Hi All,

I am new to ATV Connection (obviously) and am requesting your assistance in helping me find some ideal quads for my family. I have ridden quads and dirt bikes off and on all my life and just moved to an area where we can ride relatively freely (Maricopa County, NE of Scottsdale, AZ). I don't have a lot of money (still young and working hard for it), so, most importantly, I need an affordable solution for our family:
me: 200 lb. male
wife: 120 lb. female 5'6"
Boy 1: 75 lb 11 year old (can ride a Honda 50 dirt bike, but he wants a quad)
Boy 2: 55 lb. 8 year old (might have trouble shifting, at least at first)

Either <u>2 quads</u> (1 for me and my wife to ride together and also for me alone, 1 for eldest son and youngest to ride together on or him alone) - this is the most likely scenario to start, OR 3 quads, 1 for me and wife can ride with me and one for each of the boys (second most likely) OR <u>4 total quads</u> (depending on affordability), 1 for each of us (unlikely, wife sounds sketch on riding one on her own, grrrr... at least she thinks that would be fun). I would also like to be "future proof" my oldest is growing like a weed and will likely gain another 20-40 lbs in the next year or two alone (he's quite athletic), but my youngest is strangely skinny (lol).

I would like something fast and fun, since I will likely go out a lot by myself. I am thinking that I might not get a quad yet for my youngest, but have him ride with me for a while (he always loved riding on dirt bikes or scooters with me) so I need something that can carry two. (lol).

I am not sure what the terrain is like as I haven't been there yet (that's why I want these) - it is NE Pheonix desert area, I think it is mostly desert (sand) with lots of brush around, but trails to go on, but they will mostly be loose sand (but I don't think paddles would be appropriate). I would have to ride on dirt roads and cross a pave road to get there.

My purchase criteria are (in this order):
1. affordable:
- low initial
- holds value well
- low maintenance costs
- reliable
2. fun and capable
3. Comfort
4. Speed

Your advise on brand, model and year options would be greatly appreciated and I will actually buy what you recommend (and I will continue researching myself, of course).

Any other advise on getting affordable gear (helmets, boots, etc.) would also be appreciated.

This would also be helpful: advice on how to look at and evaluate a used quad to make sure I am getting a good machine, I will most likely be buying off craigslist (or wherever else I should look to buy locally).

Thanks in advance!
B.B.

 

how many ATV's are you thinking about buying??? are you interested in 1 just for you and passanger??? and 1-2 for wife and son???

 

Good point, Cherokee99 - I was not clear. I added to my post:

Either <u>2 quads</u> (1 for me and my wife to ride together and also for me alone, 1 for eldest son and youngest to ride together on or him alone) - this is the most likely scenario to start, OR 3 quads, 1 for me and wife can ride with me and one for each of the boys (second most likely) OR <u>4 total quads</u> (depending on affordability), 1 for each of us (unlikely, wife sounds sketch on riding one on her own, grrrr... at least she thinks that would be fun). I would also like to be "future proof" my oldest is growing like a weed and will likely gain another 20-40 lbs in the next year or two alone (he's quite athletic), but my youngest is strangely skinny (lol).

 

ok, where are you going to be rideing the most? trails, destert, open areas? are you more concerned with speed or comfort?

o! do your kids want to race?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: cherokee99
ok, where are you going to be rideing the most? trails, destert, open areas? are you more concerned with speed or comfort?</end quote></div>

DOH! Great questions, added to post:
I am not sure what the terrain is like as I haven't been there yet (that's why I want these) - it is NE Pheonix desert area, I think it is mostly desert (sand) with lots of brush around, but trails to go on, but they will mostly be loose sand (but I don't think paddles would be appropriate). I would have to ride on dirt roads and cross a pave road to get there.

Any other advise on getting affordable gear (helmets, boots, etc.) would be appreciated also.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: cherokee99
o! do your kids want to race?</end quote></div>

Probably, but not yet... got to get them into it first, if they eventually want to race, then I will pursue that separately.

Also helpful: advice on how to look at and evaluate a used quad to make sure I am getting a good machine, I will most likely be buying off craigslist (or wherever else I should look to buy locally).

EDIT: I also had to change the # required, my wife is balking at having to ride one on her own, she'll get used to it, but it might take a while, so:

Either <u>2 quads</u> (1 for me and my wife to ride together and also for me alone, 1 for eldest son and youngest to ride together on or him alone) - this is the most likely scenario to start, OR 3 quads, 1 for me and wife can ride with me and one for each of the boys (second most likely) OR <u>4 total quads</u> (depending on affordability), 1 for each of us (unlikely, wife sounds sketch on riding one on her own, grrrr... at least she thinks that would be fun).

 

ok lol alot to process there! but i would say, start with looking at mabe 3 atvs total, 1 for you/her(but if shes sketchy on rideing not a 2up ATV), and probably 2 for kids. BUT, buy only 1 ATV for the kids at a time to see what the like??? sound like a good idea? unless you wanted to buy all of them in bulk?

for you i would recomend a 500+cc ATV. most likely a utility model. Polaris 500, yamaha grizzly, kawisaki Brute force 650-750, honda foreman(if you still like to shift with your foot) or honda rubicon, suzuki vinson. all are automatic exetp the foreman and some suzuki vinson models. with any of these ATV's you can buy a read seat for you wife, so she can come with. is she was more keen on going with you i would have suggested a polaris 2x model, which seats 2 people.

for your sons, one at a time, i would say get them a 250cc atv to start off. the utility line is a good place to learn how to ride, but most 250's are foot shift(BUT have an auto-clutch, so no clutch lever to worry about!!) goos starter bikes are: suzuki ozark 250, honda recon 250, yamaha beartracker/bigbear 250, and the good old kawisaki bayou 250! if you where very concerned about them not haveing to shift at all you can look for a yamaha grizzly/bruin 350 automatic.

the yamaha grizzly/bruin 350 automatic would also be a good atv for your wife, if she got the interest. ladys around here seem to love them lol

tell me how those sound?

