My oldest son is looking for an atv and I found him one that I really need some advice on. My son lives about 100 miles from me and this atv is just 20 some odd miles from me so I really need some advice on what to look for. The atv:

A 1997 Honda Foreman 400 4x4 in great condition, so the owner says. It has 457 hours on the engine with 3199 miles on the odometer.

Looking at the pictures, it looks like a good machine but pictures are worth a 1000 words...right? I hope to see it in person either today or tomorrow.

Were these early 400s with the 5 speed tranny reliable? Any major problems to look for?

Richard

 

Very very reliable machine, if routine maintenance was performed! This is however pretty much a basic pure work quad by today's standards. It has minimalist suspension, so the ride is quite harsh out on the trail. Unfortunately has an "open" front differential vs the torque sensing one on the current models. Can't recall the actual displacement, but it wasn't 400cc's (they round the numbers off, quite liberally). Does it have ES opushbutton shifting? Don't think they had ES back then...but can't remember. If so, they are prone to problems.

If I were buying used, I would look for the newer Rancher 350 instead...

 

No ESP on this machine Recon.....strictly 5 speed manual. It has had routine maintenance done and my oldest son is just looking for an atv to use around his new home place, which sits on almost 4 acres. It will be used for work mostly and just riding around his property.

Thing is, he doesn't want to spend more than about 2500 dollars as he just bought this place and is looking to save money.

I'm going to see it this afternoon and will give it a good look over. Thanks for the info!

 

Low book in my area is ~$1,300, and high is ~$1,900. So anything close to $2,500 is way to much, although that is low mileage for something that old. The fact that it is that old is what would worry me. I think you could find a very nice younger Rancher or Foreman 450 for $2,500.

Ask the owner when he did the first valve adjustment, and watch if he has a dumb look on his face! The first adjustment at 20 hours is the most important...and be warned that most folks COMPLETELY NEGLECT to ever do any valve adjustments!!!

 

The guy is asking 1900 for it and he bought it new and did all service that was required. The last service was in March, oil change, new plug, valve check and has put 19 hours on it since then.
He installed a new battery last year and air filter last fall.

I'll give it good going over this evening.

Thanks again!

 

$1,900 is high book, and while it is low mileage, I would still say that is high given its age. Vehicles just deteriorate with age, no matter how much rountine maintenance you do. I would try to bid him down some.

A big negative for me, is the very old school open differential that will send power to the wheel without traction. Kind of makes the 4wd halfway useless....

 

for your son's use, that machine will be fine. i wouldnt spend more than $1700 or so for it though. good luck!

 

off Craigslist locally for $1,200 this summer. I wouldn't pay that much for a 13 yo machine.

 

I went and looked at it last night. It started right up, idled good, no smoke and I drove it around the loop of road he lives on. Drove great and to me, had plenty of power. Engine was shiny enough all over so it has never seen water or a lake bottom. He said it only saw water holes on the trail to his hunting lodge. But since he doesn't have a place to hunt anymore, he's selling the atv.

He bought it from his brother who bought it new in 97 and other than normal wear, the atv seems fine. All plastic is in great shape, no cracks or anything......nice solid machine.

It's between my son and the owner now as to price as the guy is willing to come down on it.

 

Seeing it is full-time 4wd, a Warn 424 which will convert it to selectable 2wd/4wd is necessary to take advantage of the machines full capabilities.