im looking at buying my first atv. im 5'11" and weigh 240lbs. im looking at maybe buying the grizzly 350 irs, grizzly 450, prairie 360 4x4, or the new kq 450. ill mostly use the machine for deer hunting, trail riding with occasional riding in the river, pushing snow, and just having fun. im not too fond of the belt drive systems even though ive been told theyre very durable. does honda offer an atv that would fit my needs? i dont need the esp, from what ive read it has too many problems. any suggestions or help? Tim

 

Hello burnt3d, I am personally looking at the Honda Rancher 350. I too am not fond of the autos or the ES. I know you can get a Rancher with the good ole foot shifter (not sure about the larger bikes Honda offers) My plan is to buy a Rancher maybe 4X4 (I have never owned a 4X4) and pass my 300 to my wife. Any who good luck!

 

Either the Rancher or the Foreman 500 will fit your needs. The Foreman has more features and more power, bigger seat and is a serious workhorse.

 

I too don't care for a belt drive. They might be stonecold reliable, but I don't care.
Yes Honda has something that would fit your needs. You look like you want one more for working than for pleasure? The Foreman 500 is Hondas workhorse. But the Rancher is a great quad also. The new Rancher is a 420 with EFI and sounds like it will be a very potent package for an entry level quad. But give this thread time and plenty of people will tell you that you have to have a low gear and engine braking to ride a 4 wheeler and also a locker or it won't get out of your yard. Its funny that Honda owners can go anywhere they can without these functions. But the other manufacters do offer alot more bang for the buck. All the quads that you list are good machines. And with todays quality they are all pretty relaible. Its just going to depend on what you want and can get the best deal on. Get out to the dealerships and at least sit on the different quads you mention. Compare, find the one that fits you best. All you'll get on these boards is opinion of the one that people own. Or what they have heard or read. I haven't ridden any of the ones you listed so I can't comment on them. But I have ridden the Hondas and I love them.

 

im more for 90% pleasure and about 10% work, deer hunting and pushing snow.

 

I would recommend either the kodiak 450 also known as the grizzly 450 and an outlander 500

 

Haulin deers and pushing snow, you better get a ATV with low range. Honda gives you a nice super low 1st gear but many times Low range 2nd or 3rd is the gear your looking for.

I really like the options(2/4wd, low range) and simplicity of the Suzuki Eiger plus it comes in foot shift or belt.

 

I have seen a clipped carb spring mentioned several times, I also have a Rancher AT, what is it?Are you shortning the carb spring?

 

Badger1, Yes thats exactly what people are doing. You just remove the factory spring and cut off 10-11 coils and put the longer part back in. It doesn't hurt anything and it makes a very noticable improvement in throttle response.