This would be our first ATV. So we are looking entry level ATV and we want to buy new but don't want to spend more than $5K. We mainly want to use it on our 5 acre propert that sits on a side of a hill with lots of rocks around. I'll be using it to tow firewood and rocks around our property. I was initially thinking a 250 would be fine but because I'm 6'2" I think I may need a bigger machine just because of my stature. I also wouldn't mind being able to take it camping once in a while. I would appreciate any feedback.

 

Go with the Eiger!........You won't be disappointed. It has more ground clearence than all but the Bruin and also has more power/speed than all the rest. Way better looking than the Big Bear and cost less than the Rancher! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

have u looked at the bombardier outlander?

 

If you are going to look at the Bomby you should also take a look at Arctic Cat. It would be wise to look at all of the models before making a decision. I posted several posts and looked at all of the specs several times before buying my new one. Just keep in mind that all of these are great machines and will all be reliable, you just need to decide which one you like the best. Ride all of them if you can and then decide which one is most comfy, fits you and your riding style, etc. I'm not sure of the other's towing capacity but the Cat can tow 1,050lbs., it has fully independent suspension with the most ground clearance and suspension travel(these 3 things are very important in my mind if you are riding in rough terrain), it also has the highest rack capacity(100-front,200-back). It would be the Eiger or the Bomby for a top speed contest(I haven't been around either one, this is what I read on another post), I'd bet they are all pretty close in the bottom end. If you aren't brand loyal then do not rule out any of these, I almost didn't even check Arctic Cat because I didn't know they made ATV's, boy would I have been dissapointed finding that out after I bought something else. I just thought I'd throw some info your way(it may save you some reading time), hope this helps and good luck.

 

Here is my two cents worth. I pulled a harrow drag with an old suzuki 250. Finally blew it up with over heating it. neighbor down the lake uses a big bear 400. I have test driven the Suzuki eiger 400 manual shift and the Honda Rancher 350 ES (electronis shift) and a Forman 450. The Forman has a lower top end with lots of puling power, not a great trail machine from my perspective, stiff ride. The Rancher has better top speed and I REALLY LIKE the electronic shift! Better Ride and More top end. I'm not a speed freak but like both speed and power. The Eiger has a high and low range, so you can trail ride or pull heavy loads and not stress the clutching systems. The Eiger has start in gear feature which I wish I had when testing the forman on a pile of rock and killed it in 3rd gear. The ES shifted to second but wasn't able to get to nuetral untill I got off and rocked it for several minutes. So I chose the Suzuki Eiger 400 4x4 manual. I pick mine up tomorrow and plan to hook it up to the drag to see what it wil do. As for price the 2003 Ranchers are on sale for $5000, I missed getting a 2003 Eiger for $5100 so am paying full bore for a 2004. I did get the dealer to give me almost 200 off because I bought a yellow one. They are't selling that well here, hard to hide from the animals...

 

Good stuff Snowtoys.. Actually, we are pretty sure we are getting the Eiger 400 as well but probably the 2x4. Thanks!

 

Out of your choices I would pick the Eiger.Just curious why you didn't include Arctic Cat?

 

I had a long disertation typed in then the sytem froze, so here is the short version. 1 My Eiger worked great today and I mean worked! 2 Spend the extra and get the 4x4. You will love the improved traction especially pulling your loads up hill, I have very steep grades at my cabin and in 2wd the rear tires spin as I go up the 60 degrees slope to the road, in 4x4 no slipping and plenty of traction. Imagine this senario: your rig is pulling a trailer full of rocks or fire wood lets say 100 lbs for the trailer and 300 lbs for the load, now thats 400#s going up hill plus what you weigh on a 570# machine, Keep in mind the pull rating is on level ground! your 2wd will either spin out or burry it self if your slope is steep. One last thing having 4x4 has allowed me to increase the weight on the drag two fold which allows the tines to dig 3 times deeper in to the dirt, rocks, and sand. Which inturns caused build up infront of the drag increasing the ammount I am pulling. Bottom line 4x4 and a 400cc class machine has allowed me to do the same work in 3 hours that took 12 in the 2wd 250 I had. If 5000 is your limit try to spring an extra 500 to get the 4x4. Like I said I paied full bore for this one, including a winch and warn snowplow and the yellow discount 5650 out the door. So much for a short version.. Good luck