2x4 or 4x4 250 to 350 atv

[jlgwiz]

 I am considering the purchase of an atv.  It would be used for hunting and just general transportation around my brother-in-law's place.  No heavy hauling, maybe a deer or such.  This place consists of woods and open fields and I am tired of beating my truck up and changing flats, plus some trails in the woods are too narrow for a truck. Not a whole lot of elevation change and none that are real steep. Trails can be muddy at times but I am not planning on using the atv to cross knee deep mud holes or solid mud fields.   I am looking at getting a 2x4 in the 250 range, as I think that is all I will need. My nephew gets around the place on a Mule with no trouble.  I have no experience with atvs at all, so any comments/advice  would be helpful and appreciated.  Right now I am looking at the 250 models from Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Anyone have a  preference of one over the other on these?

           Thank
            jlgwiz

[30-30man]

I have a Yamaha Bruin 350 in 2wd.  It will haul heavy loads even without a low range.  I never liked 4wd atvs, they are hard to steer and more parts to tear up.  You can't go wrong with a Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, or a Honda.  The only atv out there I wouldn't recommend would be any Polaris product.  They just have too many problems and do not have the quality or longevity as the Japanese atvs. 

[Graybeard]

I also have the Yamaha Bruin 350 4x2 and it will do anything and everything you mention and then some. Mine some times pulls my 17 cu. ft. trailer filled with dirt, sand or gravel and that's gotta be close to a ton. It's rated to pull about 1100 pounds I think but a ton is not out of the question for it.

The only two times I've stuck it were when I high centered it on a stump and had to get off and pull it off by hand which was no problem and one time I buried it quite litterally in a mud hole. I was having my driveway reworked by the state and they had dumped a lot of loose dirt where the old drain piple went under and it was a deep pool of water there. I assumed incorrectly I could just power thru it from off the driveway into the grass beyond. WRONG! the front end buried all the way to the frame and it was like quicksand. The state guy pulled me out with the dozer they were using saving me from getting my truck to do it.

[jlgwiz]

  Appreciate the replies.  Question on the ignition systems.  Have you ever had to use the backup system?  Is that really a point to be concered about?

        jlgwiz

[Graybeard]

Nope. Mine is still operating on the first battery and I've never needed anything but the starter button to crank it.

[SURVEYOR]

I own a 250 2x4 Arctic Cat. It does a nice job riding, hauling deer, and just fun. I went to move it last month, and the battery was down. The recoil starter is under the seat. So after 3 pulls I got it running. COOL! First time I ever used the pull start. But It worked. I'm glad I have one!

[30-30man]

Greybeard, have you ever tried to use the pull rope? I'm on my original battery also but I need to ask for fear of getting noodle arms in my old age.  You must have to have arms like a gorilla...I've never been able to even pull it out for fear of braking the rope.

[markc]

Often when the ATV provides a backup recoil starter (pull rope) they also have a compression release lever located somewhere on the top side of the motor.  Look p under the gas tank area for the lever.  You flip the lever up, and it is really easy to pull the rope.  You have to lift the lever for each pull of the rope, but if provided with one, the compression lever makes it do-able...

[Graybeard]

I've never tried the pull rope or looked to see if there is a compression release and doubt I ever will. My sole use of it so far has been here on my small farm and if it failed to start anywhere on the property I might be it would be at most a 200 yard or so walk back to the house. From anywhere on the front I could just take the truck or a lawn mower down and pull it back to the house. From up back it's all down hill pretty much and I likely could coast back to the house. Still I'd not like it to fail me back there.