I'm buying a 4-wheeler sometime this week. A dealer gave me a price on a new 03 Yamaha Big Bear 400, 4x2, with a winch, for $4319.00. I ride mostly farmland and trails(not much mud). Although 4wd would be nice to have, I dont have to have 4wd, so I think the 2wd will do OK(and if all else fails, I'll have a winch). Does this sound like a good deal? Are there any other models (Honda, Suzuki, or Yamaha) that are better than the Big Bear? I cannot spend 1 cent over the $4319, in fact, I was surprised my wife didnt say no to that one. I just want some other opinions before I spend that much money, I dont want to buy it, then find out I could have got a so-and-so for the same price.

 

Cjones Tell me this,do you pull a hevy trailer or other stuff?If not you might think smaller like the honda250recon or yam.250beartracker.On a 2-wheel drive you don't need a lot of power like a4-wheel drive.The recon and littlebear cost new about 3400-3700 a lot of fun for less money.I had a99recon as my first quad and had a ball.I'm 30 and 230lbs. and it hauled me ,my wife and son until we got other machs.It got great gas mileage,easy to handle,lite so when you get stuck(and you will trust me) it easy to get out.HAHAYou'll be suprised what they will go thought and how much fun you will have.But if you ego and buddies say bigger is better I understand.Do what you got to do. P.S. I had that same problem with my wife until she got in to rideing.Now her 500scram. is better than my ride.GOODLUCK Deon --------------------------

 

I will be pulling a plow occasionally, to plant green fields for hunting. The plow I have is actually made for a tractor, so it is not light. I plan on buying a bush hog to pull in the next year or so. I have land that is mainly used for hunting, and a lot of it is planted pines (rows) and a tractor is too big to get to most of it. I'll also be using it to clear downed trees from the trails and other utility jobs where I will need the extra power. I have heard from a mechanic friend of mine to be cautious about the recon, Bear Tracker, and Ozark. they are made to be sold cheap while still making a profit for the company. I know a lot of people who have these 250's and love them, but my friend's shop is full of them also...

 

Cjones013,

The best advice is to go out and see all the models in question for yourself and them come back to the forums and ask specific questions <U>based off of your opinions that you formed while out looking at the different models</U>. I did lots of research and read alot of things before deciding on my Polaris 600 Twin, which should be in my shed within two weeks....I cant wait...good luck on your purchase...ride on [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Cjones013,

That doesn't seem like a bad price for the Yamaha Big Bear 400, 4x2 and that machine will do what your asking in the thread.

I am using a 98 Honda TRX 300 4x4 for almost what you are saying and I pull a 50 inch bushhog and it is more comfortable than a small tractor. Its a slow machine but it does what I need.

As far the Recon it would not do what you are asking. I use the Recon in other ways and its been very reliable and seems of the same quality as the bigger quads I have or should I say more expensive ones.


I would take AtvMeister advice "based off of your opinions that you formed while out looking at the different models"

Chet [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

What about a Honda Rancher? How good do they pull?

 

Cjones If going to pull a plow or brushhog you would be better off with a hevy mach. like a big bear.Just be sure to get one to feal your needs.Not your buddies.I've been through that all ready.Good luck!

 

I've been running a 350 4x4 Big Bear on my farm for 5 years, and have nothing but high marks for its reliability. I use my quads for dragging trees, hauling trailers with firewood, fenceposts and rocks, and getting to places that my tractor can't go, which is a good deal of my rough-as-a-cob farm. If you think a quad rolling over on you is bad, try a 2.5 ton tractor that will roll a lot easier. Ouch!

Only downside to my Bear is that it's pulling power was a bit limited. Not from engine power, but traction, especially when using only 2wd. I didn't need 4wd to get across the farm, but did need it to pull. This was an issue when dragging trees, and I suspect it will be a real issue when pulling a plow. My JD 1050 tractor can pull a 1 bottom plow with no problem, but it weighs 5000 pounds! My guess is that a 450 pound quad will be limited to one of those little garden plows, it would probably just spin its tires with a full sized plow.

I ended up buying an Arctic Cat 500i last spring (but kept the bear, it was too reliable to sell) and seriously upgraded my ability to move things. The Cat is a pulling fool, I've dragged some seriously large hardwood trees with it. You might price up an AC 400i. It's quite a bit heavier than the bear, and as it's not particularly fast, tends to get discounted off of list price. Seems I've heard of people getting 4wd 400i's for around $4800, and I believe the 2wd models will come in around $4300 or so. Manual transmission will be cheaper, and if you're pulling, more desirable. If at all possible, get the 4wd, my experience has been that it makes a big difference when you start pulling things.

I've found a winch to be an item of last resort on the farm. It will get the job done, but it is slooooow. I bought one for my Cat, but so far, haven't needed it.

--John

My Cat page

 

get a kodiak 450!

 

Albabanshe,

I would second that opinion...get the Yamaha 450 Kodiak auto 4x4....it will more than serve your purpose and it has the new digital gauges that come on the 660 Grizzly. I have heard only good remarks about this new machine so you might want to check it out...ride on [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]