Hi,

Looking for a couple or three ATVs to add to a rental fleet. So far have looked at Can Am 250s and 500s and Yamaha Raptor 250. To help us we need to know what brands have electric starts, automatic trans, e.g., easy for renters to get on and take off. Also like the Honda brand but was told Honda does not make a sport model with automatic trans.

Right now we are not looking for anything too aggressive just fun trailing. Want years between 2010 and 1013. Any suggestions on what you think would be good to rent? Thank you.

 

check into polaris. best bang for buck IMO. and have lots of automatics

 

are you looking for sport or utility style atvs? Here are a few automatic utility style.
these are the 500cc classes and smaller:

-kawasaki brute force 300 2wd
-kawasaki brute force 360 4wd Suzuki Cycles - Product Lines - ATVs
-polaris sportsman 400,500 and 550,they also have a 2 up(passanger seat behind driver)Sportsman® X2 550, all in 4wd Sportsman Utility Four Wheeler & Sport ATV by Polaris
-suzuki king quad 400 ASI 4wd (suzuki is most likely your cheapest out of all manufacturers). This is now offered with EFI
-suzuki king quad 500 4wd Suzuki Cycles - Product Lines - ATVs
-yamaha grizzly 300 2wd http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/d...y300_small.jpg
-yamaha grizzly 350 2wd or 4wd
-yamaha grizzly 450 and 550 both with 4wd
-yamaha wolverine(sporty) 450 ATV, ATVs, Yamaha Utility ATV, Utility ATVs, Generators, 4x4
-arctic cat 300,350,425,450,and 550. These all come with different options so you will have to ask the dealer which one is which. Arctic Cat
-can am outlander 400 and 500 both 4wd BRP Can-Am ATV, Side by Side ATV, UTV | Can-Am USA
The only 2 sport atv that are auto that I know of are:
-arctic cat 300 DVX automatic and 450 auto
-can am DS 250
-honda has a line of automatics,but some may be a push button shift/auto. ATV Utility - Honda Powersports


Hope this helps. Any of these would do well. My personal preference in order if I were rent would be: Honda,Yamaha,suzuki,polaris,can am,arctic cat,kawasaki. Again,i think all will be good but some have a slight better ride than others,and ease of riding them. If you were asking about using them for mud,pulling,racing,ect...the list would change dramatically, LOL!

 

As an alternative to the can am 250, I'd go with the the polaris trail blazer. Not because the engine is a little bigger (330), but because it's a little wider. If you're renting these out to beginners, the can am is a little narrower and the one I had for the wife was a little more tippy. She preferred the trail blazer 250 she had, but I was doing some engine work and needed a quad for a trip and picked up a used can am.

Hard to compare them as the polaris was a 2 stroke so it had a little more zip. Both were dependable. But that few inches in width made a big difference on how many times we saw it go up on two wheels when the rider wasn't expecting it.

 

thank you all, all this into will be very helpful in our search. I only mentioned sport style because I thought Utility ATVs would not be "fun" to ride and thought more of them for just working. Anyway i'll check all this out.

 

Keep in mind if your trails are muddy,your customers will get more mud on them on a sport which may not mind,but then again they might and could keep them from renting. The yamaha Wolverine 450 is more of a sport atv,but offers 4wd . some come just 2wd and some are select 2wd/4wd. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/pr...0/gallery.aspx

 

thanks so are you saying that mostly all the "sport" ones usually are 2WD and 4WD are better for traction and less slinging of mud. So the Yamaha Wolverine 450 just because it looks like a utility ATV it is still fun to rent?

I guess i'm confused that if we get "utility" ATVs they won't want to ride them as them not being sporty enough.

 

Let me ask this, what are the atvs going to be riding on primarily? Gravel roads,logging roads/trails that offer some mud,or what? what are the conditions they will ride in?
Yes there are only a hand full of sport atv that offer the option to choose either 2wd or 4wd with a push of a button.
As for the mud getting on the customer Im just thinking on some customers point of view. some may not want to get muddy,but it should be expected anyways,right?!!
The reason I suggested the Wolverine Is because its one of them atvs that is Sport,but offers better fender coverage for mud (anyone can still get a little mud on any atv regardless),its automatic,and has the option of 2wd,or 4wd. If your in dry weather conditions and no steep,slippery hills, then the 2wd is plenty. If your in snowy,rainy,muddy conditions the 4wd would be the better choice. Thats if you will allow them to ride in the snow and mud of course.
The sport atvs that offer select 2wd/4wd and automatic are the polaris scrambler 500cc, the can am renegade 500cc. Can am will be the most in cost. Arctic cat 450.
Sorry, I wasnt trying to make this difficult. Im just trying to give suggestions/advice. Most probably wouldnt even think about mud getting on them anyway. They should just figure it may happen.

These are the sport 4x4 atvs:
the renegade Canam Renegade Quads | Can-Am USA
the scrambler 2012 Polaris Scrambler 500 4x4 ATV : Overview
the arctic cat Arctic Cat - XC 450i