ATV's............some advice So I'm pretty sure I'm going to be buying some sort of ATV before the 2011 season. I'm hoping to pick something up towards mid/late summer. Is there a specific time of year you can pick up really good deals? Also, I've read some on here and after speaking with a lot of locals, it seems Honda has great history of low maintenance and high reliability, but it also seems they lack the most in power and clearance. Primary uses will be on the ice during ice fishing season, and getting into and around the camp I hunt in the Adirondacks. While I dont' think I'll be doing any extreme stuff, the camp I belong to where I'll be primarily using this is 2000+ acres of mud and swamps. We buried my buddies Honda Rubicon this summer up there, and 2 of the other guys have done damage hitting rocks due to the lower clearance. The newer Hondas are all 7"ish of clearance, while most of the other models are 10" to 12". I don't intend to beat this thing, but I really don't want to get stuck in the massive suck holes up there, and would prefer a bit more clearance. As of now, I'm leaning towards Polaris. I'm looking for a 450-550cc class machine, and the regular 500 HO Sportsman is really attractive for the features, clearance, and price. Any thoughts or advise? Is the reliability of the Polaris machines decent if they are taken care of?
my dad bought a new left over 09 400ho polaris for 3900 bucks... thing has performed flawlessly... I'd buy the 550xp myself and not look back, but if they have a 400 they are worth lookin at cuz there is only a couple hp difference in them... the "400" has like a 455cc motor and the 500 is a 498... virtually identical...
People generally love or hate their Polaris. I really like the looks of them, but the ones I'm familiar with have spent alot of time in the shop. I've always been partial to Honda, but the Arctic Cats I've riden were very nice as well. I think anything in the 500 class would have plenty of power for what you described.
If you've ever read any of my posts on ATVs, you probably already know what I'm going to say. I have beat the living hell out of my Honda's at camp. In 4 years I have over 18,000 miles on one machine and all we have ever done is change the oil and one set of new tires. Bulletproof. I have 7 of them and my family has another 6-8. Clearance and power have never been a problem. 3 of mine are 2005 Ranchers with a foot shift. I believe they are only 350s and they have zero problem pulling boats through the bush and hauling out 300# bears. I also love the lighter machine, as it rarely gets stuck. If it does, its easy to lift and move by hand to get out of the holes. I don't have winch's on any of the Ranchers. As for Polaris, they are honestly the last machine I would own. Sure, they have great clearance, but that's where the advantages end. I honestly don't know anyone who abuses machines like I do that would take a Polaris over a Honda. For your needs Matt, I would really look at a Honda Rancher with power steering. Our newest machine is a Rancher 420 with PS, selectable ESP or Automatic, selectable 2wd or 4wd and independent rear suspension. Any other machines I buy in the future will be identical to this one.
We've owned 3 or 4 different Polaris Sportsmans and never really had a problem with any of them. We also owned a Bombardier which is a little bigger than what you're looking for, but it performed fairly well as well, but I didn't like the AWD over the 4x4 option. Currently we own a Kawasaki Brute Force, which we haven't had for very long. Just from what I've noticed I'd consider getting something fuel injected maybe because in really cold temps they can be a pain in the ass to get started.
When I was younger, I worked for a Honda shop that also sponsored my motocross racing. Honda has always been known for their reliability. However, any machine that's taken care of should work well. Any machine that's beat to crap, shouldn't be expected to last. Let me revise this...I'm also in the market for a new quad with a plow. Upon speaking with a friend of mine who is like the Gospel of ATV/Dirt Bike, etc, etc. Polaris are not all they are cracked up to be. He owns his own repair business and motocross suspension company. He stated that Polaris are lacking, when compared to the rest of the manufacturers. They do things like use self tapping screws where others use a better system. Their drive system is a belt that is housed in a non water tight compartment. They notoriously get wet and stop driving the machine. He called them the "Harley Davidsons" of the quad market. He also said that he wouldnt own a Polaris if it was given to him, free !! If I were buying a brand new quad with minimal financial restrictions, it would be either a Honda or Yamaha.
