on his 350 fourman. Thats hay hauling, working miles. he was hacked that honda quit making them. he bought a 450s. I am not a polaris guy at all. Have heard to many reliability horror stories. If you cant find a clean honda i have some buddies that use artic cat 300s and love them. 15 gears, in and out 4x4, independant rear suspension. You might give them a look. Good luck!
 
my 1 cent worth, sorry could not afford 2. the rancher's a good bike but i dont care for the electric shift. when my dad was looking i tried to get him to look at the suzuki eiger it was a little more powerful and had several better features (dual range, switchable 2 or 4 wheel, cheaper price, etc.) but someone he new had the honda so he went red, mainly because of the electric shift. the main thing is decide what you want to do with it, add more to the figures because if you go to small or what not you will wind up hating it and if you trade it you'll also probably loose $. just my opinion but i dont care much for the polarus or any autos especially if you are around hills. lastly if you have kids or friends you will need to go tougher to make it last. there is a company in wyoming that makes a bolt on silencer but i dont remember the name, you might try a search cause it was talked about on here somewhere. good luck VX
 
Others have outlined almost the same...I've spent many many hours on a Honda TRX 350 and what a machine. Less bells and whistles =more reliable as far as I'm concerned. I also (even though I had to special order) went with the manual shift model. At least I know I can fix it with an elastic and a can of pop. When you're REMOTE, that's a factor. Personally, I could have gotten a bigger model, for the budget, but I went with the 350, and it was enough machine (210- 6'). It was cheaper, better on gas, more reliable, and I can pick it up if I have to. The 350 has the same frame as the 300 (I think), just a bit more motor.

My .02
D
 
I use a arctic cat 375 and a honda rubicon at work. They both are great machines, but if I had to pick, I'd take the rubicon. I'd suggest the rubicon over any machine out on the market.
 
I give another vote for the Honda. I have a Foreman 450ES & it is a hoss. I actually kinda wish I had the 350 Rancher though because it is a little smaller overall. I have the electric shift (ES) on my rig & I like it. I was a little optimistic, but a buddy of mine works on a ranch & they use the ES alot & even rake hay with their atv's so I went ahead & bought it. The my rig does still have a manual shift lever if you were ever to have a problem. I am 6' & weigh about 320 lbs. & this year I had my tank ass and a mature cow elk on my Foreman (Elk quartered 1/2 on front rack & 1/2 on back rack) without any problems. I also had a Yamaha 350 Wolverine & I liked it but someone else thought they needed it more than I did. I would by another Wolverine though. I would stay away from Polaris. I think they are the softest ride but are also next to the weakest atv the only weaker in my opinion is the Kawasaki's. Just in overall brand rankings mine are 1. Honda, 2. Yamaha, a close 3. Artic Cat 4. Suzuki, 5. Polaris, & 6. Kawasaki. Just my ideas. Good Luck, Dean-o
 


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