Best Bang For My Buck: Mudding ATV
 

About a year ago I bought my first four-wheeler. It's a 2004 Sportsman 700. I have learned to love mudding the past year, and in the next few months I will be looking to upgrade. I want a real mud machine, but I will be on a somewhat tight budget. I will be buying new and will probably only have roughly $8,000-$10,000 to spend. I am not only looking for a wheeler, I am also looking for any modifications (tires, snorkel, etc.) I don't know a lot about ATVs, so can anyone help me with the best way to spend my money to get a real mud machine?

What is wrong with the 700 that you couldn't upgrade it to be a mudder?

It is going to be passed on to my wife so that we can go riding together.

After a little research, I am considering investing in a Brute Force 650 or 750 with 29.5" Outlaw tires. Maybe a snorkel kit or a lift might be a good idea, but that would probably put me over budget.

what about an arctic cat mud pro? has factory snorkel and gear reduction, 14" ground clearance...

Very interesting... in all the reviews it seems like people are having lots of mechanical problems with the Mud Pro, but it does seem to be a great mud machine as-is.

Can Am just came out with its version of the Mud Pro...not sure of the name or the $$$. I believe from reading on these forums the Brute Force 750 has had trouble with taking in water pretty easily so I would definitely snorkel it if you go that route.

I you use it mostly for mud than any of them are going to have mechanical issues after awhile Mud will tear stuff up quick no matter how you build it or what machine you have.another thought,keep the 700 for your self and do some mods and buy her a used smaller one and save a couple grand