ADVICE ON QUADS

[billrquimby]

I've resisted it a long time but I now find myself pondering whether a 4x4 quad is for me, especially if I ever draw another elk tag and have to pack out the meat. Would someone give me some tips?

 

For example:

 

-- What should I look for when shopping for a used 4-wheeler?

-- How much should I expect to pay?

-- How do I tell if one has tons of miles on it or has been abused?

-- Are repairs prohibitly expensive?

-- How reliable are they? I am too old to have one break down 8-10 miles from my truck.

-- Will one of Harbor Freight's small trailers with 12-inch wheels be adequate to carry it?

-- Is there anything I need to know about driving these things on two-track trails across steep terrain?

-- Is there anything I've neglected to ask?

 

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Bill Quimby

[Arizona Griz]

I've resisted it a long time but I now find myself pondering whether a 4x4 quad is for me, especially if I ever draw another elk tag and have to pack out the meat. Would someone give me some tips?

 

For example:

 

-- What should I look for when shopping for a used 4-wheeler?

Look at it just the way you would a used vehicle. Check for the same things.

-- How much should I expect to pay?

Depends on how good of shape it is. If the used price is within $1000 of a new one I would buy new.

-- How do I tell if one has tons of miles on it or has been abused?

Many of the newer models have odometers on them.

-- Are repairs prohibitly expensive?

They are no worse than a vehicle. I own four quads and have never had any mechanical breakdowns.

-- How reliable are they? I am too old to have one break down 8-10 miles from my truck.

Most of the newer units are very reliable.

-- Will one of Harbor Freight's small trailers with 12-inch wheels be adequate to carry it?

Yes, my friend uses one of those trailers.

-- Is there anything I need to know about driving these things on two-track trails across steep terrain?

Just be careful to not get in over your head. Don't be ashamed to turn around. It would be wise to get a quad with limited slip and locking differential.

-- Is there anything I've neglected to ask?

You have just about covered it all.

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Bill Quimby

 

 

 

If you buy new never pay more than MSRP out the door.

[Redman]

I've resisted it a long time but I now find myself pondering whether a 4x4 quad is for me, especially if I ever draw another elk tag and have to pack out the meat. Would someone give me some tips?

 

For example:

 

-- What should I look for when shopping for a used 4-wheeler?

-- How much should I expect to pay?

-- How do I tell if one has tons of miles on it or has been abused?

-- Are repairs prohibitly expensive?

-- How reliable are they? I am too old to have one break down 8-10 miles from my truck.

-- Will one of Harbor Freight's small trailers with 12-inch wheels be adequate to carry it?

-- Is there anything I need to know about driving these things on two-track trails across steep terrain?

-- Is there anything I've neglected to ask?

 

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Bill Quimby

 

Bill,

 

Great questions, I have been pondering the same about a quad. I have bugged wklman about his quad and can't make up my mind. I would think miles and hours are two important factors. then immediate needs like tires, maintenance etc. I have been reading ATV trader, Ebay and the classifieds and you should expect to pay around $4,000-$4800 for a quad with <1000 Miles. I have no idea how many miles are too many. Ebay has many with free shipping from dealers with good prices.

 

I have head a fuel injected quad will perform much better at high altitudes but the price goes way up.

 

I will probably buy a new one and not worry about it breaking down or needing anything.

 

Redman

[25-06]

Bill, Little bear (Andy) has a pretty good deal on a nice quad for sale here in the classified ads page 2.

[CouesWhitetail]

I just co-bought a quad in the last year with a rancher friend. If you have a friend you can co-own it with, it will save you a ton of money. Works best with a non-hunting friend so you don't have conflicting times you want to use it....or a hunting friend that you tend to hunt with would work ok.

 

I got a used Honda Rancher. The Honda Rancher has a GREAT reputation for lasting forever and not having mechanical problems and being tough in the field.

 

If you want an absolutely top of the line smooth riding quad, talk to Scott Adams. His quad is so darn comfortable it's amazing. I can't think of the model at the moment. I think it's a honda rincon? It's a step-up from the rancher and I think it's the independent suspension that makes it so comfortable. But of course, it's more expensive....

