ATV Shopping

[SLOBuds]

I'm in the market for a 4wd ATV. Something like the Honda Foreman.

Does anyone have a recommendation based on their research?

Seems to be quite a few manufacturers, sizes, configurations, options and accessories. I definitely want 4wd and I definitely want an ATV rather than one of those machines that look like an industrial golfcart! But other than that I'm having a hard time about the other options and the manufacturer itself.

Any advice/recommendations to help me out?

Thanks

 

[LoneCowboy]

to do what?

need more info on what your intended usage is

 

[SLOBuds]

OK, thanks.

Using it on 10 acre parcel to:

Haul things around like tools, wood, building materials, etc.
Going from place A to place B
As sprayer
Pulling debris and materials for clean-up purposes

Maybe some fun time in hills and sand dunes.

The parcel is hilly. ATV needs to be easy enough for wife to maneuver - which I don't see as a problem based on what I've glanced at so far.

 

[qstott]

I recently bought a Honda Rancher 420, a new 2007. I didn't really see the need for 4X4, since a had a couple of friends without it on their ATV's. I think the 4X4 was about $600 dollars more. I did like the fact that it was really easy to change from 2X4 to 4X4 on the Rancher. I got it home and after the first trip out to the back 40 was grinning from ear to ear! It was much quicker than I had hoped and handled great. I rode dirt bikes 40 years ago, and its been that long since I pulled wheelies, but 2nd gear will get you one in an instant, and once in a while I think 3rd would get the front wheels off the ground. The top speed is about 55 mph. I spent a couple of hours crawling in the woods over small logs and vines with no trouble. The electric shift model was $200 more, and I decided to get that. Not so much for the shift part, but because the electric shift model comes with instrumentation. ( speedo, hour meter, trip odometer, etc). I highly reccommend the Rancher. It might would have been nice to get the 4X4, but so far I haven't needed it. I mounted a 25 gal ATV sprayer on it last weekend. With the weight of the sprayer and water, the front end gets really light. It feels like I need some tractor weights for the front . Spraying around the yard was a breeze, but I don't think crossing ditches and going over logs would be wise with a full sprayer on the back. My original idea was to buy a used ATV, but with the local prices, It seemed like new was the way to go. I was able to get out the door for about $4500. Used decent ATVs were selling for $3500-$3900. (two wheel drive).

 

[qstott]

One more thing... I told my wife I was going to use it for general "checking the farm" use. (trees in the CRP program, property lines, etc.) My first trip around the farm took not more than 15 minutes. I spent 5 of them showing it off to my parents. We have 100 acres in two close by tracts. With the ATV I find myself thinking "I need a bigger farm!".

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

We purchased a Honda Rubicon for similar usage in the fall. I could not be more pleased. The transmission is the smoothest I have ever experienced in an ATV. The only complaint I have is I wish it had a receiver hitch. Otherwise, it is exceptional.

 

[LoneCowboy]

My wife finds it's very difficult to steer over long periods esp in 4x4. I believe some new (08) models have power steering. I realize it's one more thing to go wrong, but your wife may truly appreciate it. (I never notice it, but I rode motorcycles for a long time, and honestly a ATV is a heck of a lot of fun, lot less "fear of dying")

500cc would be plenty for what you want.
optional 4x4 is well worth it. (full time 4x4 gets old see steering above),

You never hear anyone complain about Honda's (mine either). They just work.

 

[bmac]

OK, thanks.

Using it on 10 acre parcel to:

Haul things around like tools, wood, building materials, etc.
Going from place A to place B
As sprayer
Pulling debris and materials for clean-up purposes

Maybe some fun time in hills and sand dunes.

The parcel is hilly. ATV needs to be easy enough for wife to maneuver - which I don't see as a problem based on what I've glanced at so far.

For your "To Do" list, I would suggest you reconsider the "industrial golf cart" side by side machines. Some are now quite sporty, go faster than anyone needs to be driving and have a place for cargo in the back. Easier to drive than an ATV (so I'm told), you and the Mrs. could ride together safely. Something to think about.

 

[RobJ]

How about a Honda Foreman?

A 4x4 is a must, hook up a small trailer with a little weight and a 4x2 atv and test it out. A 4x8 trailer with some weight will outweigh the atv and the 4x2 won't go anywhere. If you get an ATV with full time 4x4, the steering can be tough after a while, especially on a black top. Warn makes a nice add on called the 424. About $200 on Ebay but well worth it. It installs in place of the front axle. I added 1 to my 2002 Rancher. My 1999 King Quad already has this unlock feature. Both of my ATV's are older and smaller in cc's, 280 and 329 and they work fine. I don't think anything over 500cc for running around a farm is needed. The new 700 and larger atvs get just that...larger and heavier. Personally I don't need an atv that'll run 70 mph and comes with a higher COG. I've driven them (and especially with the lift kits and/or larger tires), those ATV's are very tippy.

The atv is useful, many weekends at the country place I park my truck on Friday and don't get back into it until I go home. I get around by tractor or atv.

Good Luck,
Rob

Warn Industries - ATV 424 Select™
Honda - Rancher TRX350FM2 - Mod Page
Suzuki - King Quad - Mod Page

 

[4720 OWNER]

Fore and aft seating on the 4 wheeler is much more fun with the wife or SO!

Personnally we have very hilly and swampy, flat areas and no one 4 wheeler fits every where. 4 wheeler works good for hooking a small trailer for hauling. For chasing cattle or close checking the 6 wheeler will get where no 4 wheeler will ever go but not as fast and it is side by side and usually not as technologically advanced and IMO much more stable.

