First, let me say that this is a great site. I stumbled on it today and have enjoyed reading many of the posts.

I am in the market for my first atv. My problem is trying to decide which one would be the best for me. I will be using it for mostly recreation. I live in Colorado, so I will be doing a lot of trail riding, as well as for hunting. I have narrowed my search down to the following four bikes:

Honda Rancher 4x4 ES
Suzuki EIGER 400 4x4 Manual
Kawasaki 360 4x4
Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4

I know everyone has their brand preferences, but I think each of these would be a quality ride. I want a manual tranny because I like the engine braking and also because I think they are more fun to ride. The only other criteria I'm really concerned about is noise. Because I'm using it for hunting, I want it to be as quiet as possible.

So.....of the four (or if you have recommendations that I am overlooking), which would you prefer? Which is the most quiet?

Thanks!

 

Out of those Honda.

 

Any of those four will make you happy unless you pick a lemon. As far as manuel or auto, the autos are just as fun to ride and better in my opinion, let off the gas and the autos slow down fast too. You can buy a aftermarket pipe from cabelas if you want super quiet- they are quiet enough for hunting as is -in my opinion. They all come with stock tires that are crap- and you won't realize how bad they are until you put some good tires on it. Pick any one of those four and then thru reading and riding decide what modifications you need to make to have the wheeler you want for the conditions you ride in.

 

oh ya, if you ask which of the four to buy then everyone says buy the brand I bought! Even though I've been thru 2 worthless hondas, I won't put them down and promote the most excellent yamahas.

 

Check out this site .......www.atvtv.com.........They compare those quads. If I were you, I wouldn't overlook the Autos. I was like you once. I only wanted a manual shift. After a few hours on my buddy's Grizzly I changed my opinion of them. I then bought a Grizzly. All of the quads you are currently looking at are great quads. If you were to consider an auto, Take a good look at the Kodiak 400 or 450. The 450 has low range, front diff. lock and Independent Rear Suspension. Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the info. Wolverine, that site reference was a big help. I have been leaning towards the Honda from the beginning, and that is probably the route I will go. I'm headed to an outdoors expo this weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to find a deal.

 

Of the four you mention the only one I have experience with is the Kawasaki 360 which by the way is belt drive. I have used it for plowing snow, hunting and joy riding without any problems for over two years now. For the use you mention it should work fine. On mine I have hauled myself, my daughter and her four point muley (thats an 8 point to you easterners) from 9,000 ft. elevation down to 6,000 ft. across some pretty rough and steep trails which the engine brake worked fine on. As far as noise level it is probably as quiet as any of them.

 

hey there, i have experiance with the honda and kawasaki. They are great quads and are very reliable.

Kawasaki= I own a 360 and love the thing. I run it real hard and it runs perfect. I have a bout 1500 miles on it and 130 hours. This thing is great on tuff trails and such. It has the diff lock and decent ground clearence. I went riding in the mountains of south eastern kentucky and it was much better suited for the very rough terrain than the foreman 450 was i was riding with. IT is much smoother, and has better ergonomics for trail riding. I would not hessitate to get a foreman though. Love those things. My 360 does all the hills that i want. I love it. Also it has very stong and reliable brakes.

Honda= also a great quad. My friend has one and he loves it. For trail riding, it is not quite as smooth. It is fun wheeler to ride because of its size you can throw it around. Its a good climber but not as good as the 360. Has slipping problems on steep hills. It can be run fast and has about 2-3 mph top speed over the 360. Great wheeler.

So, it comes down to your choice. I think they are great. the auto is great on the 360 but needs adjust as do all belts. If you use it in low gear when you are doing anything under 20, use low. Im in low whenever im on trails. I only use high for fast open trails. Use low and it will be great. good luck.

 

alwaysride,

I've seen references on this site about adjusting belts and such. What belts are you referring to? I was on Kawasaki's site today and the 05 360 has a driveshaft. I'm a little confused about what is belt driven.

 

the belt drive is the transmision that put the power to the shaft. Im trying to think of a way to say it, but im sure somone has a better way of explaining it.