There are probably a hundred of these posts out there, but here's mine:

Looking to get into the ATV market, with a budget around $4,500. About me:
41 year old male, 6'4", 240 lbs.
20 years street bike riding experience
3 years dirt bike riding experience
0 years ATV experience
Main use would be trail riding. No major hill climbs or mud bogging.

Currently looking at:
2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO (carb) for $4,500
2011 Polaris Sportsman 550 XP EPS for $5,500 (is it worth the extra grand?)
2009 Yamaha Grizzly 550 (EFI, power steering) for $5,000
2008 Suzuki KingQuad 450 AXI for $3,900 (is this big enough?)
2009 Suzuki KingQuad 500 AXI for $5,000

All with low miles (under 800)
I know there is no one golden answer, but am I on the right track? Any suggestions?

 

The 450 KQ has the same full size chassis as the 750 KQ and almost the same power as the 500. Sure is the best in price. Here is one winning a 500 4x4 shootout. 4x4 ATVs Comparison Test Report - What's the Best 500 Utility ATV?.
Next is the 550 Grizzly with power steering that is not a cheap option.

The 550xp is sure worth $1000 more with its more powerful motors, better front suspension (Double A-Arm vs Struts) ,EFI and power steering over the 500H.O.

Here is a side by side of the 450KQ vs a 750KQ. same roomy ATV just different displacement.http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth...e2=88108&go=Go

 

I would also spend the extra grand for the XP. It has a more powerful motor and better suspension. But, the 500 is pretty bulletproof. If you don't ride where you have different elevations that change pretty drastically the 500 with carb. isn't too bad. You'd have some money left over for riding gear. Personally, I prefer fuel injection mainly for the easy winter starting. Polaris is probably the smoothest riding machine of the dozens I've had some time to throw a leg over.

The others are all good machines too. If you can take a short ride on each one give them a tryout.

Polaris also has a very easy to use 4wd system. You hit the switch and it comes on as needed. No fighting 4wd when it's not needed. When the rear tires spin any faster than the fronts the 4wd kicks in. It is nearly impossible to tell it kicked in until you need the traction and it's there. The Grizzly and King Quad all have a system where you press a button to get in 4wd. It gives you 4wd with a limited slip front setting. To fully engage the front you have to move an additional lever. Not a big issue but an extra step.

 

I'm a Suzuki guy, you hardly ever see them on here needing help to fix them. I have a 03 Vinson 500 and have not put a wrench to it yet other than normal maintenance. I trail ride, mud and use it to pull trees I have cut for firewood. I don't baby it and it runs like a Timex

 

Thanks for the feedback guys, keep it coming. I updated my original post to show location (Pennsylvania). But I'm no cold weather rider, I expect it will be parked in the winter!

 

Great to hear you want to start riding atv's ....they are a blast to ride!

I own a 2001 poaris sportsman 500 HO .....bulletproof! I'm not convinced the newer ones are as tough though. Definitely a nice ride with polaris.
I'm not familiar with the 550 or EPS.....do some research here and at Polaris ATV .com.
Yamah and Suzuki are both good quality bikes, I wouldn't be afraid of those choices.
You're definitely on the right track with the bikes you have listed. All of them could and probably are going to be a great atv for you to drive....

 

Hey I know this is a little late and i don't know if you bought a quad yet but I live east of pittsburgh and I have a 2013 sportsman 500 with about 400 miles on it. It's all stock except for sti bead lock wheels. It's been we'll maintained and only thing wrong with it is it has a small crack in the rear rack which I'll let it go for $4000 or $4300 with a new rack on it.