ATV ADVICE NEEDED

[razmuz]

Due to replacement knee surgery I've decided to get an ATV to get back and forth to my deer stand, about two miles.  I don't believe I'll need four wheel drive, but I do want a reverse.  I'm 6-3 and weigh 300+ so want one that will fit.  I might even consider one of those golf cart looking ATV,s.  My major concern is how do these machines stand up if they are only used about seven days a year.

Senior Citizen

[Rick Teal]

I have a tin hip, and I'm flirting with 300 lbs and I use my ATV for 2 or 3 hunting trips each year, so I guess my experience is very similar to your situation.

In 1998, I bought a 1986 Kawasaki Bayou 300 2WD, and the thing has worked very well for me since then.  The country I cover to get to my hunting camp is quite rough, and I've had no great trouble getting to it with this machine (although I installed a winch "just in case").  I do the usual maintenance, plug, oil, brake fluid, etc., but I've only had to change the rear brake shoes as "major" maintenance.

Two other guys in camp use 1986 2WD suzuki 250's, and they seem to work very well too.  The rest use 4WD machines.

[1911WB]

Buying a Honda means never having to say you're sorry!  :grin:

[xnmr53]

razmuz,
 
Consider this:
If you get an ATV, you will probably find yourself using it more than just a few days a years because of the increased mobility that it will give you. Once you learn how to ride one, you can return to a lot of places that used to go to. They are easier on the body than a 4X4 (I have a bad back), and the visibility is much better.

[markc]

I am a fan of side by sides.  If your knee is the trouble, climbing aboard an atv (over the seat) and riding may or may not be atrouble for you.  Check out ATV's at a dealership and see how difficult climbing onto one is for you.   I personalyl recommend a side by side, either a Kawasaki Mule or Polaris Ranger.  They are easy to get in, simply sit on the auto type seat and drive them like a small pickup truck.  Them come in either 2WD or 4WD, and although they cost a bit more than a regular ATV, they are able to do alot more work than a regular ATV.  They come with a small pickup truck style bed and carry anywhere from 350# on up to 1000# and tow from 900# to around 1200#.   You will likely find that you ride/drive more days than you are currently thinking right now.

[TennesseeNuc]

razmuz,
I used to walk to my deer stands, and have been known to drag a deer several miles back to the truck. After an auto/motorcycle collision years ago (I was on the motorcycle), my normal gait now tends to have me walk in large circles :-) .
I got an ATV several years ago.  The first one was a 2WD.  It took me anywhere I wanted to go, but I found that, on some occasions, it was difficult hauling a deer out of rough terrain.  So, I traded it for a 4WD.  The 4WD  is less maneuverable, but it still gets me any where I want to go and hauls a load better.
The only thing I found about an atv that is not used regularly is that the fuel needs to be treated with a stabilizer to keep from gumming up the jets during long periods of non-use.
For a guy your size, anyone of 400cc or better should be plenty to get you around.  With as little use as you plan, and it is stored indoors, an atv should last you for as long as you need it,
You might, however, find that you will ride it more than you think you will.
Best of luck with your choice.
TnNuc

[lilbiggun]

my buddy is 6' and 280. he has an old honda fourtrax 2X4 (300CC's). it was pretty amazing where he could go with it. We were out yesterday and he got stuck a few times (snow was kinda deep in a few places), never had to winch him out. If he had good tires I dont think he woulda got stuck once.

At our annual bear camp a guy brings out a polaris ranger. At first I thought it would be gutless and limited on where it could go. Boy, was I wrong. I was very impressed. the only thing that stopped that SXS was some tight trees we were going into. then again my buddy on his 6 wheeler also had to stop. If you got the money and dont drive in tight terrain, I'd go for the SXS.

Tough call, alot of good options out there.

[bullet maker]

Hi all
   I`ve got a 4 wheel drive mule, and added a winch to it. I weigh 314 lbs, lost 29 lbs, so far since Dec, since my wife bought me a walking machine.
Anyhow, I`ve got 580 hours on my mule, drive it everyday, and have had no trouble with it at all. I drive in rough terrian also and have no problems getting anywhere is except if the trees, are to close together. You will find out that you will drive it more than you think you will, for they are so convenient, to go where you want to go. My Mule is 2 years old.
   I haul deer feed to the feeders in the fall for the deer ( I have 9 deer feeders), I also haul out my fire wood for the fire place (it will haul a 1/4 of a rick at a time. I also burn 8 ricks of wood a year. So as you can see I use mine almost all the time. Its a great machine, and I would have no other. You won`t regret buying a Kiawaski Mule. The wife and the grandkids, love it also, for they get to go with me all at once when I`m just putting around the ranch, to watch the deer or go fishing.

bullet maker
P.S. if you call around you can save as much as 2,000.00 on a last year`s model, I did.

