Which ATV to buy?

Killertraylor · 08-14-2003, 01:19 PM

I've been thinking about getting a 4 wheel drive ATV for hunting/playing, but haven't bought a motorcycle in about 15 years so don't know a lot about them. I've had good luck with Yamaha motorcycles, but don't know much about the ATV's. I did a nationwide search on autotrader and the things are a few grand cheaper on the east coast and shipping is only a few hundred dollars, but I get the feeling that there might be some scams out there.

Anyway, I'm considering the Yamaha Kodiak 450 4x4, the Kawasaki Prairie 650 4x4, the Yamaha Grizzly 650 4x4 and the Honda Rancher 400 4x4. I'd also consider any other brand if it's used, cheap and in great shape. Anyone have these or others that they can comment on? I'd like one with enough power to drag an elk out of the woods or just put quarters on the racks. Are the 300 hp class underpowered? Is the 600+ hp class overpowered? I used to be a real good 3 wheeler rider so skill isn't an issue. Thanks for your input.

Rauly · 08-14-2003, 01:30 PM

I don't know much about ATV's but my brother has a Polaris Sportsman 400. He spent a lot of time researcing ATV's before he bought. I have only used it a few times and on of them was with 6 of us on it going up through a clear cut. It never had a problem with that load so an elk should be easy. Hope you find a good one. I'll call you when I get the elk down....Hurry up bow season starts soon.

Rauly

FishOrDie · 08-14-2003, 01:34 PM

I am pretty partial to the Honda's. We have an old(1990) Honda 300 2-wheel drive that has and is very faithful. I also have a 300EX that I play around on. I have ridden and know people that have the others but it seems like they are alwoas having to fix something. All of the problems I have had with these machines has been a product of my own lack of good judgement. I know the new ones have all the bells and whistles to worry about but I still like the ride and fit and finish of the Hondas, They are just real solid machines.

FOD

Gus Orviston · 08-14-2003, 03:08 PM

The best quad has to be the Polaris family. My club has a 500 sportsman, and it is awesome. Yes I love the Hondas, but the offroad guys I know that play with quads hard, say Hondas just don't perform like a Polaris, and a lot of that is due to independent suspension.

For a good hunting machine and not a hard core 4x4 rock climber, I think one of the basic 4 is good way to go...much less expensive and will run nearly forever. I would err on the side of honda, why?...support. Parts parts part. You break it you can get it replaced fast. Suzuki parts are harder to get, as are kawisakis. And when I say harder I don't mean impossible, but Honda parts can be here in 3 days...order on Monday and get it Friday blue label. Suzuki...good luck getting basic parts in two weeks...Racing Suzukis sucked

I can say the 400EX is a great motor in the Honda Quad line up. It is the same as the XR400 and that bike has been Honda's most popluar bike with no problems to speak of.

gus

[ 08-14-2003, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

rockn'reel · 08-14-2003, 04:08 PM

Your friends might be right about honda's, until this year with the honda foreman rincon. Not only is it a honda which last forever with very few problems, but in the Baja 1000 it took (don't quote me) the top two or three spots. Raptor (yamaha) came in like sixth. the others were honda products. Anyway, I don't think we are talking about racing here. We are talking about a good reliable sturdy ATV. This would be honda! Not only has it always been the undisputed champing on ride and cornering, now they havethe 600 or 650 (don't remember which) powerplant to keep up with the other big boys on the market. they also have the hydrostatic tranny which is supposed to live longer than we do. If you finance it, honda is also offering 6.9% for 60 months which is hard to find on a Rec Vehicle. I own a raptor for play which I tore down and am adding about 40 hrs to it for the sand dunes. The 4x4 yamaha's are supposidly top heavy which means on rough/steep terrain there could be problems. Personally I don't have a problem with this because ATVing is not a sitting sport! You must be up and all over that quad to get the right positioning for corners, climbs and just getting traction. If you don't believe me just go check out some back issues of dirt wheels and read wat they thought of the honda and other lines. I am considering buying another quad for hunting this year which will definately be the honda rincon.

Fish Hawg · 08-14-2003, 04:20 PM

On, ATV TV they did an all around test on ten ATVs and the Kawasaki Prairie 650 4x4 was the best all around ATV. I think 6 diffrrent Pro riders drove each quad. I think the Yamaha Grizzly 660 4x4 was second or thrid. You might be able to find the test info on the internet, I think it is atvtv.com Good luck shoping

glowball · 08-14-2003, 05:12 PM

Honda rubicon or the yamnaha kodiak 450. Both are solid machines with more than enough power, but not too big. The others (especially polaris) are too big to try and jockey through tight trails or pick up and move around if you get in a bind. We have been using and abusing a 1993 honda 300 fourtrax since day one with no problems outside of my brother rolling it. We've hauled whole elk out many times and several times up steep inclines.
My .02 cents

rockn'reel · 08-14-2003, 05:41 PM

Yea the rubicon is not thatpowerful and I would go for a grizz. 660 b4 I bought a rubicon. The honda foreman RINCON is the big boy of the honda line.

