Looking for a newer model used ATV with automatic CVT and EFI that is also sporty in the 400 to 500 size. Need something easy to start and go, comfortable, not too much power so friends/kids don't go nuts, and yet sporty. Just sold my 2007 Honda TRX400EX as the manual tranny turned off lady/friends/kids, carb was a pain, and it beat everyone up on rocky trails. Mostly trail ride in Nevada where it's rocky as heck plus some sand dunes.

Looks like little to choose from... Pol Sportsman and Yam Grizzly look styled for utility and seem like would be a sports riding buzz kill and a no go in sand? Meanwhile the CanAm Renegade and Artic Cat XC can't find on Craigslist so figure not selling for a reason? Given so few choices am I looking at this all wrong? The only other automatics seem to be too small 250cc and under lightweights and the too big 800cc plus heavyweights.

 

well aren't all sport bikes manual?? sure the sportman and the grizzly are classified as utility... but you can still throw rooster tails and slide around corners... in you dont want IRS than look at Honda Ranchers. just not quite sure what you are looking for...

 

not much out there for cvt sporties- tlc could probably think of one or two...

don't know what your price range is, but check out the can-am renegade 500, the yamaha wolverine 400... i think the kawi kfx 700 is a cvt sporty- might be a little much to handle for the ladies and the young ones tho-
all those sport utes like the outlander, grizzly, king quad, brute force all have 500-650cc models with cvt's and will surprise you- not as nimble as a sporty, but about just as fast. all comes down to budget.

 

The Renegade is the best option but not cheap. The old Scrambler 500s looked sporty but are nothing like a real sport ATV. The old 400 2-stroke Scramblers were available in a 2wd that wasn't quite as heavy as the 4x4. The Wolverine is the only other one I know of that would meet your requirements.

 

Don,t get to fooled with sporty plastic, take the plastic, bumps and off a Outlander and Renegade and they are the same machine.
Same with a 400 Xplorer and 400 Scrambler.
450 Wolverine and 450 Grizzly except for the IRS.
XP850 and Scrambler 850.

You can buy a Utility ATV and take the racks and bumpers off and sporty it up.

There was a guy on this site with a 500 Sportsman who removed his racks and bumper and it sure made that think look a lot more sporty.

Just do the same with a 500KQ or 550 Grizzly. Not many if any CVT below 500cc with efi. The Can Ams and KQ are all I can think of.


If efi was not a issue the mid size Hawkeye looking Sportsman 400H.O (455) small nimble.
Not to be mistaken with the full sized Sportsman H.O.

 

isn't the kfx 700 a cvt with fi?

 

The ones I've seen online were dual carbs. It looks like they quit making them.

 

I'd go with the Can-Am Renegade 500. Has good power for just about any riding. Son has one and has no problem keeping up with bigger bore machines. I've been on it quite a bit and it handles lighter than comparable utility machines. We've had it through mud, snow, rocks, sand, you name it. Comfortable ride that can go quick when you want to. We got an aftermarket rack for the back for a small cooler or cargo bag. Also gets around 30 mpg in mixed riding. If I didn't need a 2-up machine for when my wife wants to come along I'd get a Renegade.

 

Not going to get CVT,EFI and 450cc in one package. The 500 Renagade/Outlander or 500KQ is as close as you can get.
Since you live in the dessert I would guess cold start and elevation advantage of the EFI can be skipped.
I started both my carbed ATVs last nigh and it was 25 below.

 

Sportsman 400 H.O. is a full size bike.