First ATV recommendations...

[jeepasaurusrex]

I will never buy another Polaris because they will not stand behind their product that had a defect from the factory and will not fix it.

[7mag.]

I will never buy another Polaris because they will not stand behind their product that had a defect from the factory and will not fix it.

That is crap. I've never had to deal with thier customer service, I bought mine used. If you can't stand behind a product, then don't sell it.

[bearhunter99]

This thread will go on forever unless it gets locked.  Kind of like asking Ford or Chevy or Dodge    I personally have two Grizzly's and have had zero problems and been places no quad probably should have been (not illegally or off road) but it takes on the deep snow like you wouldn't believe.  My brother had two Honda's in Alaska and they didn't stand up to the trail riding and creek crossing very well.  I chose the Grizzly for the ground clearance and four wheel lockers.  Of course the very next year they came out with power steering

If you are going to buy new, the last day of July is a really good time to buy the prior years model.  At the end of July there are two crunches,
1.  End of the month sales quota
2.  End of the year sales.  My understanding when I bought my quads is that the new models come out in the fall and the August 1st inventory at the dealership for prior year stock helps determine how many of the new model year they will be able to get.

Good luck and just like everything else, try to ride a couple before you buy to see which one "feels" right, ergonomics and how they fit your body style will make a big difference at the end of a long day of riding.

[jeepasaurusrex]

I will never buy another Polaris because they will not stand behind their product that had a defect from the factory and will not fix it.

That is crap. I've never had to deal with thier customer service, I bought mine used. If you can't stand behind a product, then don't sell it.

I had less than 2hrs run time between break downs. 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

when you buy a polaris, you are paying for fancy storage compartments.

And polaris is not the only brand that has engine braking. the suzuki king quads do as well and it works just as well or better.  I have taken mine up things the Polaris, Yamaha and honda riders could not make it up.  and when you put it in 4 low you can crawl down anything with very little if any brake use.  seriously go ride one at a dealership and compare prices and you are getting may more for your money.  I havent seen to many hondas or polaris' that will do 70 mph ; )

[jeepasaurusrex]

My 500 will do 70, but I'm not dumb enough to ride it that fast since its not designed to handle at those speeds. It goes pretty much anywhere you need to go. The 4wd lockup helps a ton. Overall its not a bad quad, just wish that they would fix the issues they have with them.

[7mag.]

It's like Bearhunter99 said, it's like arguing Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge vs Toyota. They all have their pros and cons. And no matter how great an experience someone has with a particular make, someone else has had problems with the same one. No matter what make you buy, you'll probably like it, unless you get a lemon like Jeepasaurusrex did.

[norsepeak]

you need to go ride a few different one and see what you like.  I ride about 2000 mi. per year and I ride with a lot of folks on other brands/size etc, so I get the chance to compare mine and my wife's to others quite a bit.  If you go can-am, you can get best power in class, fuel injected, power steering, very plush suspension, excellent engine braking, CVT transmission, so no shifting.  Plus you can get a three year warranty too.  In my opinion, they are the best machines out there....that being said some of the other brands are very good too.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

you need to go ride a few different one and see what you like.  I ride about 2000 mi. per year and I ride with a lot of folks on other brands/size etc, so I get the chance to compare mine and my wife's to others quite a bit.  If you go can-am, you can get best power in class, fuel injected, power steering, very plush suspension, excellent engine braking, CVT transmission, so no shifting.  Plus you can get a three year warranty too.  In my opinion, they are the best machines out there....that being said some of the other brands are very good too.

The can am 450 will out perform most 750s or 700.  They are ridiculous, I mean they shift into 4 wd when the tires slip!  There are 4x4 trucks that don't have that feature!

[cohoho]

I have been riding ATVs for 25 years, started in the military with the 3 wheelers.  Went to several ATV Safety Institute Schools for training others to ride and did so during my career in the military.  They had all types and alot broke down.  I ran nothing but Polaris.  Had four prior to moving here a 2006-800, 2001-500, 2004- 400 and a 1999- 325.  I bought them all new at different years for me and the family to ride, except the 325 for the kids.  I ran the 500 for the whole time even over the 800 as I put that thing through some of the worst terrain possible, normally as the lead when we did trail rides with 20 plus other folks.  I liked it over the 800 for nimbleness and less weight.  I never had anything major with any of them- yea a couple belts here and there and a starter.  The 800 originally had a couple hiccups with the electronics.. The independent suspension for trails is awesome.  I sold all of them upon arriving here as the riding isn't the same nor the access.  Yea the belts can wear, easy change.  Although I would consider what my buddy has-  a Can Am 800- freaking fast and has balls like nothing else.  My 800 couldn't begin to keep up on the glacier river beds...  He loves it and swears by them. 

[CAMPMEAT]

I had a clutch kit put in my '08 650 XT Can-am. What a powerhouse. The hook up is at 1900 rpm's instead of 2300 rpm's. I'm 283 lbs and it will throw you off if you don't watch it.

[MHWASH]

I'm partial to Honda's, but will admit there are a lot more machines out there with more stuff.

For a first quad I would recommend something 500 or under. Those big machines are quite top heavy, and a new rider does not need all that power. I personally drive a Rancher 420, and it is all the machine I need. I've hauled elk out, double up with my wife, plow snow, and trial ride with it. For hunting and trail riding those big machines offer nothing other than speed.

[CAMPMEAT]

My wife has a 400 Can-am and it's perfect for her. Good on gas when out cruisin' .

[Gutpile]

We have 2 Suzuki Vinsons 03 and 05, a 98 Suzuki Quad runner, and an 03 Polaris Traiboss. For hunting, or hauling the Suzuki's are great machines. The Trailboss is ok but I dont really like the belt drive machines, I bought it for my daughter. I used to own a Yamaha many years ago and while it may have been a lemon it was a crappy enough machine that I'll never own another. POS!!!! Hondas are great, can ams are just too god damn big, Frankly I dont know squat about kawasakis but I almost bought one when I was shopping for my first. I have a friend with an 05ish Polaris that is in the shop more than on the trails with about 1500 miles, and another with a 04ish brute force that is having problems at about 1200 miles. My Vinsons have 3000+ and have had no problems whatsoever. Whatever you buy I'm sure it'll work for you. I really love Suzukis but apparently they'll be dropping the semi auto tranny as an option that I like so much and going fully auto. Guess i'll just wait and see what happens but if thats the case my next purchase will be a Honda for sure.

I suggest you visit the ATV forums and do a little research. If you get into riding you'll find that the huge machines cant go where the mid sized/ smaller ones can, they simply wont fit. We found this out ourselves while rididng at laird park a few weeks ago. The 600 barely made the ride as it was just too big. You'll also find that in certain areas of the country the Honda is king because of it's low center of gravity.

As far as size I'd really strongly recomend a 4-500. It'll do everything you want without the enormity of the 6,7,800's.

[Gutpile]

when you buy a polaris, you are paying for fancy storage compartments.

And polaris is not the only brand that has engine braking. the suzuki king quads do as well and it works just as well or better.  I have taken mine up things the Polaris, Yamaha and honda riders could not make it up.  and when you put it in 4 low you can crawl down anything with very little if any brake use.  seriously go ride one at a dealership and compare prices and you are getting may more for your money.  I havent seen to many hondas or polaris' that will do 70 mph ; )

Much better. And as far as speed, my vinsons outrun my buddies Polaris 500 Sportsmans HO.