I have outgrown the go fast stage and want more of a mud machine. The EX goes in the trader this Friday and hopefully it will sell fast. The sport bikes are nice, but they are just not that good for the rocky trails around here. It has been a great bike though and it will be the same for its new buyer. Here is what I'm looking for basically.

I want a trail rider that is capable of spinning 27" BIG FOOT MUD tires.

Rather it be 500cc or under (Honda or Yamaha are my tops, but the Suzuki looks nice)

I don't tow any heavy loads, so as long as it will tow 400lbs or less I'm fine.

Good Ground Clearnace.

Good resale value (I haven't lost more than $200 on any of the Hondas that I've sold after keeping them for over a year)

Really don't want an automatic, but I've never owned a Yamaha or Honda Auto (The last two Polaris ATVs were of VERY poor quality)

True 4 wheel drive would be nice.

Would you go with Independent rear suspension? What are it's advantages and disadvantages.


Here are some of the bikes on my short list.

Foreman 450S (Already owned one before and can get a good deal on a new one for $4600)
Kodiak 450 (I owned a Kodiak 400 before and it was a tank to drive, but the 450 look much better)
Rubicon (Can get one of these for $5400 new)
Vinison

Would like to keep it below $5500 any other models


Out of these which would you go with (My father had the 450 Foreman and I had very little seat time, but it did seem too have a great low end.

Any ideas? The big bikes like the Grizzily didn't seem too have a great deal of low end pop when I tested them out on the concrete.

 

honda rancher's are great quads, and can go anywhere. Reliability is awesome.

 

Isn't the 350 too small to run the 27" tires?

 

try the rubicon, they're great. They have a fair amount of power, low gear is powerful, if you don't want the auto, switch to manual esp.