Which ATV to purchase

[team101]

I have been researching my first ATV purchase and the more I read, it seems the more confused I become.  Below is some information about what I want/need.  Some features I have been told to consider are a locking differential, IRS, engine brake, manual trans, and fuel injection.

Me: little/no riding experience, 6-00, 210lbs

Uses: Hunting/fishing/recreational trail riding/medium duty work, hauling, light snow plowing (residential neighborhood driveway), towing, and food plot maintenance on a 5 acre piece of property in the future

Terrain I anticipate using the ATV in: muddy, rutted logging roads and S/E Ohio hill country.  I plan to also visit some places like Hatfield and McCoy as well.

My desires:  I like buying quality the first time.  I want a machine that will meet my needs, be reliable, durable, and not need upgraded in a few years because I outgrew it.  Longevity and durability are paramount as I plan to keep this machine indefinitely.

Brand loyalty:  None, but I have been told to avoid Polaris.

Budget:  $5k max., $3k preferred

I prefer to hear about actual experiences with machines as opposed to rumor.  Thanks for any info/suggestions relating to size, make, model, features, etc.

[Lloyd Smale]

I take it your looking for used wth the price range you quoted. Ive owned about all of the brands except for canam and my favorite hands down are the yamahas. there quality and fit and finish and reliablity are what they others are compared to.

[YankeeBill]

What Lloyd said
I've never owned another brand, and never felt the need to. I love my 450 Kodiak.

YB

[Graybeard]

I've owned two a very used Honda Recon 250 and now have a new in 2005 Yamaha 350 Bruin. Both have been 4x2 and in fact I've never ridden a 4x4 tho I have ridden other 4x2 machines.

That experience has taught me that when you REALLY need 4x4 nothing less will do. I learned that in Texas black gumbo mud when we were riding on land just days before under 6' of water from the Trinity River.

Around here tho I've really never needed 4x4 and the one time Matt did when riding on the bottom of my pond after the water almost dried up the first summer the winch got him out fine.

My use is mostly just riding around on my small farm and pulling a 17 cu. ft. trailer that might have less than 100 pounds in it or nearly a ton. The Honda didn't have what it took for the job but the Bruin does. I've pulled that trailer loaded way beyond it's stated 1500 pound capacity and for sure way way beyond the rated tow capacity of the Bruin but it gets the job done.

If the mud is deep and bad you might want 4x4 and yeah locking diffs would be nice. So might be a winch. I will never have another manual tranny on one. The Honda had one and the Bruin is auto and I'll never own another without an auto transmission. I sure wish I'd had an auto in Texas I might not have gotten stuck as many times.

Food plot maintenace is something I've never done so can't really speak to it first hand but I think if you pull much and expect it to cut the dirt very deeply you're gonna need 4x4 and locking diffs and likely a lot of weight and HP too boot. Minus that a 350 like my Bruin should do all the rest I believe, I just dunno about plowing and stuff with one. I know on level ground it will pull over a ton in the trailer and it will get nearly that up the hill on my gravel road to the barn but I can't let it lug down or it will spin out as it doesn't have 4x4.

[Old Syko]

Like Lloyd said, you must be lookin for something used at those prices and if that's the case, it may be pretty much a crap shoot as to condition.  ATVs aren't usually maintained as they should be so good luck there.  Personally, I presently ride an '02 Kawasaki Prairie that just recently turned over 26,000 miles.  Only problems have been minor and to be expected with that mileage.  I have a LOT of time on just about everything else made and if I was looking for something  to fill your needs I would look real hard at the Yamaha 450 Kodiak.  It has everything you have ask for including enough power to get the job done.  Anything smaller won't handle a plow very well.  Pulling is easy and even the smallest atv will pull more than you have any business pulling.  Getting stopped is another issue by itself.

I always tell people to buy the biggest and most powerful ride you can afford and you won't regret it.  Right now Yamaha is about as close to bulletproof as anything offered but I still think a lot of my Kawasaki.  Be very very careful if looking at used of any brand!

