Here is the deal I need serious tips on what to loook for in a used ATV when buying. I will be looking at a 1997 Honda Recon and a !996 Honda 300 4x4 both for around 5000$ (private seller). Please help me I want reliable bikes for both myself and my wife, we are not serious riders but want good bikes (of course). Thanks so much for the info!!!! I will be looking at these bikes tomorrow the 4th of September!!!

bnt5@hotmail.com

 

Here is what I would look for and ask:

1. Did an adult or kid drive it most often?

2. When was the oil last changed? Ask the owner
to show you where the oil filter is located
just to make sure they are being honest.
3. While tires often tell how much an ATV has
been driven, the handlebar grips are a good
indication as well.
4. Check all four wheels for freeplay. A common
problem with people who don't take care of
their ATV is to allow the rear hub nuts to
get loose. The axles are quickly damaged when
driven in such condition.
5. Before starting, check to see if the engine
is cool. A warm engine can sometimes hide a
starting problem.
6. Does it create any blue smoke when it starts
and does it idle smoothly. A rough or uneven
idle is usually the sign of a carburator
problem.
7. Does the bike appear to accelerate near the
same rate of the engine or does it appear to
slip somewhat. Worn out clutch plates will
be especially noticeable when shifting
between the higher gears.
8. Listen for unusual noises, especially when
applying the brakes and making turns. Take
the bike through all available gears and try
to look for any changes in the way it sounds.
9. Ask where the quad is usually kept. You
would be surprised how many people leave
their quads to exposed to the elements.
10. Ask why the owner is selling it and yourself
if the reason appears to make sense.

 

one thing tho... just because it was driven by a young adult instead of an adult dosen't mean it is in bad condition...

I know alot of adults that don't aduse their quads, but they have no idea how to maintain them, and try to do them by theirselves.

 

yep, the older adult riders i know warm there new ranchers up at half throttle in netural! They also look at me like i am nuts when I tell them to put oil on there airfilter. Makes me only want to buy a new machine after seeing that. things I check when buying a quad are:
1.Grab all the tires, check for berring play.
2.take off at full throttle jamming the gears, any odd engine knocking is not good, and each shift should be firm without any crunching feeling from the shifter.
4. The airfilter should be well oiled and engien oil should be clean and full.
5.check engine cases for any welding or JB weld to fix cracks

 

Just so you know, don't get a wierd feeling about who your buying them from when he/she says that their is no oild filter on the recon. Iknow it's wierd, but it doesn't have one! I've even asked my local honda shop and they said the only thing filtering the oil is a screen. I wish it had an oil filter, but it doesn't.

 

My apologies to the younger riders out there who take excellent care of your quads and who might have taken offense at my earlier post.

Still, you have to admit that the person who actually forked out the bills for something (be it a kid or adult) is more likely to take care of it.

Ride safe.

 

negotiate. the little things into the price. even plastic and stuff. Look at the stuff like dip stick and oil filter. RIDE IT!!!!!!!!!!. IF it seems good take it. just get something and ride. if they r trying to hide something be wearing dont take it if they dont let u ride it

 

bnt5, Do you know, you can buy a NEW 2001 Honda Rancher, 350 4x4, for $5200? You can get the 2x4 for about $4300! The Recon is $4300 new! Just thought you might like to know that before you go out and give $5000 for one that is 4 or 5 years old! Unless I misunderstood! Are you talking $5000 for the pair, or each?

 

unless they both are SHOWROOM thats too expensive..

 

Cheak the market out on those quads first, because the guys rippin u off if he's sellin that high