So I am looking to purchase my first quad, I've ridden quads a little bit in the past so I do have some experience. I am 22 and am about 220 so I need a quad that can handle me and possible another female rider occasionally.

I am looking to purchase a used quad, but my friend works for a Honda motorsports dealer and hes trying to convince me to get a brand new quad. I dont think I want to do that because I'll prob be riding the quad through mud, over rocks, at the sand dunes etc... and a brand new bike is just to pretty!

Any advice or tips on purchasing my first quad are welcome. I am basically looking for a reliable quad, good get up and go, decent appearence, comfortable etc.

By the way,
I currently have my eye on a couple Honda 400EXs being advertised locally that are used. They are both 2005's with low hours and they are all stock. They are priced around 3k.. and there is a couple 450rs for sale aswell but a little more pricey.

My price limit is around $3000.

Thanks guys

 

your definition of a quad it a sport wheeler right? haha i have a friend that calls 4x4 wheelers quads and it drives me nuts!!! the price on those 400ex's doesnt sound to bad, i had a raptor 350 when i was younger it was fun when i was younger but as i got older and heavier it lost its edge haha and i was never really impressed with the durability, i had to go through and replace the bearings in the rear swing arm and the axle bearings, it got so bad i could jack it up and shake the rear axle up and down like a half inch up and down at the wheels, the bigger raptors were beasts but in the days that they were 660's i heard of two different cases where the backbone on the frame cracked, not sure if the problem was fixed when Yamaha went to the 700 engine, if i ever get back into a quad id probably look at a Honda 450, or an older bombardier DS 650, they stopped making the DS 650 but they are still pretty pricey most that i see for sale are hooked up with a bunch of extra racing stuff, but i would say anything from 450 up would be a great choice for you, but even the 400s your looking at might not be bad either but its like anything else, if you settle for less, in the long term you might wish you would have sprung for the bigger displacement, good luck in your quest!

 

There really isnt much room on most sport quads for 2 riders. There definately isnt on my Outlaw 500.
Theres usually a bit more room on the 4x4's.

Id look at buying a new leftover model. I bought my '07 at the end of September of '08 and got a good deal on it. I financed it thru Polaris and it only costs me $69 per month and thats with interest factored it already.

Buying used youre taking a big risk because people beat the hell out of these things.

I never once worried about getting mine dirty and usually its dirty more than its clean. Its got its fair share of scratches and chipped paint but I know its all from me. I also know how its been used and how its been taken care of.

 

GRIZZLY!!!! i love mine

little more than 3k though

 

Thanks for the replies fellas.

I definetely am looking for a sport quad. I like Honda's line of quads... and seeing that one of my friends work for Honda, I may talk to him about buying one new because I definetely dont want to buy one thats been ridden to hell.

I never knew you could finance them for that low of a payment, definetely is managable!

 

I have a can-am renegade 500.. it's a little of both sport and 4x4.. real comfortable and can keep up with the smaller raptors.. a bit pricey though.

 

Get a Brute Force 750, it is called a 'sport utility' quad. I have one and I bought it with the money I got from my Raptor 700r I sold.

I would say in a straight line, stock vs stock, the raptor700 would win but not by a whole lot...

 

i would love to get a raptor for my first quad but i may end up wanting a utility quad as my first. trail riding is something i am interested in rather than sport riding in the dirt.

 

Well, no matter what you can only go so fast in the woods. I have rode with 90 model Honda 350's that would keep right with my kfx700 built for racing. Now on a drag they had no chance but in the woods yeah its about 35tops here in Western NC.

I do not like the 400 or 300ex, I think they have a horrible center of gravity. Very shaky from the top, thats just my opinion though.

Id say go with a scrambler or trailblazer for your first ride. You should be able to find one under 3grand that is very nice. Best thing is they are automatic, have the power to move and you can haul someone else on it if needed. When it comes to find one, things are easy to point out. They have a combo of AWD and straight axle atving. I would not recommend a Independent suspension four wheeler for anything hehe (no offense).

 

If you're going to be riding someone on the back do NOT get a 400ex or any sport quad for that matter. The front ends on them are just too light. However a 400ex is a nice quad and is reliable. I have a 300ex that I have beaten to death and it still runs like new.

I never had a problem with center of gravity on mine, always seems stable to me. Only problem I've had is there is damn near no ground clearance and get high centered a lot.

 

Why not? My Outlaw with IRS is awesome on trails and it doesnt get hung up on ruts and other things that straight axle quads do.

 

I used to have a 2005 Polaris sportsman 400 and 700. The 700 was alot more fun. If I was to get another one I would get a 700+ nothing like having enough power to get you going through some nasty things. It may just be me but ide get the biggest cc one you can get they are just more fun but usually cost more than $3000....

 

In my book you have two choices. One a 450 (from any manufacture) or a Yamaha 700 which is my favorite. I also like Yamaha's 450 but in the 450 you can go with just about anything. I hate the way the Honda quads look but that's just my opinion

 

I know it isn't a "quad" but i have to post my 2 cents. i have a 2005 and a 2008 polaris 500 h.o. without fuel injection. my 2005 has a front brush guard, detachable windshield, back rack, warn winch, and plow that hooks up below the chassis. my 2008 has a back and front bumper guard, detachable windshield, warn winch, and plow that hooks up like a truck snow plow...they go about 60 maxed out and they are TANKS complete with independent rear suspension. i would recommend these atv's to anyone no matter if you're looking for a "quad" or full blown utility. they are both automatics and 60 is fast enough for me without a roll cage attached. i am 6'4" and about 230 and they have plenty of throttle response. my newest one cost $6,800 out the door with all the attachments and a cover and it's farm use so no taxes. absolutely no problem getting them started in cold weather and are super easy to handle, both my mom and fiance love going riding on them! here are a couple of pics...good luck!

 

If you are getting a Honda get the 450r. Dont waste your money and time on a 400ex because you will want something bigger in a few months. I have a 250ex and my dad has a brute force 650 and they are both still in good condition after all the beating we put them through haha. FYI the brute force's have alot of get up and go, especially the 750s. Riding 2 on a sport(comfortably)...well you can forget that. Me and my gf ride my 250 double and it is alright but I do only weigh 130 and she around 115.