Hey guys, I've been lurking around for awhile trying to learn everything I can...but have still got some questions.

I'm going to be getting my first ATV and am looking at a 94 Sportsman 400 a guy's got. It appears to be fully serviceable, all plastic is good and no major damage indicating abuse. All in all I believe it's a pretty straight old bike.

I intend to use it for hunting and basic trail riding...I goose hunt alot and will be pulling a 5x9 trailer with decoys into cut cornfields. I also deer hunt and will use it for scouting.

I guess my questions are:

Is the chain drive ok for what I want? I keep hearing that shaft is better, but for my limited use...wouldn't it work?

What's the concern with having to grease the bike?
I know it's got alot of zirks, but no more than I will probably use it, a couple of times a year would probably suffice.

Anything about this year, model that I should be aware of?

Is 2 grand a fair price for all involved.



Thanks for your patience with the new guy and any advice would help out alot.

Jeff

 

They are a fun machine I got a riding buddy who has one and it will turn 27 inch Vamps like nothing, he beats his bad and it never lets him down. Chains are just more to take care of , taken care of properly and they will give you hardly any trouble, yes shafts are better, but chains can be pretty much trouble free, if taken care of. 2 grand sounds decent, check out KBB.com and NADA.com to find out the book value of the machine.
Greasing is easy and takes 20 minutes once you find them all, it is a way over blown matter, but doesn't seem to be talked about much anymore, becuase it is a minor detail. It is important to grease them but it is not like an all day process.
Some people have tried to make it seem like greasing the zerks was right next to brain surgery in the hardest things on earth to do list. It is far from that.

 

I have a 1993 Trail boos with a chain and I am still using the original chain. The chains are o-ring chains which are durable and last along time if kept reasonably clean and lubed.
As for greasing your machine, lube it twice a year unless you go through deep water. If you go through deep water put a shot of grease in each zerk and you will not have any problems.
The machine will be good for your purposes and will pull that trailer easily. If the trailer is real heavy use low gear.
I have had my machine for years and have used it for everything under the sun (to include duck hunting) and I am very pleased with the machine and it's durability.