I'm new to ATVs and want to start off with an ATV that doesn't cost a lot but still has automatic transmission. The 2006 250 2x4 is about $3400 with automatic. Now the question is, how do Cats hold up and is this a good entry machine? Or, should I look for something bigger, better? I'm 6'3" and 240lbs if that make a difference. Any feedback on the 2005 or 2006 is appreciated.

 

That ATV is actually not made by Arctic Cat but by Kymoto. Arctic Cat does take it and change a few things to meet their requirements. I have no idea what that involves though! They are really good ATV's though, I have a buddy that bought one for his daughter and he enjoys riding it as well. Would be a very good entry level machine if you want a new quad with a 3 year warrantee for under $3500. If you do have more money to spend you might want to take a look at a 400 or as large as your pocketbook will let you. What do you plan on using the ATV for? Do you need 4x4?

 

I'm new to ATVs and want to start off with an ATV that doesn't cost a lot but still has automatic transmission. The 2006 250 2x4 is about $3400 with automatic. Now the question is, how do Cats hold up and is this a good entry machine? Or, should I look for something bigger, better? I'm 6'3" and 240lbs if that make a difference. Any feedback on the 2005 or 2006 is appreciated. >>>>>>>>

Take it from someone who's been there. Start with a 350 or 400. A 250 is pretty much a kids quad for the most part, and I don't mean any offense by that. You should be able to find a 2wd 350 or so in the 4500 price range. Check out a 2wd Honda Rancher or Yamaha Bruin.........I've got a 2wd Yamaha Bear Tracker 250 sitting in my garage thats been ridden about half a dozen times I'll sell ya for 2K, still almost new..........thats what I started on LOL. I'm up to a 650 a little over a year later.

 

I really hate to see folks limit their choices by insisting on automatic only!

The Honda Recon (available with electric ES shift) or the 250EX (now with a hybrid manual/autoclutch setup) are both superb machines of high quality, and a real kick to ride!

On the other hand, at your size, you might want to think about something bigger. Maybe a Honda Rancher 350 if you are willing to shift (also available in ES) or the Rancher 400AT, a fully automatic. All these are great machines that will run forver.

Or something even bigger???

 

IF that is their preference why do you care??? Many people just like to ride and forget about having to be in the right gear. I have owned both manual and autos - still do in fact - and I am never going to get another manual. Nothing against the people who do like to shift, but many, many people don't want to. It is a perfectly good reason to eliminate some ATV choices because of this reason, especially if it is their money and they are going to be driving the ATV, not you.

 

IF that is their preference why do you care??? Many people just like to ride and forget about having to be in the right gear. I have owned both manual and autos - still do in fact - and I am never going to get another manual. Nothing against the people who do like to shift, but many, many people don't want to. It is a perfectly good reason to eliminate some ATV choices because of this reason, especially if it is their money and they are going to be driving the ATV, not you.
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What prompted me to get an auto. was my G/F's whining about the shifter and she just refused to try to learn, just got all impatient and bitchy so I got an auto Bruin 350....then she dumps me a month later LOL, just my luck huh? So I took the Bruin in and traded it in for a DS650. Some of the areas we go riding are fairly tight and slower trails, nice to have an auto 4x4 to kind of relax on. I've stalled my DS twice on fairly steep grades, let me tell you that is one scary experience. In both cases I just got up on the handlebars as far fwd as I could, SLOWLY released the P-brake while GENTLY giving it some throttle and releasing the clutch and brake at the same time.....I wasn't very experienced on it at the time and the trail was very advanced and steep.

 

Also check out the new Yamaha Wolverine, pretty good machine, auto, sporty, 4x4, looks pretty cool too IMO.

 

Any limits you put on your purchase, are going to severely reduce the number of machines you have to choose from. He has already limited himself by displacement (250cc) and price ($3,400), so that cuts the field way down. You add automatic only to the list, and there isn't really much left to pick from!

I'm just trying to point that out to him, and the fact that he is passing over a bunch of excellent machines that are in his displacement and price ranges!

Machines in the 250 class are great fun, but if you are a serious rider you will get bored pretty fast on one of these. Maybe save some more money for something larger???

A lot of folks are just plain scared of shifting, because they don't really understand it. Not surprising, because all our cars are automatics these days, so unless someone has dirt bike experience, they probably didn't grow up learning to shift. But, if I can teach a kid to shift an autoclutch in a couple of hours, and adult should be able to catch on after a couple of weeks.

 

You coulds consider a Polaris TrailBlazer or a Polaris TrailBoss. Both are good entry level machines that are easy to handle.
Cap'n

 

Kaptap, what is the terrain like where you will spend the majority of your riding? Is it flat, hilly, mountainous, Sandy, trails etc... It really is the deciding factor on what you should be considering. Add any of the above factors will dictate needing more power.

I agree with others that at your hight/weight, you really should be considering at least a 350/400. Do not however go for the hottest thing on teh market that would put you in over your head.

Understanding cost is an issue, ask yourself this. Is it really worth buying a cheaper model, knowing that as your skills grow, and your confidence soars, you will be eyeing upgrades soon after... and finding yourself trading up... did you save anything?

Automatics will almost always be associated with 4x4 models. Yes there are a few sport models out there with autos, even more that have an auto clutch with gear shifting... but the pure automatics will be upper level 4x4's generally. I have both... but I find I spend most of my time with the automatic models these days.