A little guidance request

[Sweetwater]

A little over a year ago, I took the wife and went back to Sandpoint, Idaho for a long weekend. We lived there for 6 years before I ran out of work and ended up back in Wyoming for, hopefully, my last stint at gainful employment. We shall see. Anyway, we stayed with friends in Naples, Id who own a fair amount of acreage and a bunch of 4-wheelers. I've used them in my work, off and on over the years, but wifey had never been on one. We had discussed having one several years ago and she stated, " get a two-seater so I can just look around and won't have to drive". Fast forward to our weekend at my friend's place. They got the 4-wheelers out and we took 4 of them for a little trail ride through the woods and out in the fields around his place. 15 months later, she declared, "think I'd rather have a couple 4-wheelers than a Jeep Wrangler." I said you used to want a two-seater.  She said, "I want to drive my own".
 
So there ya have it. In the next couple months I will be shopping in earnest for a pair of 4-wheelers as in his and hers. Of course, hunting season is right around the corner..I expect we will search used machines for economics, but maybe need to get new for warranty.
 
What say you veterans of the ATVs?
 
Jeff
NRA Life

[Old Syko]

Honestly, used can be a real crap shoot unless you're buying from someone you know and can trust.  Good luck with that.  On the other hand new is usually much more money and warranty isn't what it should be either.  For someone with experience and able to do their own work, used can be a good deal.  For a relative novice, I would suggest looking at new, especially if you're not planning on doing your own repairs and I guarantee no matter what you get it will at some point need to be worked on.  Let us know what you get.  I wish you the best with whatever you decide.


BTW the 2 up models leave a lot to be desired due to the long wheelbase unless you get a sxs utv.

[markc]

How much $ do you have available to spend on atv's?  If your wife may not ride often, then perhaps a used atv for her, and a new for you. Old Syko is right. You can end up looking at quite a few used atv's just to find 1 good one. To find 2 good deals on used atvs could be difficult.  People tend to ride them pretty hard and sell them only when they are broken or worn out.  Do you need 4wd? Can you get by on a 2wd atv? You can save money there. 

[Sweetwater]

Thanks for the responses. A lot of my answers are going to be, "I don't know".
 
$$$ will be what it takes to get what we "need" - LOL! And "not more than I have to spend". Probably like buying a new truck. I know a Ford XL will get it done, but I want the King Ranch model.
 
We will be using them in the Wyoming mountains in October and November, so 4WD would be a necessity. I expect they will get used most saturdays as weather allows. We won't be using them in town, though after work on nice days would be a possible ride. The Sweetwater County Fair is next week, so I guess we will go and haunt the ATV dealers and riddle them with questions. I will stay in touch...
 
Jeff
NRA Life

[Bugflipper]

What I would look for:
Selectable 2wd-4wd. For trail riding a 2wd can't be beat. Selectable locking front differential. They come in handy in the snow, mud, slick rocks, when in precarious situations on uneven ground and when pulling heavy loads (pulling out stuck atv or logs) in the woods. Independent rear suspension (IRS). Generally they give a softer ride, higher ground clearance, better traction and more side to side stability when off angle. Low and high range. Just like a 4x4 truck or suv, sometimes you need more torque for the terrain or for pulling. At least a 400 cc engine. Not related to actual power. The smaller the engine generally the lighter the drivetrain. If you are ascending or descending a very steep grade in  low range, atvs with weaker drivetrains may break. This also applies to a 500 cc Polaris Sportsman HO. I think they have an aversion to axles. 

[Lloyd Smale]

I kind of prefer the side by side. A couple can go for a ride and talk while there riding. At least here you dont even need to wear a helmet on one. they both have advantages though. As to buying used, stick to a honda or yamaha. Both are about indestructable and very reliable. Just look at it. Unless its looks beat to hell its probably going to be a good machine. I steer clear of used polaris and artic cat atvs though. Both are a bit troublesome and someone might be trying to dump a lemon. Buying new is like buying a car. LOTS of depreciation. I bought my polaris rzr new for 15k after all the options. Its been a total pos and i decided to sell it. Its 4 years old and is in excellent shape and has low miles and the best its seems ill get for it is 7500 bucks. Bought my grizzly used 3 years ago for 6000 and sold it just two weeks ago for 5000. I think im going to look for a rhino but you can bet it wont be new. Bottom line is i can go about anywhere in my jeep that i can go on an atv. I bought it in excellent shape with only 70k on it for 7500 bucks. Its got a roof and a heater and i can take it to town or drive it to camp. Something an atv just wont do. It gets just as good of gas milage and is a whole lot more practical.

[markc]

I bought this 04 Kodiak 450 used for 3K.  Love it

Bought this 06 Rhino 450 new for a bit more, and love it too
Then there's my 06 Liberty

 

[Sweetwater]

Thanks for the pics! It's a bit ironic that some of you "also" have Jeeps. Wifey started this conversation early last spring with a, "I want a Jeep Wrangler". It got changed to wanting the 4-wheelers when she was reviewing some pics which included her first ride on a 4-wheeler, a Honda automatic riden a year and a half ago as previously posted. I started with a Jeepster Commando, then a couple CJ-5's, several Jeep Wagoneers, a little Cherokee, and a couple pickups. I still have the '81 Jeep J-10 shortbed stepside. I was going to swap the J-10 in on a newer Wrangler for her. Of course, she knows whatever we get will go to the mountains come hunting season. Also, I see both the Wrangler and the ATV's in the future, sometime before I retire - lol - I just started a new career at 61, so will be a few years as long as my health holds up.
 
Jeff
NRA Life

[Old Syko]

Everyone who goes off road has either owned a Jeep, presently owns a Jeep, or will soon own a Jeep.  Just Empty Every Pocket.  As for the ATV, Mark has shown a fine example of a great all round machine no matter your experience level or needs in the Kodiak.  Friend of mine has one of the older ones in 400 that has withstood unbelievable abuse and just keeps on going.  For my needs more horsepower is in order but I'll bet you won't be nearly as aggressive a rider as I have been.  Most sane people aren't.      

[markc]

Everyone needs at least one Jeep.  I decided against a wrangler a few years back because of the whimpy V6 and the cost. Bought the Liberty and have off roaded it a ton with just a few modifications. Took a 2010 Wrangler on the Alpine Loop this summer and am glad I bought the Liberty. Now the 2012 has the more powerful Pentastar V6, so possibly in 2013 or 2014 the Liberty will be traded in on a new 4 door wrangler. 
 
Old Syko, I bought the Kodiak after having the 450 Rhino for several years, so I was pleased with the 450. It is surprising how different the Kodiak, at half the weight of the Rhino, seems so much more powerful.  But, the Rhino is far and away more comfortable and stable off road than the kodiak. 

[Dave in WV]

I'm no expert on ATVs but IMHO you need to decide what your needs are with an ATV and then make a choice. Just riding and hunting doesn't require the need of a large machine. I got a used Grizzly 660 from a friend. It was 4 years old with 238 mi. on it. It was far more machine than I intended to buy but I plow the street with it and have skidded some logs with it so it's worked out.  It does like gas! If I lived at a high altitude and/or planned to ride in cold weather fuel injection would be a plus. If you buy two ATVs put a winch on one of them.