Anything is better than nothing.

 

[litework]

For your "To Do" list, I would suggest you reconsider the "industrial golf cart" side by side machines. Some are now quite sporty, go faster than anyone needs to be driving and have a place for cargo in the back. Easier to drive than an ATV (so I'm told), you and the Mrs. could ride together safely. Something to think about.

I agree. My wife wanted an ATV to do a few small tasks around the farm, but I didn't like the idea. It's too easy to jump on an ATV without a helmet. I think it's much easier and safer to buckle into a vehicle with full ROP protection...not to mention the fact that you actually have a useable bed and some weight up front if you ever want to pull anything. My RTV is a lot more useful than I originally expected. Don't discount them.

 

[SLOBuds]

For your "To Do" list, I would suggest you reconsider the "industrial golf cart" side by side machines. Some are now quite sporty, go faster than anyone needs to be driving and have a place for cargo in the back. Easier to drive than an ATV (so I'm told), you and the Mrs. could ride together safely. Something to think about.

We looked at those but my impression is that 'golf cart' seats won't work on hilly properties. It seemed to us that, given our property characteristics, the operator needs handles to grab on to, and seats to straddle for security.

Anyway - I'll look at it again. Thanks

 

[Kenfyoozed]

Normally i ask questions on this site, but now here is a question I can actually answer. I have rode atv's since I was 8 and I am now 28. We have had all type, for all different reasons. I currently have a Kawasaki 650 sra Brute force. I love this quad. Its a perfect blend of sport and utility. I have friends that have hondas. Honda is a great machine, and they seem to last forever.But at a price of comfort. Hondas are not fun to ride for an extended period of time. Any Honda owner will say they dont have a problem with the comfort issue, until they ride a Yamaha, or Kawasaki for more than 2 hours at a time. My riding now consist of trails and mud! Just for fun, non the less. Automatics are they way to go. Which sadly leaves Honda by the way side. If Honda had an Automatic it would almost be the best, and will be once they get the comfort issues sorted out. In my opinion Honda equates to Forrestry service, Polaris/Kawasaki=farms, Yamaha/Artic cat/ Can-am= sport. If i had to decide to buy an atv for the fram and wanted it comfortable and easy to ride, it would be Polaris or Kawasaki. The only bad thing I can think of about Polaris is that all brakes are applied at the same time. You cant independently brake the front or rear. Which is important if your going down a steep incline. You would need to brake the rear and not the front. If your brake the front to hard it could send you over the bars! BUT , polaris does have an awesome lock and go system where you can easily add and take off baskets and holders.

As for size , I went for a 650. I tell everyone that noone needs an atv this size. Its to powerful on flat ground, but it does come in handy when the mud gets 2-3' deep. For just putting around and no realy haevy work 250-350cc would be fine. For medium duty 350-500cc. Anything over 500cc is almost overkill. The larger bore bikes are the craze right now, but they are dangerous. These things can kill if not used properly.

Let me know if I can help anymore.
Neil

 

[pitt_md]

I have had very good luck with my Polaris Sportsman 500. Bought new in 2001 and have never had any thing go wrong with it. It is used hard all the time. When I first bought it I thought I should not have spent that much moneyfor a "toy". It has paid its way and then some. 4x4 is the way to go. I am not sure about the other brands but the Polaris swims too!

 

[Kenfyoozed]

After thinking about it, if your land is really hilly, then I too would have to agree with litework. UTv's or side by sides are alot safer, especially if your not familiar with riding atvs. Litework is aslo correct about hopping on and riding without a helmet. I do this all the time without thinking about it. Most of us do. To me a helemt is only good if you hit a tree or get thrown off. Most atv accidents are from flipping, and the atv crushing you or snapping your spine even with a helemet. I see this all the time in our E.R. I work as a R.N. So for safety a utv is the better route if hills are going to be a deciding factor.

 

[kenmac]

I'm in the market for a 4wd ATV. Something like the Honda Foreman.

Does anyone have a recommendation based on their research?

Seems to be quite a few manufacturers, sizes, configurations, options and accessories. I definitely want 4wd and I definitely want an ATV rather than one of those machines that look like an industrial golfcart! But other than that I'm having a hard time about the other options and the manufacturer itself.

Any advice/recommendations to help me out?

Thanks

How about all wheel drive instead of 4 wd.


Polaris is all wheel drive. As in all 4 wheels turn ( in 4 wd mode) instead of 3 ( like some brands)

 

[LoneCowboy]

Automatics are they way to go. Which sadly leaves Honda by the way side. If Honda had an Automatic it would almost be the best, and will be once they get the comfort issues sorted out.Neil

Ummm, Honda Rubicon has an automatic (and can be shifted manually also)

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

Automatics are they way to go. Which sadly leaves Honda by the way side. If Honda had an Automatic it would almost be the best, and will be once they get the comfort issues sorted out.

My Rubicon has a fully automatic transmission which is smoother than any I have ridden. It can also be used in manual mode if you prefer. As for comfort, I have no complaints.

 

[RancherSam]

i'd vote for a can am highlander 800. Loads of fun, very powerful to pull anything and offers seating for two.

 

[Cottonhawk]

I have a Polaris Ranger 6x6. It is the only true six wheel drive in the market. I use it for everything you have on your list plus more. There are alway more to do around here. I call my Ranger "go anywhere machine". It is steady and powerful on the slopes, on the flats, in the mud, cross the creek even when I was hauling a full bed of heavy gravel. It is a work horse and a fun machine.