Hello everyone
I am hoping to pick evryones brains to help me decide on my first quad. I don't want a brand battle either just honest information. Thanks

 

Welcome! You need to sit on then test ride a few quads and pick the one that is best for you not what someone tells you is the best! All quad are pretty good these days you just need to choos the one that fist the terrain you will be riding with the features you need in a quad! By the way the I give a big thumbs up on a Yamaha Grizzly 550 or 700!

 

Welcome to the forums. There are so many quads out there it's tough to recommend any without knowing what kind of riding you'll be doing. Will there be mud, rocks, hills, roots, waterholes, etc? Do you want to go fast or just putt along? Try to fill in the details and we'll have some recommendations for you.

 

I actually posted something in the buying a atv section. But for the most part. My experience is zero. I rode an older scrambler and test rode the neighbors.One has a 400ex and the other a 450r. When I went riding with my neighbors we rode primarily on a 1000 acre farm. So there were trails cut through the woods, a couple of small shallow mud holes and old hay fields. Also on the farm is a 2-3 acre sandpit. with some steep climbs on the back. Also we are able to ride a state trail basically a long flat straight gravel road (old train track bed). I loved the top end speed of the 450r but loved the fact I could putt in first gear on the 400ex. It seemed more user freindly. And seemed to ride nicer. Check out the other post it shares more details.

 

I too am an old guy and a new rider. I just bought my first quad, used for putzing around the trails, hunting, fishing, snow plowing and making firewood. I did a lot of research (including a lot reading here and other forums) and eventually bought a 2010 Polaris Sportsman 550 XP EPS.

As anyone will tell you, you need to consider what you want the quad for and then test ride a few, as well.

The reasons I bought the 550 EPS: EPS power steering is WONDERFUL.
The quad is US built (for now).
The 4WD is truly 4WD.
The quad is powerful, fast and handles well, especially LOVE the skinny seat compared to other makes and models. It is much easier to straddle and feels better when riding it hard in the corners.
I also really like the lock n ride accessories. I've already got a gun rack, rear hard box, side boxes and seat back. Windshield is next.

Good luck with whatever you buy. They sure are fun to ride and useful!

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

welcome!

 

Thanks for the welcomes. To update everyone. I passed up the yfz 450 and the lt-z yesterday. The 450 had been roled at a very high speed. It had been attempted to be fixed but not correctly. Even for me a new guy I could tell. The z 400 ran great looked the hell-o. Considered it but felt like I could do much better for the money. So come to find out an old farmer guy my neighbor knows has a 04 Honda 400ex that he bought new for the Grandkids to ride around the farm. Basically it has been sitting in the pole shed for years under a tarp. I went out there emptied the gas out of it. Put some in charged the battery. Started up and ran great. 100% stock. 95%+ tread on the original tires. Near mint condition, no scratches, no paint off the frame. Offered him 2100 cash. I have to go pick it up at 6pm tonight. Figure I will change the oil right away, change the spark plug and maybe the brake fluid. Also will clean the carb and wash it. Hope this one ends up being great. Thanks again

 

Welcome

 

Ok another update>>>> I bought the 400ex. I have washed, waxed, changed oil, brake fluid, and spark plug. Drained all the old gas and put in premium. Put a new battery in it. This thing is flippin awesome. I actually beat my neighbor on his 2002 400ex that is bored to a 416 and is piped and jetted. We lined up on a gravel road at a dead stop. I stayed a full quad or better a head of him. Of coarse he had dozens of excuses. I BEAT HIM Looking for some nerf bars for it. now.