They truly only make larger CC bikes worth mentioning. Everything they have below 650cc is a joke, horribly outdated design and subpar performance. That said the larger bikes are very nice and perform well

 

Opinions on ATVs are like mods on our trucks, everyone has their preference. Me, I like Yamaha. I've got a 2008 Grizzly 700. I don't get to ride it as much as I'd like, but for the times that I have been able to ride, it's been a blast. No, it is not a sport bike. I wanted an all-around general purpose machine, and w/ 686 cc's, it's got more than enough power to feel like a sport bike.

Prior to the Grizz, I mainly rode on my dad's Kodiak 450. Again, a good bike. We used it around the property pulling a tow-behind brush cutter. It never had any problems, ran cool, and had plenty of power. My uncle has a Honda, and I wouldn't trust it for a full day of riding. We had a family reunion at his house and everyone did some riding around his property. After maybe a couple of hours, his Honda was making all kinds of noises. My dad's Kodiak was purring like a kitten.

So, yeah, I'm a Yamaha devotee. But as to advice, go to a dealer and sit on a bunch of models in the size range you like. See what feels good. Compare options. If you want to do trails, you may want to look at 4x4s. As far as I know, only Can-Am (Renegade 500 and 800) and Yamaha (Wolverine 450) make 4x4 in their sport quad lines.

Other than that, other things I can tell you are get a good helmet and some good gloves. Most states have updated their laws concerning riding ATVs and a helmet is required now. If you want to go to trails like Hatfield-McCoy in West Virginia, I think the minimum gear required is helmet, gloves, and boots (don't have to be MX boots, I ride in an old pair of combat boots). OH, and the mod bug for ATVs is almost as adictive as it is for F-150s.

Good Luck!!!

 

My vote goes for Yamaha.
I've had a Big Bear 350 since...96 I think.. Anyway, it has around 6000 miles and zero problems.
I've also had a Big Bear 400 since 04 with around 1000 miles now and no problems with it either.
The only thing I've ever had to do is change a spark plug once in a while.

 

X2

My choice is the Grizzly. I have a 660, but the new 700 is pretty sweet. Proven machine.

 

I recommend staying away from anything with belt drive, such as the Polaris's... Brand new, I've seen several bikes get in the muck and the belt starts slipping. Personally, I love a gearbox, if I'm in gear and un-clutched, I know power is going to the wheels, no slippage, no slop. I'm very partial to Yamaha personally, but I haven't ridden many other brands. I know my heavily modded Warrior will run with most 500 cc quads. But again, for light trail cruising, a Raptor 350 would be a great quad. Just try not to hit too much muck...

 

We have 3 polaris sportsman ATVs (90cc, 400cc, 500cc) and a Kawasaki bayou (250cc) on the ranch, and our hunting ATV is a camo yamaha grizzly (400cc).

The kawasaki has given us the most problems. It is a 2wd with a manual tranny.

The larger Polaris rigs are VERY nice and we use them for ranchwork, they work hard and have been very reliable. Both are armed with 4x4, winches, hitches etc. We use them to pull trailers around, winching trees out of the rivers, you name it.

I love our yamaha too. Excellent bike, we use it for duck hunting. Very good in the mud, can handle a surprisingly large amount of weight and can tow decently. The best part about it though, by far: It fits in the bed of my pickup WITH THE TAILGATE UP. I love it.

 

this is all great feedback.

thanks guys!

 

When shooping only consider one that only one adult has been riding.
and maintenance ofcourse.
I didn't know what "Adult riden" meant untill I got my stepson. No concept of mechanicals and care.

 

sounds like a "lady driven" car... never seen an oil change, etc

 

I've been riding a Polaris Predator for about 3 years now and had no problems with it. I will be the first to agree it's not the fastest quad out there, is heavy, and is very cold natured, but I think every quad has it's issues. Do some research and very importantly, sit on the different options and see how they all feel. They all are a bit different and some are more comfortable than others. As others have said, if you get something over 400cc your going to have more than enough power and speed to do anything you want and then some.

 

I am pretty bias towards Arctic Cat seein how I own one. In the Midsize class I would have to the Caned Ham 500 auto is pretty nice quit nimble but the visco locker is dumb. The Arctic Cat 500 comes in Manual or Auto both are good but if you like the mud 500m is a hoss in the mud. The Grizzly 450 is pretty nice not as much power as I would ( my dad has one well a Kodiak). Honda Foreman 500 is like your old man 4wheeler not really a mudder this is only 500cc class bike that is STILL SRA. Polaris 500 auto is nice they break pretty easy went pushed real hard.

Basically go to your local dealers and sit on one drive it if you can. We can tell you all about the 4wheelers and there ups and downs. But its you that has to drive it so get out and get your tush on a seat.

 

SCOT1981? what the hell are you talking about? Honda has one of the most reliable bike/atvs made. If not the most reliable. Not only can I say this from personal experience, but please inform me on what brand is mostly used in motox 4 stroke? The biggest competitors are. You say polaris is decent? Worst damn quads made. Only in the last years have the become decent. Like a KIA almost. I guess if you own one you can always say eh, its gets me where I'm going. Then I chuckle at you.

MotoX
http://www.browsequeen.com/index.php...bafuvc_erfhygf

Depending on year and class looks like the top to me are yamaha, suzuki, honda, or KTM.

AMA
http://www.browsequeen.com/index.php...ebff_Punzcvbaf

Looks like Honda, kawasaki and suzuki. This list of AMA is probably better since sponsorship for amatures has less influence on who wins and who gets the best parts. Its mostly a bunch of guys riding ***** and **** out. To me looks like honda or kawasaki is pure winner.

RIDE RED... BE A WINNER !

Honda is the brand you crave.

Honda has been known in all of its markets for reliability. Not always the fastest, but it wont leave you 15 miles out in the mud and snow wishing you were on a honda.

I owned an xr200r and a cr250r. Both best bikes I ever had. My buddy owns a 125 yamaha. Lame.

I know this isnt about moto, bikes, but the name carries over.

 

03 350 Rancher 4x4. 27x12x12 outlaws with 2 1/2' lift. 1 1/2' wheel spacers and port and ploished head. one bad mother.

 

You seem to be discussing the racing/motorcross series bikes while my comments were based specifically on the performance of the Utility quad line. I also did not comment on Honda's reliability, I only commented on performance. In the utility quad segment Honda has ignored the new features that make the bikes capable.


Last regarding reliability they probably are more reliable, although my riding buddy has 2 and each has had to go into the shop 2x last year.
I am in no way impressed with this bike and I am constantly dragging him out of holes my stock bike makes it through

 

J I am an atv/motorcycle fanatic like many on here. It all breaks down to two things. Sport or Utility. Once you've decided which way your going to go (which seems to be sport) than you can starting breaking down brands. In your case I probably would start with what I call the BIG 4. Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda. Any of these 4 brands are reliable. Your going to get ppl saying the this one is better than that one (similar to our trucks and Toyo and chevy, Nissan, etc.) Now that we are working with the BIG 4, start looking for your size. If you need and further help, let me know and I will guide you the best I can.