[Old Syko]

I would suggest to anyone with Sears & Roebuck body parts to consider one of the utilities for hunting and just general use.  And as has been said before, once you get it you'll use a lot more than you think.  Right now I would have to at least consider the Yamaha Rhino.  A friend of mine just got one and we're amazed at how much fishing gear and wobbly pop it will haul.  Although he can't get to the stupid places we go on our 4 wheelers, he can go anyplace he needs to and haul anything he needs including passangers.

If you go with a 4 wheeler consider something with a cvt or automatic tranny.  Shifting gears for yourself is overrated.  The new cvt's are hard to beat.

[Graybeard]

Must be nice to hunt where the use of one is allowed. Here in Bama they are not allowed on public lands at all and the only private land I have access to the owner doesn't allow them either. So I ride mine only to do work around my small blueberry farming operation. I sure do use it a lot for that but sure wish I could use it when I go hunting also.

GB

[Txmntman]

Hello folks.  I can answer you about the golf cart idea.  If you don't need to climb much, meaning you don't live in Colorado at high altitude, the lifted golf carts work great!  I have an EZ GO, lifted, with a flip seat.  Gun racks mounted on it.  I have carried myself, spouse, two kids and 300 lbs of corn in the Texas Hill Country.  The neat thing about a lifted cart is they are made to get in and out often.  Therefore, especially for someone with knee replacement (my dad has had 2 done), the cart works great.  I can post a picture of mine, and show you my set up.  The cost is less than an ATV, and, unless you need the power of an ATV side by side, they are a great way to go.

[Txmntman]

Since I shot my mouth off about the cart, I probably ought to show you a picture of it.  Check this out, it works great for hunting in the Texas Hill country, easy to get in and out, and can haul #400 lbs on the flip seat.

http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL320/2142709/4169225/51788276.jpg

[markc]

nice cart!   Like I said, I am a fan of side by sides whether they be Mules, Rangers or the new Rhino from Yamaha.   It all depends on the use.  As a few of us have posted, once you get to riding your vehicle, you will likely enjoy it so much that you will be looking for any reason to fire it up and ride.   My Mule is 4 years old and although it is only 2WD, with a locking rear differential, it does go places I didn't think it could, or should.  Right GB?

I personally would wait for 2005 to buy a Rhino, as there seems to be a number of strange problems with them.  Not every model, but more than a few owners have had electrical problems and broken axles or CV joints.  Any 1st year vehicle is bound to have a few bugs, and hopefully the 2nd year model will be even better than the allready awsome vehicle.   Good luck with your choice.  Likely in 05 you will see new side by sides come out from Honda or other major players in the ATV world.  I would love to see a true 4X4 2 seater from Honda, and a few modifications to the Kawasaki 3010 Mule.
markc

[NYH1]

razmuz, like some of the other guys said once you start to ride it and get use to it you'll probably use it more then you think. There's a few things to consider. First do you want an "automatic" or a "manual" transmission. With the "automatic" you put it in gear and just push the throttle and go, no shifting at all. With the "manual" you have to shift it, but you don't have to use a "clutch" (with a "utility" ATV), just let off the throttle, shift, get back on the throttle. Some people (myself included) like the "manual" transmission because you can control the gear ratio a little better the you can with an "automatic". Other's like the "automatic" because its like putting your car in drive and going.
Pretty much all "utility" ATV's have reverse. Personally I think its worth the extra money to get "four wheel drive". Its gonna cost another $700 to $1000, but you'll be surprised where you can go with a four wheel drive.
The "side by side"  ATV's are gonna by "automatic".

[Txmntman]

There is a lot of good information on this thread.  However, remember the money factor when comparing machines.  The 2 wheel drive golf cart, even lifted with windshield, top, and flip seat can be had for less than 1/2 of the cost of a Rhino.  Is the Rhino a good vehicle?  From everything I've read (haven't seen one), Yes, it is an excellant vehicle......for about $9,000.  Even the lifted carts will only go for $3500 to $4500....If you don't need the power (and most of us don't), the cart would be fine.  If you do need the power, nothing substitues...

[264 WIN MAG]

I have seen many Rhino's in action since their introduction and the off road capability is nothing short of amazing for a side by side. I was seriously impressed at mud nationals to see a Rhino give a 4x4 700 Polaris a run for it's money in the mud bog pit.

The Rhino can also be outfitted with the utility cab (Highlifter sells some nice ones), heater, and radio. I even saw one guy that had a baby seat mounted between the two front seats.

The carts, Gators, Cub Cadets, etc... are also nice but if power and comfort are an issue then the Rhino and Ranger are the best bang for the buck.