need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I herniated a disc in my back this year dragging out a deer and so am looking at getting an ATV (even my wife agrees). I'd like a no-frills reliable machine in the 300cc class that can handle hilly terrain and cold weather. Any recommendations? I've been looking at the suzuki king quad 300 but there are lots of others to choose from.
thanks

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

That is a good one. Or try the Yamaha Big Bear. It is real nice too, and a little cheaper that the Suzuki's.

Edited by - WV Hunter on 02/01/2002 11:04:42

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I have a Honda 300 fourtrax. It is 4x4 all the time. It's not the fastest quad on the market, but will go almost anywhere. It is 2 years old bought new. It does help with dragging deer. I would not get a 2 wheel drive, because in order to go where a 4x4 quad can go you must keep the 2 wheel drive quad rapped out. In 4x4 you don't need to go fast because it has more low end power. JMO

Dan Blair

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

The honda rancher 4x4 is a great machine.It handles well for a 4x4 and is very reliable and easy on fuel.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Try them all and feel the difference in the machines . They are all just a little different to each other . That way you will get one that feels good to you . What I think or anyone else is only our opinion and might not be what you need or like either . Try them all .

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I think halcon hit the nail on the head. Try several and see which you like the best. A friend has a Kawasaski 250. I don't remember what model it is.I think it's the Bayou. It's only 2x4 but has given him real good service.I have a Polaris Sportsman 500 that's been reliable. It's probably more power then you'll need.Hope you find one that fits your needs. Ruger Redhawk

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I have owned a Honda Fourtrax, Suzuki Quad, and prsently have a Yamaha Big Bear. The Big Bear I feel is the machine for me. (I am 68 yrs. old, no longer a kid.) Full time 4 wheel, and a little longer wheelbase for a smoother ride. And the back shock is adjustable. The 350 is a stout motor. Compare price and features.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I just noticed your location. One thing that I have never experienced; This Big Bear has never failed to start due to cold weather. (Except when I left the battery run dry. LOL)

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Honda is the best quad maker out there, I have a fourman 400 with 3481 miles All I have done is chaged the oil. It runs so smooth. I have drug numerous animals. Honda is the best 4x4 out there hands down. Oh, They cant put 3481 miles on a quad for an article in the magazine. You wont be happy with anything but a honda

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I love my arctic cat 400 4x4. Bottom line is you have to have four wheel drive. Make and model can vary but go for the four wheel drive

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Go to www.atvsource.com. There is a forum there where you can ask the same question. I don't know a whole lot about atvs but I'd say a big bear or a fourtrax

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I have a honda 250 Recon, I wish thatI had got a bigger one for hauling heavier loads. It is a 2wd adnd I might tradeit in on a 350 but I dont need 4wd. I can still climb those PA mtns with no trouble. Just need bigger frame..Honda is the way to go..

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RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I have the Honda Rancher 350 ES 4x4. Great bike. Rides smooth and handles well. The price is also reasonable.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I've got the same bike as Texas hunter. Great machine, I've had zero problems out of it in the two seasons I've had it. In my opinion Honda makes the most reliable quads. Stay away from Polaris, they break down far too often.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I have a arctic cat 400 4x4 ann I love it.It will go where every you put it.It has a real smooth ride.

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RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I have a Polaris Sportsman 500. I've ridden just about everything out there except the Suzuki's and the Polaris with the independant front and rear suspension has the smoothest softest ride of them all. No matter which one you are thinking of buying, I'd try ride a Polaris first.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

SINCE I WAS 8 I WAS RIDING HONDAS AND I CANT SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THEM THE BIKE I HAVE NOW IS A HONDA FOURTRAX 300 4X4 AND IT IS PERFECT F OR DEER HUNTING IT IS QUIET POWERFUL LONG LASTING AND WHAT I LIKE MOST WHERE I HUNT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALOT OF WATER AND SOME TIMES IT IS DEEP LIKE UP TO THE SEAT DEEP AND IT STILL GOES AND COMES UP THE DITCH BANK ON THE OTHER SIDE.
PATRICK WADDLE

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RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

joehunter my P.O.S. Polaris seems to have held together pretty good over the last 4 years. It's been used for allot more then just hauling a few deer out.I think what it boils down to you couldn't afford a Polaris so you settled for a Rice Burner instead. LOL..Ruger Redhawk owner of P.O.S. Polaris.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

yamahas or hondas are great. i have yamaha 350 big bear with bigfoot kit and supertrap exhaust. also have k & n power kit installed.looke in repair shopps and see what is there most of the time. polaris is what you will see. make sure of ground clearance. i have a back injured in a elevator fall. the yamaha adjusts eack shock to 3 diff positions. handles easily also.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Honda makes great ATV'S. We have had them on our deer hunting land since the 250's in 1987. We have not had one lay down yet. I currently own a 2001 350 rancher standard shift 2 wheel drive. It is a great bike. If you can run across a good 300 it was a good bike. I wouldn't mind having one of them myself say a 1995-1999.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I was reading where honda just issued a recall on the 2002 foreman and recon due to bad welds on the wheels .If you have one you should give them a call to see which ones are affected by the recall .2002 models.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Yamaha Kodiak 4x4 400cc,on command 2 or 4 wheel drive auto trans, great machine!

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

I own Sportsman 500. The two biggest things for me are independant rear suspension and no shifting.

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Had a 86 Honda 250 fourtrax,now have a 97 Honda300 four trax4x4 there trouble free..

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Those POS Snowmobile on Wheels (Polaris) aren't that bad, if you want to settle for second best!<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> Personally, I prefer Honda. Why you may ask. Well my family has had Honda something or another for as long as I can remember. Motorcycles, dirtbikes, 3 wheelers and 4 wheelers. We have never had any problems with them. We have owned a couple of Yamaha's and they weren't as reliable as the Honda's.

But when it all comes down to it, it is personal preference. I know everybody says that Polaris are always in the shop, but I have a friend that has had one since 97 and he hasn't had one problem. Sure he needs new tires and a battery, but that can be expected. Another friend has one and the only problem he had was when he dumped it in the creek upside down. Then my 500 Honda Rubicon had to pull him 3 miles through 1' deep mud and up long steep hills with no problems at all.

I have had my Honda Rubicon for over a year and have had no problems with it. I use it to push snow, haul deer, pull a trailer around the yard and to play. And I usually play pretty hard. When I was in the looking I wanted a 500 class machine with 4-wheel drive. The Honda has one major advantage over the polaris that was the deciding factor. And that is it does not have a belt drive! I can go through the deepest of water and not have to worry about my belt getting wet and slipping. Every Polaris I have rode with has had this problem atleast once. Is it a big deal? Not really, you just have to wait for the belt to dry.

If you want some more comparisons I can give more, but I have drug this on long enough. But a Polaris was my second choice.

Always adding Deer Cam picts. Check often.
www.geocities.com/hfpmad

RE: need advice on purchasing an ATV
 

Best ATV in the 400cc and under class is the Yamaha Kodiak. It has selectable 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive and automatic transmission with engine braking. If you ever drive down hills the engine braking is a must. Most of the Polaris and Kawasaki autos don't have it.

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.