[Lloyd Smale]

hell id think alot of that kawasaki too. 26000 miles, thats amazing!!!!quote author=Old Syko link=topic=207034.msg1099089704#msg1099089704 date=1273182751]
Like Lloyd said, you must be lookin for something used at those prices and if that's the case, it may be pretty much a crap shoot as to condition.  ATVs aren't usually maintained as they should be so good luck there.  Personally, I presently ride an '02 Kawasaki Prairie that just recently turned over 26,000 miles.  Only problems have been minor and to be expected with that mileage.  I have a LOT of time on just about everything else made and if I was looking for something  to fill your needs I would look real hard at the Yamaha 450 Kodiak.  It has everything you have ask for including enough power to get the job done.  Anything smaller won't handle a plow very well.  Pulling is easy and even the smallest atv will pull more than you have any business pulling.  Getting stopped is another issue by itself.

I always tell people to buy the biggest and most powerful ride you can afford and you won't regret it.  Right now Yamaha is about as close to bulletproof as anything offered but I still think a lot of my Kawasaki.  Be very very careful if looking at used of any brand!
[/quote]

[Drilling Man]

  Here's another vote for Yamaha, but i'd consider a Honda.  I also would not buy a Polaris...

  DM

[Old Syko]

hell id think alot of that kawasaki too. 26000 miles, thats amazing!!!!

Like I've said here before, where I live in Indiana it is legal to use ATVs on anything but a state highway so they see plenty of use by everyone who lives in the country.  Much easier to ride cross country a couple miles to a neighbors farm than to take the truck 10 miles around the roads.

BTW my Great Dane mower also has a Kawasaki V-twin engine and it has a bit over 900 hours now and has had nothing but oil changes and one carberator cleaning.  This engine is still as tight as new.  Can't beat the Kawasaki engines with a stick, but I would still suggest the OP look into a Yamaha atv.  Ya have to consider the whole package.

[jpred1]

Another Yamaha Kodiak vote.

[FourBee]

Because of surgery one winter I bought my son a Polaris 500 to pull a small wagon so he could feed hay to my few head of cattle.   That was back in 2000.   I don't know how much better another brand could be?   This one rides like a cadillac on rough terrain.  It doesn't mind sitting idling while I'm patching up a fence since it is water cooled.  The low gear is great when needed.  And the push button instant 4 wheel drive is a terrific asset.  I guess I got a good one.   

[Lloyd Smale]

foorbee ive had decent luck with polaris too. Ive owned two of there 4 wheelers and now own razor but if you look at it and then look at my 700 grizzly anyone but a blind man could see which is put together better. I ride with a couple guys that bought new xp850s. Now thats a machine. It rides better then my grizzly the power stearing works better then mine and it will flat blow me away on a road. I love taking them for shot blasts but they constantly have problems with them. It seems like every time we ride one of them is wrenching on there bike. Heck they even keep spare axles at home for them.  Mine may not be as fast but all I have to do is add gas and ride, put it away at night and the next time i ride just add gas and go. If yamaha would come out with a performance side by side that competed with my razor id trade mine in tommarow.

[oldandslow]

Like FourBee I have a 2000 Polaris. All I've ever had to do to it is replace the battery. Other than that it is just get on it and go and it goes very smoothly. Son-in-law rode another 2000 hard for four years with zero problems. I also had a '96 that had been beat on pretty good before I bought it. A set of front shocks and inner tie rod ends fixed it and never had anymore problems. Brother-in-law bought a Polaris right after I did and it has been the same deal. Just hop on and go. If I wanted a new wheeler I would buy a Polaris in a heartbeat.

