Hi folks, I just bought a small farm and I find myself needing an atv to get around and do a few small jobs with. I really know nothing at all about atv's.

One of my BIGGEST questions is HOW BIG of an atv would I need???? Is 250 or 350 big enough?? I don't want anything to sluggish. I like to have plenty of power on my toys. I really don't know how capable the motors on atv's are. I am 230 lbs. The places I will be riding it are pretty hilly.

I think I would like one that is 4x4 just in case I need it for pulling power. I will be using it for towing only small loads on a trailer. I don't need anything that will fly either. Just something for utility work and having a little fun.

I am looking at a budget of MAYBE $4000. The only dealers I have close are honda, polaris, and yamaha. Also would I be better off to go with new or used on my budget. Thanks in advance to any and all for suggestions because I am really new to the atv scene.

 

Polaris Sportsman 400 would be great!

 

Personally I dislike automatics, expecially for a work machine! The Honda 450 Foreman is a time tested (autoclutch) work quad, with a great reputation.

http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/ut...elId=TRX450FM4

 

A great all around quad is the scrambler 500.....its more of a sportier look....loves the hills......great quad to play on..then when you need it for work or whatever..just engage the 4x4 and your ready to go...its very comfortable and it would fit your size very nice....get a new clutch kit for it and exhaust and you can have some meen low end torque...its an automatic...so if you want to shift gears..you'll have to look at something else....

quadracer

 

You will most likely have to buy a used quad. Unless you buy a new 2 wheel drive. It will probably come down to what used quads are available in your area.

You might be happier on something that is at least a 350 and a 4x4 for pulling loads.

 

Don't listen to this guy! (no offence quadracer18) But a Scrambler is the last thing you want for utility work and pulling power. It doesn't even have low range, and the racks are a joke (if it even has them).

I unlike reconranger, like autos a lot better for work machines. Just one less thing you have to worry about. Put your ATV in low and it will tow anything. But that depends on your style, maybe you prefer a manual.

I would look at getting a 400 or bigger, and for sure a 4x4. At your price you will probable have to look at a 2000 model or so. Sportsman, AC 500, Grizzley, Foreman, etc. Might really have to shop around though to find something good in your price range, nothing is cheap these days. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info fellas. I really just needed to know how big I needed to go for someone of my size and the work I would be doing. I agree I'll probably have to go used on my budget. I could probably get a new one but after buying the farm my funds are already stretched and I don't want to stretch them out tooooo far.

There are plenty of used atv's of all brands in my area. I'll probably stick with one that I have a local dealer around for parts availability. That leaves it to honda, Yamaha, or polaris. They all seem to be pretty good from what I have read. Good and bad points with all of them. If anybody knows of anything that I need to watch out for when buying one of these brands used I would love to hear about it.

Thank guys

 

This guy is exactly right... the sportsman 400 would be great for your needs. But if you fell you need something a little bigger the sportsman 500 would work even better.

 

I have had many atv's, but I have ended up witht he two I have now, one for fun and one for what you would be using it for which is work. My fun one is a Scrambler, but my work machine is an older Sportsman. It will pull myself,235lbs, and a 4X8 trailer full of wood around all day even up steep hills, I mounted a warn winch up front which I use to run my 5 foot plow that works like a charm, and for other things such as pulling trees down and stumps out. I had to shop around but I found mine and have less than $3500 in it. Just foof for thought, but I would recommend it myself.