SSThunder Posted December 25, 2009 Report Share Posted December 25, 2009 I've pretty much decided to buy an ATV this summer for some riding in the mud. I'm looking at buying a used ATV and I wanted your guys opinions. First I figure I'd spend around $3K on a used model. What brand/model should I be looking at? What's reliable and what's crap and won't last? my cousin has a 2 WD but should I look at getting a 4 WD? What engine size will be the best for having fun on in the mud and woods? I don't have a clue what size would be best for me. I see 250's, 350's, 400's and bigger models(600+) and I have no clue what I would really need. What brand/model is very reliable and easy to fix if I brake it? I'm a DIY guy and work on everything and anything. I got a jet ski last year and I'm even learning to wok on it. Fun stuff to learn something new. Let me know what you ATV gusy think. Thanks, Jeremy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahoBLKss Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 i dont know much about the "ranch style" atv's i got a ltr 450 race quad and i love it. the fuel injection is sweet you never have to worrie about changing needles in your carband the throttle response is amazing . try and get a fuel injected quad and my brother inlaw has the big honda 4x4 quad with the heads updisplay and it fuel injected too that thing rides like a Cadillac and i think its has the 650 cc motor in it ...for mud your going to want a high cc motor. good luck and have fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cls321 Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 (edited) Well as a motorcycle mechanic I can tell you for the size's you are looking at the best buy is a Yamaha Kodiak 450 4x4 with the IRS. It has a locking front diff and 2wd, 4wd selector as well. The only problems we ever had with them was abuse. That's where my money would go if you want a utility style atv. If you want a sport quad if you want reverse go with the Kawi Kfx450 or a Raptor 700. If not the Suzuki and Yamaha 450's are the way to go. Edited December 26, 2009 by cls321 (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
04CHASE Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 riding style has everything to do . are you going to want to haul ass through the woods and be able to throw your bike around like easily you would want something light . the larger quads with all the bellls and whistles are just to heavy and not that quick but you can haul things on them . if you do want something you can throw around and tear up the trails then a four stroke yfz 450 or trx 450 or even the suzi 450 are nice 4 strokes that dont require much to maintain and wont break down too often . then there are two strokes , banshee's and 250r's are the best among the 2 stroke quads imo . the banshee is like a sbc for aftermarket. i wont even say what i have into mine but it weight less than 300 lbs and i can throw it around in the dunes like nothing . on a straighaway you will not catch it . if feels like a 1000cc street bike. but 2 stroke engine require more engine attention more often . ( re ring the pistons every xx hours) and require premixed fuel . for you a 4 stroke sounds like the way to go just depends on your riding style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbrsilv15 Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 Figure out what you want first. Sport quad, or utility. Choose one and deciding will be much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juriha Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 I have a Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4, thing is an absolute beast...will go anywhere and will hit 70+mph on roads or big trails. A utility ATV with 4x4 is more practical for use in the woods then a 2wd sport quad IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CenWaSS Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 (edited) I dont know much about the utility quads but for anything outside of riding in the (deep) mud Id go with a sport quad for riding in the woods, dunes, etc. My favorites being the Raptor 700, Suzuki LTR450, Yamaha YFZ450 (good power but uncomfortable). Id personally stay away from the other 450 sport quads (Kawi, Honda) as they just dont have the punch as these others. The Banshee is an absolute awesome machine but again its a two stroke and needs much more attention, its an absolute thrill to ride and doesnt take much to make it a rocket. Good Luck! Edited December 26, 2009 by CenWaSS (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscareltemblo Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 I have a 08 honda rincon and love it ... Just like this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12'SROCK Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 (edited) Yamaha YFZ 450 is my choice. Its a bad ass quad and has great power and suspension out of the box. I had a fully modded 06' 450 and it was fun as hell to ride! Had power everywhere throughout the power band. Edited December 26, 2009 by WICKEDOWESIX (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwest94 Posted December 27, 2009 Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 Yamaha! Enough said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSThunder Posted December 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 Well I guess I'd like something easy to work on like a 4 stroke. I don't want to rip into the engine ever so many hours. My buddy grew up on 2 strokes and he can work on them but I don't want to. I'd like something to ride and put up and not worry about it. I don't think I'll be riding in deep mud so I guess 2Wd is the way to go. I'm not going to be carring stuff/hunting or anything like that but I'm not wanting to outrun my truck either lol. So it doesn't have to go 70+. What brands are the 4 strokes and what do you guys recommend based on the this post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CenWaSS Posted December 27, 2009 Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 IMO...find a Raptor 700 (Yamaha) or LTR450 (Suzuki), you wont be dissappointed. I've basically riden all the top 450 sport bikes (Kawi, Honda, Yamaha, Suk, KTM) and the two mentioned quads stood out to me with regards to power and comfort. The KTM is a bad machine but rather exspensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porno Joe Posted December 27, 2009 Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 (edited) honda trx700xx. i just bought one a month ago and I love it! it can keep up with the 450s, it doesnt turn as well but that gets down to rider ability too, but you have the big power of the 4x4 guys with the 700 cc. my buddy has a fully built motocross ready 450 and my 700 off the show room floor has no problem keepin up with him on the trail EDIT- the 700xx has IRS on a sport atv which is great Edited December 27, 2009 by Porno Joe (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bison1040 Posted December 27, 2009 Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 I've been riding since I was two years old and have been around these things my entire life - dad worked at a dealership/uncle owned one as well - so I think I might be able to give some input. So far everything everyone has suggested is going to be well over $3k. First important question is do you want to shift or not? How much experience do you have riding? If you're going to use it in the woods and mudd I would stay far away from raptors, predators, yfz's, etc. as you'll be stuck in about 2 seconds. My personal preference is Polaris as I promise you will not find a better riding machine than their Sportsman lineup. Automatic transmission with true 4x4, not the 3 wheeled wonders like Yamaha's are infamous for. At $3k you're probably going to be looking for something in that '02-'03 range with a 500 high output engine. To me that would be a good starter for you. Now if you wanna spend $9500, I suggest the Sportsman 850 with power steering (one of my current machines) as thing is absolutely nuts. For something that weighs in excess of 800 lbs, it should not pull wheelies as easily as it does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSThunder Posted December 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 I've been riding since I was two years old and have been around these things my entire life - dad worked at a dealership/uncle owned one as well - so I think I might be able to give some input. So far everything everyone has suggested is going to be well over $3k. First important question is do you want to shift or not? How much experience do you have riding? If you're going to use it in the woods and mudd I would stay far away from raptors, predators, yfz's, etc. as you'll be stuck in about 2 seconds. My personal preference is Polaris as I promise you will not find a better riding machine than their Sportsman lineup. Automatic transmission with true 4x4, not the 3 wheeled wonders like Yamaha's are infamous for. At $3k you're probably going to be looking for something in that '02-'03 range with a 500 high output engine. To me that would be a good starter for you. Now if you wanna spend $9500, I suggest the Sportsman 850 with power steering (one of my current machines) as thing is absolutely nuts. For something that weighs in excess of 800 lbs, it should not pull wheelies as easily as it does! shifting is fine with me. I've rode dirtbikes a lot growing up and have also rode atvs. My family seems to love them, even my mom had one lol. Now one of my cousin has it. My other cousin has a Honda Rancher 2WD(350 model I think). So I should look at 4X4's? What about kfx models? I've seen a 2006 400 model listed on craigslist for like $2,300 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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