Okay over the last day I had a change in heart. With my dad buying either a Ranger RZR or Cam-Am Commander, I have decided I really do not need my own 4x4 Quad. What I did decide, however, is that with half my riding being with dirt bikers, I should go out and buy a Sports Quad. Problem is, I do not know anything about them really besides they go fast. Some things I have noticed while looking at adds for them is that they sell new for only a few grand less than a Utility/Sports quad, but used they sell for nearly half. So out with the questions already:
1. Why the massive drop in resale for sports quads?
2. Am I crazy to buy one used... as in would that be comparable to buying a used sports car that you know has been driven to heck out of?
3. Is there something specific I should be worried about when test driving and looking (aside the normal are the tires/shocks/starter/etc good)?
4. Is there some brands that are better than others?
5. I know with a utility you want min 500 cc, but what about a sports? (I know it often has alot to do with body type and riding style so I am coming up on 30 6'3" 195 lbs. Riding style would be described as like speed but under control.

I will also go hunting in the forums, which I know in a perfect world noobs like me would all do, but please understand the immense amount of posts we have to sift through :-). Cheers

 

1.I don't entirely know, but yes sport quads are much cheaper these days.
2.No. Both of my sport quads have been used, no real issues to speak of.
3. Sport quads are more likely to be ridden hard, flipped, etc. I'd check for frame damage, deep scratches and stretch marks will show if its been flipped badly. Other than that, just normal stuff.
4. I'd stick with the big brands. Anything Yamaha, Honda, Kawi, Suzuki, Polaris all have good machines.
5.Depends how much power you want. A 500cc sport quad is going to be much faster than the 500cc utilities you're used to. If you want lots of power, go with either a 450, or one of the big bore machines (raptor 660 or preferably 700 if affordable, 500 and 525 polaris) or a banshee if you are into wicked 2 strokes. If you want something a little more tame but still plenty of power to play with, 400 class is the best bet. Honda 400ex or Suzuki LTZ 400 are great choices there. Personally, from what you say above a 400cc machine would be the perfect fit for you. Less maintenance, more reliable, still good power. 400ex is about as reliable as they come. The Suzuki 400 is a little newer design having DOHC, liquid cooling, and reverse (late model 400ex's do have reverse, though). That's another consideration, is reverse important to you? Being a tall guy, the 450's may feel small to you but i know people your height with 450's that don't mind the size at all, so that part is just preference. Raptors are good for taller people because they sit higher than most other machines. Personally i currently have a raptor 660. Love it. Perfect for the trails, tons of power and torque, and has reverse which is very useful in trail riding. No issues out of mine, but you really aren't going to go wrong with any of the above mentioned machines.

 

Yeah what he said... The big drop in price is because most sport atvs are impulse buys.. kinda like the guy who spends all his money to get a pool then fills it in 5 years later LOL.. You can find alot of sport quads with barely any time on it at all..

I bought a mint 2005 400ex for 1800 bucks... for your frame size just about anything over 400cc is fine.. and the 450s are super fast.. and have good suspension.

 

Not sure why, but the Canadian websites have limited selection. Also mine is likely mostly an impulse buy too. Will ride it 4 maybe 5 times a year, but you know what I have wanted a quad since I was 5 years old. At 28 and making decent money, gosh darn it, Imma buy me a quad haha. In all seriousness though everyone, you have been extremely helpful. I like to research the crap outta anything I buy and I am starting to get a clear picture of what I want and how much I am going to spend. Cheers.