Hi folks,

I am new to the ATV world. However, I have spent a fair number of years as an adventure motorcyclist.

I would like advice for the purchase of strong, reliable utility ATV. I live in central virginia and will be using it for pulling a trailer to gather fire wood and other assorted "stuff" up steep trails, plowing snow around our place in the woods, and general landscaping chores around our 12 acres. It seems to me that 4 wheel drive is a must and a locking diff would come in handy as well. I would also like to have power steering but do not have a preference on auto vs manual shift - more importantly I want a reliable transmission train.

I do not plan to use it very much for recreational activities; mostly work. I can work on most equipment (I am a motorcycle tech) and would like to be able to do most of the maintenance and repair myself in my own shop.

Although price is a concern, I am more interested in getting a reliable and high quality piece of equipment that can do the job. I have been looking at the Honda Rubicon 500 and Yamaha products, but am really new to this game.

I would greatly appreciate any advice from experienced users.

Reddog XXVII

 

If you want power steering, the oldest you can go is the 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700, it has fuel injection, low range, diff lock, and great ground clearance. It was 2008 or 2009 before other manufacturers started adding EPS to their quads, so prices will not be cheap.

 

you didn't mention if you were looking for used or new or how much $$ you're looking to spend.

if I were you- I'd look at the polaris 550 with eps- has AWD, low range, power steering, IRS- it's a good reliable atv and comfy as a couch. Should be able to find one in the $7k range.

it's hard to chose since there are dozens of options and a huge price difference...

 

The Polaris Sportsman XP 550 won this Power Steering ATV Shootout. Power Steering ATV Shootout | ATV Magazine Online

 

Thanks for the input folks. I will look into the polaris. Do you all feel it is the best value for what I have in mind. What about honda and yamaha products?

I imagine my question is pretty basic to you all. But like I said, I am new to the ATV world.

Thanks!

 

I live a couple miles from a Honda dealer but don't know anyone who rides one. I don't know how good they are but some people on the forum love them.

I like Polaris but Yamaha makes good quads too. Everyone I know rides one or the other. The Sportsman 550 EPS and Grizzly 550 EPS both retail for $8,699 but the Sportsman is actually cheaper, plus it's on sale now.

If you look at bigger quads the Sportsman 850 EPS retails for $700 less than the Grizzly 700 EPS. IMO you get more for your money with Polaris. If I was buying a new quad right now I would get the Sportsman 550. It has enough power for me.

 

I would recomend a Polaris X2 model, but they don't have power steering.
You could get any of the 2 ups AC/Can Am/Polaris with power steering and remove the rear seat add a rear basket and make it into an X2 lookalike.
Honda?!? Just sit a Honda next to a Polaris/Can Am or AC.
If your looking cheap a Yamaha Griz or Polaris XP would be the way to go.

 

Got it. I surely appreciate the advice! Now I Know where to spend my time shopping for the right one.

Thanks everyone!

 

You may not have a preference on auto vs manual shift yet but if you're looking to haul "stuff" on steep trails you'll definitely want the auto. Now that I have a quad with a CVT I can't imagine ever going back to a manual shift.

 

With the exception of power steering the Polaris Sporstman X2 is the most utility oriented machine that fits your criteria. It has a 400 lb. rated dumpbox in the rear that also transforms into a 2nd passenger seat. I use the dumpbox all the time. If you are going up and down steep hills I also recommend the longer wheelbase 2-up machines. That leaves you with Arctic Cat, Can-Am Outlander, or the Polaris Sportsman Touring or X2. The longer wheelbase is less tippy front to back than a shorter single rider machine. All the machines mentioned can tow a pretty hefty amount of firewood in a trailer. Pretty much all the machines out there in the 500 class are available with power steering now. I'd personally get another X2 just for the utility. There's nothing that has the same toting and towing numbers other than the Polaris 6x6 which is a 6 wheel drive, quad width machine with a dumpbox that is bigger than the X2. It has the highest toting and towing numbers of any quad width machine, and the longest wheelbase. Kind of puts the U in utility.