Hello:

I am a complete ATV noob looking for help with an ATV for my father-in-law, and I have no clue where to start. Could someone please recommend a couple of ATVs to look at that meet the following:

Looking at 400-450 cc
automatic with 2/4 wheel drive
winch
narrow enough to fit in truck bed.

any help on with a starting point is my appreciated.

Thanks

Edit: I should also mention that this will mainly be used for work around his property, hunting, and some light trail riding.

 

Could be a big list.
They all fit between the wheel wells of pickups.
A winch can be put on all of them.
It probably gets down to closest dealer or which dealer is willing to make a deal.
Polaris 400, outlander 400, honda 400 or 450 0r 475 0r 500, a/c 400 or 500, suzuki 400 or 500,yamaha 400 or 450.
The major differences, are the way the front differentials work, and the way the trannys work. The honda uses hydrostatic drive, the rest use belt and pulley. Some have the ability to lock the front diff, and most dont. Some are water cooled and some are air cooled.some have irs and some have solid axle. They all are about the same for dependability.
Maybe buy a buyers guide, at the local bookstore, and go over the features of each to narrow it down.
You dont want to make a fast decision...you want to make a good decision.
Welcome to the forums.

 

The folks over at ATVmagOnline.com just came out with their 2005 ATV buyers guide. Not sure how you get one but its what your looking for.

Send me a PM with your address and I can send you my copy - with 4 ATVs in the garage I wont need this years guide. (unless some miracle happens and the wife thinks we * need * a brand new one)

 

Eiger 400- auto, switchable 4x4, nice price

It depends on how much he wants to spend. He could get a great deal on a Foreman 450 right now. But it only comes in a foot shift and button shift on the bars. The Kodiak 450 has a few goodies. If I had to buy a AUTOMATIC in the 400 to 450 range. I would buy a Kodiak 450- auto, switchable 4x4, IRS, locking diff, and low and high gearing.

 

I have that 2005 ATV buyers guide scanned into a .pdf With a email address I can forward it to you.