This is going to be my first atv, ill be 20 soon, i weigh about 135lbs. Ill mostly just be cruisin around in the fields and taking it up in the mountains every now and then. I want something thats going to be pretty fast but I want to start out slow. I was thinking either the 400ex or maybe I should just shell out the extra cash and take it slow on a trx450r.

 

450R's are geared tall, so they don't go slow. The 400EX is a good choice for an adult beginner who already knows how to shift and clutch, etc.

You are light, so you could go with one of the smaller machines. If I weighed 135 I'd be ripping around on a Blaster.

 

Choosing the right utility quad is a difficult decision. For some (like me when I started) – we really don’t have the experience with ATV’s to fully know what we might end up useing it for – we just want to get into riding one. For others there is a more defined use and expectation. Some want to trail ride with friends or join clubs and make new friends, some want to use it as family recreation or some want it for hunting. And some owners are into more technical or competitive riding in mud or up mountains where a specific use helps dictate specific features or functionality. Unfortunetly many first time buyers do not look at the full lineup of different manufacturers before they buy and later find themselves regretting not doing that.

For the most part all of the major ATV brands are pretty close in areas of dependability and reliability, ease of maintenance, parts availability, performance, top speed etc etc. Some brands stand out slightly more then others but there is no cast in stone rule that says a Honda will out last a Kawasaki – truth is, more has to do with how you drive and care for the machine. I’ve seen plenty of trashed out Honda’s over the years. My brother has one that has been a POS lemon since day one. My cousin has a 98 Arctic Cat that looks and runs like new. Arctic Cats are always in the back of the pack - but they pass the broke down, stuck in the mud and tipped over quads on the trail.

Most important to the “right” machine is what you intend to use the machine for.

If you are like me then you want to have the best all around most useful machine that you never regret purchasing…ever.

A perfect ATV!

I wish they made one but they don’t! Way to many variables! The decision should be based on the full spectrum of what you intend to use it for - that deserves the most pre-purchase thought and attention.

There are so MANY uses - trail riding, hauling, mudding, swamping, mountain riding, transportation, recreation, riding together with friends, carrying a passenger, carrying loads of dirt, towing trailers, rock crawling.. I know one guy who’s specific and only use if his ATV is to ride it in Parades! His needs are way different as are the needs and options for all of these uses. But unless your really really lucky – you likely get to choose only one machine to meet all of your needs no matter how diverse they might be.

For us – I knew after the first ATV went over backwards with the wife and I on it – that we really needed a two rider ATV. Polaris, Bombardier and Arctic Cat make those. But since starting to deer hunt (which I NEVER thought I would do) my eyes have turned to a Arctic Cat TBX for its multi-function rack options and that rear box to carry my deer stand on. Not having any chance at getting that - I have taken full advantage of the MRP options using my Artic Cat TRV. A look at my PICs here will expose the over indulgence in accessories for my TRV with both hunting and ice fishing and other equipment attached there to. Again – who’d of thought! When I bought my first ATV I never imagined my using one for ice fishing or hunting - Never. Now look at it. 1st Runner up for the Beverly Hillbilly’s truck.

The point is – its all about Options and Flexibility and Specifications.

Not all ATV’s score high in all of these areas. I think Polaris has likely the 2nd best score in the O F S (Options and Flexibility and Specifications) area as they do have a few box choices, accessories and bag options and their specifications are pretty good – But first place has to go to Arctic Cat as their catalog of Speed Rack (MRP) options are 2nd to none and the flexibility to re-provision the machine for whatever mission is required is unmatched by any manufacturer. The Arctic Cats own the specifications area also with the best ground clearance, IRS and ruggedness over any other brand. In the 400 and 500 class of machines the Artic Cat is the value choice for two rider quads. Go out and price them. If your into arm pulling raw power the new 700 is outrageous in performance.

Ok – so I’m a little biased about the Arctic Cats. After previously owning 3 Polaris and 1 Honda I will claim a little expertise and beg a little leeway... I did put a lot of work into considering the O.F.S. of each brand BEFORE I bought the AC's.

Whatever quad you choose – just be sure to give it a LOT of thought and try to see how flexible each brand is going be and how satisfied you are going to be with your decision – when something you never dreamed of doing – turns out to be the true passion in your ATV riding.

Good luck!

 

You can learn on the 450s, but they are high strung and are a bit more maintenance intensive. The 400 class sport quads(like the 400EX) are aimed much more at people such as yourself. You will get very good handling and plenty of power to keep you entertained. Upgrades abound for all of the current 300cc and above sport quads. You can pretty much tailor the atv to what you want within reason. If you are not stuck with buying a Honda, other brands have very capable options also.

 

I know there really isnt a perfect all around atv so I know that makes things a little difficult. So the 400s are more maintenance free? And Im definetaly not stuck on Honda, Ive just been hearing a lot of good things about the 400ex. I want something fairly light and easy to move around and get into the back of a pickup, thats why Im avoiding the larger 4x4s. I live in colorado so a lot of the trails are gonna be fairly rocky but really Ill probably be taking it out in the fields more often. I really want something thats going to handle well and I want it to be pretty quick, I realize that with my weight and a 400 I might be a little in over my head for a while but I also dont want to get bored and want more power in a year. I think mud is awesome and would love to play around in it, but near nearly to the extent Ive seen the riders do in the videos, I mean shallower mud or soft dirt kinda like mx I suppose. I suppose I kinda want to use it similar to a dirt bike but I just want to be able to cruise or chill out every now and then.