 

price wise for your ATV in the 500cc+ range used, you may have to spend $4,500 or better. depending on model and your local average.

price for the kids, around $2,000 a peace, mabe more for a 250cc bike. the brand names will hold there value, you can skimp and buy chinese ATV's but they are pretty much dead if something goes wrong with them....

things to look for when buying are the basics... overall condition being good. if there is any dammage be sure to ask about it. ask about maintinance! look at oil levels and see if the air filter is clean. and everything starts/runs properly.

but my #1 thing is, if you can, jack up the mechine andshake the wheels, if there is alot of slop it needs bearings! not an expensive fix but something that is often overlooked. and who knows, might be a way to get a couple hundred $'s knocked off the mechine [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

most of all just make sure you will be happy with whatever mechine you are getting.

 

Most people imagine that desert is all sand, but that is not usually the case. There is a variety of terrain (hardpack, softpack, dunes, rocks, etc.), so you will get into everything except probably mud. (For the record, I have done lots of off-roading in the Phoenix area!!!)

Utilities for the most part are pretty lame rides in the desert, so unless you have some specialized needs like hunting, stick to the sport quads (they are less expensive and you will have more fun!). Take your cue from buggies. They are stripped down to the bare minumum, and are as light as they can reasonably be, and that is what you want to shoot for....a nice light sport quad, not some 700 pound utility!

For you, the 400 class machines are the best all-around machines. Honda 400EX and Suzuki Z400. The Raptor 700 is a good all-arounder as well.

For the little lady and the older son, something in the 250 class. Yamaha Raptor 250 or Honda 250EX. Honda 300EX is a great choice as well.

For the younger kid, the Honda 90.

Should be lots of good used machines around, if you are on a budget.

 

As for gear, Chaparral has some great package deals, as do some of the other mail order places.

 

I'm not sure on pricing, but I think I can give you some options.

For you/your wife, the only REAL two up ATVs that are actually designed to haul two people safely are the Arctic Cat two up, the Can Am Outlander Max, and the Polaris Sportsman X2 or whatever it's called. I don't know much about any of them other than the Can Am. The Outlander Max IMO is the best two up though. The Outlander, by itself, has won a large majority of shootouts. It has lots of great technology in it, such as rear Trailering arms or whatever they are called. I think that it is a really really comfortable ATV to ride, but also a lot of fun. I think that for you/your wife, if you found a used Outlander 500 Max XT that would be perfect. The XT package adds a winch, front and rear bumpers, and different tires/wheels. The above mentioned quad, with some skid plates, would be a great all-around trail machine for you two. The 500 is an EFI, V-twin engine. A 650 or 800 cc model would be great as well, just not sure about cost.

For your sons, it's a little bit trickier. For the 8 year old, a 90cc to 150cc machine would probably be best. Check out a used Honda TRX90, supposed to be bulletproof and will probably retain the value quite nicely when it comes time to move up to a 250cc or 350cc quad. You could also check out any of the major brand's 90cc kids quads, they are all similar I guess. But Honda, from what I've read, makes the best 90cc. So also check out the Raptor 90cc, Grizzly 110cc, Can Am DS90cc (they make a DS90X that includes a lot of features that would be desirable to have if he ever got into racing on the little thing), Kawasaki KFX90, Suzuki Quadsport Z90, Arctic Cat DVX90SE and 90SE, and the Polaris Sportsman 90. If you feel that 90cc may be too large for him, they have throttle limiting screws that you can gradually open up when he learns to ride well.

For the 11 year old, I think a 250cc sport quad would be perfect. Kids generally enjoy riding sport quads more than utilities, they are just more fun (I'm 15, ride an LTR450 my dad has an Outlander, I just have more fun riding my LTR). 250cc may be a little bit too much power at first, so you can just adjust it using the throttle adjustment screw. I think that a 250cc should last him from the time that he is 11 until he is 14, by 14 he may be bored with it, but maybe when he is 13 you could give it to his brother and move him up to a 400cc or something. Some 250cc sport quads to consider are the Can Am DS250, Honda 300X, Honda 250X, Suzuki Quadsport Z250, and the Yamaha Raptor 250.

When going to buy a used machine, I would check it out with a mechanic. They may charge a small fee, but it's worth it to make sure you don't buy a lemon. Other than that, just watch out for a lot of physical damage (ex. broken plastics or dents), as that will usually mean that it has been rode really aggressively and probably crashed. Also, if a deal seems too good to be true, it may be, who knows what's happened.

For affordable gear, check out rockmountain ATV (google it). They have a lot of stuff. There was a thread either in the Buying section or in the Sport quads section with some other websites.

Good Luck! Let me know what you think. If you find an ad on craigslist that you go to check out, maybe post it up here so we can tell you what we think of it. When buying something for your sons, make sure you bring them along so that they can sit on the quads and feel how far the bars are and stuff like that.