Lookin at ATV's which is best in 450-500 cc class.

[MustangP51d]

Wrenchman....where do you put your kill on that thing?

[Roan444]

I have a '86 Yamaha 225DR. Reason is that I'm kinda nostolgic... see I saved and saved 25yrs ago to buy an new one at 14. Seems that Mrs Roan uses it more now to excersize horses than I do for fun and changing trail cam pics. Sometimes, tho', I get to take it out for some playtime. My stepdaughter wishes that there was more mud...

[wrench man]

Wrenchman....where do you put your kill on that thing?

There's not much left after I run it over!, it's a RACE! bike, gota drive it like you stold it.
We went riding last weekend and when we got home the GF spent about two hours on Craigs List looking for a 4 stroke quad for me, so we'll be better matched while we ride, I keep telling her 2Strokes TRUX and 4Strokes SUX!, she wouldn't even look at any of the Banshee's!?, I'm still thinking about that KTM! 525 XC ATV - Highlights KTM I don't know why they don't come with paddle tires right out of the box?

[EagleH]

I have a Can-am outlander max 2 up rider. outstanding bike. Best on market IMO.

[BillyHill]

I have been a mechanic for more years than I can remember and in addition to vehicles worked on atv's and motorcycles. Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, were all tough machines in the 400-500 cc range. The Honda's were almost bullet proof as well as the 400 cc Suzuki being very reliable. I have also heard good things about Bombardier/ Can am but haven't worked on them myself. Stay away from cheap no name Asian stuff and if you see a Quad with big snorkels sticking out above the air breather just walk away and don't even ask. You don't want to buy a machine that somebody has used like a submarine. The bigger machines ( 650cc and larger) had more power but guys also tend to use them harder and break more stuff on them. That seems to be what I saw repairing them. If you find one with a solid rear axle give it a good shakedown side to side and make sure the suspension bushings aren't worn out. Also check the steering stem for wear on any used ATV. Cheers.

[BloodGroove4570]

I have a 99' Yamaha Kodiak 400 4X4, i bought it new and its been a Great machine. I have had myself and another person riding on it {thats about #500lbs right there}, with a deer on the front rack and pulling one behind, its never let me down dont dog out and it just wants more N more. I always recommend Yamaha's, i would like a new Grizzly 550 or the 700, but mines paid for and does Everything i ask of it.
One thing i suggest, is getting one with differential lock, thats the ONLY thing i wish mine had!!!!

BloodGroove4570

[quickfire]

I have the 2010 Honda Rancher 420AT. It is 4X2 or 4X4 with electronic transmision that you can use as automatic or electric shift. It also has power steering. I use it at my hunt camp that is on the side of a mountain and it has plenty of power and stability for clinbing or holdback coming down. The racks on the back are adequate for hauling out a whitetail and it has plenty of power for draging logs. I will be adding a basket on the back for hauling tools.

[Mckmain80]

Thanks for all the ideas. I've narrowed it to fuel injection and independent rear suspension. The area we hunt is from 700 ft - 9500ft in elevation. Kind of limits it to Honda, Can Am, and upper Polaris ATV'S . Thanks again.

Mckmain

[skmarsh77]

out of those three choices I would go with the honda.

[T-Roy]

I'm a fan of Polaris. I bought a brand new Sportsman 500 in 1998 and it still runs like the day it came off the showroom floor. Last year my dads suzuki quad went ku-put, so I gave it to him for Fathers day. I have a Polaris Ranger 500 now for me and the Mrs. and I'm really liking it too. Polaris are hard to beat.