I am very new to ATV's and just wanted to get someones opinion that wasnt trying to sell me something.

what are the main brands of ATV's that i should consider?
what should i be looking for in an ATV?
and finally what engine size should i be looking at?
(p.s.- i like to go vary fast in short amounts of time )

my family and I have just purchased a lakehouse with a 14 mile trail around the lake that is used for ATV's and snomobiles and was just wondering what would be best for me.

THANKS

 

Are you looking for a sport quad or a utility quad? What kind of trails? Are they slow and technical, or open and quicker? Any dune trips in the future? Do you mind shifting, or do you prefer something automatic?

 

Main manufactureres are: Arctic Cat, CanAm, Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki, and Yamaha. They all make utility models that will work in anything from open roads to tough rock climbs to mud and water holes. I think all make sport models that are great for road, trail, and sand riding. What are the trails like around the lake? This will help us to help you.

 

My teenagers started out on 2 Yamaha Warrior 350 i find them to be a great combo quad ( sport Util ) and are almost bullet proof. they now ride 2 suzuki 450 how ever i still have the warriors for extended family to ride and run great to this day

 

One thing tells me you want a sport machine. To do that you may want to look at the 450 class of sport machines. Seeing it is in a populated area stick with OEM exhaust.

"(p.s.- i like to go vary fast in short amounts of time )"

 

i am definatly looking for a sport quad

as for the trails i am not exactly sure because i have never been on them but it is a pretty commercialized area so i am expecting them to be more open than anything (although i would want my ATV to be able to handle the more technical stuff as well)

i dont really think that ill ever be using these machines in the sand and i would prefer an automatic

 

Most sport quads will be manual shift. Manuals become second nature once you get used to them, though.

There are not too many automatic sport quads. The ones I can think of off the top of my head are:
The Arctic Cat DVX250 and DVX300 (CVT auto)
Can-Am DS250 (CVT auto)
Honda 250EX (auto clutch/foot shifter)
Suzuki LTZ250 (auto clutch/foot shifter)
Kymco Mongoose 250 and 300 (CVT auto. The DVX 250 and 300 are actually made by Kymco)
Then there is the Kawasaki KFX700. (CVT auto). It is a 700cc v-twin sport-type quad with a CVT automatic. It is a big and fast quad, but is also a little heavier due to its size.

I've ridden a Kymco 300. It's a nice quality quad, but CVT does use some power and takes some of the zip out of the smaller 250cc-300cc motors. I haven't ridden the KFX700 but those in my riding group that own them like them a lot. The v-twin sounds nice and makes power. They are a beefy quad at 500+ lbs, so they don't feel as nimble as the smaller lighter sport quads.

 

well if most sport quads are manual i am definatly willing and able to learn/get used to it

im leaning towads a honda trx400 or 450

 

The great trail quads are the Honda 400EX, Suzuki Z400, and Yamaha Raptor 700. All of these are suitable for a beginner adult, but have good enough performance that an experienced rider will have fun on them.

The 450's are a whole different animal! They have very different engines, that have light little slipper pistons, and they are more maintenance intensive. These engines scream, and while they can be ridden on trails (may require a lot of annoying clutch work), they really excell at going fast in open country.

At the entry level....if you are a little guy, and want the ultimate fun ride, there is the neat little Raptor 250. If you want more of a "hybird" machine that does well in technical conditions, then maybe the Honda 250X (formerly 250EX).

Look this fall for perhaps some new "hybrid" type machines from Honda!!! Maybe something that splits the difference between a sport and utility quad. Other manufacturers have tried this, with models like the Yamaha Wolverine, but so far nobody has done it quite right.

 

One machine you may want to look at that does a decent job blending sport and technical trail abilities is the CanAm Renegade 500. I had a chance to ride one at a ATV/Snowmobile show and it was very quick. Not as nimble as sport quads I've ridden but not as hard to ride as big utility machines. And, it is 4wd with an automatic. It is by far, the fastest 500 auto I've been on.