First ATV
 

So I'm going to buy a 4wheeler when I move to NY. Just in some early browsing I can see it can be confusing. Help me shorten the search criteria. What do I need and why? What don't I need and why? I'm not a hot rod or looking for racing speed. I want a utility type with enough ump to haul out a deer and carry a few things. Maybe even pull a small trailer etc. Might decide to add a snow plow blade but not a requirement. I don't want to spend $11,000 for a Yamaha. Looking for something in the $5000-6000 range if it can be done. Tell me what makesNOT to buy or look at.

RE: First ATV
 

Don't look at Polaris.[8D]

A Honda Rubicon would probably be a good machine for you. It has plenty of power, it's a very smooth-running machine, it has an automatic transmission for when you're cruising and a manual transmission for when you're working, and it will last forever. If I were you, I'd look for a good used one with low hours and miles. You should be able to find a new 2006 model right now for about $6000 if you really want to spend that much. Dealers are starting to get rebates on 06 models.

Whatever machine you do buy, get a winch put on it. They're well worth the money.

RE: First ATV
 

Honda, Honda, Honda

Either the Rancher (400), Foreman(500), or Rubicon(500 auto/ESP). You cannot go wrong with any of these bikes. I have a Rancher and a Foreman, I have pulled trailors with generators, roofing equipment and trimming equipment (over 1,000 pounds) all over our lease with no trouble. These bikes may not have all of the bells and whistles i.e. front locker, power steering, fuel injection or IRS, but they are a raw bone highly dependable product. I ride mine hard in the mud and out and I have yet to have any mechanical trouble other than changing the brakes due to hard riding.

If you want to ride out, get a Honda, If you wanna walk, get something else.

RE: First ATV
 

I just recently bought a camo 2006 Yamaha Kodiak 450 4X4, and like it a lot. It's a midsize quad that is an automatic, push button four wheel drive, and a locking front differential making ALL wheels pull when needed. The 2007 models are called 450 Grizzlies but are the same as the '06 Kodiak. Here is a link to look 'em over. Best of luck to you. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/products/modelfeatures/207/0/features.aspx

RE: First ATV
 

Honda, Yamaha, or Kawasaki, in that order. If you want to walk, Polaris!

RE: First ATV
 

I owned an 87 350 big bear until 2 years ago and replaced it with another identical one only because my buddy really really wanted it bad. The original 87 is still going strong and we work those things harder than you would imagine. I have dragged out moose ( whole ), deer, bear, skidded logs while making firewood and well ya just wouldn't believe what I have done to that bike. People automatically say Honda but in my experience the Yamahas don't give up anything to a Honda. A 400 class machine will more power than you will ever need unless you want to attach a plow to it for food plot making.

RE: First ATV
 

David, does it have to be a blue one? I mean to match your "riding suit".[X(]

How long is your driveway going to be at your new place? A snowplow will sure come in handy - I speak from experience.

IMO I strongly recommend you look at the Yamahas. The 450 Grizzly isin your price range and can do everything you listed - noproblem. Once you start getting 500cc and larger the machines start getting much larger. The large size makes for more steering effort, larger turning diameter and limits where they can go in the woods due to their size.

Back to the snowplow. As far as I know Yamaha is the only one offering a Warn snowplow for only $69 when you buy a new ATV. You can actually pick either a snowplow or a winch for the $69. Only little stickler is install is additional, but I just did my plow install myself because I likewrenching(when it doesn't involve cussing). I like to understand how/why things work and it was quite simple.

The plow comes standard w/ a manual lift but works awesome with a winch. I bought a 2000# winch w/mount new off ebay, delivered to my door for about $140 including delivery. Again install was simple. I've only used the winch for plowing. Haven't had to get myself unstuck with it yet (knock on wood) cause I'm not a mudder type really.

I have the Bruin 350 Camo and am more than pleased with it's abilities. I of course plow with it, putt around on it, climb some hills, splash thru some water here and there, do work around the farm on it, etc.

