Ok so I just sold my 2003 Sportsman 500 HO. Its a long story please don't ask, lets just say I didn't end up with it. Now I am without a quad and eventhough I barely used it I am already looking to get another. Number one on my list is being able to plow my driveway. Also I like to puts around the yard moving wood for my woodstove. I do alot of ice fishing and would use it for that also. And than the occasional trail riding. I want to stay in the 450-500cc. I really like the idea of the single and also like that I can pull start when i have to. Now I did like my Sportsman but I think I would like to try something different. My friend has a Vinson and I really like the looks of it and he could always take me on the ice. I am looking in the 2004-2006 year range and would like to spend 4000-4500. Any opinions would be appreciated and let me know if I should add anything on the list. Was never really big on the Honda's or Kawa's but let me know your thoughts.

 

i think a kingqad 400 or a rancher 420 with a set of radial duros powergrip tires will suprise the hell out of you in that price range brand new. 4x4 of course .2007 and 2008 models are slashed down to remarkable deals right now. i know the tires are on sale at rocky mountain atv for 279.00 shipped to the door. the very first thing i would do is replace the stock tires with a set of these tires, there a great tire in any condition for the money.

 

As much as I would like a new Quad, why would I buy new in this economy? There has to be some great deals on used quads. There is a 2005 Yamaha Big Bear 400 in great condition listed at 3,100 in the bargainnews.com.

 

a big bear would be right up your alley! dont let the 400 cc's fool you they are a good working mechines, foot shift, and near bulletproof. its not an automatic like the sportsman though.

a used vinson would be a nice choice as well, and you should be able to find one for under 4500. also a kodiak 400 or 450 are in your price range. tha\ey aregenerally good mechines, all of those are autos.

the big bear is at a pretty fiar price if its in good condition

good luck

 

well 3,100 far cry from 4000 to 4500 hundred on what you said you would spend, but i would buy a brand new kingquad 400 or rancher 420 ive seen both advertised all over from 4,000 to 4,500 out the door. rather then buying used in that price range.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>My friend has a Vinson and I really like the looks of it and he could always take me on the ice</end quote></div>

How does a slower Vinson 3wd out accerate you on Ice or anything else.

Here is a comparison with the Kodiak 450 / Polaris 500 / Suzuki Vinson Text

all involved.

Except for a Outlander 500 Utility you have to move up in cc motor size to even match a SP500 not down.

I rode a 420 Rancher lately and you will be down grading in performance ,it similar in pickup and top speed to a 500 Foreman.

 

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

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>My friend has a Vinson and I really like the looks of it and he could always take me on the ice</end quote></div>



How does a slower Vinson 3wd out accerate you on Ice or anything else.



Here is a comparison with the Kodiak 450 / Polaris 500 / Suzuki Vinson Text



all involved.



Except for a Outlander 500 Utility you have to move up in cc motor size to even match a SP500 not down.



I rode a 420 Rancher lately and you will be down grading in performance ,it similar in pickup and top speed to a 500 Foreman.</end quote></div>

 

to be honest, you only need SOO moch power, and if you use th power propperly you can outpreform other mechines. a 350cc sport quad can outrun a 350cc utility hands down, due to gearing. but pulling the same load the utility quad will pull easier with less strain on the motor. its all how you use the power you have. iv seen a big bear 350 OUTPULL a vinson 500 auto in a tug of war, dry land both in 4x4. the big bear is geared very low and is ment for work, the vinson not so much.

jdulac said his main criteria for an ATV where to haul wood, plow a drive way, and go ice fishing. i would say a good utility quad, even one under 500cc, would fit the bill perfectly. the big bear would do just fine, dispite it being under the 500cc range, if you dont mind shifting yourself.

just my opnion, CC's arnt everything

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>iv seen a big bear 350 OUTPULL a vinson 500 auto in a tug of war, dry land both in 4x4. the big bear is geared very low and is ment for work, the vinson not so much. </end quote></div>

True the gearing means the most, but once a ATV like the Vinson is low range it has as low a gearing as ever needed. It would be screaming at 20 mph,cant get much lower gearing than that. After gearing it comes down to tractions between 2 ATVs ,who ever has the best tires,most weight and a diff lock or AWD set up wins.

The loser will get drag back wards but if its in low range you can bet it will be getting drag while its wheels are still turning foward.