[FourBee]

 

Posted by: Lloyd Smale   " and now own razor "

Whooo ieeeE !   Those are nice.   I was just in the Dealership to buy a battery like ' oldandslow ' has to occasionally, and couldn't keep from looking at one called an 'RZR'.  My wife sure did like it.  Base price $12,500.  Salesman showed me a used beauty 'Red & White' for $8grand.   Just lookin at 'em makes you grin.   I'm afraid 'team101 is gonna haveta shell out about $3K along with that $5K for a new 4x4 from the ones I saw anyhow. 

[Old Syko]

On the subject of Polaris, yes they do have their share of followers even inspite of their poor reputation.  Like Lloyd, everyone I know who owns one spends too much wrench time and money to make them attractive to me.  One neighbor had a polaris for 4 or 5 years and complained constantly about its problems, yet when he went to buy a new one, he came home with another Polaris.  He came by to show off his new ride and after some ribbing about yet again feedin from the same trough headed for home.  The wiring was run in a bad place under the seat where it got shorted and melted all the wiring before he got home.  He still wouldn't own anything else.  Go figger!

For those that use them hard, axles, u-joints, and tie rods are necessary spares for Polaris.  All the others, including Yamaha have had their share of tie rod failuires but the heavier weight and suspension geometry of the Polaris seems to make it worse.

Lloyd, if you want to go fast look into the Can-Am.  At close to 80 HP out of the box, nothing out there compares, but take your tools and plenty of spares along when you go.  I love to ride them as long as they belong to someone else.

[SHOOTALL]

I love my Artic cat it has the highest ground clerance you can get . We cross alot of downed timber and cutover . It was what i needed . Artic cat and others have charts that list what each brand or unit does best or equal. decide what you need then match the chart . Most all of them are good these days .

[markc]

Hey Shootall, Articcat used to make a full sized quad that was a 250cc.  It had a lot of features of the bigger quads.  It doesn't appear that they are still making those.  They also had a 300 that was a 4X4, which no one seems to make any longer. 

[Dave in WV]

team101, here's a link to an ATV in Logan,WV. They have about the best prices around here.
http://www.powersportstv.com/dealers/3047524145/LOGAN-YAMAHA-SALES/

Shopping around for a good used ATV willsave you money. I lucked out when I started looking for one. A friend had a  2004 Yamaha Grizzly 660 with 238 miles on it. I bought it at the end of 2008.  I use ours like you mentioned but not on Hatfield and McCoy trail. I can ride here at the house. I have a plow and it was a Godsend last Winter. It's an automatic and holds back great. I was thinking about a smaller machine but the brute I bought has been great for a working ATV. I wouldn't get less than a 400cc machine if you plan to plow. I do have a locking differential and haven't needed it buy my next door neighbor used it on his Grizzly 660. (same year as mine)  Another neighbor bought a Grizzly 700 and isn't as happy with it as he was his Grizzly 660. Hondas are the gold standard around here but Yamahas are rated high too.  For me the automatic is the way to go. Put it in gear and go.

[team101]

Thanks for the replies so far.  Around here, used ATVs are generally low mileage/hours and it is clear if they have been abused.  $5K will also buy alot of 1-2 yr old ATV's here.  I looked at the big bores, then read how fuel inefficient they are  (7-10 mpg for the Kaw Brute Force).  What kind of mileage can I expect out of a 660-700 Grizzley?  At one time that was my top choice, now I am thinking 400-500 cc's might be a good compromise.

[Drilling Man]

  A HUGE advantage of the Yamaha automatic is, unlike the other belt drive automatics, Yamaha also has an "oil cooled" clutch to take the abuse of starting out with a load.  The others use the belt for the clutch AND the tranny, Yamaha's belt always stays tensioned, and is only used for the tranny, and that means drastically increased belt life!

  DM

[Lloyd Smale]

only time i checked my grizzly it got 15mpg. Driving it sanely i dont think theres much differnce in the 700 compared to the smaller machines. Im sure though that if you constantly pinned the throttle you could get it down below 10mpg without much trouble. By the way my nephew gets close to the same out of his 600 kawasaki. 

