We were recently bitten by the ATV bug and we're trying to deceide which machines to purchase. Any input will be appreciated.

We recently spent a couple of weeks in Alaska and rode Polaris Magnum 330 4x4's for several days in the mountains around Denali National Park. We really liked the Polaris but want just a bit more power.

Here are the machines we are considering:

Polaris Sportsman 400 4x4
Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O.

Suzuki Eiger 400 4x4 Auto
Suzuki Vinson 500 4x4 Auto

Honda Fourtrax Fourman ES
Honda Fourtrax Fourman Rubicon

Yamaha Kodiak 400 4x4 Auto
Yamaha Kodiak 450 4x4 Auto

I'm sure there is strong brand loyalty in the ATV world just as there is in all motorsports. I've owned dirt bikes in the past from Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki and didn't have any real complaints with any of them. I am drawn to the Polaris ATV's though. I was impressed with the Magnum 330 but have no history with Polaris products and I haven't ridden machines from Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki in many years. I'm primarily concerned with value and reliability. The most bang for the buck that can be depended upon to get you back to the trailer is what I'm looking for. Ease of maintenance is a plus too.


Thanks in advance,
Larry

 

Im a Suzuki Fan but all the quads you named are very good quads. They have there advantages and disadvantages over others. But since I own a Eiger imma say its a very sweet bike. In/Out 4wd, Low/Hi Range, the Quad is very strong and will run 55mph depending on your weight. You will not beat the price for it. Its the most bang for the buck, and everybody will agree to that. Mine has been very realible and havent had any problems with it.

 

If you want the the most bang for your buck then go with the Suzuki Eiger, don't take my word for it, It has been in about 5 shootouts and has won every time, it won sometimes just because of its price, the Outlander 400 outperformed it but the price was so low it was chosen in one shootout. Suzuki has come a long way it has the best 250(ozark),400 (Eiger), 500 (Vinson), Z400 (sport) and Z250 (sports..all around).....Check for yourself, and you will see that going suzuki will not be a mistake.

 

I am 15 years old 130 pounds and 5 foot 8 I would like some advise on witch atv to get next, right now i have a 1988 250X an i would like somthing faster(much faster) and i love to jump. I am an advanced rider and was thinking a 400ex or somthing around that catagory.any suggestions.

 

It sounds to me like you want an easy to ride fun quad. I would recomend a polaris trailblazer 400 for the easy to ride quad it is also automatic. but i am a fan of the faster manual sportquads. but polaris should be your best bet.

 

I like that the Kodiak 450 has disc brakes, liquid cooling, and diff. lock but I don't like belt drive.
I like that the Foreman 450 comes in a semi-auto and would be reliable and has no belt.
I don't like the heavy weight of the Polaris'. (over 600 lb)
The Eiger would be the best deal at around $5200. I just don't care for it's lumpy looks.

The Rancher 400AT is out now for a retail of $5999. 2 to 4 wheel drive and no belt drive.

You'll have to check them out and see which one you like the best. The Eiger would be tempting.

I would probably choose between the Foreman 450S (ES), Kodiak 450 and the Rancher 400. It would depend on which one I could get at a good price.

 

I used to have a sporstman 500 H.O. and I loved it............but the only draw back was it was really heavy and a little too large..........I would recomend this if you AREN'T going to in deep water......water will get on the belt and it will strand you somewhere because of the slipping.........I know that every year they say that they have fixed it but as of 2002 it was not fixed.........on the plus side......my H.O. was completely stock, minus some 27" vampires, and I out ran a piped, jetted, and filtered 300ex on it........
the boy on the ex was about 95lbs...........and I am about 240lbs..........
I really like it but if you are going to be in deep water or you are planning to keep it for over 5 years I think I would go with the Honda.....IMO....Hondas aren't just out standing performers, they are a little on the slow side in comparison to polaris, but they are REALLY durable and they are good in the mud also.
if speed isn't a problem and you plan to get in high water I would get some kind of Honda.

I am not dissing the suzuki I just have had no experience with any of them........

 

if are wanting something much faster I would not recomend an ex........IMO they aren't that fast.......I smoke them all day long..........I have even out ran a 440ex.........I am not impressed with the motor...but the suspension on the other hand is another story........

If I were you I would look at a yamaha.(much faster)
it all depends on what you want to spend........if you have deep pockets I would buy nothing but a yfz450...........if you are looking for something on the less expensive side I would go with the predator........I think if you put a high comp piston in one of them, they would absolutely FLY!
they are not tippy......they handle great......great jumping suspension (IMO) and they will out run a rappy (stock for stock)(I have seen it with my own eyes 4 or 5 times...)