First ATV recommendations...

[MDGrand]

So I think I have made the decsion after toying around with the idea for a while now that I am going to step up and get an ATV.

So.. this would be my first ATV and I could use some recommendations.

I have been looking new and used, a year or two old one would be just fine as long as its in good shape, etc. I could save a little money though. BUT, given what an ATV is used for, perhaps its best to just buy new.

So.. I have read a bunch about Polaris, Honda, Yamaha, etc..

What brand do you guys recommend?..

What must have options should I be looking for?

Any and all info appreciated

[MtnMuley]

Look for a used Honda Rancher.  They will go anywhere and haul anything out.  I own 3 and have never had a thing go wrong with any.  I'd shop around for a used one.  Should be able to pick one up up in great shape for less than $3K.   Can-Am, Yamaha, and Suzuki are also good bets.  I'd stay away from Arctic Cat and Polaris.  They make some of the best sleds, but also make the most problemsome, tippy  ATVs out there.

[Soldier5]

Completely agree with MtnMuley. You can't go wrong with a Honda Rancher. My parents have owned two since I was a Junior in High School and my Dad, little brother and I have spared no abuse for those bikes. They still run great and have only needed a few minor repairs. I'm 25 now to give you an idea of how long they've owned them. And Just like MtnMuley said, stay away from Polaris. They'll break down on you for looking at them wrong.

[GoldTip]

I would agree with MtnMuley as well, very hard to beat a used Honda rancher dollar for dollar and reliability wise.  Another good bet would be a used Yamaha Kodiak, 450cc bike.  Both the Rancher and the Kodiak will do anything you'd ever ask of either of them, and they are light and easy to move around as well.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Stay away from Polaris. I have a 2005 Sportsmen 500 that I have had nothing but problems with. They have an electronic module in them that was recalled because it will over heat and potentially burn down your quad or garage etc. I had it replaced because it went bad and would not charge the battery etc. I had less than 2hrs of run time on the new module when it did it again. Battery was not being charged, engine cooling fan ran even with the key off, etc. I took it to Smokey Pt Cycle barn and they would not replace it since it was replaced under the recall. I was MAD! It cost me a total of $440 parts and labor to get it fixed.  Apparently its a huge issue because the modules were on back order for 3mos.

A friend has a RZR that the rear axle keeps popping out of it. Apparently they did not machine the groove for the snap ring deep enough and it keeps popping the ring out. The rings are on back order... tells you something...

[kirkl]

  Polaris has that belt drive to which sucks in my opinion. stick with shaft drive. quit a few hondas on craigslist for pretty good prices.

Look for a used Honda Rancher.  They will go anywhere and haul anything out.  I own 3 and have never had a thing go wrong with any.  I'd shop around for a used one.  Should be able to pick one up up in great shape for less than $3K.   Can-Am, Yamaha, and Suzuki are also good bets.  I'd stay away from Arctic Cat and Polaris.  They make some of the best sleds, but also make the most problemsome, tippy  ATVs out there.

[SemperFidelis97]

Since it hasnt been asked are you looking for a utility, or sport ATV.  Utility ATV's usually are very user friendly, and a great start.  I personally prefer sport quads for a fun ride they are allot more rough because of stiffer suspension, but they are way lighter to offset that you feel more like you are in control.  Honda has a 250 sportrax that has a sportclutch which gives you the option to ride it as an automatic, or a manual my kids both ride them they are fantastic bikes very light easy handling.  We also have 2 kawasaki utility quads which have been bulletproof, and great workhorses.  They are very good for long casual rides with the softer suspension that the utility ATV's provide.  We also have a YFZ 450 sport quad which is great fun, but not for the beginner at all.  Dont feel like you need to get the biggest, and fastest thing out there though a salesman will make you think you do.  I think allot of people new to the sport get suckered into buying the newest biggest fastest thing out there which they either end up wrecking, or scaring the hell out of themselves leaving the sport forever.  In the end there are different ATVs for different riding styles you will have to decide which fits you best.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've got a 2008 Can-am 650 XT. Rides like a caddy. Lots of power.

[Pathfinder101]

nothing to add here, just want to watch the thread because I am thinking about getting one too...

[trophyhunt]

Don't get the 07 yamaha grizzly 700, I have one and have had nothing but problems with something!!! just had the stater replaced, new battery, new rectifier which all cost over 550 dollars and just 20 min ago I went out to start it and it's dead!!!!!!! WTF!! I had my neighbor check the battery and the charging system  after I got it back from enumclaw yamaha and everything was charging fine that was 2 weeks ago. I couldn't tell which quad is the best, but that year yamaha can blow me. I love the power steering though, look for that in a quad.

[C-Money]

My wife and I have had great luck with our Hondas. We have a 05 recon and a 07 Rancher. We bought them both brand new. My wife wanted to begin riding and I wanted a little bigger atv, so now we are set! I like HONDA!

[sebek556]

i have two polaris 500's mine is a 99 only ever changed fuilds and spark plugs other than rebuilt the carb this year hell it's 12 years old!i keep waiting for the day I have to rebuild it but it still runs great so never have. my wifes is a 10 and no problems to report. My cus has a 08 800 two up and no problems with his either. My dad has a 07 honda rubicon and my old polaris will out pull it and out run it. he has not had any problems with his either. The ride on the rubicon is softer and has more suspesion travel for off road. the polaris has more power.

[Klyne3]

my other half has a honda recon works great for us around the house and also on trails. light enough to pull a wheelie on it  but for speed I blow it away with my yamaha warrior, but thats a given with a sports vs utility. My 8 yr old rides the recon and has worked well with started to teach him how to shift since its semi auto. but like it was mentioned before you need to figure out if you want sport or utility

[TheHunt]

I had two honda recons and I have sold both of them because no one road them any more.  I used them elk hunting but they could not pull the hill I needed it to with a full elk on it.  The clutch was squeeling because of the weight.  I was just asking too much of the little quad.

If I got another I would get a 450 honda or a 700 yamaha griz...  I personally think you can not go wrong with either one of those.

[MDGrand]

I will be using it for hunting pretty much exclusively
 I want something with good low end torque and utility.

So far I have heard Honda Honda Honda
... Noted