Hey all I am new to the ATV Scene (well i used to ride an ATC70 when i was 10 if that counts)

i have shopped around but never want to totally trust what each dealer says i need.

my requirments...

I need to plow snow (what size blade do i get also?)
I would like to have a winch (what size if needed)
I am of the 250#-275# club (depending on the time of year)
I cant say i do any trail riding as its something i would like to but can only start once i have a machine.
being a first machine i would want to avoide the huge price tag items and stay in the 5k range if possible

above are the only real requirements of a machine. I did visit 2 local dealers and seem to have found a machine or pair that according to the salesperson will fit my needs.

Eiger 400 auto 4x4 wPlow and Winch


Honda 420 (i didnt get the exact name just know its 420) 4x4 and manual shift auto clutch with the plow and winch


*** please add other options or recommendations.

 

Both are great machines that will serve your intended purposes, no problem. The biggest differences between the two are that the Eiger is fully automatic, and has low range. The Honda is an auto-clutch 5-speed with no low range and also has fuel injection. I have an Eiger 400 auto 4x4 and I absolutely love it. It will go anywhere I point it and will drag 500lb. logs like they aren't even there. I bought it after reading lots of reviews because I wanted the most reliable machine available. It basically came down to the two machines that you are considering, but I had to have a low-range gearbox. Almost everyone that has either machine seems to be very happy with them, so I would ride each, ask around, and read as many reviews as you can to see which machine you think you'll be happier with.

 

thanks I have been leaning toward the eiger.... but am still open to opinions. would a kingquad450 be better suited?

also what size plow would i need?

can i run bigger tires with those nice aluminum wheels?


this question applies to both atv's i am considering and any others i might not have mentioned.

 

Here we only get snow in the mountains, so I can ride snow when I want but luckily I don't have to plow a driveway! I will leave that subject to someone else. There are guys in here plowing with Ranchers, but I bet most will recommend a bigger machine.

That said, when you head out on the trail the Rancher 420 is one sweet machine! Best value for your dollar of any quad on the market!

 

The KQ450 is a nice machine. The biggest differences over the Eiger are the jump in displacement, IRS, and fuel injection. But, it also raises the price considerably. You can get nice aluminum wheels and bigger tires for any of the machines discussed here, but any time you go up in tire size you will sacrifice some performance. FYI, the Suzuki's come with 25" tires, the Honda comes with 24" tires. I am putting a 48" plow on my Eiger, but have not tried it yet. I have heard from other owners that the Eiger will push 10+ inches, no problem. Anything in the 48" to 60" plow blade size should be fine for any of the machines.

 

As for big tires on fancy wheels, been there done that! I found it ruins the sweet trail handling manners of the Rancher. Again, if you want to create a monster mud bogger with monster wheels, start with a bigger machine....

That said, the one place I do run big tires is in the snow. I run 25" ITP Holeshot ATRs on fancy 12X7" rims. They are absolutely superb snow tires! But, when I head out on the trail, I put the stockers right back on.

 

I like my kq450 plenty of power and the efi gives it plenty of snap.

 

Also look at the Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4. It's completely bulletproof and a great quad for what it is.

 

ok monkey wrench....

Eiger is discontinued for 2008 and the Kingquad will be branded a 400.

think that i am best getting the eiger leftover or the new machine?

 

Most of the Suzuki '08 models have not been released yet, but from my understanding, the the "new" King Quad 400 is just an Eiger with new plastics and a different name. That being said, you could probably get a much better deal on a leftover '07 Eiger than an '08 King Quad 400. If you are pretty sure that you'll be getting one or the other and you aren't in a huge rush, you could wait 'til the '08 is released to check out the specs for sure. Should be released by the end of the month, but I'm not 100% on that.