I'm looking to purchase a new ATV for the kids ages 17-15-13. I need father time with the kids in the outdoors. budget: $4000-$4500

what other info you need? as far as power, they can handle it, they ride my rincon all the time.

whats your opinion on a good atv for them? Why?


Your opinion on IRS or Straight Axle?

I would like comfort for them, we will be riding a couple of hours every weekend.
we also will be in a little mud and water from time to time, not every weekend. trailriding mostly, with rocks and ruts and rough terrain at times.

thanks for your replies,

dcc

 

Hmm, need some more info to go on. Generally at that age they like going fast, donuts, etc. IRS would be more comfortable, but for having fun and powersliding, donuts etc, SRA might be better. Not to mention at that age they don't always care about comfort so much...more about going fast and having fun. But you know your kids better than any of us.

The Yamaha Bruin 350 SRA 4wd, also if you'd rather IRS, Grizzly 350 IRS. Should be good simple tough quads with proper maintenance. Or the Grizzly 450 if the budget allows.

Maybe you could suggest a budget, also whether they could handle a more powerful quad or not?

-Krait

 

May want to look at some hybrid. Like the Polaris Scrambler. I was amazed at how many I saw on the trails this weekend. I owned one for about a week (long story, it was used and not kept up) and when it did run, thought it was brilliant.

A good mix of sporty handling and jumping (reasonable jumps, not motocross track jumps) but that 4x4 added alot of trail ability. It's the 500 HO motor from the Sportsman, so it's peppy but not high strung, plus it's kinda heavy so its not arm ripping acceleration.

Plus it's an auto with reverse. I can't say enough about reverse on ANY quad. I sure don't like pushing or pulling them around. It's as easy to ride as pushing the thumb throttle, no clutch no gears to hassle with.

Can-Am makes a version too. But if I were in the market today for a new quad (just got one so I have to wait awhile) I'd seriously be looking at the offerings like the Scrambler. That mix of sport suspension and on demand 4x4 would be absolutely PERFECT for most of the trails around where I live.

Just get a better example than the one I bought. Get a decent one and I think it'd cover all the bases for you except extreme rock crawling or mud bogging. And the headlights on it look kinda goofy, but they are the brightest things I've ever seen stock.

 

I'm a mean dad.

I'd say get them some old Foutrax 4x4 (like mine) for half that cost. Get them in the habit of maintaining and working on their own ride before investinging in something shiny and new(er) for them to beat around on. You'll be teaching them a valuable life lesson.

 

As far as brand, I would suggest staying with one of the major manufacturers....they all make a solid product . See who offers the best deal and depends on who your local dealer is if you buy new. Used is another story.....I would go with independent suspension since you are not riding dunes, jumping, racing, or riding the track. Even though your kids are in their teens, I think I would still consider a remote shut off for whatever you buy so if they get into trouble or a friend rides it you have the ability to shut it off. Teenagers die on atv's too! And it is usually loss of control due to speed. Just my 2 cents if it's worth anything.....

 

$4000-$4500, I am assuming that means you are looking for a used quad. Power, well the Rincon is pretty powerful but still only compares with today's 500cc quads from other manufacturers (not looking to start an argument, just comparing horsepower).

It's kind of hard to say, since the 17 year old could definately handle a larger quad, but not sure if the 13 could handle it. Gonna have to be your call, the Hawkeye would be a fine atv but if they are used to riding a Rincon, then its going to feel pretty weak. Rincon has 38.4hp stock at the crank, Hawkeye 300 I am not sure but it would be well under 20hp...probably closer to 15hp.

A Rancher 420, Bruin/Kodiak/Grizzly 350-400-450, Wolverine 350-450, Eiger 400, Vinson 500, King Quad 450, Outlander 400, if you are willing to give them a more powerful quad than yours a used Prairie 650 or Brute 650 could probably be found fairly cheap. Also the Scrambler 400-500 that was suggested before would be a good idea.

I would personally probably focus on a Suzuki Vinson 500. The Vinson is solid rear axle(SRA), 500cc with roughly 33hp at the crank, so it compares favourably to your Rincon power-wise. The Vinson can be had in belt drive automatic, or in 5 speed gears like the Rancher 420. It is also 4wd. If you really want IRS, then the Kodiak/Grizzly 450, or the Outlander 400. If you have the money the newer King Quad 450 would be a great choice.

There are a lot of nice quads out there, everyone will suggest something different, however for a nice used midsize 4wd utility atv with some decent power, I was constantly recommended the Vinson by friends (I don't own one tho, so don't think that I am biased). Eiger 400 would be a similar choice, simply a little smaller with a little less power.

I think Vinson's have decent reliability, and since the new King Quad 450 replaced it, could probably find a nice used one somewhere for a decent price. I am from Canada, pricing is a lot different here, so not sure what $4000 could buy you in the States.

Hope this helps, there are so many great atv's out there, it is VERY hard to recommend you just one, it is such a personal choice. You and your kids may just not like a Vinson at all.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

-Krait

 

krait--

for $3483.00 i can get a 2007 honda rancer, 5speed trans out the door.

the website says 3383.00 but i called and its 3483.00 otd.

thanks
dcc

 

Ok!

-Krait

 

I thought you were looking for 3 ATVs with a $4-5,000 budget. Were you just wanting 1 that all 3 kids will share? There are some brand new '08 models $3-4,000.

Frank

 

I thought it was 1 for all 3, I dunno. Quads are a lot more money up here than down there tho, so no wonder $4000 can get you a decent new quad...$4000 wouldn't get you anything particularily impressive new here.

-Krait