 

Amanda

[DesertBull]

You are much better off buying used. The warrenty on a new quad is not worth the extra $2000 you will pay. What ever you you do, do NOT buy the extended warrenty the saleman will push on you.

 

I have a 2x4 Polaris that has taken me anywhere I have ever wanted to go inlcuding snow and mud. Saved $800 over the 4x4 model.

[ScottAdams]

- What should I look for when shopping for a used 4-wheeler?

In my humble opinion, a Honda. A fourwheel drive model. I prefer the 4 wheel independent suspension. for the smoother ride.

-- How much should I expect to pay?

I would guess at least 4 to 5 thousand depending on the model you are looking for.

-- How do I tell if one has tons of miles on it or has been abused?

As was stated earlier most of the newer models have odometers. I would also look under it at the skid plates to see how much of a beating they have taken also look at the wheels. How scratched up are they? Are the rims bent around the edges? Is the ATV garaged or kept covered? The AZ sun wreaks havoc on the plastic and seats on these machines.

-- Are repairs prohibitly expensive?

I've always done my own repairs and factory parts in my opion are somewhat expensive, but not prohibitively so. If you get one relatively new. You will probably buy nothing but tires for it. My old 96 honda has needed some repairs recently and I've paid something like $30 dollars for a tie rod end.

-- How reliable are they? I am too old to have one break down 8-10 miles from my truck.

They are very reliable. I've never been stranded in the 10 years I've used them. I have come close though, mostly tire related, (flats). I always carry a plug kit and air pump just in case.

-- Will one of Harbor Freight's small trailers with 12-inch wheels be adequate to carry it?

I've seen people hauling atv's on them but I would be a little uncomfortable hauling mine on them. I prefer something a little more substantial.

-- Is there anything I need to know about driving these things on two-track trails across steep terrain?

Use common sense and slowly learn you and your atv's limitations. Use your body to offset weight on steep terrain. I had a friend that took an ATV riding class when he bought his ATV. Although he had been riding one for quite some time before that, he said it was a great class and he did learn a few things.

 

 

Bill, Amanda was correct on the atv of mine that she rode on, it is a Honda Rincon. They are very comfortable and reliable atvs. It seems the older I get the smoother the ride I look for. The new Rincons are 700 cc with fuel injection. I have 3 atv's and they are all Hondas, the oldest being a 96 model. Honda's are probably about as reliable as you can get in an ATV and I would say you are probably safest on them if you don't want to break down 2 days hike from the truck, although as was stated earlier most of the new ones are very reliable. We use them alot here around Morenci, running up and down the rivers and over all this nasty volcanic terrain around here. They take a lot of what most would call unadulterated abuse. Plus I have 2 teenage sons that really put them to the test. There are a lot of Polaris atv's out there but I'm not a big fan of them, although I have only rode a few and have never owned one. Here at the Phelps Dodge mine we use Honda atvs on the dumps and they really get put through the ringer. Most of them seem to be the Ranchers.

The last ATV I bought I actually drove to Dallas, TX to buy. It was a 2002 Honda Rubicon 500 with 750 miles on it. I paid $2,500 for it. It was such a great deal that I gladly spent the time and gas money to drive down and pick it up. I have a friend looking for a used ATV and he hasn't had a lot of luck finding good used Hondas. People tend to get them and keep them. Let me know if you would like any more info. Good luck on your search.

[COUESAZ]

If you buy used make sure it is a four stroke and not a two stroke. Two strokes can leave you stranded out in the middle of no place. other than that i am a polaris guy but agree with what scott has said above. For you i would go Honda.

[firstcoueswas80]

they dont make many 2 stroke 4x4's ( if any) but yes you do not want a 2 stroke, especially with changes in altitude. re jetting them everytime you change elevations is i pain in the cuelo

[TLH]

Bill,

 

If you can swing it i would recommend for you a Rhino or a Ranger type rig--they are higher in price but they are very comfortable, they have a bed to carry thing s in and they are like driving a truck with a steering wheel and all. I am in the process of saving for mine. As for quads--i have an old 2000 Polaris 425 4x4 that has NEVER failed me in all the years i have had it--my buddy has the same year Yamaha Grizzly (i think) and he has had no problems with his--my wife has a Yamaha Bruin two wheel drive and it has been perfect for her.

