Jeff in TD

I'm shopping for a quad and wondered if anyone had some advice...

I have quite a bit of seat time on ATV's, mostly 3 wheelers in a farm type setting a few years back. Anyway, the Hondas they had seemed to be bullet proof. They would get idled through tall grass in 100* days for hours spraying weeds, frequently flipped, used to drag irrigation pipe, and generally got abused. When my boss had me service them (with Rotilla) I asked where he kept the oil filters. He replied "they have oil filters?" Those things had to have thousands and thousands of hard hours, and just wouldn’t die.

Anyhow, this would be a utility type 4x4, for recreational trail riding and hunting. I'm not a big fan of snowmobile type belt transmissions, but I guess they are better than they used to be. Still, I would prefer a motorcycle type transmission, though not necessarily a deal breaker.

I'm looking hard at a new 04 Foreman 450 S (5 speed manual) 4x4, which I can get with a warn winch for $5800. An 04 ES (Electric shift version) could be had for $6000 with winch.

I got a ride on a buddy's Rincon, which has a 3 speed automatic (with a torque converter) and independent rear suspension. It’s nice, but seemed a bit softly sprung, and high geared (I tend to ride on the aggressive side).

I made the mistake of looking at an ATV magazine, and was quite impressed with the Arctic Cat 650 V twin LE. More ground clearance, more suspension, and more power (and more money). The Limited Edition comes with a winch, mag wheels and guard on the front. Some of the Polaris rigs look nice, too. Still, the only ATV’s I have much experience with are Hondas. Although they often aren’t the fastest, or have the most suspension, they do seem to be very well engineered and built.

Any advice? (Sorry this got long)

MLR1

I have owned 4 different ATVs only 1 wasn't a Honda. I currently own a 98 450S the first year of that model. It is basically the same thing you are looking at only full time 4X4. You are correct it isn't the fastest or the best riding but it is a work horse, which is more important to me. I use it on the farm, dragging trees, hunting, plowing snow and whatever else I can think of and it performs wonderfully. None of my Honda's have ever been in the shop other than general maintenance. I wouldn't even consider a different ATV for all purpose use. My dad has a 2002 450ES and he loves it as well. The nice thing about the ES is the built in foot boards, you can also buy them aftermarket for the S. One of the best things about the Honda is the resale value. In my area they will bring more than any other brand. HTH

sherod

I like the Honda 450, but my old 95 Kawasaki 300 is still running too good to get rid of just now. On the second set of tires with it, and still not had to go back in the shop. If you can find one of the Kaws like mine, might fit your bill and save some $$ for other things. Only drawback is lack of good footrests.

dieselminded

The ONE the ONLY

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http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...5/Default.aspx
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EFI is the way to go if your planning on plowing snow or riding in the cold.
Hey its the KING . I have the 300 model now and Im dreaming of the new 700 EFI

2manykids

I've got a Sportsman 600 and had a sportsman 500. Auto tranny is definitely the way to go. I've never had them slip in water or mud and its great not having to worry if you are in the right gear for the upcoming hill or mud hole.

dgibbs

Picked up a used 2003 Honda Foreman 450 ES in July for $4500. Not tax, only had 200 miles. No complaints and I'm sure it will run forever. Sure I dream about a Polaris 700, but can't really justify the cost and I'd worry about dependability. I have piece of mind knowing the Honda will most likely never let me down.

apache

IME, Polaris was not very supportive of their customers. We ended up buying 2 new 03 Honda ranchers. Although only 350s they were a good all around deal for us. I personally dislike the full time 4wd. If your gonna romp it, get something you can switch 4x4 and 2x4. I have used mine to run the Dusy eirshim here in kali, similar to the infamous Rubicon jeep trail. It did well, Im still achin

BigBlue

All of our polaris's have been beat to death and the only problem we've had is that my mom towed about 1000lbs with one in high gear for 6 months and finally shredded the tranny belt. I've sucked more mud in those engines than I'll admit to and we've never had a problem.

dodgeram

I love my polaris 500HO ATP it's an awsome work machine, but I will say my friend has a honda 350 4x4 that he's had forever, never a single problem and it weighs 1/2 as much as my polaris running on the same tires so it's floats way better

triplenickel

Cat 650 or Suzi King EFI for me. Not to take anything away from the Hondas, but when everyone talks about reliabilty it's tough to make an apples to apples comparison. Solid rear axle, full time 4x4, and drum brakes, they are so simple and Honda's been building them the same way for 15 years, with very little evolution, they better be 100%. Even the big bad latest and greatest Rincon still has drum brakes.

SLEDHEAD

I have a Sportsman 700 and an arctic cat and I like the sportsman better, thier suspension is the best on the trails, period. But If you are going to own the machine for 15 years honda would be a good idea, besides in 15 years they will probably be selling the same models with the same options as this year.

diesel_kid

I have an 03 Suzuki Vinson auto and That clutch is awesome, real easy to do a cleaning and it can get wet thats the great thing. My jaw dropped when they came out with that 700 EFT Kingquad. Everybody wants the Independant rear suspension, plus the EFI would be awesome, and its still only 600lbs. Its my Vinson on Steroids. I would go with Suzuki but wait til the KQ is in its 2nd or third year of production before buying so they can work the bugs out.

JMHO.

-Jared

Jeff in TD

Thanks guys for the replies.

I'd tried looking at used Foremans, but thought I'd go 02 or newer (when they added selectable 2WD/4WD). Ones that were in good shape weren't priced enough below a new one to make me go used. Warn does make a kit for like $200 to allow you to shift older ones into 2WD.

The King Quad and the Polaris 700 were both also on my list of interesting machines. I think I will see if I can go find one of each to look at.

Good point about Hondas being simple. I worked for a season at a Honda/Suzuki dealer, and it seemed Honda had a super low first gear as opposed to a low range, 4x4 all the time with limited slip, as opposed to shiftable/lockable, pushrods, carb... The drum brakes to me are the downside. I guess they perform OK?

On the flip side, a rig with a carb and CDI ignition can be started with a totally dead battery.

I guess I've got more shopping to do... Maybe I will wait until December and go to the Cycle Expo in Seattle...

wagontrain131

Get a John Deere four wheeler. If your crazy about John Deere green and yellow like I am, It's your only choice.

01redram

i have a 04 yamaha grizzly 660.its a great machine .it has 4 wheel ind. susp. disk brakes 4 wheel drive,locking front diff,winch,digital dash,etc. and is fast comfortable + handles well.