Questions regarding used Utility Quads (ATV)

[robertramsey61]

Polaris all the way, I have 2 carb 400 sportsmans and 2 fuel injected 700's, it is way nicer with the fuel injection but the 400 runs like a champ. Can say I would take a Polaris over a Honda any day, have riden many and they are less powerfull and slower quad

[Dan H]

Polaris, is a "Jeep" with handle bars.

 

My buddy found a 2001 in mint condition 2700.00 on craigs list 3 montghs ago. Only 100 hours on it.

 

I have a 2001 sportsman 500 also and have only ever had to replace, tires, filters, & batteries. I have close to 8000 miles on my 500.

[2 Full Curls]

In my opinion Honda is the best you can go with. My family has used Honda quads since the early 90's and they are unbelievably reliable machines. The earlier comment about the 1992 Honda Fourtrax being the best machine ever made... was on point. There are still several in the family that run like bats out of heck. We have a couple big boys in the group, and those 300 Fourtrax have handled their weight+gear+game well in 4x4 terrain. We have newer fuel injected fourtrax ranchers now and I wouldnt trade them for the world.

As a side note, I have family members that used suzukis and artic cats with not much luck. Cant say anything negative about Polaris.

Just my $0.02. Best of luck!

[willhunt4coues]

The fuel injected atvs are nice but if anything goes wrong with them they are VERY expensive to repair and complicated. Now on the other hand a carberator is alot easier to work with and yes even you can clean them out. Depending on elivation on carb atvs you may need different needles and or jets but if you are staying in arizona 2000 to 8000 elivation you should have no problem (I havn't at least). Honda, Polaris are good machines each has their own ablities like polaris you will not have to shift but the auto braking on down hill sucks (imo). I personaly like the quads you can shift. Now don't rule out Yamaha because thats all I have and imo are the number one machins out there. I have an old 86 yamaha shift atv and it still runs to this day and it even ALWAYS starts on the first attempt. Look for the important stuff like if the bike have been wrecked closly look at the frame (for hidden cracks) and also check on warranty items (if it still has a warranty). These little atvs are more expensive to work on than vehicles. Look at fluids, tires, for any signs of missuse. Most of these bikes that are for sale the sellers usually will take a slightly lower price than advertised so work it down if you can and if not look more don't ever just settle. Good luck and any more questions feel free to ask I have personally always owned a quad since I was just 3 years old and have always done my own repairs.

[Snapshot]

Thats one thing I don't like about Constant Velocity Transmissions, especially on my Polaris. Downhill braking! Going down steep rough trails can be interesting. Have to lay hard on the brakes. The newer models have Active Descent Control(ADC) which is a form of engine braking.

 

All machines from top manufacturers are good. Honda is probably the most reliable, they have been at the ATV game a long time. I rode a guys Yamaha GRizzly, and it was a nice ride also. King Quads are good also.

 

Independent rear suspension is the best IMO. Soild axle models give you much less ground clearance under the axle if you ride in rocky terrain. Solid axles also have other handling limitations compared to IRS.

[firstcoueswas80]

I've got you size wise, and my 350 rancher has never left me wanting more.

 

Yes, your will want 4x4.... A few members here can tell you about someone they saw eat shitt on a non 4x quad a few years ago

[Snapshot]

I've got you size wise, and my 350 rancher has never left me wanting more.

 

Yes, your will want 4x4.... A few members here can tell you about someone they saw eat shitt on a non 4x quad a few years ago

 

Was that you we were picking gravel out of? I take responsibility for asking if you could make it up that gnarly little hill. But you were a little too big for that twitchy little sport quad you were riding.

[catman]

kawsaki brute force 650i great bike i have almost 11000 miles and 1000 hrs.batterie and tires is all its needed.trust my life with this quad.

[Airbusdriver]

Catman, Willhunt4coues, et al:

 

This one caught my eye on Craigslist, and definitely fits the budget: Polaris Sportsman 500. The guy emailed a reply to some questions I had, and he said they have about 320 hours on each bike. Is this a reasonable amount of hours for machines of this age? For the $1,950 asking price, is it worth a closer look?

 

Here's the ad: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/mcy/2896249398.html

 

Also talked to Ridenow Sports out in AJ yesterday and got some good info. They are a Polaris dealer, and are obviously biased towards Polaris. Given the way I take care of mechanical things (I'm anal about preventative maintenance), I think any of the "Big 4" brands will suit me ok. As someone said: each brand has their own strengths and weaknesses.

[Snapshot]

320 Hours isn't bad, especially if it was maintained well. Looks to be in good shape. If it runs good, and there is no smoke from the exhaust after it warms up, I would say that is a fair deal.

[Airbusdriver]

320 Hours isn't bad, especially if it was maintained well. Looks to be in good shape. If it runs good, and there is no smoke from the exhaust after it warms up, I would say that is a fair deal.

 

Thanks! I left a message for the guy that I would like to see it.

[willhunt4coues]

Looks like a great bike especially with price. Ride Now I think my buddy Joe still manages that place in AJ. He use to manage the shop up here in Globe, anyways he will steer you in the right direction. Good luck on your quest. I have always had the race quads YFZ450 that heck boys you don't need 4X4 all you do is plaster the gas and haul a$$ up the hill. 4X4 is for slow and old. Get a machine that will tear your face back...LOL.