First want to thank the people of this site for great info, i have been learning alot. Ok now for the question, I am a 350lb 6'3 large guy. I am ready to buy my first quad. Here is what i am looking at and please any remarks will be appriciated. I have been at all the dealers in Binghamton, NY and test drove the 400cc and up class of all makes and models. Money is an issue unless the difference in quads is night and day, dependabilty and ride are most important to me, also 4wd. Most of my riding will be behind my house where there is about 3,000 acre's of open fields and woods, steep hills and some rocky terrain. I would also like to take my wife or daughter for a nice ride up on the mountin. Im sure in a couple years i will want something bigger and better i just hope it wont be a week later.
Dealer here said he can get me the Eiger 400 auto 4wd for 5,000 out the door. i liked the feel and ride on it only no IRS or liquid cooled.
should i have this? should i wait till i have the money and go to a 500cc machine or bigger? Will i out grow this in a week or am i just to big for a 400 exspecially if i might carry another 200lbs once in awhile.
Please any input would be well appriceated, Thank You.
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I think I would wait to spend a few more bucks on a larger 600-700+ machine. Figure that they make the ATV's for someone 200+#'s and a utility machine can carry about 200#'s on the racks, a 650 or 700 cc machine would be just right for You. I don't know what type of rideing you do, but there is no sub. for power.

KFXBob

 

If I were you I'd wait until I could afford a bigger engine. I've got an Eiger 4x4 5-speed. It's a fun sporty ride on the trails and a good work bike too. However, there have been times when I've used is around the yard - with two 80 lb. bags of concrete on the back rack ou can really feel it - both going down hills and going up. Not that it will not do it, it's just that all that extra weight changes how the bike rides and feels. I'm 6'-2" and 210 so all that together made for 370 lbs.

Bottom line, the Eiger would work for you but an extra 200cc's would be much better. This could be a case where the new Rincon from Honda is the best thing for you.

Jaybee

 

Personally, I would look into the new 2-up models by Arctic Cat and Bombardier. These machines are specifically designed for 2-up riding and will be more comfortable to ride.

 

Looks like you need a full size quad. 500cc and up would do you just fine. Buy a used one first, then if you realy like the sport, sell it and get a new one. Stick with a heavier machine because it will be better suited to handle the work you want it to do. It would have the brakes, tranny, power etc. to keep you happy. A used Sportsman would serve you well.
I'm 220 and my wife is about 130, we ride our Sportsman all the time doubled up and it could care less about the extra weight, easilly going through mud, up steep hills, whatever we want to do, no problem.

 

I want to thank you guys for your info and response to my question, I am ready to buy either the vinson or a guy a couple miles away has a 1995 400 4wd with plow for 2500.00 how does that sound to start as opposed to the new vinson which would be 6500.00 otd.
Again thank you for your inputs, this site is great and cant wait to get riding. One other question which i am going to post in kawasaki, i was looking and rode the prarie 650 but as soon as i sat on it the rear suspension went right down about 6" and was ready to bottom out, i know the rear shock is ajustable it actually compresses the spring.. is this a good idea? will the ride then be harder? or is my 350lb body just to dam heavy for that suspension? thank you again for any input

 

I have a 2002 vinson auto and have put 1200 miles on it. I am 375 lbs and have been very happy with the Vinson. It's a fun machine I use it hard. I ride under all kinds of conditions. I pull heavy loads, about 1000 lbs on a trailer and I have not had any problems. I also use it to plow snow. I would recommend the Vinson. It should meet your needs. Also the Vinson is my 3rd Suzuki ATV I have owned and is by far the best sport utility Suzuki has made to date.

 

I think that if you are new to ATVing that you are better off buying a used quad for your first ride - This holds true if you are 350 lbs or 125 lbs. Often you can get a decent used quad, ride it for a season and sell it within a few hundred $$$ of what you paid for it. It's also the best way to find out exactly what you want for your 'ultimate' ride.

Jaybee

 

As my screen name suggests,I to am a biggin, at 6'5" 300lbs(well almost 300) . I have an1986 Quadrunner that is plenty strong to haul my self and a deer and anything else,including a girlfriend. The seat in big and comfy and w/10 foward speeds I can always get enough power to turn the tires,although I may not have the traction. It will outrun a rancher on hardpack,although w/o a doubt the rancher is a softer ride. I do not have to worry about the suspension being over loaded b/c I have none on the rear,and only a little up front. Do not be swayed to spend more than you NEED,if you WANT a big cc machine that is different. Any 250 class machine and up will haul you around just fine.My quadrunner is 230cc and is a mule. I drove it on a trailer to where I hunt then hook that same trailer to it and load it w/ treestands and various equipment and it works like a charm.

Yes I 've ridden a 650 and 700,and they are nice,but my 800$ machine can do anything they can,just not as fast.

 

Mic,

I hate to post this in the suzuki forum....but have you looked at a Polaris yet? I've seen many a big guys run Sportsman 500's without any problems. And for a first time quad, they have the fully automatic tranny. It's an excellent machine, and usually you can find great deals on used ones with the 700 Sportsman out now.

A 400 cc range quad would be okay, but your going to test the suspension. They're usually a smaller framed 4 wheeler. You might have trouble bouncing your knees off of the bars, or be really crunched down in the seat. A Sportsman is a comfortable quad for a larger framed person.

Just a word of advice, ride the quad for a good distance. Just a couple of circles around a parking lot isn't going to do it. You need to really get a feel for the machine. You have to be comfortable on the quad to make the most out of it. Pay attention to your lower back and knees. Time in the saddle, all bent up goofy, is really going to ruin the experience for you. And make sure you take the ATV safety training course! You'll get a $100 check in mail from the MFG and it's a good lesson. Ask your dealer for more info on this.