Thanks for the replies so far.  Around here, used ATVs are generally low mileage/hours and it is clear if they have been abused.  $5K will also buy alot of 1-2 yr old ATV's here.  I looked at the big bores, then read how fuel inefficient they are  (7-10 mpg for the Kaw Brute Force).  What kind of mileage can I expect out of a 660-700 Grizzley?  At one time that was my top choice, now I am thinking 400-500 cc's might be a good compromise.

[jpred1]

Look for a used 450 Kodiak or I believe they make a 350 grizzly. If that falls through , get a honda rancher 350.Heres a Yamaha pic and a vid also if it works..

[SHOOTALL]

MARKC , i had a 250 that my son ysed mine is a 400 4wd as is my oldest sons . A good friend has the 300 4wd. all are good.

[Lloyd Smale]

a couple things to keep in mind when buying the smaller atvs is that most dont have independent rear suspension and that makes a big differnce in ride quality. Another is some dont have low range. I had a little 250 4x4 timberwolf that was a great little 4 wheeler. It wasnt fast and it was small enough in size that it went places my 700 would never go but it didnt have low range and really grunted pulling deer blinds in the woods. I gave it to my dad and he just loves it. but come deer season he will always hop on my 700 because of the ride the power the power steering and the hand and thumb warmers. Me, i use the jeep cause its warm   What i find with the big atvs is they just have a more effortless feel to them. they go threw thing without breaking a sweat that the midsized bikes really have to grunt to do. i actually pulled a truck out of the ditch with my 700 last year and doubt a smaller one would have even came close to doing it. Anohter thing you gain with the big ones is frame strenght. My 700 has a 4500 lb winch on it and that winch would probably pull the little 250 in half if it was mounted on its frame. So if i were recomending a used four wheeler to someone id tell them look for at least a 450 with independent suspension and a low range. We can beat heads all day about brands but in all reality there all pretty reliable for the average guy that isnt trying to make them into a motocross bike.

[Old Syko]

I'm still not a fan of independent suspension for my style of riding, which is the main reason I'm still riding an '02 Prairie.  The next one I get I'm sure will be IRS since that's about the norm anymore but it calls for a different technic.  If you aren't an agressive rider you'll never know the difference.  Any argument about increased ground clearance with IRS has been debunked seven ways from Sunday, proving that isn't an issue.

Power steering I can take or leave.  I'm still stout enough to make an all day ride and not feel any harm done.  Fewer moving parts is always better if you're going well off the beaten path, especially alone, which I do a couple times a year.  Just something to consider.

I never go without a good winch and a good come-along, just in case the winch fails.

[SHOOTALL]

If you creep over down timber you might find a difference when you have to cross several at a time at different angles .

[Lloyd Smale]

oh to be young again. I remember when a 100 miles on my old warrior was just a warmup. Now if i put a 100 miles on an atv with a straight axle and no power stearing youd be visiting me in the hospital tommarow. Granted i cant run the grizzly at the same pace i did a warrior but its fast enough and handles well enough to kick the back end around in the corners and rides like a cadilac on the trail at sane speeds. Power steering is something that alot of guys dont think they need but once theyve tried it for a day would never go back. Yamaha is even starting to put in on snowmobiles. I cant wait to try one out.

I'm still not a fan of independent suspension for my style of riding, which is the main reason I'm still riding an '02 Prairie.  The next one I get I'm sure will be IRS since that's about the norm anymore but it calls for a different technic.  If you aren't an agressive rider you'll never know the difference.  Any argument about increased ground clearance with IRS has been debunked seven ways from Sunday, proving that isn't an issue.

Power steering I can take or leave.  I'm still stout enough to make an all day ride and not feel any harm done.  Fewer moving parts is always better if you're going well off the beaten path, especially alone, which I do a couple times a year.  Just something to consider.

I never go without a good winch and a good come-along, just in case the winch fails.

