ORIGINAL: NChunterman
ORIGINAL: TEmbry
Am I the only one who'd buy a late year model (like Jeff), or better yet just buy a used one? Soon as you take that new bike home you loose a substantial amount of money in it, no matter what ANYONE tries to tell you. If you want the peace of mind of buying new, then pay that extra. If you just want a normal 4wheeler to take hunting and go anywhere...get a used, Honda at that. My dad has owned 5 or 6 different Hondas in my lifetime, not a one of them have ever seen a shop. Our Polaris, junk. Our Suzukis, junk. I'm a Honda guy, IMO their reliability can't be beat. We bought our last one new, a 06 Rancher 350, only got 4x2 though. Most people have absolutely no need whatsoever for a 4x4, they just want the decal. Unless you want to go doing some serious, and I mean SERIOUS, mudding or live on the side of a jagged mountain....4x4 is over rated. They don't handle as well, cut as sharp, etc. Ive had my 4x2 in some pits that I wouldn't dream of taking it, and made it out just fine....Just know how to handle a bike.
I'm going to disagree with almost everything you just said. If you are paying to much off the show room floor in this economy, then you need to learn how to deal a little better. I got a full 2 year bumper to bumper warranty with my NEW machine and I bought it for 1500 under sticker before I bargained for the free top and windshield. I've owned every machine you mentioned above and currently have a suzuki, kawasaki, polaris, honda, yamaha and have yet to find one of them that's junk. Let me introduce you to Preventive Maintenance. Try changing the oil and greasing the bearings once in a while maybe cleaning the air filter for kicks. Granted every company is going to produce a lemon, but it looks like you bought every lemon made except the honda's. A 2wd drive utility fourwheeler is plain ignorant. Try going over a half decent size log after a good rain without the front wheels pulling and get back to me. I'll take any peppy 4x4 and out handle you in any terrain, Period; but maybe I'm the one that can handle the bike.
LMAO. I dont really care if you bought it for 2k under sticker, try selling your bike for what you originally gave, you can't. Im just going from personal experience, we bought the suzukis (lower end models back in the 90s, to be expected) and they always had something wrong with them. The Polaris we bought was used as well, maybe the prior owner abused it, but again, it never would run just right. Every Honda we bought ran perfectly fine, never once have we had to replace parts.
Greasing bearings, changing fluids, checking air filters, thats all regular upkeep?? Not sure what you are implying, but someone who DOESN'T do this, well?? Introduce me to, seriously man, nevermind.
2wd ignorant? LOL You are the 4x4 decal type of guy I can see. Go over a log without the tire slipping? See thats what I mean, even if the tires slip, you can still make it over the log easily, goes back to handling the bike..or....go AROUND the freakin log
...or gasp, even hop off and give it a push over it...Was the 1k+ extra you spent bumping from 2x4 to 4x4 really worth riding over that log? Dont answer that. As far as maneuverability, take a 2x4 and do a complete circle, measure the turn radius, take a 4x4 in same bike and measure turn radius, then come back to me and tell me how you learned that 2x4s cut sharper, equating to easier maneuverability in tight trails in the woods.
Im not saying 4x4s wont go places a 2x4 can't...im just saying for a HUNTING rig, you dont have to go those places...go around that mud pit.
On a tight quartered trail (what we ride around here)..I can take my ignorant 350 2x4 and run off and leave the bigger 4x4 400s in the woods trails. Now take me to a deep mud pit, and Id be off pushing while he is watching on the other side. Its all about knowing what you are going to do with your bike, and most guys just dont need 4x4, they just think they do.
So its back to, knowing what you want to do with your bike...want to go through 2ft of mud regularly or climb mt everest with yours? go with a 4x4....just want something to do light trail riding, go through mud rather easily, take out stands, etc (most guys hunting situations) save some money and get a 2x4. If it makes you feel more secure at night, buy a 4x4 sticker and slap it on.