Can't go wrong with any of the major brands. I own a RZR so I'm partial to UTV's, but I've owned ATV's all my life. Anything Suzuki you can't go wrong. I've got a 1997 300 King Quad that still runs like a champ. Look at the Eiger's. I'd also take a look at the Kawa Brute Force, rode several and they are a beast but overkill for what you want. Only Honda I've owned was a crf50 with 4 grand worth of modes, but it held up very very well. Not Sure exactly where you are located but there's a place in Tenn. Southern Powersports I believe and NO ONE will beat there prices. I've bought several from them to resale, that's how cheap they used to be.
i have heard great things about the honda's being bulletproof but i really want a two up quad. just like the look and the options of having that second seat for my lil buddy =-) again i'm a sucker for a good looking anything!!! can-am outlanders have really caught my eye!
All personal preference, I guess. I certainly don't abuse mine. My Suzuki Eiger has been great, though. Can't believe I've had it 5 yrs. Buddy of mine has the same '97 model Brandon has....and it still runs great, also.
I test drove every brand and did a bunch of research a couple years ago before I purchased mine. I looked primarily at three things. Power, handling and reliability. I found the two best were the Yamaha Grizzly 660 and the Suzuki KingQuad 700. I ended up getting a very slightly used KingQuad 700 and it has been amazing. Only complaint is that it is a pain to change the oil, but I don't think any of them are easy with the skid plates in the way.
I would not buy Polaris.........not by personal experience but being friends with a guy who worked at a huge Honda dealership around here. He told me the vast majority of vehicles brought in for repairs were Polaris. He had no reason to lie to me as we are friends and he wasn't trying to sell me anything. Hell, I dragged 4 deer out of the woods this year and ran through about 3 tanks of gas on a pull start Honda 3 wheeler that is over 30 yrs old. Best couple hundred bucks I ever spent, and dad is thrilled My brother bought a new Artic Cat a couple years ago and while it is not bad by any means it is certainly not overly impressive either. I would buy a Honda.
We sell Honda and Yamaha.....Unfortunately most people look at the "clearance" as an issue....think about it...its 10-12 inches of clearance ( on an Independant suspension machine ) Add 180lbs of rider, 100 lbs of gear, now what is your clearance.....prolly what the Honda's start out with...and with the solid axle machines you lose VERY little clearance even with the load....Personally, if all your doing is using it for work and very little "play" * meaning sub 100mile ride days, then you can not go wrong with the ranchers like Dan sed....they truly are amazing for the size of them.
I believe that Yamaha and Honda make the best 4-wheelers out there....hands down ... The Yamaha has the edge IMO for functionality and fun
Call be Bias, but please don't buy a Honda... ... Anyway, just in my experience I've owned Kawasaki, Yamaha, Arctic Cat, and one Arctic cat with a Zuk motor... All were/are awesome in they're own way. Next I'm going for a BRP Can-Am UTV... I hope. :D Good deals are the ones found on the previous year after the new models come out. My buddy let a '09 Rockstar Zuk. 700 efi get away at a little over $6k, My AC I bought brand new in 08 was $6600 with a winch, and that's not even That great of a deal. They're out there, just might have to search long and hard for them. Check some forums like HighLifter, they can can tell you where you can get some pretty sweet deals.
I can vouch for a Honda Rancher as well. We have owned 3 now, bulletproof. I'd take a light 2wd 350 Rancher to a big lifted 600 Polaris with all the bells and whistles anyday...they will cut on a dime, easy to maneuver in tight spots, usually dont get hung up but are easy to get out like Dan said...pull weight fine, and can be had CHEAP. We bought a left over 05 model in the spring of 06 brand new for right at $3k.
So would I. My dad just bought his 3rd one. The first two were Yamaha Rhinos. The 2006 is/was junk. The 2008 is a bit better, but still not built for the abuse we put them through. He just picked up a Can-Am Commander 1000. But, that's still in his garage with 1 mile on it. It looks to be built a lot better than the Rhinos.
I spent a few days in the snow covered mtns of norhtern VA a few weeks ago. My buddy has a UTV (doesn't matter which one), and the convenience factor was awesome. Only needed one vehicle. Carried our ML's securely. WINDSHIELD (it was 6 deg our first morning hunting)!! He put an awesome light kit on it....so visibility was great in the dark. I don't NEED a UTV. Hell, I just want one. Pipe dream. My wife would skin me.