[oldhunter]

Owned a Polaris 400 with 4WD for over 10 years and never had a repair needed.  Very popular in my area with two dealers actively competing for sales.  I believe that all the name brands will serve you well for your money.  Just be carefull on buying used ATVs as many are run hard and the next owner may pay the price.  Personally, I own a Can-Am 650 that rides like a luxury car, will take two large riders (500 lbs + total) up any hill in the area, pull deer or bear wherever necessary and is made by BRP who also makes Ski-Doo, Evinrude and Sea-Doo watercraft.  I use it for hunting and easy trail riding.

oldhunter   

[RON17T]

I've got a 04 kawasaki praire I bought new. It will push/pull a small car,carry 2 men weighing 210 and 250,2 guns and a 140 pound deer,they make plows to fit them,and needs very little matainence. It's fast enough on trails to be fun.They have a locking front differential,solid rear axle,high and low range 4x4. I've beat the crap out of mine and it's still going strong.

[Two Bears]

Thanks for the replies so far.  Around here, used ATVs are generally low mileage/hours and it is clear if they have been abused.  $5K will also buy alot of 1-2 yr old ATV's here.  I looked at the big bores, then read how fuel inefficient they are  (7-10 mpg for the Kaw Brute Force).  What kind of mileage can I expect out of a 660-700 Grizzley?  At one time that was my top choice, now I am thinking 400-500 cc's might be a good compromise.

Easy now - don't say 7 - 10 mpg for a brute because its BS. I have 2 brutes and they get good gas milage, my 750 gets 14 - 17 mpg depending on how I ride it but the faster I trail ride with it the better it gets for mpg.
My 650i gets 22 mpg. Keep in mind that these big V twins have 56 horse power and boy if you pull the wick on it you better hang on as they accellerate like a motorcycle and will put a huge smile on your face every time you ride them, you won't say that about a yamaha or polaris, honda, arctic cat.....they just don't have it in them.

Here is the deal with the brutes ... BULLET PROOF V-TWIN POWER !  That V twin is in several JD tractors as well as the prairies  and you can expect years worth of hard service with out any trouble.
Can't beat these Kawasaki Brutes

[Lloyd Smale]

Dont want to burst your bubble but my nephew has a 650 brute. Its a good bike but my 700 grizzly will run right along side of it and actually jump it out of the hole. Now his is stock and mine has a fuel controler and a differnt air box but those are minor mods. We also ride with two guys one with a 750 brute and one with a 850xp polaris. Now the 750 brute will pull us but the race isnt as lopsided as you would think and the 850xp flat runs away from any of us. Just dont line your 650 up against a 850xp or a 650 or 800 canam because there going to hand you your lunch. As to gas milage ive seen very little differnce in any of them if road sanely. Mash the throttle and you can get any atv bigger then a 450 into single didgits.

Thanks for the replies so far.  Around here, used ATVs are generally low mileage/hours and it is clear if they have been abused.  $5K will also buy alot of 1-2 yr old ATV's here.  I looked at the big bores, then read how fuel inefficient they are  (7-10 mpg for the Kaw Brute Force).  What kind of mileage can I expect out of a 660-700 Grizzley?  At one time that was my top choice, now I am thinking 400-500 cc's might be a good compromise.

Easy now - don't say 7 - 10 mpg for a brute because its BS. I have 2 brutes and they get good gas milage, my 750 gets 14 - 17 mpg depending on how I ride it but the faster I trail ride with it the better it gets for mpg.
My 650i gets 22 mpg. Keep in mind that these big V twins have 56 horse power and boy if you pull the wick on it you better hang on as they accellerate like a motorcycle and will put a huge smile on your face every time you ride them, you won't say that about a yamaha or polaris, honda, arctic cat.....they just don't have it in them.

Here is the deal with the brutes ... BULLET PROOF V-TWIN POWER !  That V twin is in several JD tractors as well as the prairies  and you can expect years worth of hard service with out any trouble.
Can't beat these Kawasaki Brutes