OT: Best ATV?

[greystreet81]

In the market for a new 4 wheeler. Haven't had a new one in years.<div>
</div><div>I know I want a utility 4x4 at least 400cc. Mainly just used for fun/trail riding. Dependability and durability are the main things I am looking for.</div><div>
</div><div>Honda? Polaris? Yamaha?</div><div>
</div><div>I also would like your opinions on where to make my purchase and the pros and cons of new/used.</div><div>
</div><div>I'm always amused at the wealth of knowledge about ANY topic that is brought up here, so this was the first place I thought of when I began shopping.</div><div>
</div><div>HAILSTATE</div>

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

Then you probably are going to be riding a Honda. A well taken care of honda can last you till you die with a small amount of problems.<div>
</div><div>A Yamaha is a great ATV too. They have a few more bells and whistles available than Hondas and run a little more. The grizzly comes in 450, 550, an d larger and has a softer ride than the solid axle Honda. The Honda is also full time 4wd until you get into the higher priced models, the yamaha is shiftable into 2wd, 4wd, and full differental lock. They even have available electric power steering.</div><div>
</div><div>Polaris went out the window when you said durability. They are much better than in the past, but still not on par with the jap bikes. They are also harder to service.</div><div>
</div><div>Look at both at Lake Hill Motors and Marine in Corinth, MS. They will be cheapest. Cheapest as it would be worth the drive from most places in the state.</div><div>
</div><div>http://www.yamahadiscountprices.com/index.htm
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[JesterB]

Used? A very good Fourtrax 300 then Foreman 450/Rancher 350 running a close second.

 

[JackBauer.sixpack]

Ive had one and many people I know have/have had a Honda. You can not wear them out. I have also heard more complaints about Polaris than any other brand. <div>
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[BR549.sixpack]

I've got a 1999 Fourtrax 4x4 that still runs perfect and I've abused the **** out of it.

 

[kired]

but did own 4 Yamaha's (between myself, dad, and brother) back in the mid/late 90s. All of them ran for 10-15 years with minimum maintenance (oil changes, brakes, filters). Would probably still run today with a effort... I just don't have time / desire to ride anymore. They just sit around collecting dust these days. <div>
</div><div>I think Honda or Yamaha are fine. Either should last many years if somewhat taken care of. On the other hand, I know a guy that will completely trash any make / model in less than 12 months.</div><div>
</div><div>And I second the Corinth recommendation.</div>

 

[bulldog39042]

Hondas are tanks if you maintain them. Polaris seems to have smoother suspension, but I'd trade durability over a soft ride any day!

 

[NTDawg]

It is not a fair comparison but I like honda better. If you can find a good deal on a used atv that you know hasn't been abused, like submerged under water or dosen't have a bent frame, you are fine with a used one. However, sometimes a good used one, that dosen't cost as much asnew one,is hard to find. I bought a new Foreman 500 4x4 that is a work horse from Brookhaven Honda. They had the best deal I could find and were easy to do business with. I wasn't looking for another but found a deal on an older Recon 250 that I couldn't turn down for my son. I happy with myatvs buthondas do have a bad reputation with their brakes.

 

[MISSSTATE34]

I have a 2005 Honda 650 Rincon. It's really more atv than I ever need but nevertheless a solid atv. Do your homework and buy used.

 

[colodawg]

I ride with a group of old retirees once a week during summer and then during hunting season in Oct. I have a Honda Rancher I bought used with 150 miles on it and love it. The Honda automatic takes a little getting used to, but now it's second nature.

The rest of the guys ride Polaris because they like the suspension (we are all old mind you). My Honda will do anything a Polaris will do (and they have bigger machines).

My bike is 6 years old, I have had it 4, and all I've done is service before every hunting season.

 

[GreaterCowbell]

One 98 500 that has made regular deliveries to hell and still strong as ever. Also have a 2005 700 King quad. Both have been very good bikes. Thought I would mention them since no one else thread brought them up.<div>
</div><div>People forget that Suzuki invented the 1st four wheeler, the 1st four wheeler with 4 wheel drive, and the first with independent rear suspension. As far asreliabilityI would not kick out the Honda or Suzuki.</div><div>
</div><div>I've had Polaris owners tell me that they are the best atv's...... when they are running. (Polaris = mechanics best friend)</div><div>
</div><div>Buy them out of state and you can save on the sales tax.</div>

 

[KurtRambis4]

*

 

[DaRealistDawg]

Get a Grizz. Doesn't have to be the big 700. I would think 450CC is world a plenty. If you have had bikes in the past, getting them in tight places/stuck is part of it and lighter is better. We bought a 1994 Big Bear brand new and it was a solid machine that will forever make us loyal to Yamahas. Interestingly enough, some backwoods 17er decided to steal it off a construction site my company was working at doing some hardscaping that past spring. We put it thru what a normal hunting family would put it thru at deer camp, pulling trailers, and hauling aroundthree adults to their standsduring hunting season. However, we never did anything extreme like what some people do to their bikes that cost close to $10,000 and drive like ******** with all the ******** aftermarket stuff that voids warranties. Because of all the things mentioned below, fairly obvious that I would recommend a Yamaha. It might be, "might" be a little more, but you get alot morein the bike than a Honda.

Don't even look at other brands...stick to Honda and Yamaha. Been hunting long enough and know enough people who own Hondas to know their pros/cons as well. I personally like to manually shift and like straight axles. And this was how all Big Bears came back then. Things have changed but today, the following video gives a good perspective on how each brand has setup their bikes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB7nGKJtPyw&feature=plcp

My personal comparison of two brands...
Engine- tie, both are bulletproof
Trans- Yamaha. I don't think Honda offers a Hi/Low range
4x4 system- Yamaha, if you are familar with Detroit lockers in trucks, this is the most equivalent in ATVs. Also, you can select 2x4, 4x4 auto, and full-time 4x4 in the Yamaha in all models.
Axles- Honda- only because I think you can get a stronger CC engine in a Honda that has a straight axle in the back. Straight axles end in the Big Bear automatic shift model.
Clutch/Engine Braking/ Brakes- Yamaha. Uses a sprag centrifugal clutch and has wet brakes that you see in Kubota tractors, etc. They are incased inside thediff. Hard to explain to you, but lets just say you don't have to ride the brakes going down hills or worry about premature wear on your internal belts for a LONG time.
Steering- Yamaha. EPS was a good innovation and still the best. Driven new Grizz and Honda EPS systems, Yamahas just feel easier.
Ride- Tie. Yamaha offers a IFS/IRS in Big Bear model too but everything larger in CC than Big Bear you can only get IFS/IRS. Hondas ride smooth as well.
Electrical- Tie. This is #1 reason not to buy Polaris/Artic Cat/Suzuki/Kawaski
Ground Clearance- Tie

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[lariverdog]

We bought brand new Big Bears 3 years ago (450 and a 550). They have been fantastic. The only reason we got them was our 1995 and 1996 Big Bear 3504x4 got stolen. I had no idea how much things had improved over time.

We can do so much more with the bigger plus having the ability to engage in and out of 4x4 is amazing. Mine (550) is fuel injected and that also is a nice plus.

My only regret is not getting the power steering but money has to come into play somewhere. I was able to get the real tree camo for no charge, fyi.

I used Hall's in Mobile, but shopped the place in Hattiesburg against one another.