I have a 6' X 8' trailer to pull it on and can pull the trailer with the ATV. I have pulled 1500+ pounds on the trailer thru the woods and across streams doing food plots. I think the best enjoyment I ever got out of it was getting a bunch of us and our deer out of the woods one evening thru some S. IL crop fields. The mud there is basically like a whipped heavy clayish consistency. I drove while our little buddy "the troll" and my nephew rode the back rack and another guy rode the front. With 2 deer dragging off the trailer ball we all putted across some major fields at about 3 - 5 mph. Once back at camp we all tipped a cold one to the Bruin and the success of our harvests.

I have no reason to beleive that you wouldn't besatisfied with a Bruin also.

I don't understand why camo ATVs come with black racks and wheelsso I camo-painted my racks up myself and they came out wonderful. I'll find the pics I previously posted and add the link. I have to be very sure of where I park it in the woods to be sure I can find it later sometimes. I also want to put some flat disk "hubcaps" on it and camo those too to hide the black wheels.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1046648&mpage=1&key=Bruin%2ccamo &#1046648

Never had a single type of problem with it and I think they are still available in Yamaha blue this year. ;)

RE: First ATV
 

Uncle Matt, that is one fantastic paint job you did there partner. Also a very good explanation of the cababilities of the Yamahas. Most seem to say Honda, but I really like the extra ground clearance of the Yamahas. I don't know why, but when I went to their websites it didn't show an option for the plow. Thanks a lot partner. ...and I was already to buy a Honda until you got carried away.[8D]

Dang, they certainly cost a lot more than the Hondas.

RE: First ATV
 

It reads like many favor the Honda, but Yamaha, Kawasaki, Arctic Cat and EVEN Polaris make good products. You could also buy a good quality used atv if you do some looking and careful to be selective.
You really should not need any bigger than a 500, as long as your not snowplowing a lot of snow real frequently. If you plan to work the ATV, then a 500 or larger would be preferred.
I would start by going to some dealers and sitting on some of them to see what fits you better and then go from there.
Good luck.

RE: First ATV
 

I would take a really good look at the Suzuki King Quads. If you really dont need a lot of power i would look at the new King Quad 450, but I personally have the 700 and i love it. I havent ridden a 4 wheeler yet that i liked more. Its got fuel injection, turn the key and go no choke or anything. Also, everything is digital which i really like. Put a Warn winch on the front and you will be all ready to drag out a monster

RE: First ATV
 

Let me make things a little more difficult for you. I can provide testiment to how great a machine Honda makes. I ride ATV's for my job- so I'd say I spend roughly 40 hours a week riding ATV's for half of the year. Half of these days I put 60+ miles on my machine. The other three guys at work put on just as many or more miles. Three of us ride Honda Foreman 450's- two with the ESP option, the other a foot shift. The fourth guy rides a Kawasaki Prairie 650. For the first part of the summer, we spend much of the day climbing in and out of washes in the desert and bouncing over sagebrush. Temperatures much of the time reach 100 degrees. The Kawasaki Prairie 650 is an awesome machine, but such hard riding will cause it to over-heat from time to time. None of the Hondas have any issues at all.

The second part of the summer is even harder on the machines. We strap 25 gallon spray tanks onto the back racks and spray weeds on the side of the mountain and in the foothills all day. Temperatures are over 100 degrees, and the terrain is very rough. We crawl over boulders and logs, we jump small ditches, we ford creeks, we climb hills so steep that they cannot be driven up without the added weight of the spray, and we drive through the middle of the brush. Almost none of our time is spent on trails; we make our own. At least half our time spraying is spent with 3 wheels on the ground. After subjecting all four machines to such abuse for the entire summer, we took them in to get serviced. All three Hondas passed with near-clean bills of health, as they have since the business has owned them. They just needed their brakes tightened. The Kawi, on the other hand, is in need of some suspension repairs, and we cannot get the belt to stop whining because all of the hard work is too much for the automatic transmission. Only the manual transmissions of the Hondas are cut out for that much abuse. If it weren't for the lack of a title, the Kawasaki would have been traded in for a new Honda months ago.

Just for reference, the Hondas are all different ages. One is a 99, one is a 2000, and one is a 2004. The 99 and 2000 have several thousand miles on them and look like they've been through a war zone. Both have been wrecked multiple times. The 2004 has only been rolled once into a ravine, so it still looks presentable. My personal machine that I ride when not working is a 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650, and it opperates flawlesly because I only use it for ice fishing and trail riding.

