I am looking to get an ATV and I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions as to what the best deals out there are. I had a 95 polaris 400
2x4 and it was a good machine until the shifter starting giving me trouble, then in 2001 I bought a brand new 450 Honda Foreman ES and it was a great machine. I sold that one back in 2004 and I havent had one since, go married and didnt need one. Now I am ready to get back into trail riding and since I bought a new truck I will not be using it to run into the woods while I am hunting. So I am looking for a good utility 4x4 ATV, something that has enough power to pull my but around, 6'2" 270lbs. I have started looking at new ones, but for the money that they are wanting for them I could just buy a used jeep. So I would really like to find something used in the >$5k-4500k range, less would be better of course. What do you guys think?
Also, I would like something that I can take my wife out with me on, but I am not sure if I need to spring for a x2 seater or not, what do you think?

 

I would say go with a larger bore utility quad. It really depends are you a dude who likes to take his quad in a corner and shoot out of it sideways on the rear tires or do you ride moderately? If you are a shoot rider, go with a straight axle IE Twin Peaks 700 ah heck man theres a few of them out there. For your size and poss riding a spare body don't get anything under 600 IMO. If you are a moderate rider look into a Independant suspensioned atv. Man those things are so smooth just IMO they suck for riding aggressive shooting corners and stuff. IE 750 Brute Force, even now they have all the quads in I-suspension. Only a few are made with straights, I dunno im a straight kinda guy I love shooting corners and jumping and the I's are just horrible for me in those areas.

As far as prices If I had 4500$ to spend on a quad right now I could pretty much have my choice of atv. At least around here there going pretty cheap. Oh the yamaha grizzles have alot of things not yet on other quads but they are a smaller utility they are still 700cc but just smaller framed quads i personally love em but I dunno bout riding doubles.

hope this helps.

 

I bought a used 2003 yamaha Grizzly about a year ago for 4,000. It has been great. It has the 660 motor so has plenty of power. I highly recomend it.

 

x2 on the grizzly, had a 98 and a 02 both were great. I never had a lick of trouble out of them, and they will go just about anywhere you point them.

 

definitely go with the grizzly. The hard choice would be between the 660 and 700 but for your price range it looks like a 660 would be better.

 

Polaris 850XP- big,fast and rides like a Bentley!

 

i have put mine through alot. It has always gotten through what i put it through except once but pretty much everyone that went through the hole had to get pulled out. Just put some good mud or all terrain tires on it and it will go anywhere just about.

 

Whatever you do, get fuel injection!

I have a old Honda Rubicon and a new Brute Force... I am looking to sell my Rubicon cuz I hate having to start the thing.

 

The Grizzly's are descent but if you want a real bike then your going to want to go with the King!!!

Suzuki King Quad 700 EFI (they have a 750 now but I doubt you'll find one of those in your price range) IS, diff lock for true 4wd, rear brake is sealed and brake's the drive shaft not the axles, recommended service intervals on the rear brake is every 5000 miles per manufacturer recommendations. The motor is cantered forward and has a 38 degree pitch (I think it's 38) to it which creates a very low center of gravity making the bike extremely stable. Sit on any of the big quads then sit on the King and then you'll understand. The only negative that I feel is the fuel consumption. It's a hog but big deal right? You can still go over a 100 miles easily but how often will you do that in one riding session ya' know!

Mines a 05 and it's the best 4x I've ever ridden.

 

My 98 grizzly has everything you just said except the rear brake is on the axle. Sounds to me like Suzuki is several years behind the best. Mine also has a little leaver next to the seat that allows you to adjust how stiff the rear suspension is on the fly, works well for drastic changes in terrain or when someone else hops on behind you.

 

I have a 2001 Suzuki 500 4x4 QuadMaster bought brand new for $6000 and has never let me down yet.It gets used alot too.I like to be able to go from 2wd to 4wd drive.I hunt with it,trail ride, and also use it to mow the yard,and spray the vineyards.One thing to remember some of the newer ATV'S are so big they are hard to get around in the woods with unless you have trailed cleared the size of a road.

 

dude, go with a 660 grizzly. i got a 2005 and the thing is a beast. i mean we use that thing to no end. we pulled everything with it. from 5 peope in a wagon to 20foot long logs. through 2 feet of water or 4 feet of snow..its great. the only thing that went on it after 5000 miles of all terrain use was the cvboots. one day me and my friends went for a ride thrugh the woods. i had my atv and they were on foot. so they got tired, i told them to jump on, there was 2 on the front rack, 2 on the back rack. and me driving. between all 5 of us there had to be about 900 pounds on it and the thing had not a problem. go with the grizzly...i even do wheelies with mine for about 200 feet..lol

 

I second that on the fuel injection, I have a 09 Suzuki LTZ400 and it has FI and it rips. The power is always there every gear and it never hesitates. Great out of the turns..