New or used ATV and which one?
03-04-2006, 09:52 AM
#11
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: LaPlata md USA
Posts: 958
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
Bbear, make sure you shop around, if you live close to another state check out stores in that state also.
For example I live in MD and am about 3 hrs from a store in WV.
The store in WV does not charge taxes to out of state customers, they issue a certificate of origin instead of a title.
This is a 5 % (MD tax)savings right off the bat, not to mention the same store does not charge a destination and setup fee and the MD store could not touch the WV store's base price of the 4 wheeler.
The savings are well worth the 6 hr round trip ride to pick up the bike.
For example I live in MD and am about 3 hrs from a store in WV.
The store in WV does not charge taxes to out of state customers, they issue a certificate of origin instead of a title.
This is a 5 % (MD tax)savings right off the bat, not to mention the same store does not charge a destination and setup fee and the MD store could not touch the WV store's base price of the 4 wheeler.
The savings are well worth the 6 hr round trip ride to pick up the bike.
03-04-2006, 11:37 AM
#12
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: a van down by the river
Posts: 8,939
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
Like the others have said, Yamaha and Honda are the gold standards. My ATV is a Grizzly 660.
If manueverability is an issue, either get a 2WD or a selectable 4wd. I tested this at the dealership, and the bigger ATV's with selectable 4wd would out-turn the non-selectable 4WD's by 1/2 to 1 full machine width in a 180 degree turn. I didn't believe the salesman when he pointed that out, but after we pulled two machines out in the back lot for a demo, I was proven wrong.
I personally like the automatic transmissions. I have never had any problems getting power to the ground.
I also like liquid-cooled engines. A lot of what I do with my ATV, like spot spraying for example, is moving around very slowly with frequent stops. I've done it with air-cooled machines, but it isn't a fun experience. The engine runs hot and I had to wear some extra leg protection to protect me from the heat. Now I can just feel a little extra warmth, but my legs don't feel like they are going to burn completely up.
If manueverability is an issue, either get a 2WD or a selectable 4wd. I tested this at the dealership, and the bigger ATV's with selectable 4wd would out-turn the non-selectable 4WD's by 1/2 to 1 full machine width in a 180 degree turn. I didn't believe the salesman when he pointed that out, but after we pulled two machines out in the back lot for a demo, I was proven wrong.
I personally like the automatic transmissions. I have never had any problems getting power to the ground.
I also like liquid-cooled engines. A lot of what I do with my ATV, like spot spraying for example, is moving around very slowly with frequent stops. I've done it with air-cooled machines, but it isn't a fun experience. The engine runs hot and I had to wear some extra leg protection to protect me from the heat. Now I can just feel a little extra warmth, but my legs don't feel like they are going to burn completely up.
03-04-2006, 06:47 PM
#14
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: LaPlata md USA
Posts: 958
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
Windwalker, actually i was talking about Ridersville Cycle in Berkley Springs.
I have heard good things about Romney, but never dealt with them.
Mike at Ridersville (Honda)has always treated me right.
I have heard good things about Romney, but never dealt with them.
Mike at Ridersville (Honda)has always treated me right.
03-04-2006, 08:00 PM
#15
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cornwall, Pa.
Posts: 1,720
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
Bbear, check out the Bombardier Outlander 400. I have owned both Kawasaki and Yamaha from 3-wheelers to 4x4's. While shopping for a new 4x4 modela friend told me to check out the Outlander.Fortunately, one of our local dealerships where Ihave purchased Kawasaki's in the pastalso handles the Bombardier line. The dealer invited me and my family for a weekend in the mountains comparing the new 400and 800 models from Bombardier andKawasaki. Wealso had the opportunity to ride the Suzuzki King Quadowned by one of the customers. Well, there was no comparison! I was so impressed with the Bombardier Outlander 400 he never gotto take it back to the shop. Ride, balance, handling,performance and reliability second to none, and I do mean none. A complete packagewith a reasonable price. If Honda and Yamaha are the "Gold" standards, you're looking at pure "Platinum" with nothing standard aboutthis ride.
03-04-2006, 08:24 PM
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 4,919
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
i got a 10 year old kawasaki and it still runs like a champ i wouldnt have anything but a kawasaki for japanese models and polaris for american my friend does have a honda and he loves it but i wouldnt go with it has been in the shop to much for me to depend on it
03-05-2006, 03:46 PM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 104
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
Honda Foreman or Rancher, hands down the best. These are used in agriculture extensively in my area, so the parts are readily available from NAPA or other Auto Parts stores. I don't know if that would be the case everwhere.
Father in law has a Polaris, nice 4X4, but it is just not as confortable and breaks down a lot for being the same year as my Hondas.
Don't know much about Bombardier.
Father in law has a Polaris, nice 4X4, but it is just not as confortable and breaks down a lot for being the same year as my Hondas.
Don't know much about Bombardier.
03-06-2006, 07:55 PM
#18
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 76
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
I've had a Polaris Sportsman 500HO for 3 years and have thrown everything at it. I pull a 600 lb. piece of plow equipment all over and the thing has never given me a problem. I hear alot of negative about Polaris and scratch my head wondering. Honestly, I've given it hell and it has answered the challenge.
03-06-2006, 09:15 PM
#19
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: fort mcmurray alberta canada
Posts: 5,667
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
I have owned two hondas that were totally reliable.My two yamahas were nearly as good.My friends polaris quads were too heavy,which caused them to sink and get stuck more often in muskeg and they required a great deal more maintenance than any of my quads.
03-06-2006, 09:49 PM
#20
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Aledo, TX. USA
Posts: 153
RE: New or used ATV and which one?
I own 2 Polaris ATVs. One is 12 years old now and the other is 6 years old. Both have been totally trouble free. They are used and abused on the farm and forhunting. Have always run strong. Can't comment on other brands, because I don't have personal experience with them. Larry