Need help

[mrmabry]

I am needing to buy an ATV for hunting and trail riding but don't have much money to spare. I don't know much about the different models and was hoping I could get some advice. I have about $2500-$3500 to spend. I need a large frame quad because I am 6'3" and 285lbs. 4x4 is not a necessity. Mostly just going to ride in the woods and state park trails. Any advice on which models and years I should look for. Thanks.

[markc]

for a full size frame quad for that kind of money and still be a new quad would be the Artic Cat 250 4X4.   You could probably find a used quad with a larger motor for that money,  but will find that they hold their prices well and to find a good price you will find a well used quad.  Read "abused" in there.

The Artic Cat 250 has been around for a long while and has a proven engine/transmission (made by Suzuki).  They came out with it in a 4X4 for 2003 I believe, and I have given them a long hard look.  They are full size, in frame, racks, etc..  Other brands make nice 250cc quads,  but they are not full ize.  The Artic Cat 250  4X4 will lead the class in ground clearance, rack capacity and other things important to a hunter.

Take a look at them at  www.atvconnection.com

Go to reviews in the left hand column and read the numerous articles on all of them.  For the money you listed,  thats about as good as it gets.
markc

[mrmabry]

markc
Thanks for the advice. I will take a look at the arctic cat. I was actually looking for a used atv with a little more oomph though. What would you recommend as far as older favorites. I am wondering what the older provens are.

[markc]

http://www.atvconnection.com/atvconnection/Community/Chat/Arctic-Cat-04-250-Series.cfm
markc

[markc]

Almost anything Honda makes.  The Foreman lineup is hard to beat.  Yamaha Big Bear is also hard to beat and has been around for years.  On used quads take a really close look though.  They tend to get abused and the prices on a good one won't be much cheaper than a new one.  On that Artic Cat 250 I mentioned, with the triple range transmission, you will be able to do alot more than you would think.  It helps to get every bit of power out of the motor.  If money was not a consideration, I would recommend the Yamaha Grizzley 660,  Kawasaki has a new monster 4X4 with about 650 or so cc's and Polaris has a 700 I believe now.  Generally most folks do not need anything that powerful, and it has become the Thing, to have the biggest baddest motor.  For most of us, it is wasted power and $.  But if you got it, buy it.  Artic Cat has a new big quad as well.  Check out the info, and new line-ups at that web site I lsited.  Lots of good info there.
markc

[helobill]

I looked used for a long time and finaly went and bought a new Arctic Cat 400 4x4. My local dealer (in Breeze Illinois, he's got a web site) was selling them out for $4495, and AC just went to a standard 2 year warranty on all new ATV's at no extra cost. He had 2WD's also, but I don't know what the cost was 'cause I wasn't interested. Might be a barganing point with your local dealer.
Bill

[mrmabry]

Thanks guys. I'm alot better equiped to go out and look now. I'll let you know when one makes it home with me :grin:

[SHW]

BUY a HONDA & enjoy.  As stated earlier foremans are GREAT.  I sprayed over 5000 acres of rice fields one summer with no major problems.  Day in & day out running in 1st & 2nd gear in mud and water.  Tried Polaris 500 Sportsman, but would not hold up.

[kamml]

I just bought a 2001 Honda Recon (250 class) from an Aiken Honda dealer and am delighted.  I paid around $1800.00 with the ramps and helmet and it fits in my Ford Ranger so no trailer is needed.  I am 6' 260 lbs and it fits me very well.  5sp auto clutch and front and rear racks.  Its no speed demon but it comfortable, starts quickly and didn't break my bank account.  Ken

[markc]

sounds like you got a good deal on that recon.  Sure is nice to be able to fit the quad in the truck bed and not to have to tow a trailer all the time.
I keep telling folks that a person doesn't have to have the largest engine displacement in order to get out a ride, or work.   Bigger isn't always better, especially when bigger cost a good bit more.
markc

[264 WIN MAG]

Been there and done that. Spend the extra money and get the big bike. My suggestion is the grizzly. I bought mine for 6300 out the door so that's not bad on a brand new one.

I went the route before and got a 300 Honda 4x4 Fourtrax and I won't lie it's the toughest bike ever made and no one has been able to copy it (including Honda). The only problem with the 300 is that going through mud and bad stuff it just doesn't have the power that a big guy demands. The 300 Honda is about 8HP at the engine whereas the 660 grizzly is 29.5HP at the wheels.

[264 WIN MAG]

O one thing though. You can get the power you want out of a smaller bike like the 300 Honda 4x4. I still have mine and it is running with 28" Outlaws on it and pushes them in everything. I have had it burried to the top of the fenders in mud and the tires were still churning and I pulled out.

The only problem with going this route is you spend whatever on the atv and then spend about 2-3k more in parts. Mine is a 373cc now and pushes just as much HP and torque as the Honda Rubicon, but it cost me a pretty penny to get the engine where it needs to be.