Quad ATV epinions out there...

shade2u2 · May 26, 2002

I've been interested in getting a Quad ATV some day and know very little about them. Well that some day may have come this week. A friend won a 2001 Susuki QuadMaster 500 last year as a door prize. He now wants to sell it (with 6 miles on it) to me for $4000. This model supposedly goes for $6000+.
Do any ATV enthusists out have an opinion about this model or this deal? Thanks for the help.

Will_C · May 26, 2002

I think the atv's are alot like our tractors, many of us have opinions about our favorites but they all seem to be good machines. I have owned a 1986 Honda and a 1993 Kawasaki at different times and they both were reliable machines. I, too, am looking to buy a new atv soon and would appreciate hearing what brands TBNers are running.

Robert_in_NY · May 26, 2002

I have a 99' Yamaha Big Bear and a 01' Bombardier Traxter XT. Both machines run great but the Yamaha is a lot easier to work on if you need to as the Bombardier has a lot of electrical parts compared to the other brands. However the Bombardier is easier to hop on and off and to drive then the Yamaha. So far we haven't had any problems with the Bombardier and it has 300 miles on it. The Yamaha has had some repair because it has 27" Vampires which kills the linkage and brakes on that machine. When you do look for a 4 wheeler think about where you will be riding it, if you are always riding on hard ground then you will want a 2wd as it is easier to steer and ride and you don't have the heavy repair bill a 4wd will have. If you ride off road a lot into swamps and other areas with obstacles then you will want to look at the 4wd's with as much ground clearance as you can get. The Bombardier is nice as it is 2wd until the back wheels spin then the third wheel kicks in and if that don't get you out the 4 wheel starts turning giving a true 4wd which should get you out of most places. There are a lot of atv's out there and each company has something it is better then the others at so you will have to look at as many as you can.

bobnewjersey · May 26, 2002

I have a Yamaha Kodiak 4x4 automatic and it's been great. We had a Moose snow plow put on it and it's done a fine job on the lighter snowfalls. We opted for the electric winch to raise and lower the plow. My only beef, and it's a small one, is that sometimes it's hard to shift the auto tranny between gears. You can do it, but it is stiff. After that we do enjoy it.
The Susuki Quadmaster you wrote about, I hear is a fine machine. I've never heard anything bad about any of the big machines. It's all about options. Check traderonline.com for some prices. Susuki's do get discounted a little as new purchases.

bmac · May 26, 2002

If you want some input from people who are very knowlegeable about ATVs, consider posting your question on one or more of the ATV forums. The one which I frequent is ATVNation.com. Very nice folks there. In fact, the atmosphere is very much like here - friendly, helpful folks with a good sense of humor. Like here, they have brand-specific forums so you should have some luck in the Suzuki area.

manganos · May 26, 2002

I've had numerous quads but the only one I have now is a 2002 Yamaha Grizzly 660. Fun fun fun

EdKing · May 26, 2002

I have a Suziki QuadRunner 250. The one feature I like on the Suziki, is the hitch on the back for pulling a cart, mower, roller, etc., is mounted to the frame of the quad, while most of the others I've seen are mounted to the rear axle. I feel safer doing a hard pull from the frame rather than the axle. It also has 3 speed ranges, 2 or 4 wheel drive, and a diff lock in super low range.

hwp · May 26, 2002

I have one of the first Bombardier Traxters produced, Serial No. 28. I bought it for hauling logs and dead fall out of the bush. The bush is on a fairly steep side hill of a valley. As a result, one of the features I was looking for was a good parking mechanism. The Traxter has a park position in its transmission which is great for parking on steep hills. My wife really likes the electric shift and we both like the step through design - makes getting on and off much easier for those of us that are motion challenged. I find the forward storage compartment really useful for carrying tools, etc. I also like the rear-mounted radiator - I'm not as likely to poke a branch through it. I am still not comfortable with belt drives so I like the shaft drive on the Traxter. We have found endless other uses for the ATV - includng using the winch to get my tractor unstuck. Overall I am very pleased with the Traxter but I think most of the other machines on the market are very good as well.

Anonymous Poster · May 27, 2002

Assuming it is in pristine condition (with 6 miles on it I would hope so!!) 4,000 is a steal. I have seen them go for 5,500 at a local dealer (clearance) but the MSRP is actually 6,599 (!)

http://www.suzukicycles.com/sr_01/atv/fs_qu500a.htm

That is a link to the Suzuki website that shows the MSRP, features, etc.

IllMarty · May 28, 2002

For $4000.00 with 6 miles I say sold. I prefer Honda machines and currently own a 450ES, but would buy a Suzuki for that price.

For anyone interested my neighbor just bought 2 Honda Rubicons with the hydralic auto-tranny and man are they nice.Marty

TBone · May 28, 2002

$4000 is a steal on that machine with 6 miles. It retails for over 6K. I have never owned a Suzuki but a buddy of mine has one and it has been an excellent quad.

Like someone else said, you need to evaluate your needs before you purchase a four wheeler. Like tractors they have different options for different uses.

Hardly anybody gets 2wd any more but I have found my 2wd Yamaha Big Bear just the thing for my use. We don't get snow and I don't make a habit of going through places that I will get stuck. I did get a winch for the occasional bog.

I think all of the manufacturers make good machines nowadays. I have ridden another buddy's Kawasaki and test drove a Polaris. They were both fine machines.

If I were in the market for one though I certainly wouldn't pass up the Suzuki you mentioned.

TBone

Will_C · May 28, 2002

IllMarty,
I have been considering the Honda Foremans. What do you find the advantage of the electronic shifter to be? I guess I don't understand the benefit, and I keep thinking it is one more feature to break.
Thanks, Will

Anonymous Poster · May 28, 2002

Will,
There are 2 advantages for me: 1) I have big 15-ee feet and some times they don't work on shifting pegs very well. 2) I am tall and found that the peg shifter tended to make me ride with my left leg in an akward way. I love the thumb shifter!Marty

butzkeg · May 29, 2002

I've heard all positive reports from people on their Suzuki's. If you are looking for a utility quad, then this deal is really hard to pass up.

I've always been partial to Polaris, but I could be a Suzuki fan for a deal such as this.

At worst, buy it, if you don't like it turn around and sell it for more than you paid. You've probably been able to try it though, so you know if it's what you're looking for.

IndianaPaul · May 30, 2002

I have a Kawasaki Prairie 650, but spent a lot of time looking at the Suzuki and liked them, the Kaw just worked out better for me. At that price I think I would jump on it.

IndianaPaul

BB_TX · May 30, 2002

Don't know about the newer ones. But we have an old (early 90's) Suzuki 125 4 wheeler that we keep at our deer camp. To be honest, we have never taken very good care of it, but we have never had a bit of trouble either. Starts right up every year after setting for several months.

tbohen · Jun 1, 2002

Shade2u2, I see your in Ohio, I'm selling my Polaris Sportsman 500, and I'm in central Michigan.
Here's some pics if your interested.
http://www.bohencc.com/quad

shade2u2 · Jun 2, 2002

tbohen,
Thanx for the offer, but we've decided to weight until next year to bring on the ATV.
All others, thanx for the information. The ATV sight does look like a great forum for ATV like stuff.