atv advice needed

[bandit86]

I'm looking for a older used small atv with 4x4, reverse and high/low range to pull a mower and plow driveway with in winter, and inbetween drive on some trails. What's a good model for the buck? I've always been partial to Hondas but open to anything, anything to stay away from?

 

[75boater]

Re: atv advice needed

i would suggest looking on craigslist.com anything i've ever wanted i found on there. honda is a nice way to go but some of the older ones with the digital readout on the bars have problems , they will over time drain the batt. unless you disconect them when done using them... if you have a garage just get a float charger for it and should be fine... other than that its kinda up to you and what you like. i have found that i don't like honda because alot of them have a manual diff. lock... that you have to hold while you want it locked, gets to be a pain. i currently have 2 grizzly 660's for hunting and can honestly say i LOVE em!!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: atv advice needed

Avoid Polaris.... and don't even think about the older polaris 2 stroke. Arctic Cat are okay (since the older ones used bullet proof suzuki engines) but do have frame problems.

Honda makes a great atv and the older 4 x 4 ones are good (300 350 400) and the honda machines are reliable. Suzuki's are great and if you can find an "old" king quad 280 or 300 they will do the trick. IMO Suzuki makes the best engines and 4 wheelers. Kawasaki are okay but have had some engine issues with valves. Yamaha is great too but watch the internal oil seals .... when they leak they tend to oil the belt and cause piston damage. Can-am (Aka bombardier BRP) are fairly new and just okay.

Sounds like you want a light duty working machine. Pay very specific attention to the history of the machine and ask questions. Maintennace is very important and if it has not been done or if it was a childs machine avoid it.

I would strongly recommend a visit to your local dealer and see what they have. A dealer is far less likely to sell you a lemon and risk their reputation.

 

[Kevin W]

Re: atv advice needed

I have a honda foreman 400.
It is not what i would consider it small but it is a true workhorse.
for plowing snow i would not consider anythng smaller.
the foreman will plow 5-6" of wet snow without too much problem but much more than that it will have trouble.(depending on the type of snow)

The biggest problem with ATV mowing is they chew up sod when turning.
all atv (that i know of) have locked rear axles and they dig in on turns.

If you have a golf course lawn... it won't be after taking a turn with an atv.
It is a very good choice for a multi use.
Its not the most nimble off road but it is alot of fun.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: atv advice needed

Polaris all the way!

Yamaha Kodiak or Grizzly would be my second choice for used vehicles.

If you were going to buy New the Can Am's "bombardier" are the best but you will pay for it.

Honda is the most over rated ATV out there.

Good Luck!

 

[Metallicamaro]

Re: atv advice needed

Polaris or Arctic cat. Ive owned others and I'd say stick with a Cat or Polaris. Snowmobiles are diffrent.... I'd Def. Say Arctic Cat for that one.

 

[recycledboat]

Re: atv advice needed

I have a yamaha 400 kodiak. Its a 1997 model and has been great! Mine is full time 4wd which suits my needs fine , but the models a few years newer
you could shift out to 2 wheel . I love hondas, but the yamahas used are a good bit cheaper, but seem pretty close in quality. I think either would be a great choice.

If you have a lot of mowing and farm type work, check out a small diesel tractor. I bought a yanmar a few years ago and it has become indespensable to me. MIne is 18 hp with front blade and bush hog. VERY HANDY but trail riding, , you'd get left behind!

Good luck

 

[knight hunter]

Re: atv advice needed

yamaha 350 Big Bear 4x4, has high/low/reverse. 4x4 is full time.

 

[KM2]

Re: atv advice needed

I wouldn't stay away from anything built by the major ATV manufacturers. I would avoid the abused/trashed machines you find frequently on the used ATV market.


I would agree the suggestion of the Yamaha Big Bear. Should fit your criteria and can be easily found at a decent price.

I would also put these names on my list and buy the best deal I could find.

Suzuki Eiger or Vinson
Polaris Sportsman 500
Arctic Cat 400 or 500
Kawasaki Praire 360
Honda Foreman or Rancher
Yamaha Kodiak

 

[tfbrown1270]

Re: atv advice needed

I have a 2005 Suzuki King Quad 700cc and love it...I plow 1/4 mile road in Kenora and three loooooooooong driveways all winter....I even posted a video on Youtube of it clearing snow....just search my user name...kenorakq...you'll find it...anyway it has high and low range, a LOCKABLE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL...thats HUGE....EFI and runs great...check nyrocatv.com for tons of info on all the brands....of course I'm partial to Suzuki.
Good luck.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: atv advice needed

A fellow KQ owner and NYROC

I worked at a dealership that sold can-am, kawi, honda, ac, and suzuki. I kept my eyes on the service department and I based my response on what was in the shop w/problems and what was not.

I am a suzuki fan as I had said before....

Hey tfbrown1270 I have the 500 vinson with warn winch, 26" mudlite xl's and full aluminum suzuki skid plates..... The 500 is labeled my wife's machine. My 700 KQ is modded..... yoshi exhaust, power commander, clutch kit, warn winch, full skid plates, itp type 4 wheels and 27" swamplites. Both machines have front bumpers too. Did you know that the KQ800 is coming!

 

[tfbrown1270]

Re: atv advice needed

Hi bob-vt;

I've heard rumors about the 800; I am perfectly happy with with my KQ "except" for the bottom end lag and reverse sputter (I have defeated the 4x4 diff lock sputter with the wire mod at the ecm). I don't wheelie, or go in deep mud or water, I have put 1600 km on the machine in the last year and 1/2 and ride it year round.

I have an uncle in Nova Scotia that has a late 90's Honda fourtrax that I have operated on some REALLLLLLLLY STEEP hills. Although underpowered when compared to the KQ I really enjoyed riding it. The big flaws (from my perspective) with that machine was that you could NOT shift out of 4x4 and that made it very tiring to operate for any length of time, the ground clearance was about 6 inches and the brakes were shot, I learned that is a common problem with Honda's and drum brakes ( a really dumb idea considering they hold moisture and dirt etc and rust out).

fwiw

Tim