What should I be on?

[farmboy12]

Well, I've been off and on on different things. Between different brand, size, capabilites of a lot of ATVs and UTVs. But I want to know what I *should* be looking at in terms of ATV, not UTV.

Here is what I want in a quad-
--over 350cc
--4x4
--towing capability
--reliable
--main brand, no off brand no-name-eBay-only crap
--ability to go along with about 50/50: heavy work (towing, pushing, pulling, etc)/ heavy play (a lot of trail riding, with heavy mud, and probably some goof off stuff)
--used
--would like to stay under $3.5k
--newer than '80s

I would like a manual, but it isn't necessary. I've looked at Polaris, which I would love, great dealer relationship, but a little pricy, and only have one 4x4 manual from a while back, the Xpedition. Kawasaki, mostly older Prairies, 360-700. Yamaha, Big Bear. And a couple different Hondas. I am willing to look at any other main brand as well.


Kyle
TIA

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I had a Big Bear 350 4x4 and it was a fun machine that would do what you wanted. I used it to pull a 55 gallon water tank to our far pens (.5 mile drive) daily and it had 27" vampires on it. It would do everything I wanted from pulling trees, playing with a single gang disc, spraying and pulling the water tank and even carrying 300 pounds of feed on the racks along with my 200 pounds and it always did what I needed. I also played heavy in the mud and on trails and it would go anywhere with the 27" vampires. It was light enough to be nimble on trails and playing on mud and snow but heavy enough to handle the work I wanted it to do. It was fun but I sold it after we bought a Bombardier Traxter XT. The Traxter is more user friendly and much more work oriented but also fun to play. It is still stock with the stock tires and has been 99.99% trouble free. It does everything the Big Bear did but easier. It is wider then the Big Bear which won't fit through one of our small gates but that wasn't a big issue.

I sometimes miss the Big Bear for playing but since I hurt my back I won't be playing as much like I use to anymore. I would easily buy another Traxter XT before the Big Bear though for my situation. Good luck with your search.

 

[timswi]

had a big bear as well. manual shift and full time 4x4 (which I wish it didn't have). Worked the bejeebers out of that thing and only had very minor issues with it...mainly sticking needle valves. Would definitly recommend, not too big either.

 

[farmboy12]

I looked at a few new ones today. I would prefer used, but I like to have the ability to easily compare side to side and hop from one to the other easy for comparison.

I first looked at a Big Bear 250 as there were no 400s in stock, pretty nice, but no 4x4 and a little smaller engine than I would like.

I then looked at Honda (whatever), it was a 420cc with 4x4 and a manual. It was pretty nice, and when I asked the salesperson there, (which I shouldn't trust too much), he said that they ran close to the same as a Big Bear 400 as far as price, new both at about $6k. And he said powerwise, they are very similar. But this quad felt a little light.

I also like the Grizzlys, good rep, nice following, best looks (IMO), and a "certain someone" in my life has a 350 Grizzly and she loves it. So I would like to match hers, but they never made a manual.

I also have looked at Polaris Sportsman 550 x2s, which I like with the dump box and extra seat. I would like to buy a Yamaha or Polaris, for dealers and because good friends of mine have them. But they are both a bit pricy.

So, I come to you now asking questions. Has anyone had any riding experience with the new Polaris's XP ATVs?? And can anyone speak for a 660 Grizzly, which they don't make anymore??

Thanks again!


Kyle

 

[timswi]

I wouldn't get too hung up on the manual shift. Given that the 4x4's don't have clutches, that can be more of a problem sometimes than a full auto. Hill climbs and such are much better on an auto IMHO because the RPMs have to be perfect to shift, sometimes that just isn't possible.

I plowed snow using my Big Bear manual with my neighbor who has a Polaris Sportsman.

I couldn't keep up with him due to the fact that sometimes you have to stay in a lower gear. Forward to reverse is instant on the Polaris..The manual...not so much.

 

[dex3361]

I don't know how much you ride but some of the belt drive machines suck the gas. I can ride 75 miles before I switch to reserve and ride another 50 before running out of gas. I have 2 Honda 450 ES Hondas the ES is electric shift. It can be shifted manually if the electric fails. I have had these machines since 2000 and have not had a single issue except replacing the batteries. I have almost 4000 miles on each machine. The only 2 issues I would say I dont care to much for is drum brakes and the year I have are full time 4WD. I have been impressed with a few of the Kawasaki machines as well. If I were looking to day I would buy used around here you can get a good used machine for about 2/3 what it sold for new.

 

[radman1]

There are a lot of good used machines in your price range, with 4x4 and 350-450 cc. Actually getting harder to find clutch and gear shift except in the smaller units. (Honda foreman is an exception) CVT/belt transmissions are very reliable, very common and not a big maintenance issue. Lots of machines in late 90's and newer in that price range and size. Most of the major companies are very reliable - Honda, Kaw, Yamaha, Suzuki. These also have the most common dealer networks. Have had several motorcyles and ATVs of these brands. The older Polaris's would be an issue for me. The newer Polaris's in the past decade are good.

Watch craigslist and newspaper. I frequently see used machines 5-10 years old in excellent condition. Be patient, look at new ones, brochures, etc and see what is available for suspensions, tranny, 4x4 options ect. Many of the same items found are new units were also available on atv's built in the past 10 years. I would try to stay with units from late 1990's on. Most of the best features are on these machines in that era and newer. Biggest difference with units in the past 3-5 years is electronic fuel injection. Very handy for starts in the winter and I think should be a strong consideration if buying a machine to be used in the cold. The carburator units start just fine the rest of the year. Happy hunting.

 

[ike]

I had a Honda Rincon with 27" ITP 589's on it. Worked that thing hard hauling water up steep icy slopes to perk land. I had it five years and finally sold it since I didn't trust the transmission. It was un-nerving to have to warm it up the transmission for several minutes before it would move in the winter. I bought a Big Bear last fall and love the machine. The quality is excellent and it is alot more fun than the Rincon. It has Mud lites and a locking front locker on it. It also has drive shafts; no belts. It is alittle smaller than my Rincon and much easier to handle in the woods (also has IRS). I have yet to work it hard but I expect to this spring. I put a 2500# Warn winch with synthetic rope on it and a Warn plow. My neighbor behind me has a 2000 Big Bear and he beats the crap out of it. It is one tough machine and it inspired me to get one. No regrets!

 

[Box5]

Get yourself a Honda foreman 400 or 450, should be able to find a great deal on one. Try to get a 02 or newer 450, since they switched to selectable 4x4 instead of fulltime.

 

[zzvyb6]

Maybe I'm behind on standard equipment, but I'd insist on reverse, shaft drive, and 4 stroke. My Yamaha has held up pretty well, all considered. I put a 2" trailer ball on the back and even yank some trailers around with it.

It's taken a back burner to a golf cart lately, though. I have a dump bed, a trailer hitch, a ladder rack, a chain saw mount, scabbard with Winchester and a saw sharpener on board. Jump in and go. Even my lame dog has taken a liking to a cruise in the outback with it...