Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a used Quad for use on my Palm Tree Ranch in So Cal. I'd also like to take it to Baja and other places to be able to ride with Wife and child on same bike. At first the Bomb. Traxter looked to be the best, but finding a used one is close to impossible. There are pleanty of Rubicon's, Grizzley's and others available here in the So Cal area at great savings from new but I don't really know where to start looking. As for Honda's, there seem to bee WAY too many models in the 400+cc range to choose from. Would be nice if there was a chart to show what each manufacturer has for each model. I've done hours of reading here but I get kind of lost in the acronyms. Any help would be great.

I would like the ability to go 4x4 but not all the time due to turning requirements.
I think a limited slip differential would be nice.
Large seat for two PLUS a large enough rack on rear and front to mount baby seat.
Backup pull start - just in case.
REALIBILITY for use in Baja Mexico!!
I don't mind doing my own shifting - but no clutch.
Seperate controls for front and rear brakes.
Looking for 2003-2005


I'll edit above as I get more info - Thanks in advance for all of your great experience!!!

Tim.

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

brute force 650

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

Personally, the only one of the bigger machines I would consider would be the new Honda Foreman 500. It has a time tested manual (autoclutch) transmission. Won't find one used tough.

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

another vote for brute force 650

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

Rancher 350.

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

the thing that really stood out in your list was the big front and rear racks to mount a baby seat. no i dont know if steve irwin is your idol or something but i think it would irresponsible of a parent to strap your kid onto a four wheeler rack. i hope i dont hurt any ones feelings but i couldnt let you go on with it unless you know the dangers of. hope i wasent pushy. but aside all that i would say a grizzly, becuase i like yamahas

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

No worries Aussie - just be thankful that I want to use a car seat and not just ride with the baby between us like I see all the time. We are a very careful family and the baby won't be on the cycle until age one. We wil also be "cruising" the trails of Baja - not "hauling arse."

As for the cycles - I just recently went to the cycle auction and was impressed by the Kawasaki Praire 4x4. I've heard some bad things about the front locker lever - looks like no big deal to me. The seat was nice adn big. And all the controls looked easy to use. I was outbid on every cycle by $500-700. Once home and a little more research I heard the Rubicon is also a nice choice. My original problem with the Honda line were the 17 models to chose from. OUCH....even the sales guy had a hard time getting through the different models. Now that I re-read your comments I see the Foreman and Rancher are both Hondas..Not sure what the Brute force is yet, but will look here shortly.

Also as of this morning my Kawasaki 230 ranch/work died - so now I'm also looking for another, primary use is for my foreman for ranch work only. May a 350cc or so...any ideas there?

Thanks all for your interest and replies!!

Tim.

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

Wow---what a trip. I see that the Brute Force is the replacement for the Prarie. I guess we are thinking a like now.

Any comments on Brute Force/Prarie vs. Rubicon??

Thanks, Tim.

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

brute force is more of your all around quad a rubicon is better when there is more work involved and the brute force has WAY more power

Want work/trail/Baja Quad - What's Best?
 

brute force is rubber band driven, rubicon is shaft.