Hey everyone. I'm looking for a quad mostly just to play around on the trails with. No serious mud or anything crazy, just to have fun. I like hunting, but I'm not real big into it. I could see myself eventually using the atv to drag a deer out or something but 99% of what I'd be doing is trail riding.

The only problem is my budget is only $1500. I went and looked at a king quad 300, but it was junk. I am interested in Polaris models, but haven't found anything I really like.

I want a utility, or at least something that has a rear rack. I have found a few scrambler 500 4x4's in my price range. Seems like it would be fun but maybe not exactly what I'm looking for. With my budget being the limiting factor here, I've started noticing a lot of Honda Recon's in my area that look really nice. I'm 6' 200lbs. Is a recon big enough? Keep in mind I'm just playing around. There are some I've found cheap enough that I could buy and add a winch and still be within the budget. I don't really care about speed, so power isn't a huge concern. I'd like to have a 4x4, but from what I can see the ones I can afford are not in good shape.

I live in Alabama, so snow isn't a concern at all.

Just wanted your thoughts.

Thanks,
Joey

 

Why do you need 4x4? Unless you go off in some crazy mud or you're pulling a heavy trailer, a 2 wheel drive model would be just fine I think. A Lakota would work pretty well. Its 300cc and powerful enough. Auto-clutch. It has racks. Its chain drive so you can change gears to suit. It has decent suspension. Its very stable. The engine is way overbuilt and bulletproof. And you can pick one up for a song.

4x4's are longer, heavier, don't turn as sharp, and cost a lot more.

 

I don't think I really need a 4x4, but I figured it would be nice to have. However the 2 wheel drives are much more affordable.

 

What is your opinion on a Scrambler 500 4x4? The one I'm looking at has a rear rack installed. I really kind of wanted a utility for the racks, but a rear rack would suit me ok. The Scrambler isn't full time 4wd, it has a button for 2 or 4. Seems like it would be a lot of fun and do what I need to do.

I had a 2003 Suzuki Z400 a few months ago. It was fun and really fast (to me anyway) but I want something that is more versatile I guess. I traded that Z for the XR400. It was fun but I suck at riding dirtbikes. I traded a Polaris Trailboss 325 for the Z400. It was ok, probably should have kept it. If I could do it all over I would have. It was a decent ATV, did what I needed it to do. I just got the speed bug and ended up with the Z.

I have learned since then I don't care so much about going fast, just riding and being able to take my little boy riding with me.

 

Scrambler with a rear rack sounds like it would meet all your "needs". Four wheel drive on those rare occasions you'd need it and a pretty sporty ride for a 4wd.

 

I don't know anything about a scrambler.

Keep in mind too that you can get aftermarket racks for many sport quads.

So why do you say the 400 wasn't versitile? Maybe knowing this will help some.

 

Well like I said it was fun, but I couldn't use it for hunting, and the ground clearance wasn't too good. Also, I didn't like putting my son on it, his legs came down right by the exhaust.

I don't know, I guess it just wasn't my style.

 

I don't know what you mean "use for hunting". To me it means being small to fit between trees to get where you need to go and I suppose having a rack to throw your game on and a place to carry your rifle.

Sounds to me you just want another trailboss lol

 

Another Trailboss would probably do the job. It kind of looks like the scrambler is basically a more powerful 4 wheel drive Trailboss. I'm going to look at it tomorrow. I don't want another sport quad, but it seems like the scrambler isn't quite a sport, or a utility.

 

That's a pretty good assessment of the Scrambler. Doesn't have low range like a true 4wd utility or the big racks. More power than the 300 or 330 based Trailboss (if I remember right on engine sizes they were offered with).