 

One thing you might want to check on with the quads is the ability to pull start the machine if the battery goes dead on you--some of the newer Polaris models have the pull start but it won't start the machine?? Not sure why that is but that is the way it is.

 

Shartpants (he is a member on here) has some great deals on the Rhino's and if you go that way you might want to get with him and talk about it.

 

Good luck Bill!!

[COUESAZ]

I think that the small black trailers at Home Depot will work just fine for you with one quad. They are not very high price wise either. They have sides that will help you in hauling some extra gear in your trailer. A place in Apache Junction called Gravly's will custom build you a trailer to what you want as well. They are not very expensive. I had them build me a 14 x 5 foot trailer with 2 foot high sides with expanded mesh all the way around and 2 x 6 plank floor and it ran me about 1200.00. I just wish i would have done it with tandem axcels. I had it made to haul 2 polaris quads and enough room to fit most of our Camping equipment.I would stay away from the Harbor freight trailer. I know a guy that had one and he blew tires all the time because they were to small for the weight of the quad and gear.

 

You are much safer to put it in a trailer and haul it as aposed to loading it with ramps into your truck. I have a set of home made tri fold ramps that work great for putting a quad in the truck. I had to do alot of safty features to it to keep the quad from kicking the ramps out from under me when loading and un loading.( many people have been hurt loading them into the trucks.) I still do it but every time i wory about fliping it over on me. I do not even get that filling loading and unloading a back hoe from the back of a truck.

[Diamondbackaz]

I've resisted it a long time but I now find myself pondering whether a 4x4 quad is for me, especially if I ever draw another elk tag and have to pack out the meat. Would someone give me some tips?

 

For example:

 

-- What should I look for when shopping for a used 4-wheeler?

-- How much should I expect to pay?

-- How do I tell if one has tons of miles on it or has been abused?

-- Are repairs prohibitly expensive?

-- How reliable are they? I am too old to have one break down 8-10 miles from my truck.

-- Will one of Harbor Freight's small trailers with 12-inch wheels be adequate to carry it?

-- Is there anything I need to know about driving these things on two-track trails across steep terrain?

-- Is there anything I've neglected to ask?

 

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Bill Quimby

 

Here's my 2cents from an avid off roader who has been riding these things since they came out with 3 wheelers.

*Get a 400 or larger, 250s and 300s are under powered

*Get a 4X4, it makes a difference in real rough country

*Get one with an automatic tranny with engine braking, ease or riding is nice

*Get one with all disc brakes, drum brakes need adjusting

*Get one that is about 600 pounds or less in weight

*Get one with liquid cooling as they do better in hotter weather

 

 

I've only owned Hondas and Yamahas, Hondas are solid units but Yamaha has a large selection of different models.

 

This is a sweetheart of a unit, I got one for my wife: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/produc...36/0/specs.aspx

 

Next thing is dealer selection. You should be able to buy a new one with an out the door price (taxes, freight, licensing, etc) for 10% below the MSRP. My last 3 Yamahas I went up to Mesa to "Champion Yamaha" . Avoid the Motorsports group dealers such as Tucson cycle and Ski.

[Dan H]

Bill, I recommend the sportsman 500 w/independent suspension. You want something that is not gonna beat you up with stiff suspension on long hauls being up there in age and all. (No offense).

I have a 500HO with over 4000 miles on it licensed for highway and it is my 3rd jeep only difference is it has handle bars instead of a steering wheel.\

The cargo(load) setups are endless. Bags boxs lights, racks fuel/water pack etc.

Don't buy in the valley(sales tax), if your buying new.

Go to 4 seasons in Rye they have the best deals ounless your buying used.

Rubbermaid makes an awesome trailer with quad tires that I have packed tons of gear in on over 100 mile rides with no major damage.

 

Dan

[COUESAZ]

I would buy in rye AZ if i were you. I do not think you pay as much in taxes and fees. If you buy new.

[25-06]

I would buy in rye AZ if i were you. I do not think you pay as much in taxes and fees. If you buy new.

Small towns are good to buy in...I just bought a quad in Sierra Vista and saved a few $