I've come to the experts seeking advice. I need to buy an ATV. The primary use will be for getting around on our duck hunting place. There will be mud and water everywhere. I don't need to go fast, I just need something that starts well in cold weather and can handle hauling people and gear back and forth to a duck blind.

I'm going to buy used and I think I've got two finalists. I basically searched for models in the '05 and '06 range that are 4x4 and well maintained. Craigslist has two Yamaha kodiaks advertised for around 3 grand.

The first one is an '05 Yamaha Kodiak 450 4x4 with 1,470 miles and an owner that says it's very clean (I'll inspect it tomorrow but for the sake of this post lets just assume he's right). It is a 4x4, has decent tires on it, and it has a 2,500 lb Warn winch. It looks like this was probably a hunting/fooling around machine for this owner.

The second is an '06 Yamah Kodiak 450 4x4 with 800 miles on it, also a "like new" description. It has tires that look a bit better (more tread and better design for mud). It has a winch but I don't know what type. It looks like this machine was bascially used by the guys kids for running around the neighborhood and general fooling around.

So both are 450 4x4's, Ind rear susp, clean all the way around. Are there any differences between the year models? Anything I should know about this particular model that might make it NOT a good choice? Any known problems I should be looking for when inspecting them?

Do most people have a title for their ATV? The first guy says he never got it titled but he has the original certificate from the manufacturer...says it's paid for. I'm a bit uncomfortable buying something with no title...how do I know he doesn't owe the bank money on the thing? Is this a common situation with the no title deal?

Thanks in advance for all info...I walked around in waders this morning and between the ice and the mud I decided that it's time to get a ride.

 

Welcome to the forums!

I will try and help as much as I can for your needs LOL Lets start at the beginning with the type of quad you are looking for.

"I just need something that starts well in cold weather and can handle hauling people and gear back and forth to a duck blind."

This right here tells me you should be looking for something with EFI and poss a 2 up for carrying multiple people?

"I'm going to buy used"

This limits your choices in machines that can do what you want.

"Anything I should know about this particular model that might make it NOT a good choice?"

The 450's in which you talk about are great machines but I don't think that they will fulfill your intended needs as well as some other choices out there. The 450 is a midsized frame bike that is not designed to haul a very heavy loads. Will it do it? Sure it will but you can find other used bikes/makes such as a Polaris Sportsman/X2 500 that will just about double your load capacity and every 500 since 05 or 06 (not sure when) has EFI to help with cold starts. The bigger 450 Grizz or even the 550/700 Grizz with EFI would be a better choice IMO for your needs.

"Any known problems I should be looking for when inspecting them?"

As with anything just use common sense when looking at any atv. Pull the dipstick smell the oil and coolant. Check for loose steering and worn ball joints, look at the frame for cracks, check Kelly Blue Book for value And Never Ever buy something sight unseen.

Hope this help some good luck with your purchase!

 

Thanks for the quick response!

I'm shopping for a used bike because I'll use this thing regularly for two months of the year. The other 10 months will see light usage. I'm willing to live with some trade offs so that I don't tie up a bunch of money tied up in a machine that I'm not using.

The loads this machine will carry will generally be two adult riders for a 3/4 mile trip to a blind and then back.

Cold temps in my region are probably 35 degrees as an average low temp (although it gets in the 20's and teens at times).

I just did a search for the machines you recommended but there are no used ones in my area. The dealers are offering plenty of them new at prices from 7 to 10 grand...but that ain't for me.

 

Theres nothing wrong with a carbed bike during the cold months. They take a little bit to get warmed up, but will run fine once they are.

Worst thing is if it got swamped and has water in the engine, and belt drive. I'd take that for a test drive and listen for any unusual noises.
While its not necessarily recommended the 450 should carry 2 people just fine.

 

Wow 7-10 grand is a lot for any 500 atv,even new. If you think the 450 will work for you great just be sure to give it a good look over and I would recommend looking at both atv's before making up your mind as that will tell you allot about what to look for in the bike you want. It might not be a bad idea to look at a new one just to see what a all new bike looks like to make the comparison on the used one.

I suggested EFI as for cold weather riding as I will never go back to carb again. Does a carb atv work yes but having EFI makes owning a atv that much more enjoyable especially during the cold season of the year heck you might just find that you will be riding it more than you think! Good luck and remember to keep it tire side down!

