Hi,

I'm new here, but I've been reading around for a while. I want to buy an ATV, but I'm completely new to the ATV world. I've ridden a bunch of dirt bikes and go karts before, but never any ATVs.

I go to school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so there would probably be a lot of snow where I want to use it, there is also a lot of hills. I'm about 5'9" and 220lbs. I've read a lot of posts about ATVs like Yomoto, Kazuma, Roketa, and other "off-brand" ATVs, but I don't know what to think. It seems like some people love them and have had wonderful luck and lasted a good amount of time, other people have something different go wrong every week. I doubt I'd ride it super hard or abuse it because it would be my first ATV, but I wouldn't mind being able to take it down some trails if I decide I feel ready.

I really just want something that can pull me around without any problems and not break, but I don't want to invest a huge amount of money into something I'm not sure about. That's one reason I've been looking at the Chinese ATVs, but at the same time I don't want to just throw that money away on something that will break or not work well. My other option would be to buy an older, used name brand ATV but I don't want something from the 80s that will fall apart if I hit a bump.

I've heard Raceway seems to be the place to buy from as far as parts and service goes, but I'm not sure what sized engine I should look for, what brand, etc? Would I be better off going with a new off-brand or a used name brand? How long do different brand ATVs usually last? What age ATV could I buy without having to worry about too many mechanical problems? What kind of ATV could hold up best in the snow? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

 

If you search around on these boards you'll find lots of info on Chinese quads. Generally it seems to boil down to three possible choices:

1. A lucky few buy them and can just ride with very few problems.
2. Some get them, can't ever get them to run (or not run for long) and finally give up.
3. Most who are happy with their Chinese quads recommend a complete rebuild before even starting to ride. If you search back, there was a pretty detailed list posted - ran about two pages long.

The bottom line is that there is no cheaper way to get into a new quad but you also get what you pay for. Personally, I would rather find a used major brand quad than one of the new Chinese ones but others may disagree with that. I have little enough time to ride as it is, I don't need the additional down time to cut into my valuable riding time.

Jaybee

 

Thanks for the reply, that's pretty much what I seem to be finding out.

I guess my biggest questions then, would be what sized engine could haul around someone my size, up the hills in the snow? Is the biggest factor in determining power displacement? Would a specific displacement from one company be similar in power to the same displacement from another company or does it vary greatly between companies? Or even between models? Obviously a 4wd ATV would be better, but would a 2wd suffice? What, if any, kind of modifications would be good for it if it is going to be used a lot in the snow? And what are the differences between chain/shaft drive??

 

The obove response would be mine also, you get what you pay for. And you will want at the very least, a 400cc Utility for deep snow. But myself i wouldnt go lower than 500cc.

 

I also agree with above. If you don't have much experience with wrenching motors/vehicles, and you don't want a lot of down time, by something like a used 250EX/Recon or the equivalent from another Japanese brand. These smaller quads are low tech and bulletproof, and decent examples are out there on the used market. You will be able to get through 4-6" of snow with most 250cc+ machines, but if snow(or mud bogging) is a big part of your plans, look into a slightly larger 4x4 such as a Rancher or Eiger at least. At 220 pounds with a lot of hills, I would stay away from the smaller off brands and stick with a mid sized machine.

 

I have to agree on the eiger for you. Suzuki makes a good engine, AC uses them. The eiger is zippy and pretty capable it has the hi/low tranny with 4x4 ( comes manual or in auto). Living in AZ I dont get to the snow much but when I find a pach or two that is a few inchs deep I have no problem, many people plow with there Eigers. If you decide that a 400 is not big enough for you then look at the 500 vinson also a good bike.

 

Would a sport ATV be a bad choice? There's a local selling a 250cc Trail Blazer but I'm not sure how it would hold up versus a utility ATV instead? What're the biggest differences?

 

4x4, diff lock, weight, traction

 

Personally, I prefer sport quads and the extra agility/nimbleness you get. For the vast majority of riding, you don't need 4x4, nor will you use it. In those cases, a 2x4 will work just fine. Deep mud and snow can be a different story though. You need to figure how much of the 4x4 stuff you really want to do, and then go from there. I have ridden with Trailblazers before, and they are surprisingly quick on the trails for thier, um, girth. They are more of a beginner or putt putt quad then a true sport quad though, unless you put some money into them.

 

Stay off the Chinese stuff for now. It's not ready for prime time. I have seen kids ride the dirtbikes and they work fine until you start doing normal things with them like jumping etc. Then they start falling apart.