Killertraylor · 08-14-2003, 06:34 PM

Thank you very much for all the replies. I stopped by the Honda/Polaris dealer tonight and I think the 600+ horsepower bikes are just too big. I like the Honda Foreman 4x4 which is a 400 horse machine. Thanks again.

Joe

Fish Hawg · 08-14-2003, 07:01 PM

600 hp or 400hp bikes :shocked: you mean 600cc or 400cc :grin:

Tilla · 08-14-2003, 07:05 PM

Our waterfowl club uses ATV's to get to the lake. Honda's are reliable. I have a Foreman 450ES and spends a lot of time pretty wet and abused in the swamp but it always starts. But I have to admit that if I wasn't towing decoy trailers etc that the Rancher has all the goodies and similar performance for a about $1000 less. They are a great 300cc class quad. Two guys have them and they are quite happy. I think the next new ATV on the club will be a Rancher too. My second choice would be a Yamaha 300 cc class unit.
I am not sure I would need anymore cc's. The 450 will haul Elk straight up the mountain and I hear that some ATV recreation areas have a 600 lb limit on the machines.
If you want to go faster, get a 2 stroke.

[ 08-14-2003, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: Tilla ]

Waterfish · 08-14-2003, 07:51 PM

Killertraylor, Step back and think outside of the box for a while. If you are going to hunt on flat open ground, get any one of the four wheel quads that have been mentioned. However, if you are going to hunt steep rugged ground, with no trails at all, then think about a Rokon. Rokons are two-wheel drive motorcycles. They will go where no quad could ever dream of going. People have taken them on expeditions deep into the Amazon. Rokons have rack on the front and rear fenders and (according to their ads) you can load 1000 lbs on one, or drag 3000 pounds. They have sealed hollow wheels and you can float one across a stream. You can go up to a 24" log and it will just climb over it. Unlike a quad, sidehills are not a problem, and you don't need a trail like with a quad. They have some interesting accessories such as a power take off drive that comes right out the side of bike. You can buy a Rokon with either a four-stroke or a two-stroke engine. My brother has one and I am amazed everytime I ride it. Eventually I will have one too. Do an internet search on Rokon and you will find numerous sites.

08-14-2003, 08:36 PM

I have a polaris 500 sportsman. It out pull my freinds honda. I use my mainly for hunting and have had 4 guys on it( not recommended by the dealer)taking them back to their quads after a push through the canyons, it was all up hill. This was no problem with lots of power left. The main thing I like about the polaris compaired to other quads that I have road, Is the all wheel independent suspension. you can go down the wordt washboard road at 30 mph and you dont even feel the bumps. Buy a polais

Tilla · 08-14-2003, 09:00 PM

Before I bought I went to a dealer (outside the state) who was a relative of a guy who I was working with. He had 4 major brands on the floor. I left it open to him for advise. He said based on warranty repair rates....buy the Honda.

Degner · 08-15-2003, 09:02 AM

I have owned 2 polaris 700's. Great atv's. Just got the newest one. The only reason I traded in my old one was a great trade-in offer and I wanted the cammo and some other options. I would buy them again. I think They are superior in most aspects - ride, power, ability to work and pull, better design and parts. The downsides are the weight and the lack of ability to manually lock the bike into 4-wheel drive. I, however, have not had problems with these issues despite heavy, rough use.

uboatcdr · 08-15-2003, 09:33 AM

I own the honda foreman 400,

it is a great bike.
I looked at a lot of bikes and spoke with lots of
people. The honda is very reliable, lot of power
and is still small enough to go places the bigger bike won't fit. And last but least, I turn on the key hit the button and it starts every time.
Good luck

chummer · 08-15-2003, 10:23 AM

My vote goes to polaris, I have a 2000 500cc sportsman, it has been a work horse! from trail rides to dragging out whole elk out of downed timber infested canyons to hauling 10' lengths of 24" firewood. Check out trader online and go to atv's, then set your selections for what you're looking for and the area you want to find it. It will give you a good idea of what you will spend on a used or new atv.

DRUNK COWBOY · 08-15-2003, 01:54 PM

We have a Honda Forman and love it! I have not had one thing go wrong with it

springer4you · 08-15-2003, 11:34 PM

Arctic Cat

Fisher Implements is getting out of the dealing business for Arctic cats and is trying to get rid of their inventory, Arctic Cat is suppose to be putting in a plant in Gresham.
I bought 2 400 auto's 4x4, (2) 2500lb winches and a Zeiman 2 atv trailer (side by Side) for 11,500.
I think these are great machines for the price.
And don't forget to take the safety coarse, they pay you 100.00

[ 08-15-2003, 12:35 PM: Message edited by: springer4you ]