Hello all. i am going to be purchasing a new atv. I had previously owned a 96 polaris scrambler 4x4 and had nothing but bad experience with it. I live and work on a farm so will need a utility model atv that will haul hay and the such. I also have woods and the trails are rough. my questions are what would you all suggest one engine size, manufacturer, independent suspension or straight axle? All opinions and suggestions welcomed. Thanks

 

If I needed a mostly work/occasional trail quad, it would be the Honda Foreman 500. Solid axle, simple time proven manual transmission (avoid the ES option!), super low 1st gear (so you don't need a transfer case), great torque sensing front end......elegant simplicity in a world of very heavy "feature laden" long travel mush box machines.

If the Foreman isn't big enough to do the job, then I would just use a small 4wd truck.

 

Hay, Most major brands are great just dont ever buy a china made atv they are made even cheaper than the sale price!!

 

for rough trail riding i would use a yamaha grizzly. they are comfortable and tough.

 

check out a polaris Sportsman!

 

From what I've read, heard, and experienced, if ya want something dead-nuts reliable, go with Suzuki or Honda.

 

ok, it looks like i am going to be going with a kawasaki atv seeing how it is the closest dealer and right now i got a kawasaki account so can get one. Now my big questions is, should i got with a straight axle rear end or independent? i am definately going automatic trans as manuals are a pain in the woods here. i will be riding this atv alot for fun and it will also be used for work. also, anybody got any info on the prairie 360 auto 4wd? good atv for work? also the brute force models, any good? Thanks

 

I really like the IRS it would be hard to go back to a solid rear axle

 

If you like to slide the ***-end around corners, go with solid axle. If you'd rather have a cushier ride in really rough stuff, go IRS.

 

I've heard the 360 praire is an excellent work machine, lots of low end torque, if you want to save some money and have a great work bike and a good trail bike it would be a good choice. TG