Hello,
First let me say yes I weigh 522lbs and hell yeah I know Im gonna die one day because of it, lol

That being said I cant walk a great distance without getting out of breath of course. I've come to a point in my life where Im tired of sitting home and staring at 4 walls. I used to hunt and fish all growing up, but I could move pretty good back then.

I've moved out in the country here in Louisiana and there are literally thousands of miles of woods and state forest land out there. I been contemplating a 4-wheeler for some time and thought I'd come to you guys and ask a few questions.

I'd like to know first, if its even possible to find a model to haul my big azz through the woods. I have a 12k dollar budget so money not really a problem. I have looked on the internet at several models from several different companies. I was hoping maybe a big 650 or 700 model would be powerful enough to do the job.
I know I want 4 wheel drive and a winch on the front in case I get stuck out there by myself.

Do you think one of the big models is what I'd need or maybe I dont need to waste the extra money and a 500 could hold me? Im not sure, because I saw some hunting site where a guy was hauling himself and 2 deer across the back of the 4-wheeler. He weighed about 280-300 and I imagine the 2 deer weighed a total of around 250-300. It was a 500 model atv but I dont remember the brand offhand.

Any tips or advice you can give would certainly help out. I have a friend that thinks I could get away with maybe a 500 model but said I should buy bigger just in case. Also was wondering if they have suspension upgrades like 4x4 trucks? Maybe something like a heavy duty suspension option?

 

welcome to the forum. i think a 500 would haul you(as you call it) but you would need to use low range alot more while in bad terrain for sure. you would alos need stronger rear springs to hold the extra weight. maybe even think about the new 550 xp that just came out. an x2 has a little heavier springs or even an atp is for more weight. a 700 or 800/850 will have more power for sure but basicly work the same way as the smaller engines. pretty much any of the wheelers out there you would need heavier springs i would think and yes after market companies do make them. ive seen some couples on a 500 that combined way most likey 600 lbs but the supenion is bow inward pretty hard and any bumps would be bad im sure. good luck w/ the search.

 

thnak you for the quick response. Can I beg one more question? Whats the average life expectancy of a 4 wheeler? I was looking at a 2007 model with 155 miles on it. Guy says it never saw mud and was used on his farm to check his fenceline.

I know with my dodge truck I expect to get around 150k miles out of it before I should start thinking about trading it off because its life expectancy is coming to an end. Not sure about a good ATV though?

 

hi,i own a 500 honda rubicon my wife and i are a combined weight of over 500 and it handles us fine all stock

 

My dad is anywhere from 340- 400 pounds depending on how his diet is. He has a sportsman 500 and it has NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!!!!! He has been to windrock and tackled the trails just like the rest of us. The 500 sportsman 500 is about as bullet proof as they come. He climbs the biggest hills and plays in the deepest mud that I would ever want to get in. he did not touch the rear springs. He had them set to the tightest setting and sid it was too stiff and backed them off to about the middle setting. The Independent suspension was a great help in keeping him comfortable. He tried other brands and most felt too small and "toy like " as he calls them. If you are worried about a 500 having the power, set that worry aside. I know (with Polaris anyway) that it can handle it. Yes, an 800 has way more juice. They are reliable as well. Its up to you to ride them at your dealer. Sit on a couple and have the dealer jack up the shocks for you. They also make springs that can handle more wieght if needed. I do know that in a local STOCK pull sled contest the 500 sportsman carb. model outpulled the biggest and baddest of any other brand. It only got outpulled by bigger(cc) polaris. I was very impressed. I've seen TV shows that back this up as well. Hope this helps

 

you can expect probably about 2,000ish miles, i think you'd love a 500 until you ride a 700/800 and then you'd have to have one, and as far as the shocks go I think ncriderforks is right

 

I'm 6'6 about 290 and I test drove a number different machines, The most comfortable was an artic cat 8oo , Big machine. All the power anyone would ever need, Plush seat, and they had a promotion for a winch. cvt , 4x4. Nice mechine.

 

Hey Cictowa,

Most of the 500's & 650's have adjustable shocks, at least on the utility 4x4. you said you are in La. so are you gonna be mostly on trails or in mud?

I got the 650 just because I got a good deal on it but is over kill really. Lots of power though.

Lived in Mandeville for 15yrs. & in N.O. for another 8 yrs.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: 700 sportsman

you can expect probably about 2,000ish miles, i think you'd love a 500 until you ride a 700/800 and then you'd have to have one, and as far as the shocks go I think ncriderforks is right</end quote></div>

Depending how they are maintained you can get upwards of 10k miles out one easily.

 

700 sportsman? What do you mean by 2000ish miles?? Just curious. My Dad put over 9000 on is 98 500 and has over 3000 on his 2005. The only reason he bought a new one is because the 98 was stolen and his insurance replaced it with a new one. I have a scambler that has or had (broke a couple years back) a speedo kit on it and I have between 3 speedo's over 20,000 miles on it. (2 speedos found trees or dirt or something that broke it and one quit working) I have done some work on it but it has not been pampered by any means. I now ride a sportsman and my brother is wide open on that scrambler now. He spent 500 hundred bucks on parts like brakes, chain, belt, fan motor, steering bushing, and a few other things and it is as good as new.