New member, and new to the sport - need advice.

[steelheader13]

I am thinking hard about purchasing my first ATV and was looking for some advice. 

Now before you start selling me "Your Baby" or "Your lightly used but never abused cream puff", let me tell you a few things about my wife and I.

Our first ATV will be ridden by both of us (only at the same time if it is built for it). 

I will probably upgrade in the near future and pass the first one on to the wife.

We want a UTILITY version, so don't bother sending me links to your speed racer.  Speed is not that important. 4 X 4, automatic would be preferable, as the wife is bound to be a real gear grinder.

It is a very confusing sport to break into, as it seems that no manafacturer makes the perfect machine.  (Don't be upset, I know you "think" your brand is the best, it just seems that most ATV's have some advantages and disadvantages over another.  And going to our local dealers is too tough to decipher the BS. 

So far, I like the Suzukis, Hondas and Yamahas in a 400-500 cc range.  Budget is important.  RIDE quality is very important!  I am not sure how important power steering, GPS and all kinds of other things are. 

USED or NEW - another big    These things used can look great, but mechanically can be a wreck.  Submerged every weekend in mud or water, no maintenance, etc.

I will stop here as I do not want to overwhelm everyone like I have been.

Thanks for your advice.

[rancher1]

I have a honda 420 4x4 and its a nice bike for the price.Artic cat makes one thats made for two and some you can buy the extra seats for them.I know honda because thats about the only kind i have had and had good luck with it.I did do some research first and shopped around. .And yes there are some great bikes out there just test ride alot of them.

[Da_Mtg_Man]

It sounds like you've already done some research. I tell you that all of the brands that you mentioned make great machines. No machine is all around perfect but if I had to pick one that is then it would be the Suzuki. The Eiger 400 is a great quad as is the Vinson. I know several people that have had them (and still do) and they are indestructable.
Honda's have always been known for their reliability and are fantastic quads but they seem to lack on comfort.
Yamaha's are also great but my opinion is that it is 3rd in line to the other 2 mentioned. I am strictly talking about the 400-500 cc quads here.

I've had the Honda Foreman the Suzuki KQ and by far the KQ was a much more comfortable ride.

[eldiablo64]

you may be able to find a new one thats last years model at a discounted price thats what I did.just shop around the different dealers.

[fastrnrik]

Yeah, come on up to the dealer in Ocala. The salesmen will be waiting....

[rancher1]

  So true shop around.test ride test ride

[brocker]

Hey, steelheader.  I recently got back into riding and had the same dilemma.  I bought the Suzuki Eiger.  I shopped around and got a new 2007 out the door for around $4500.  It's an automatic 4x4 and does about everything I need it to.  My wife also likes to ride it.  My 60yo parents also just got back in to the sport.  My Mom also went with the Eiger.  My Dad went with the CanAm Outlander 400 Max.  It is a legal two up machine and is a little fancier than the Suzuki.  It has independent rear suspension and rides like a luxury car even with two adults on it.  Hope this helps.

[MichalFL]

I'm currently selling 3 utility quads and 1 possibly sounds perfect for what you need.

2006 Yamaha Kodiak 400 4X4 Automatic:
http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,32613.0.html

Also the other 2 just in case...:

2006 Yamaha Grizzly 660 4X4 w/ diff lock Automatic:
http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,32903.0.html

2003 Kawasaki Prairie 360 2X4 Automatic:
http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,32612.0.html

-Mike
Feel free to contact me with any questions!

[steelheader13]

What is an expected number of hours/miles per year on an ATV in the style I am searching for.

Also, does the forum suggest buying used and a larger outlay of cash, or a new one with monthly payments?  Personal preference, I would lean towards buying outright,
but the abuse that some machines are put through leads me to a warranty and payments of $125-$150/month or less.

What kind of insurance rates do you folks pay?  Clueless here.  Have owned and insured boats, but not sure the cost of an ATV.  Before I buy, I will call my insurer.

[bocephus300]

i perfer new also.. you dont want someone else's problem. hondas are excellent machines but the ride quality is horrible. yamaha makes some nice models, but seem underpowered in that class. those suzukis are good all around. if you want to spoil yourself go with the outlander 400 max verson.

[MedicMudder]

If riding comfort is important than you want independent suspension,Polaris sportsmen 400-500 like riding a couch!!!!!! Swing arm rear end are great for sliding but ride kinda hard (for me).Riding is great!!fun for the whole family.

[Fox17]

in the last 4 years me and my dad have bought 27 or 28 (starting to lose count) bikes. Not one was new except for 1 street bike. out of all those bikes, we have only had one problem that was a result of abuse from the previous owner and that was the 2nd bike we bought. we just didnt know as much then. we are picky about buying them though. ask them about maintenance, check the oil, make sure there is nothing visibly wrong that would cause problems. ride it, make sure it sounds good and rides good. make sure its very very clean. people that take very good care of them are really good at keeping them clean after a ride. i personally am not planning on buying a new bike ever. i do all the work on ours and all too so that helps. if something goes wrong, i fix it. not a stealer.

[backwoods boy]

if you want reliability go with a honda foreman 500 probably undisputably the most reliable bike out there right now
if you want ride quality go with any quad with independant rear suspension and a good seat the yamaha big bear 400 is a bad mud/trail bike from the factory
that aside i bought my brute force new and got a 5 year warranty with it its nice not to worry about any problems but i also have a couple used bikes that have treated me good as well in the end its up to you if you dont know how to work on em you'd probably spend the difference from used to new in 1 or 2 repairs

[Keeter]

If riding comfort is important than you want independent suspension,Polaris sportsmen 400-500 like riding a couch!!!!!! Swing arm rear end are great for sliding but ride kinda hard (for me).Riding is great!!fun for the whole family.

Polaris by far has the best ride. Do a Google search. The suspension is soft and so is the seat. The Polaris is a heavier bike than most, I think the heaviest, this means bumps ad humps wont throw you around and shake your kidneys loose or leave your arms and shoulders sore. Easy riding is what a Polaris is all about. Plus they have the most storage space available from the factory. AND, they have a two seater. What more could you want.   Don't listen to people who would tell you to stay away from a belt driven automatic. A lot of people knock the belts driven bikes. Polaris has a lifetime warranty on the belt. If you pick the right gear for the situation the belt will last the life of the bike. A little more expensive than the other bikes but well worth the price in ride quality alone.

[m0n0x1d3]

I am also a polaris Fan.
Go take a look at the new 500 touring models,they are realy nice
Also there are UTV's wich is what I just purchased for myself and the wife.
These are also called side by sides.
We also have a Polaris 800 twin wich is like riding a cadilac.
Anyways Goodluck and welcome to the sport

[steelheader13]

Polaris is very nice, the belt drive worries me a little. I am really leaning towards a Suzuki King Quad 450 AXI 4X4 Auto, as my plan is to upgrade in the future and pass it on to my wife.

I have looked at all makes/models, but $$ is important.

I also like the Grizzly 450 4X4 IRS Auto.