Again, thanks to those that replied to my original question. This has been a learning experience. I have never ridden, never been around and never bought an ATV but I decided finally on the Polaris Sportsman 400 4X4 2005 I got it OTD for $5700.00 cant look back now. I originally was looking at the Magnum and still dont understand how I ended up with the Sportsman but oh well.

Now the issue is I spent more than I orginally wanted to and with a family of five we cant have just one. I need one/two for the kids. I am thinking about used and since all I really know is Polaris I am looking at the Polaris Trail Boss - my children are 11 years and 16 years. We are only using the ATV's to ride around pretty much flat ranch land property and that's about it. What do you all think? Is Trail Boss considered a utility? I found two 2001 325 for $6000.00, any advice?

Thanks Again,

Tiffany

 

isn't that expensive for an '05 400??? I mean $500 more and you have a KQ otd(700cc, IRS, EFI...)....am I wrong here on my thoughts as to what she paid?
Believe me, I am not trying to be a jerk at all....I actually think its great you got one! I am still waiting a few more months....and by the way, CONGRATS!!!!

 

I don't think you did bad on that at all. OTD for a few hundred under MSRP is about right from what I've seen. I don't know where you ended up buying at, but people should realize our taxes in Phoenix are HIIIIIGH. Over 8% in most cities. That's over $400 just in taxes.

I might get slapped around for saying this, but you might look at one (or 2) of those imports for the kids, especially if they are just startin to ride. If they really get into it, it's easy to trade up, but if not, you don't have $6000 collecting dust in your barn. You can spend that money on the psycologist to see what's wrong with them...Kidding [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]. My neighbor got one for his 11 year old and she loves it.

Congratulations on the new ride...looks like you have more research to do though.

 

Sorry, but I don't get it! If you are just riding around flat ranchland property, why in the world are you saddling yourself with a huge, heavy, clunky 4X4 utility??? For the most part, desert riding is best done on a light, agile, well suspended little sport machine. Just throw on some skid plates, and you are ready to go. Light weight and momentum, is a tactic that works way better than grappling for traction on a heavy monster 4wd!

You don't need 4wd in the flat desert (or most all of the desert for that matter) and it doesn't exactly snow in Phoenix, so why not go with something like a Suzuki Z400 for you (about the same price!) and maybe a Honda 250EX for the kids? That Polaris weighs an absolutely ridiculous 715 pounds dry. The Z400 for example weighs a svelte 375 pounds!

Sure, you can go looking for terrifying desert terrain where a 4wd might be required, but for your purposes, sounds like you made a huge mistake (and at 715 pounds I do mean huge!). Even if you do need a ute for "ranch chores", there are just a whole bunch of more suitable choices, and at least Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki keep their utes down to a maximum of 600 pounds. I don't know who advised you on your purchase, but best to not make the same mistake again with the kids machines.

 

Thank you all for the information you have shared. Like I said I am very new to the world of ATV's and Reconranger as I read your reply I was nodding my head in agreement going yep like I said in the original post I dont know how I ended up buying a 4X4 when that wasnt my plan at all to begin with. Who knows maybe someday I will find a way to use it to it's potential. I have to smile on that. Thank you for your suggestion on the Honda for the kids, I will start looking into that also.

Webopper, I am curious about your suggestion. You mention imports for the kids and indicated you might get slapped around can you tell me why? And what is an import? I have only been to Metro Motorsports here in Phoenix should I look somewhere else? Any information you can share would be greatly appreciated. Since your in Arizona also if you could point me in a direction to research the imports I would appreciate that. I am interested in learning more about what you have said. I really dont want to spend a lot of money for the ATV's for the kids, I was even considering going back to the original plan and getting the Polaris Magnum 2X4, just one, I can get that OTD for $4200.00. But if I can find a cheaper solution until we figure this whole thing out that would be great too.

And Stocks, didnt take you as a jerk at all - good luck in your purchase please let me know what you decide on. I wish I had more time to give it like you are, I made the decision to buy one, I knew nothing about ATV's and bought one the next day. I am going to try to take a little more time on my decision for the kids this go around.

This how clueless I really am on this too Reconranger I dont even know what skid plates are! (smile) Geesh I wish there was one book I could get to just learn this stuff. Thanks to all! This Forum is great, at least I have somewhere to go with these ridiculously newbie questions.

Tiffany

 

Tiffany,

At the top of this page you will see a couple banners for "ATV's for kids". They are site sponsors and I'm sure they would be more than happy to get you pointed in a direction. There is also a section in the main forum for just kids atv's. That is a good place to start. On the local level, if you have an opportunity to pick up a copy of motorcycle/atv trader at the grocery store, they will have advertisements for local folks that sell these quads also, so you can at least get a look at them. You won't find these at Metro Motorsports.

I was kind of kidding around about the getting slapped. Some people aren't real fond of the Chinese imports, but as you search the threads you will also see most folks are very happy with them.

Brian

 

Thank you for the information Brian. You have given me some other options to look into and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Thanks

Tiffany

 

Tiffany,

You can pick up a couple of used Hondas for 6000 that would be well suited for your location. I would look at a 400EX and a 250ex or Recon. You should be able to find both of these in the cycletrader for under 6000 easily.

p.s. Cycletrader are at all Circle K's and most other small groceries stores.

 

I did see your other post, but you were already asking about dealers and prices, so I assumed you had your heart already set on a particular machine. So, I didn't offer any purchase advice. Wish I had.

 

Can't blame her for ending up with a Sportsman. After I got my 700 SP, my wife (who has never been in the desert, ever) decided she wanted a quad. We started out looking at the Magnum 2x4 but didn't like the fact that it didn't have IRS, EBS or radial tires. I wanted her to have something that was comfortable and easy to ride and by the time we found a bike with all that, we ended up with a 500 SP. I don't thing you can wrong with a Sportsman.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]