I am looking to purchase a new atv I would like something that is big enough to do what I need it to do but not to be to big. I have been looking around locally and acouple of models I have chosen are a honda foreman 500 4x4 , a kawasaki 700 4x4 or a polaris 700 or polaris 500. They are all about the same price locally. I am going to use the atv for mudding and trail riding. I would like something easy to use and maintain that is reliable and fun. I appericate any help. Thanks

 

The Honda doesn't have full 4x4, only limited slip up front

The Polaris is HEAVY! but people seem to really like them. I don't because of the extra weight and single lever braking system

The Kawi is ok, but the belts are iffy and it's top heavy and the tranny is iffy too, but great power



Look at KingQuad, Artic Cat 650V2, Yamaha Grizzly also or your doing yourself a huge injustice.

 

if your gonna look at arctic cat like dirty said i wouldn't look at the v2 cause they have a kawi belt system. i would look at the 650 H1. and if you will do any kind of mudding i would look at the cat, suzuki, or yamaha as well.

 

hoosing 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 not fast and some say 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! Your 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 MRP rackage. 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 single and two rider quads. Go out and price them. If your into arm pulling raw power the new 700 is outrageous in performance.

As I said - I hunt with my machine. This means I'm not on ATV trails and I'm often a ways from anyone else. And it means that I'm carrying everything with me. Tree stands, bows, arrows, food, dry clothing, rain gear, back packs, fanny packs, electronics, ropes, knives, lanterns, stoves, water sometimes sleeping bags and tents.... geesh - a pickup truck load of stuff! but with the plug-in Arctic Cat baskets, equipment racks, tool holders, bags, boxes - well.. its all there - SECURE - and functional. And towing a trailer! (gotta have something to haul that buck back with..)

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.

Good luck!