I am scouting around for my first ATV. I have been through the overkill of looking at Rincons, Grizzleys and the like and finally figured out that I would like a versitle 400-450 utility for trail riding and working around the house.

i live in central PA and the area has lots of hills so engine braking is a must. I was looking at the Honda Rancher AT with 4WD and the new Hondamatic? tranny.

I am wondering what else is available that I can compare it to?

jim!

 

I haven't ridden a Rancher AT so I can't say how it would do. The Foreman 450 has great engine braking. I've ridden down very steap and long declines without having to touch the brakes. The AT should do very well.

Why buy a 400 quad when you can get a 450 for less money?

 

I have ridin the formen 450 also. It has great engine braking and all the mainance they had to do with them is change the oil. ANd the owners of these formens beat the hell outa them. The have fliped them, rolled them. And they are still working and running strong. We wheelie them alot to. But they are hard to tip, their realy stable.

 

For a first quad, I would recommend going as cheaply as possible to fit what you think you needs
are now, because you needs may well change in 6 months. Most of us aren't totally satisfied with
our very first quad. It won't do what we want it to do 6 or 12 months later. You may get into mudding
or rock crawling, or dedide you want to go real fast down the trails.

Why not look around for a good used first quad? A year from now you may totally change your mind on what you want it to do.

But as a added note, if you must have new, look at the Yamaha Bruin. It is a 350 that runs like a 400, and it has a LOT of features for the money. High ground clearance, selectable 2w + 4w drive, good suspension travel, front disc brakes, ect.

I am not a Yamaha fan, but the Bruin looks like a real winner. Only drawback I see is belt drive.

 

Yeah but if he dose got into mudding or rock climbing he already has a good quad for it. And if he wants to go down the trails fast he can put some mods on it.

 

i agree the Bruin is a great quad u get alot for your buck if u buy the bruin

 

not to mention the 2wd model has been going OTD for $3700 and the
4WD at $4600. Pretty decent prices for what you are getting.

He may not need mods. It is very peppy for a 350, more so than
my Rancher. Plus it has a real good turn radius - 9.5'

 

Well, believe it or not, I went with a very slightly used 2004 Outlander 400. The dealer was great and very motivated to move it. I got a chance to ride the Bruin, Kodiak, Sportsman, AC and Outlander over the same 2 mile trail and I was very happy with the Outlander's ride for what I would like to do.

The price was very right and now I'm ready to roll!

Thanks guys for the suggestions and willingness to help.

Jim!

 

Sounds like you did your homework. I hope you like it. Have fun riding.

 

Conratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of 4 wheeling.
You will have a blast! Guarranteed. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]