RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I got a Yamaha 600 4X4 automatic. I will never by anything but an automatic.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Interesting. My dad and I are in the market for a couple four wheelers too. We went to the motorcycle show up in cleveland and checked all of em' out and from what we could see the Polaris was by far built alot heavier and more durable. We are plannin on doin more than just draggin deer.

LIFE IS SHORT, HUNT HARD

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Polaris is heavier but you're making a big mistake by assuming that means more durability. Polaris has by far the worst reputation for durability and reliability of any of the major makers. Part of the reason they weigh more is because they use mild steel in their frames instead of chrome moly like the other makers use. Even though their parts weigh more they're less durable due to the inferior materials they're made from.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Buy American buy Honda.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Lot of good advise here borealboy,But remember either way you go 4wheel or 2wheel drive, they can put you in some bad places and get you out , or get you stuck all together, I have 2 disc removed,I still use my 4 wheeler but I look things over before going down or up that hill Also get a good winch for what ever you get, so you don't hurt your back again, tugging on the machine if it gets stuck.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I have a 200 Magnum 500 4x4 Polaris. I have enjoyed it. It has the engine braking sytem, and on demand four wheel drive. I use 2 wheel most of the time and it takes a pretty bad hole to stick you in 2 wheel. I played on mined today and went through a mudhole that was about 2 feet deep. The belt never slipped and it did no damage that I could tell. I like having the part time 4 wheel drive. When I go riding with my buddys we get a little crazy on the trails and there is nothing like
cutting the corners and throwing a roost. It will do 60+ mph and has a gobb of power. If I was in the market for another one I would get
the new 700 twin. When I was shopping around
I looked at the Honda rancher and it was going to be my next choice.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Well, I will throw in my opinion also.

All quads availible today are hi quallity. Honda, thought by many to make the most reliable quad, has come back to the pack some. At the same time, the other manufactures have improved there quads.

My opinion on each manufactures 300s;
Honda-very good machines. Very few features (no irs, no selectable 2/4 wheel, no locking front diff or it only has 3 wheel drive, no disk brakes, manual tranny). Very few people how own them are disapointed.

Polaris-use to build low quality hi manitenence machines, they have turned it around. Most features (selectable 2/4, disks, auto, true 4 wheel drive, no irs)

Yamaha-good machines. Features similar to polaris but only 3 wheel drive. Never delt with a yamaha quad but the have a good reputation

Suzuki-good machine. A bit dated design. The longer a company makes a machine the more the bugs are worked out.

Kawasaki-also good machines. Missing some features like irs, looking front diff, selectable 2/4 wheel drive.

I have a Kawa Prairie 300 4x4. Put it thru h*II this weekend. Among other thing, drove it thru the pond in the back yard (uh 3 times). Swamped the motor and loaded the belt with water on the 3rd trip. Tipped it on the back rack, took out the plug, turned it over a few times, drove right off. Took about 100 yrd to dry the belt. Had a blast, ready to do it again.