ATV Engine Size Question

[Guest akaspecials]

I've never owned an ATV before but I'm looking at getting one so my truck doesn't get beat up. Money is tight so I've been looking at 300-350s instead of 500-550s. Is 300-350 large enough for hunting in AZ? How necessary is 4 wheel drive?

 

I'd guess 70% of my time will be on decent Forest Service/Logging Roads and 30% will be on jeep trails or worse. I'm not looking to hot dog around, just want something reliable that will go anywhere I want.

 

Thanks in advance.

[WHALE]

I have had a honda rancher with 350 for ten year now and it was they best investment I ever made. I have hauled out everything from pigs to full elk on it. It has had to haul 3 fat hunters out before as well. Still do 40 even with a 350 and thats fast enough for hunting for me. Only thing I have ever had to replace was the oil/ oil filter and clean the airfilter.

[oz31p]

I have a arctic cat 400. Its been perfect so far. I rarely use 4wd. But when i do its cause id be stuck way out in the boonies with out it.

[DesertBull]

I have had a Polaris 335 2wd for 10 years and have never been stuck or stranded. It's not the fastest thing going up a hill but it goes up the hill. Deep snow is the only thing that stops it. Get some good rear tires with aggressive tread and it will go through snow up to 12" or just about any type of mud.

[rcdinaz]

I have 2, 250's and they do everything except lacking a little storage/carrying capacity. Also have a RZR to take kids and the old man w me.

 

Remember you can pick il the 250-350 size so they never get stuck and if u add a winch you won't even need to do that. There are a few times I did wish I had 4x4 for slow crawling up steep rocky roads.

[rossislider]

I have a 350 Rancher and, until I totaled it, a 700 Sportsman. Both are awesome. I love the features, power, and 4wd of the Sportsman. But at the same time there has never been a time I couldn't accomplish the need task with the Rancher, and I had the Rancher for several years before buying the Sportsman. Also, the Rancher was half the price. Can't go wrong either way.

[Coues79]

How necessary is 4 wheel drive? The first time you need it or tell yourself that "you're not going down that road or up that hill" you'll wish you had it.

 

If you have a choice between the two, I wouldnt hesitate to get a 4x4. You will be fine with a 350 machine.

[wayno945]

^{I think the new ranchers have bigger engines now.I've had mine since 2001 and its still going strong. The only things I don't like about it is the lack of fuel injection and I can't ride 2up legally with the wife. Maybe its time to upgrade....}

[Flatlander]

I have had a 99' Sportsman 335 since it was new. I put a bunch of miles on it every year and it has never failed to get me where I need to go. I have had whole elk on it, I had 2 fat hunters, gear and a full mule deer on it, and it just keeps plugging along. It does have a winch, but that's just an insurance policy, it doesn't get used much.

[dzell]

I have a yamaha 350 grizzly 4x4 its real reliable but my biggest gripe is it doesnt have low range there have been plenty of times that having that feature wouldve come in real handy and 4wheeldrive is a must you can get through the bad places way easier and safer that way

[Camofreak]

Having 4x4 is a piece of mind,knowing you're not going to get stuck in any circumstance. No second guesing it or worrying if you're going to get stuck.

[Snapshot]

I have a 2006 Polaris Sportsman 450, carburated model. I do wish I had gone with the 500 EFI. I put a Dial-a-Jet kit on it. It has AWD, and low range, and there has only been a couple of times I wish I had more power, but that is becuase I put 27" ITP Extreme terrain tires on it and I Need to upgrade the clutch to compensate for the bigger tires.

 

If anything try and get an EFI machine if you can afford it

[sjvcon]

I had a 650 that was chipped. Totally unnecessary for hunting, but sure was fun to stand wheelies on ... and it would do 70 mph on the highway!!!

 

That has given way to my feet ... I found that I was not using my quad to get me to any starting point that my truck couldn't go.