hello i've been thinking about buying a atv and happend to come across atv connection, i have no experience with atv's so i dont know where to start. i have 2 friends that own 350 banshees but they seem to be more about speed then anything. iam looking for a more dependable atv with 4x4, something sporty looking that wont leave me to far behind them, hopefuly not behind at all. so far i looked at an 03 polaris scrambler 500h.o 4x4 with 600hrs for $3,000. dont know if this is a good deal or not since i dont know anything about atv. can any one point me in the right direction, keep in mind i live in upstate ny and i dont want just speed something with torque but can handle some rough trails. thanxxx

 

Well not too many 4x4s are going to keep up with any Banshees....... but a 4x4 is not about speed after all.....

Something like a Scrambler might work for you..... they are a semi-sporty 4x4 with decent power and a fun ride.

But what you get really depends on what type of riding you want to do...... as a fellow upstate NYer I understand the mud issues we have and a lot of people want a 4x4 for that reason.

If your friend's have sport machines, then obviously there is 2wd riding in the area and sport machines are light and fast and handle well. But they also require manual shifting (with a clutch for the most part) and they require a more aggressive and tiresome riding style. I get an amazing workout on my sport machine, it takes a lot of muscle and energy to go fast. You need to stand up a lot more to compensate for the lighter machines sending more feedback into your body.

A 4x4 is a more relaxed ride for the most part, but because the are so heavy if you ride them sporty they will beat you up more than a sport machine. But the heavy machine and plush suspension will smooth out even rough trails. Many beginners feel more secure on a 4x4. But just remember they find their handling limits much quicker than sport machines, and are more prone to roll-overs because of a higher center of gravity. And you also don't want a 600-700 pound machine rolling onto your body so learn your machines limits well.

If you don't want to bother with shifting (and many beginners don't) the CVT Polaris might be good for you. And a Scrambler is probably a good choice.

If you want to check any prices of ATVs, you can do it just like a car at NADA.com...... you can get the bluebook value of any ATV there, new or used.

 

If you want a fast 4x4 to run with the Banshees get a Polaris Scrambler 500, Can-Am Renegade 500 or 800!

Scrambler 500 is SRA with no low range and carbed, $2000 less than a Can-Am 500. Either Can-Am is faster and have low range and IRS and EFI. Well worth the extra $$$$. Renegade 800 is 1 of the fastest atvs.

 

i would look at a lighter 4x4 if you want to go fast. The 500 renegade would be a good choice. Also a honda rincon is reletively light for 4x4s.

 

Bang for you buck is the 500 or 400 Scrambler,the 500 renegade even used is lots of $$$$$ so is every other FAST SPORT 4x4. Don,t worry about the EFI the 500 Scrambler has the same HP as the 500EFI and Polaris does not use even use EFI one there serious Outlaw or predator race ATVs,so I doubt its a performance advantage if they only put efi on there Utility ATVs.

If you can find a older 350 4x4 (5 speed) Wolverine they do 55mh and were the lightest 4x4 made at 480lbs.

 

I agree with TLC. I would drive a Scrambler and a Wolverine. I would personally go with the Wolverine, they handle pretty well. I have driven the 500 Scrambler and the 350 Wolverine. The Wolverine was more comfortable to me, and felt sturdier..I guess you could say..lol

 

I didn't mention the Wolvy because he is riding with Banshees and 55 mph just won't cut it, the Scrambler 500 and CanAm will run 65mph+