Looking to buy a used ATV in the very near future. I've ridden some friends so general operation is known.

Now, shower me with information on maintenance, online stores for gear, tips, tricks, mods, etc...

 

I don't think I have seen a broader request on this site. It's like, "Tell me everything you know about US History".

Depending upon which quad you get, there is a website similar to this one to talk about maintaining and modding them.

Accessory sites that I used to frequent were:

www.denniskirk.com
www.chaparral-racing.com
www.rockymountainatv.com
www.motorcycle-superstore.com
www.bobscycle.com

 

What brand are you leaning towards and what type of riding do you do or want to do?

 

Here's a bit more specific info

Will be some trailriding in the summer. Will be taking it camping but that will be in the truck to a OHV park or two. It will be used for getting me to the dove hunting spots and I'll be hunting pheasant from the atv itself (leagal in TX). Hunting will be prarie grass and cut corn and/or wheat. No woods or hills to speak of.

I'm not really tall but ample in size 260lbs so it'll have to be big enough to yank me around. however trying to stay small enough that it'll fit in the truck without taking my toolbox out. I know that anything will be riding on the tailgate. As far as measuring it's looking like max will be about a 400.
As far as price I'm probably going to be looking at used. I don't want to finance anything so out the door budget is right at $4,000.

Hoping for a 4x4 but starting to think that I might can get away with a 2x4.
It will need to be a utility type with racks.

I looked at a couple small newer atv's but not sure I want to go that route. I've never been one to buy new even with trucks. looked at Honda fourtrax recon 250 and a suzuki ozark 250. Hit's close to price range but dang they're awfully small.

 

Just make sure you give it a good look over. Check for slack in anything from the wheelbearings, cv boots, brakes, even check for slack in the handlebar shaft. Check for milk in differentials, crankcase. Check brake fluid and brakes. If they have been in the mud alot I would steer clear of it.

Good luck

 

This is the bike for you. One of the most capable bikes you'll find. I bought this bike brand new in Nov 03' and had it until fall of 07'(loaned it to a buddy for a ridding trip and he hit a tree, totaled it) and it did it all. It's a Suzuki Vinson 500. I know you said 400 class or there abouts but you can never have too much power. It was great on gas, 4wd, straight axle, comfortable, preloaded shocks w/5 levels of adjustment, descent front and rear storage compartments with the front being a dry storage compartment, and most of all, dependable. Weighs 602lbs and would fit in the 6.5 bed. Push button 4wd and you can get them in auto or manual. This one also has the best lighting system I have ever seen. You will find a bunch of used bikes for sale of kinds but notice you don't see many of these for sale. Why? Because their great. If my buddy hadn't of totaled it I would still own this one. I've had Honda's, Yamaha's, and Suzuki's. The Honda Foreman 450 was nice but of all of them hands down this was the best.

 

Having a ranch and needing quads for work and such, we've owned just about all of them at one point in time. The best so far have been the Polaris Sportsman and the Yamaha Grizzly. Both excellent quads that work hard, take a ton of abuse, and need little maintenance.

 

I like the Polaris Sportsman 800 its pure workhorse and the best riding , For all all out speed and fun the Brute Force 750 no doubt. Trust Me ive had them all. Right now I have a Polaris RZR and love it I will never go back to an atv.

 

Raptor 700

 

If u dont mind buying used this thing is a power house im 220 lbs and it pulls me around like a rag doll.

 

Nvm i thought u were looking for a sport quad

 

Yamaha Grizzly. Cant go wrong with a Yamaha.

 

Actually looking at an 04 Polaris 400 Sportsman 4x4 tomorrow.
Farmers here are snapping up 4x4 quads like hotcakes here with diesel prices like they are. So, finding one at a resonable price is rough. This one seems to be in good shape. We'll see what it looks like and what it's like mechanicly tomorrow.

 

I have a Foreman 500 with 26inch ITP Mud Lite XL's and a warn 3000lb winch. It also has a jet kit and a FMF aftermarket Pipe. It will run about 57mph and climbs over and through almost everything. I absolutely love it. I weight about 190 but my dad is in the 250lb range and still jerks him around easily.

 

We have a 04 Sportsman 500 4x4 and a 05 sportsman 400 4x4 currently, both with winches and separate trailers. Both have been worked very hard on the ranch over the years and are still running very strong. An excellent quad, if you get the right price jump on it.

We also have a Kawasaki Bayou 250 4x2 and a Yamaha Grizzly 400 4x4.