The moral of the story: While they may not be as plush a ride as the Yamahas, Kawasakis, and other machines, they are much more cut out for work and will last a lot longer. The automatic transmissions of the competitors just don't cut it, even if they are great machines. And ground clearance is not that important so long as you have a good set of skid plates and you know how to ride.

No doubt others will disagree, but these have been my experiences and observations. I'm not a professional ATV tester by any means. Just someone who spends a lot of time riding.

RE: First ATV
 

Go with the Honda.
I don't ride mine as hard as wyotimberghost but ride it pretty hard and use it for everything.
Mine is the 99 Foreman 450. From plowing snow to last weeks packing out of 300 pounds of Elk in one shot. You can't go wrong as the others here can attest.

RE: First ATV
 

I am going tomorrow to check them out. I have been looking at them in the web and they seem to have everything I am looking for. I really wanted IRS for the ground clearance due to deep snow here and EFI in case I take it out west to a high altitude elk hunt next year.

RE: First ATV
 

OHHhhhhhhhhh... my head hurts. Make it stop. Info overload...info overload. I started out thinking of one or two and now I have 5 or 6 to think about.

Back to the basics for a moment. Remember, I'm a novice/beginner/no nothing about ATV's.
EFI... I take it that's some sort of electonic engine carburation adjustment???
Automatic vs. manual????? So what would be ideal for normal running around and doing some plowing? Am I wrong in assuming auto for runabout but to plow I should really have manual????

RE: First ATV
 

EFI = Electronic fuel injection. Manual versus Auto = just like a car. Just go to some dealers of different brands and take a look at atv's. You can also look for or at least keep an eye out for used ones as well. There are many good atv's made, so you will have many choices.

RE: First ATV
 

Most people prefer the auto's as not shifting involved, as if shifting is ever really a problem.

RE: First ATV
 

The advantage of EFI is that you don't have to re-jet for large changes in elevation. As far as automatic vs. manual, the only time you'll notice a difference is when you're dealing with large amounts of weight, i.e. a 1500lb trailer. For ease of use, an auto is what you want for running around, and you could do simple tasks like plowing snow with an automatic without any problem. The automatic in the Honda Rubicon doesn't run on the belts like most automatics, so it could probably do everything you want it to do without issue. And unless you're hauling around a lot of weight every day, the standard CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic transmission that all of the other manufactures' machines have should be just fine for you. Again, the only time you'd definately want to buy a manual instead of an automatic is if you were planning on frequently carrying a lot of weight like a trailer loaded with irrigation pipe, large tanks of spray, ect. For what you plan on doing, an automatic will be fine.

RE: First ATV
 

I had a yamaha 250 4X4 (Timberwolf)for years. Great machine, very few problems. It is small enough so you can take it off the beaten path to get your game out, but has plenty of power. Bought it new in 1997 for about $4000.

RE: First ATV
 

I went to the Honda/ Suzuki/ Can Am dealership today and got some info and quotes. I looked at Honda 400 Rancher and Foreman 500 and a Rubicon and they are all well built but all have the straight rear axle with 7.5" of clearance and only the Rubicon had high low range and was liquid cooled. It was more money but was well built and looked great. They offered some great deals on left over 2006 machines. The Can Am (Bombardier) didn't really knock my socks off because they were expensive and the reviews I have read aren't all that good. Lots of bells and whistles but that might give them more shop time according to the salesman. I really liked the Suzuki King Quad but they didn't have a 450 yet out on the floor. I guess the 2007 machines are just starting to come in and I should be able to see one in a week or less. I looked at the Powersports on line tool and compared them to the 700 King Quad and they look feature wise like the same machine except for a smaller engine and about a grand less in price.
Electronic Fuel injection
Front and rear independent suspension 10'5" clearance
dual disc hydraulic brakes
Liquid cooled
Same body size as the 700 King Quad
Digital instrument package
Automatic with high/ low sub tranny

According to the Powersports site the Suzuki ATV's were rated highest followed closely by Yamaha andHonda for what that is worth.
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/review_list.asp

I am leaning that way….today.

