We are looking to get a pair of Utility ATV's. Main purpose would be to reach remote fishing holes, going to the beach and then hitting the less aggressive trails around central and southern Louisiana.

Right now I am leaning towards getting a pair of Rancher 4X4 AT's or getting a Rancher 4X4 AT and a Recon or a 4X2 rancher as a companion vehicle.

We have dealers of all the major brands available in the area.

The Kawasaki/Suzuki/Can Am/Polaris Dealer really caters more to the "extreme" ATV crowd and didn't have any of the more reasonable models on the sales floor. There wasn't really anything I could compare the rancher too.

The Arctic Cat Dealer is Bass Pro. I like the bikes, but I am not so sure about the dealer support. I think I would prefer an Arctic Cat if it was coming from a traditional dealer, seems like you get more bang for your buck.

The Honda/Yamaha Dealer had much better prices on their Honda's than the Yamaha's. The salesman said it was because they "wholesale Honda's", I think it was because there is a Dealer right across the boarder that sells Honda's cheap and lists their prices on their website.

Is there a better basic bike out there? If not a better bike, is there a better value bike out there? I am leery of buying used, I have seen what people do to their ATV's. I plan on keeping whatever I buy for 15 years or longer, so I want it to last. I am really open to suggestions on what I should check out before I drop 8-12k.

Thanks

 

I have been shopping around also and what I have found (may be compairing apples to oranges here BUT) the polaris 500 HO is a 4X4 498 cc will do ~60 has plastic utility racks (good for not rusting but in colder weather can get brittle) price comparison 5999 for polaris and others were more (sometimes 2,000) and had a larger engine than the other models. and in some cases had 4 wheel drive VS 2 wheel drive the polaris 500 HO is automatic with reverse and thumb switch for 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel. I have been dickering with a local dealer and they are taking 500 off for paying cash so if you walk in with all intent of buying 2 of them you should get a better deal just my opinion in what I have come across more power for the money still a name brand and less than other models I have looked at I will be picking mine up this week

 

Buy a Polaris for riding comfort and good all around ability. CanAm if you want best power per cc. Suzuki King Quads are good all around values. Yamaha also makes good all around machines. Kawasaki doesn't make as many models as most companies but has good quads. Honda tends to be most reliable. If you can test drive the machines see what you like and dislike and go for it. All of these companies make good quads with good abilities.

 

I just bought a used Honda Fourtrax 300 4x4. It is a great machine for what I paid for it. My buddy has a Polaris and his seat and IRS is more comfortable.

 

all machines will do what you want, i highly recommend TEST RIDING the ones you are serious about. i agree with irinman that the 500HO polaris is a good all around machine. thesuzuki king quad 400, rancher 420, and grizzly 350 are also good choices in the price range you stated. again, test drive them, and i think your decision will become clear. good luck!

 

We go to remote fishing spots, for 4 day camp overs so we must bring every thing in by ATV the trucks cant make it by a long shot. (see pics)

The flyin fishing guys can,t believe how we made it there.lol

We have a dozen people with every type of ATV, but the rancher is a smaller chassis with smaller 24" tires and has no low range and diff Lockers and on sections it struggles do to it, where the the other ATVs do not and it can not be loaded as heavy with its smaller racks and frame.

If Honda is your thing I would get the Foreman, it has a larger full frame and 25" wheels but still no awd system when the trails get real nasty.

 

How about the Grizzly 450 4X4 EPS?

Is there anything else out there with

4X4 (grizzly style, not Rancher style)
IRS
and Power steering?

I don't mind a smaller motor, 350-450 is a good range, a 300 would probably be ok.

 

"better or best" is so subjective- there's really no answer to your question. All anyone can do is suggest what they believe is the best bike for you. When you're ready to buy- test each one out. May seem time consuming but if you're keeping it for 15 years, what's a few days of testing? Would you buy a car without testing it?

I personally don't think any new atv being sold right now is any more reliable then the next-

You can cut your shopping time in half if you have some idea on what you're looking for in features...
awd?
4x4?
front diff lock?
IRS or SRA?
full auto or ES?
low gears?
disk or drum brakes?
seat comfort? (big difference between brands and on your back)
aggressive engine braking?
HP?

some models focus more on some features and less on others...
I will say this- if you're a full size adult 5'8" or taller 150lbs or heavier- you'll be happier on a 500cc or larger utility.
I rode my friends new outlander 400 last weekend for a few minutes and I have no idea how he enjoys it-
thing had as much "get up-n-go" as a v.iagra placebo

 

I think I am a victim of too many choices, I probably would really be happy with a 4X4, non power steering, solid axle with a 350cc motor but... there is so much more out there.

 

Generally speaking, a 500cc machine will do everything the big boys will do but without the top end speed of the 700+ class of quads. 500 without modifications will still do somewhere between 50-60 mph on the top end, depending on manufacturer. The smaller 450 and below machines are generally built as a smaller quad then the 500+ machines. This can be more fun on tight trails in the woods and are easier to use body english to muscle around. I'm 6'3" and 350lbs. so I like the bigger machines. These 350-450 class machines generally will have a top speed from 40-50mph or so.