Hey everyone I'm completely new to this but have really wanted an ATV for a while. I just found one I can afford and would really like some feedback about it, Id really appreciate it. He says it is a mid 90's suzuki LT 230 and he wants 700 for it. This is whats in the ad "This is a suzuki LT 230 4 wheeler, it is a mid 90's model. I took it on trade and trying to get my money out of it. Runs good. Needs a little TLC. But will make a good 4 wheeler." I've been emailing him and he says this about what it needs "The 4 wheeler is 230cc and is between adult and youth. Not as big as most adult 4 wheelers. But not small. Don't really know how fast. It has 4 gears forward and one reverse. I would guess 30 mph.As far as the 4 wheeler needs, Will need tires soon, and the cable for the back brakes that connects to the hand brake need work. And I am putting new rear brake pads on it. The cable really is not needed." I'm a fulltime student with not much money so I don't want to get into a hole, but I've been trying to find one for a while and this seems cheap enough for me. My questions are: is this atv too small for a 165 pound college student? How fast would it be able to go with me on it? Would the breaks be hard to fix with that cable?
I appreciate anybodys input, Ive ridden ATVS but Im still a novice buyer and need some advice before this big purchase, but if you think thats a minor repair and this is a good sized atv please let me know! Thanks so much
A picture of it is on this page http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/2335765035.html

 

The posting is removed. the 230 will get up to around 50 or so. Should have 5 forward gears. Main problem with these is that poor maintenance leads to the chain coming off and breaking the engine cover in front of the front sprocket. How much for it?

 

Thanks for the reply! It is listed as 700 dollars and all he said was wrong was that it needed new tires soon and that the back brake that connects to the handbrake needs work, but theres still afoot brake right? And 50 mph for a 165lb guy is pretty good to me, I appreciate the help. Is there any way to prevent that from happening with the chain? Sorry I don't know too much and any help is great, thanks again. Also he said it shifts 4 forward and 1 reverse, so Im guessing thats 5 speed transmission?

 

yes, there is still a foot brake. it is pretty quick for a small 4wheeler, they like to wheelie pretty easy too. the problem with the chain is from the swingarm and axle bearings getting slop in them and from the chain being too tight or too loose. the bearings are pretty cheap to replace. they also make a guard that will prevent it from busting the cover. it should be 5forward plus 1 reverse, thats how my 85 is. i would offer him $500 and see if he takes it

 

there are a couple different lt230 bikes. the lt230s (there was an lt230e model which was the s model with electric start) is a sport bike. i have 12/39 gears on it and it tops out at almost 60. they also made a lt230 utility that was shaft drive, electric start and NO rear suspension. it had a 5spd gearbox and reverse though.
http://images1.americanlisted.com/nl...ne_8454018.jpg
thats the shaft. you can check my album for the s model. good luck with everything.

 

The reason that ad was porbably flagged was because he said it was from 1995. I think the last year for those quads was 1990. If I where you before you buy it, drain the oil and check for metal shavings in the filter and the oil. I didn't and I looked at my filter too late and there where shavings of the rod bearing in my filter. Good thing I got a good deal on an lt250s engine. Also, check for smoke while its running. If its smoking out the exhuast, just stay away because its going to cost you more to fix than its worth. Also, check to make sure ther eare no welds or cracks in the engine. Welds are fine as long as they are done good and correct.

 

Thanks for the help, I told him to meet me half way so It would be hard to check the oil in it but can you explain what to look for in the exhaust? I'm going to testride it ofcourse before I buy, but are you saying just while it idles there should be zero smoke coming out of the exhaust? Or are you saying just if it smokes more than usual then avoid it? And I would probably purchase that guard for the chain before I even take it offroad. As far as the price goes, I am trading a .357 smith and wesson 686 magnum revolver I got for cheap plus 300 bucks to equal the 700, would that be worth it? I couldn't find any 4wheelers over 200cc for less than this amount, that is why I ask. Also it is kind of sketching me out that the ad got flagged, on the ad he said its mid 1990's but I dont know why they would flag for something like that. Let me know, thanks in advance!

 

You buy it?