Hi guys and girls,

I'm looking at buying my first ATV and need advice. I was looking on the RacewayATV site at the Jetmoto 250 ... Went searching for third-party reviews and came upon this forum. Now, I'm not set on any one brand, I was of the mindset that big names are the only reliable brands to buy, ie: Honda, Arctic Cat, etc (I see I'm wrong, reading through some posts), so I'd like your input as to what ATVs I should look at.

These are some considerations for my ATV:

Some ones I've looked at recently:

Roketa ATV-11
Jetmoto 250
Kazuma

Okay, well that seems to be about all you'd need to know ... Hopefully somebody out there can help me, I read through the entire *WARNING* Jetmoto thread before posting this, so I know there are knowledgeable and honest people here [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Thanks!

 

You want a "utility" type machine, but you don't specify whether you need 4wd or not. Funny, from the description of your riding conditions, I was thinking you were going to say you wanted a sport quad! Do keep in mind that sport quads are often hundreds of pounds lighter than utilities! Makes a huge difference in handling and the "fun" factor.....

That said, there are some nice major brand 250cc utility machines that are 2wd, like the Honda Recon. Even a new one is in your price range! The Recon gets close to low end sport quad handling.

If you need 4wd or want to go bigger, it should be easy to find a used Honda Rancher 350 (or even a new leftover 06) or something like that is within your price range.

I have a friend who bought a couple Kazumas and one with a Jetmoto, and a third with some other "off brand" machine. All have lived to regret it many times over. I have even lived to regret it....towing their kids for 20 miles back to the truck! Enough said about that!

 

I had hoped somebody could point me in whichever direction I need to go ... 4wd or 2wd [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img] I kind of laid out the plans I have for it and advice for whatever you think I should go with is appreciated.

I found a 2006 Yamaha 660 Grizzly, right out of the crate, no mileage ... for only $3200. Is there something wrong with it, is that a normal resale price, or is the owner just dumb?? I'm hoping they're dumb because if I can test-drive that baby I'm getting it!!

So your advice would be stay away from the off-brands?

 

If you plan to ride snow and mud, or rocky technical terrain, you will want 4wd. Thing is, when you go to 4wd the size and weight of the machine, and of course the price will also go up. Still, there are lots of sweet mid size 4wd utes out there!

Got to wonder about that Griz. Has to be stolen or something! You know the saying...if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is! Run the VIN before you spend your money.

 

Okay yeah, I just edited my original post because I forgot to mention I'll be riding in the snow. It IS Canada after all LOL! Guess I'll be going with 4WD.

Thanks for your advice about checking the VIN .. I wouldn't have thought to do that.

 

Calienta
The deal on the 06/660 Grizz sounds to good to be true,so it probably is. If that person has excuses why you cant see the quad right away but needs money up front, beware, you will never see the quad or your money again.

 

Thanks sled, and no worries, they wouldn't get any money out of me until I'd had someone knowledgeable test-drive it and had checked its VIN like recon suggested.

I'm looking at the Honda Rancher 4x4 ... Looks pretty decent for $5099!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Calienta

Hi guys and girls,



I'm looking at buying my first ATV and need advice. I was looking on the RacewayATV site at the Jetmoto 250 ... Went searching for third-party reviews and came upon this forum. Now, I'm not set on any one brand, I was of the mindset that big names are the only reliable brands to buy, ie: Honda, Arctic Cat, etc (I see I'm wrong, reading through some posts), so I'd like your input as to what ATVs I should look at.



These are some considerations for my ATV:

Some ones I've looked at recently:



Roketa ATV-11

Jetmoto 250

Kazuma



Okay, well that seems to be about all you'd need to know ... Hopefully somebody out there can help me, I read through the entire *WARNING* Jetmoto thread before posting this, so I know there are knowledgeable and honest people here [img][/img]



Thanks!</end quote></div>

Being your from Canada I'm curious why your not choosing a CanAm?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Oh and welcome to the forums Calienta, glad to have yuh aboard. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Do you know what year the Rancher is??? There are two different Honda Ranchers out there:

The new one for 07 is a fuel injected, water cooled, an honest 420 cc's, and it has selectable 2wd/4wd.

The older ones (00-06) are air cooled, called the 350 but actually are only 329cc, and full time 4wd.

They come in either 2wd or 4wd, and with or without "ES" electronic pushbutton shifting. So, be sure you are looking at at 4wd, and I highly recommend avoiding the ES version. (Unusual number of posts in here recentlhy from folks having problems with the ES!).