Is this utility worth buying for playing around with and some work?

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] I owned a 1999 450S for four years. I bought it new in 1999. It was a decent all around performer. Very reliable and tough. I went through mud, climbed hills, pulled trees and rode many trails. I installed a 2000lb Warn winch and a K&N filter and jet kit. The filter and jet helped some but I was always bringing up the rear. It was a good quad and I had fun with it, but handling and speed are not it's strong points. After a couple of crashes you learn it can only be ridden at speed with great caution. Anyway, if you are not riding with a bunch of guys who like to go fast all the time you will be satisfied with the 450S. Oh yea, they sure liked to watch me go through the mud they had to go around and were also glad I had 4wd and a winch. I sold the 450 and now I have a Polaris 700EFI. All I can say is WOW!!! Good luck with whatever you buy. Ride safe, fast and have fun.

 

The newer 450's are a little bit different than the 2001's and under. In 2002 Honda changed the suspension a little bit. Torsen diff. and a selectable 4x4 were added.

The Foreman isn't a sport quad but it can do donuts. It's a great worker.

 

My 02 is stock to the bone and I have a mojor blast in the snow mud sand and the darn thing just about goes anywhere, only real thing I wish it had was a locker front end other than that for stock ATV you cant go wrong. PS: mines for sale if interested. Im buying a low budget motorcycle to ride while I restore my car.

 

I'm not aware of a more durable, dependable machine then the 450S, DW mag agreed in an article last year(?). More like a John Deere than a Subaru WRX, though. I mean stiff suspension, heavy, geared LOW and slow, firm steering, more stable than sporty. The Rancher 4x4 I just got is more fun to ride than the 450 was, and will do most light to medium utility jobs. I like the foot shifter better than the ES due to reliability and I'm used to shifting with my left foot. Very tough to bust a 450S...Good luck, have fun choosing.