RE: First ATV
 

Up here I run a Honda Rancher 350 and it does all I need it for without any problems. I once had a 1987 Honda Fourtrax and never had a single problem with it. So myself I am a Honda man.

RE: First ATV
 

So davidmil, did you buy that Can-Am/bombardier atv yet?

RE: First ATV
 

Timberwolf 250! Great machines! Right in therewith the Kawasaki Bayous(of all cc's) and Honda Fourtrax 300s. In my opinion those three are the most dependable, bullet-proof machines ever produced to date considering there long production runs and service records. You can't pry Fourtrax from some guys even after they have them for years! Thosesmaller machines can really go places - some places where bigger machines can't get into.

Cause they're small, light and nimble. But not too small to get in and back out.

RE: First ATV
 

What no Pole-Cat, err Polaris fans?
Ohhh.... they couldn't get here, they are walking back to camp, or on the phone to a mechanic!
Honda!!!!!
Might not be the prettiest, biggest or strongest, but it'll do the job EVERY time!

RE: First ATV
 

I just got my first ATV 2 weeks ago. It is a Yamaha Grizzly 450. I love it. Auto, Ind. suspension, diff. lock, high and low gears, digital display, etc. etc. Also got the Warn winch. Great ride and all the powerI need. 5800 out the door....

KB

RE: First ATV
 

Nice ATV. That is one of the two I am down to at the moment. I need to look at the new Suzuki King Quad 450 too. Pretty much the same machine except it has EFI and is slightly larger in size.

RE: First ATV
 

All of my research led me to the Yammy. Not bashing any brand(s) but I do alot of research when buying big ticket items and for the money and what I needed this Grizzly was the best of both worlds. Good luck in your endeavors.

KB

RE: First ATV
 

My research lead me the same way too.

RE: First ATV
 

God I'm glad I posted this thread. I got you guys doing all the research for me. Maybe when you get it done Champlain you can make a deal for 2 with delivery of one to upstate New York.[8D]

RE: First ATV
 

I don't know how good it is, but right now there's a show coming on the tube called "ATV Magazine". I figure if I watch about a month of this I may learn something.[8D]

RE: First ATV
 

Sounds Ok with me. Do you want me to pay for it too.:D

RE: First ATV
 

I have a Honda Foreman. It is AWESOME. I can put my plow on it pull a trailer haul a deer. Anything it is the best never had a problem.

RE: First ATV
 

Ok... sure... whatever saves me the most money.[8D]

RE: First ATV
 

I haven't read the other posts, but I suggest you do all the research, test drives, talking around, and then go buy your Polaris. In the end, there really isn't another choice. Just my opinion.

RE: First ATV
 

I have followed all that and even though the Polaris is full of bells and whistles I doubt that I will get one. Too many people are down on them due to high maintenance costs and fundamental failures. They get poor reviews overall and are only marginally better than AC which is dead last on almost all the sites. I have looked at every place on the web that offers reviews and Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki are always at the top and are usually rated about the same. I have narrowed my search to the Suzuki King Quad 450 (MSRP 6499) and the Yamaha Grizzly 450 (MSRP 6299). Both machines are highly rated and are almost identical feature for feature. The Suzuki has EFI with a slightly larger body dimension and the Yamaha has a standard carbureted engine. Both have considerable ground clearance with IRS and weigh around 600 pounds. I plan to make my choice this week and have some decent quotes on both machines.

RE: First ATV
 

Well good looks like you have it narrowed down here. I am not trying to change your mind a bit.
Looks like yor headed in the right direction. Giant power is not needed with these things.The smaller more compact is much better than the over powered and bulky.You will also find as I thru field use ground clearance isn't an issue as well as many of the other big selling points they try to make in commercials.
Of course keep it simple as more gadgets add up to more possible problems and maintainence.

RE: First ATV
 

OK Champlain, what swayed you toward the Susuki and the Yamaha when it seems like more have the Honda?

RE: First ATV
 

Islander
Boy I sure hate to hear what you've been led to believe about Polaris. I've driven one for 4 years now and I'm VERY tough on mine with all the food plotting I do, pulling very heavy stuff and I have never had a stitch of trouble. I think you have been greatly misled, but I wish you well.

