I am going to buy a new atv and I need to get a brief idea of what I need. It would be used for light work, but mostly trails and muddin. Which brand and model? I greatly appreciate responses.

 

Since you like muddin,Im suggesting a 4x4 quad.Maybe even a sporty 4x4.There are MANY good ones out there.I like the Kodiak alot,it is very sporty and can handle its fair share of chores to.The Wolverine is another good one.It likes trails to.Another good versatile one is the Xplorer by Polaris,you can get that in 250cc or 400cc,depending on how much power you want.You must ride ALL OF THEM and decide for YOURSELF.Do you like automatics or shifting?There are alot of good ones out there,test ride as many as you can before deciding,and best of luck,
Bill

 

I think Bill is right, from what you describe, you need a sporty 4X4. Ride them all then decide for yourself. Bill mentioned several good "sporty" 4X4's. But,he didn't mention the Rancher. Try the Rancher too. Good Luck, you will like whatever you buy.

 

Sounds like you want more of a sporty machine with racks and a hitch more than a pure utility. All of the above mentioned are good choices. If you go with an auto, you will want Low range for mudding and hillclimbing. Most manual shift have either low range or an extra low first gear. Figure how much you can spend, then see what models are out there. One of the biggest bargains out there in a sporty machine that can still do some work are the Polaris Xplorers. 250 or 400, depending on how much power an speed you want. They are 2 cycle machines, but really seem to hold up well. Their speed, power, and nimbleness will surprise you. Can't go wrong with the Yamahas, Hondas, A/C, & etc, but the Xplorers are the ones to beat for bang for the buck, in my opinion.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You don't have to buy a Honda and pay more to get a very reliable ATV. However, there is one brand of ATV that appears to have more than it's fair share of customer problems based on what I have read here and from other sources.

If you spend a little time reading and searching the problems posted in Tech Connection you should figure it out fairly quickly.

Good luck!

 

Let me save you the trouble of searching. This guy is talking about Polaris machines.(probably never owned one) I ride with all types of quads and they all break down eventually.

If Polaris does have more problems, it is because people go through mondo-mud with there Sportsmans and go speed-bump crazy with there Scramblers. Some of us just torture our machines to death. Our machines can do things others can't and vice-versa.(thats my opinion)

All brands are great. Pick what you like for you!

 

2000 kawasaki lakota...........the 2001 models have no racks. good suspension, sporty looks, auto clutch, 5 speed with reverse. a nice machine for what you describe.

 

Having read all of the responces I noticed one quad that hasn't been mentioned, the Grizzly. A 600cc brute that has alot of power to meet your sport riding needs. Its a 4-stroke so it is better suited to doing the work that you mentioned. 2-strokes will go faster, but are not very well suited to doing work.
All of the quads mentioned above are good machines. Bill was right about going out and riding the ones that might fit your needs. If you test ride a Grizzly just remember to hang on tight if your going to wack the throttle open.
Good luck

Rick

 

Rick,
I worked the Xplorer pretty hard.I haul a 17cf trailor with firewood up a muddy hill for an entire wk with it.The Xplorer never complained once about it.

I will agree with you though,if your going to make alot of work with a 4 wheeler,it would be better to own a 4 stroker,
Bill

 

Bill,
I don't doubt that your xplorer will do the work you ask of it. I was just saying that a 2-stroke is not as "well suited" to working.

On a different note, I went out riding yesterday with a 400ex. We were up in the mountains and it was muddy. But the Honda did pretty good in the mud. There were a couple of places he couldn't make it through, but that was mainly because of his lack of ground clearence. On the performance side of it, we never actually had a drag race, but he was clearly challenging me on the straight aways. At a rolling start he was not able to run away from me at all. I stayed right on his *** the whole time! I thought that was pretty good for a sport vs. a utility. Later

Rick