 

Ive got about 14 motorcycles and 4 atvs around my place and not a single one is EFI. They all start quite easily in the cold.

I had my old 1994 Honda ATV out the other day, it was -4F.....thats -20C and it started easily. Pull the choke lever, hit the starter.......I let it idle for 5 minutes or so while I put my cold gear on.....then closed the choke and drove off. I ran it for 2 or 3 days pretty often during that kind of weather and never had it fail to start easily, even after I left it for 3 hours out in the cold snow (vs my unheated garage which does keep it a little warmer due to being a windbreak - I think it was like 12F inside my garage when it was -4F outside).

My ridding buddy was my 8 yr old son on his 2 stroke 1989 Suzuki LT80.....it was right next to mine the whole time, in the same conditions and it also started easily......and every time.

Either way, if properly maintained I see no reason why you need EFI for cold weather. Not saying it wouldnt be nice....but I fail to see where its required or even more enjoyable.

Heck even if I had EFI I would still let the ATV set and warm up for 5 minutes before taking off in the cold weather.....so where is the real advantage?

 

Thanks for the replies and advice guys. My options for used bikes were limited based on what was available in my geographic area and my price range. I went and looked at the 2005 Kodiak 4x4 and the thing was in great shape. It ran very well, handled well, had very little rust, I jacked it up and everything looked and felt right in the frame/steering/suspension catgories...I told him I'd buy it tomorrow if my VIN check went through with no problems.

It has 1,470 miles and 190 hours on it. I'm getting it for $3,200 and the best part is that I'm splitting the cost 50/50 with my father in law. I only need the machine during duck season...the rest of the year it would have been pretty much unused. I hold him he could keep it at his farm the 10 months of the year that it's not duck season. He liked the idea a lot...so basically I got all the 4 wheeler access I need for 1,600 bucks. Not bad.

Before I could hear the ducks laughing at me...now...not so much.

 

The real advantage is not having to re jet or fiddle with a choke, sure they will start but you don't have to babysit your machine while waiting to plow, ride or warm up. If you ride at different altitudes as I do (8000 to 13000 ft) you would appreciate EFI too. EFI is also much more to it as far as ride quality is concerned such as throttle response and better overall fuel millage. This might not help in this particular case but the truth must be known and no one should fear technology as every new quad will soon have it like it or not. If you will think of it this way would you rather have a 2005 pickup with a carburetor or a 2005 pickup with EFI???

 

I guess this is all subjective. Instead of having to remap EFI for a drastic exhaust change I would rather buy a few jets for $10 or less and change them out. Pulling the choke out.....then closing it a few minutes later really doesnt cause me any concern either - so I dont see its worth the extra expense of EFI. If I have carb problems I buy a rebuild kit for $20 or less, spend an hour or less going thru the carb and then ride of into the sunset. If you have EFI problems your likely not going to fix it cheaper then $20 or easier....but I may be corrected, as I havent been around EFI on a ATV - only cars/trucks.

And again EFI might seem important if I rode in drastic altitude changes....but I dont.....so I merely see it as an added expense and complication.

Throttle response and fuel mileage.....EFI does have an advantage here, is it enough to warrant having it - that depends on the rider I guess. I ride a small utility ATV so throttle response is of no concern....atleast as far as the difference between carb and EFI is concerned....my wheeler and my riding style, I would likely never notice it. Fuel mileage......I doubt most recreational riders are likely to save enough gas to make a considerable difference.....if you used your ATV all day, every day on the job....sure.

Again, subjective.....but for your average user on low performance utility ATV (like in this post)...I see no need really.

.......and you can bet your *** I would buy a new truck with a carburetor on it if I could. Tuned properly a carb will give EFI a run for its money on fuel mileage and power. In fact Ive contemplated selling all this new **** Ive got setting around and dropping the money on some cherry, older vehicles. The kind that when they dont run I can diagnose with hand tools in 30 mins instead of requiring a trip to the garage and the use of a computer......but hey, thats just me.

Not saying EFI is a bad thing....its clearly not, just saying in this instance I fail to see the necessity.

 

The title thing.
The one has a certificate that comes with the machine when new. This basically says that the owner did not pay the state sales tax. No biggie till you want to register it with your state (if ness). Then you will have to pay the tax.
I have a rancher, I did the same thing.