I am looking to get back into riding after a 20 year break. I was mostly a dirt bike guy in my younger years. I'm 41 now and not as crazy as teens and 20's. I am looking for a budget friendly older 4x4 quad to ride the trails around our camp in Maine. a friend of mine who rides a lot swears by the sportsman 500's I have always been a Yamaha guy and Hondas are not out of the question. I don't care about speed more looking for #1 reliability and #2 comfort. I have a $2500 to $3000 budget and a big guy 6' 260. most of the quads in my range are 99 to 01/02 and 3000 for a 15 year old quad seems like a lot?? What is a lot of miles for a quad? what should I stay away from and what will be too small for me? I guessing anything under a 400 will be small? deals are hard to come by here, been searching c list etc. I live in north east Massachusetts but travel to Maine and N.H regularly. Thanks for any opinions

 

I'm roughly your size and ride a 400 now but I was comfy on 300's too. It just depends on each individual model and how the seat, foot rests, and handlebars feel to you. It doesn't matter how reliable something is if you are constantly uncomfortable on it.

Used prices may seem high, but from what I've seen in ads I'd much rather look at a 15 year old unit for close to $3000 than one for $900. Mine is around 14 years old and is in the best shape it can be for that age and I'd probably start at $3000 for it.

When buying used, use your eyes and ears and even your gut. What to look for is rather obvious, use your ears to hear what the seller (especially if a private seller) has to say about it, and your gut to decide if they are just telling you what you want to hear.

 

Sounds like your like me , I have a 500H.O but wanted a very basic just add gas and go ATV.
The Yamaha 350 (348cc) just fit the bill, they are reliable. The 348 motor has been around for 25 years and many models .
I had a 1989 350 Big Bear and sold it years ago to a friend who still is ridding it now.

I know a guy with ATV touring outfit that supplies the ATVs and they only buy Yamahas , they have 450 Grizzlies and 550 Grizzlies and 350 Grizzlies.

The thing is the guy told me he trades the 450s and 550s in every second year but only keeps the 350s for a few more years longer because he had such good luck with them.
He called the 350s "Stupid Simple". LOL

It was the reason I bought one and so far so good. Another advantage is there are so many of them Kodiak's, Grizzly, Bruins and Wolverine that they are easy to find when buying used.

The air/oil cooled 400 Big Bears and 400 Kodiaks are good to since its the same motor just stroked out to a 386cc.

Read these owner reports on them ,they can't all be lying. http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth....asp?veh=21737
And
http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth....asp?veh=53959

 

Any of the machines TLC mentioned would be good. I owned a Grizzly 660 before and its a very comfortable machine, im 5'11" and 205 lbs myself. I've seen a few for close to $3000 in my area. I've seen Kodiaks for around $2000, that's probably going to be the best bang for your buck.