RE: First ATV
 

You might be the lucky one.
We don't have a Honda Dealer in the nearest town so I stopped into the Polaris dealer on a hunch which is 15 miles away.I just wanted my Honda went through for the Winter and a tune up.
Said he could do it but was backed up over 3 weeks with all the Dead Polaris atv's. It's hunting season around here and I guess all the Polaris's must of all crapped at once as he had well over 50 in his shop waiting to get fixed as well as others in front of me in line bringing them in.
It's kind of funny to, as there was an add in the local paper looking for a Polaris mechanic.
Not putting you and your ride down, but from what I see from these things I sure would not want to be 20 miles back in with one.

He had them things laying around all over the place waiting to be fixed.

RE: First ATV
 

Like you earlier stated David, there is just too much info out there. Hondas are pretty widely regarded as the best machine by almost everyone out there. They set the standard long ago and came up with a great concept and stayed with it. The only problem with them that I can see is the lack of ground clearance and the fact that they still have a carbureted engine. The fact is that they really haven't changed or modernized while the competition has continually upgraded. The argument is that when you have the best product there is really no reason to change and I certainly understand that issue. I have owned severalMotorcycles made by Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha. They were all great machines that worked as advertised and gave me great satisfaction. I based some of my research on visits to dealerships that sold different manufacturers. I asked what they thought about the different machines and why. Early Polaris was junk and many of the dealers say they now are better but none claimed they were even close to the Japanese ATV's. I really liked the 500 EFI Sportsman but looking at a popular web site that does rider reviews shows there are still some issues. Apparently they have an issue with the heat from the exhaust melting the seat and plastic on the sportsmen models. I saw the same issue raised on more than one site and emailed Polaris about the problem. I never got a response and that pretty much took them off my map. The main dealer here that sells Polaris also sells Yamaha and Kawasaki and he told me the Yamahas are rock solid and seldom come back with problems. I looked in his shop and almost all the ones in there for service were Polaris. He told me the Yamaha Kodiac 400 and 450 never came back with problems and that is the size machine I wanted. Another dealership that sells Yamahas exclusively said all his machines go out of there with a 2 year dealership 24 month warrantee even without the current promotion by Yamaha. That pretty much tells me he has confidance in the product when he says he will fix any problem for nothing. The 07 Kodiac changed to the Grizz 450...same machine just different name. The thing that has me looking at the Suzuki King Quad 450 is the EFI. I live in Northern Vermont with deep snow and my primary use will be ice fishing. Cold starting is always a problem here and several of my friends have had issues with that and all the machines had conventional carbs. Most of the guys that had problems in the deep snow were riding Hondas. The 7.5" clearance just isn't enough when you are running through packed drifts on ice. The tires just start to spin and the frame bottoms out and some of those even had chains. The machines with 10" or more clearance usually do much better. EFI will provide an improvement for two reasons. The cold starting shouldn't be a problem and if I take the machine out west and elk hunt at altitude there wouldn't be any problem with re-jetting for altitude. All machines in this class range will change and come out with IRS and EFI. I suspect Honda will move towards that to keep market share when all the others go more modern. The Honda Rubicon is a great machine and would be the one I would buy if I were going to use it for work like plowing or food plot work etc. No belts and a whole different tranny than all the rest. For my use I think either the Yammie or SuzyQ will work. In 6 weeks the fish will be calling and I need to be ready.
According to Powersports Network the rider reviews for the main brands of ATV are as follows. The higher score the better.

Brand all models Reviews Avg Rating
Artic Cat 220 4.45
Can- Am 265 4.52
Honda1376 4.69
Kawasaki 660 4.57
Polaris 1034 4.51
Suzuki732 4.73
Yamaha 1909 4.72

RE: First ATV
 

I use my Honda Ice fishing all the time, and the only problem I have had was getting on the ice. The same drifts all the otherones had problems with. It is true it is carburated and sometimes the choke will freeze up. That is why they have a primer button on the side of the carb under the seat that is easy to reach. They start up right of the bat without any problems when using the primer. Two or three pushes on the primer and push the start button and you are off and running.;)Perhaps some of your friends that have had the trouble either forgot it is there or was never told. I also have a friend that bought 2 polarises 2 years ago and they have been in the shop more then out. As of right now both have been down for most of the year.