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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Quick Board Archives » Archive through January 04, 2009 » ATV - Quadrunners - 4wheelers: educate me « Previous Next »

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Mikej
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 10:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hi,

I'm kicking the idea around again of thinking about trying to barter/swap my way to getting a quadrunner, atv, fourwheeler, or whatever folks call them these days. I'm thinking Polaris, will consider and look into others. I'll probably have to stay with the used market. Ideally I'd like to end up with two of them. I'm thinking along the lines of the following parameters:

1. 4x4
2. probably a Polaris, but not firm on that
3. probably around a 400cc engine size
4. would like it to have a winch
5. should be able to take a snow plow or push blade on front
6. should have a low low gear option
7. probably a 4-stroke engine
8. probably a 1995 to 2000 model year due to pricing
9. will probably use my 2000 M2 as trade stock, unless I swap something else off on one

I'm also thinking about swapping off our current fishing boat for something lighter so the quadrunner idea is on a parallel track in the project queue, either can bump either. And not really on a full-bore quest for a quad as it's really just a "that might be nice to have to play with" idea at this point.

So, please share your knowledge of quads, what to look for, what to avoid, engine size considerations, better brands, brands to stay away from, so forth. Not sure if having a solid rear axle or a full independant suspension is a big deal. Will be used mostly for going slow, dragging stuff out of the woods, other stuff.

Thanks for any thoughts on the subject.
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Etennuly
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sounds like you have the right plan for a starter quad. My son and I had a Kaw 220 2x4, it was ok when he was 150lbs and starting out. Solid rear axle, two wheel drive, with little power and no granny gears sucked. But on the other hand it was still big enough to earn my son-in-law a ride on 'Life Flight'.

I still have an ATC 200X. That on the other hand is a fun light toss-able little bugger!
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 11:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Cool to hear that there are still some old school ATCs floating around.
My friend had a 350X and that thing was bad-ass!
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Strokizator
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 12:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"probably a 1995 to 2000 model year due to pricing"

ATV's have seen tremendous improvements in the last few years so going that far back is going to give you a bit of a dinosaur.

With the way the economy is right now, there's some good deals on newer models. In the 400 range, I like the BRP/Can Am. Polaris make a HEAVY quad and the 400 is OK but doesn't have engine braking. The 500 is a better buy You can fit a winch to most 4wd utility quads.

Artic Cats of earlier vintage are a little top heavy and don't handle as well on the trail but they are rugged as hell.

A lot of early model ATV's are air cooled vs. water cooled. If you are going to "work" the quad instead of it being just a trail machine then solid rear axle is a better choice.

Good luck in your search. I can't imagine you'll have too hard a time selling a boat in Wisconsin

(Message edited by strokizator on December 29, 2008)
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Xl1200r
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 12:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don't know much about quads, but a buddy has a Can Am 880 vtwin something or other that kicks ass. Good luck in your search.
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Etennuly
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 01:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Nate, I had a 350X back in '86 when they were new. I had a new 200X in '84. The 200's were more fun unless you just wanted more top end. As with all Honda's they didn't just put a bigger engine in it, they up-sized everything making it heavier. Big through the gears wheelie machines though.

I rode some of the Honda 250 two stroke 2x4 quads back then. They felt like a snomobile when riding them on sand.

My son and I took our bikes to Kentucky to ride trails. We were under powered and under traction to make it fun there. The four wheel drives were eating us up. We need more power too, as those were the steepest mountains I had ridden. First time I ever had a 200X power out climbing a steep trail.
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Danger_dave
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 04:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I went quad biking once. That was enough.
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Hammer71
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 04:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)








A few shots from our 4 wheel adventures at Mikexlr's place
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Mikej
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 04:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"I can't imagine you'll have too hard a time selling a boat in Wisconsin "

Selling a used boat can be harder than selling a used motorcycle here.

"so going that far back is going to give you a bit of a dinosaur. "

All my current motorcycles are carb'd, nothing wrong with a dinosaur. ; )

I'll probably go hit a couple of local dealers tomorrow or Wednesday and get updated on prices and current new options. Last time I put the M2 on the local Craigslist I got exactly zero responses, even with an "open to offers" comment in it. Dinosaurs are fine, they're just a little hard to sell.
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Acgwolfe
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 08:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

something to consider do you want a sport or utility. Sport atvs are really fun and can be had really cheap compaired to utilitys. If you are going to mostly work and some casual trail riding i would recommend a side x side or utv. I have been riding atvs since the 80s and loved my sport quads, later got a utility, good for cruising with friends and light work around the house but became bored really quick with them. Now I have a z400 which i love and is really fun but not good for anything other than trail riding. Thats is when i discovered the polaris ranger, the best thing i have bought yet. It is a workhorse, hi and low range, 2wd and 4wd with diff lock will pull a house and still run 50mph. The best thing is i can take my daughter and wife with me riding around the farm along with a grill, cooler and what ever else i need for a picnic or camping. It has seat belts for 3 and is fun to take a buddy trail riding with the rest of us who would not normally be able to go. I know the utvs are rather expensive but the fun factor and usefullness is off the chart. Well good luck and be careful.
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Mikej
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 08:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm thinking more along the lines of utility, but might end up occasionally on some of the atv trails where the side-x-side seaters are apparently not allowed to go. I guess I need to read up on that, just going by what an indirect relative told me when they had some quads. We've also got some relatives up north a bit with some farm land, and I'm not sure how well the side-x-side rigs would work up there on the trails they run between sections of land. But I do like that style a little better than the motorcycle seating styles.

The Polaris Ranger looks a little like it would be a mini-jeep type rig. I wonder if they could be made street legal somehow....

http://www.rc-trucks.org/Polaris-Ranger-XP-700-EFI .jpg

I might have to give this some more thought and research.
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Mikej
Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Looks like the utility side-x-side vehicles have some limitation on where they can be used:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/enforcement/DOCS/ATVRegs. pdf


quote:

What is Considered an All-Terrain Vehicle?
According to Wisconsin Law an ATV must meet all the following specifications;
an engine-driven device
net weight of 900 pounds or less
width of 48 inches or less
has a seat designed to be straddled
travels on 3 or more low-pressure tires
minimum tire width of 6 inches
rim maximum diameter of 12 inches

What is not an All-Terrain Vehicle?
The following are NOT ATVs and cannot be operated on ATV trails or ATV Routes;
utility-type, side by side vehicles
6-8 wheel amphibious vehicles
golf carts
go carts
off-road motorcycles
anything outside the ATV specifications listed above




Bummer, but still neat rigs.
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Bcordb3
Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 04:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

In the area I live in Rangers, Razr's and Rhino's are run on the street. Lots of folks are using UTV's as a second vehicle.

Your choices for an atv sound about right, Polaris is a good choice (I have a Honda 420cc). I certainly wouldn't much less than that especially if you want a plow rig. I put winch on mine mostly as a precautionary. I haven't had use it yet. I went with a Warner 2500#.

Good luck finding what you need.
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Bhillberg
Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 06:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

something to consider when getting one. Honda's have shaft drive. Most others have belts. I have a Honda Rancher 425 and it is a good all around ATV. Not the fastest, not the slowest. Not the strongest as far as utility goes but it is pretty bulletproof. It does have a low gear. First is basically a granny gear, if you want to tear off then you start out in second. Mine is a clutchless manual so you can utilize the engine as a brake. I really do like mine but honestly have had it for about a year and a half and it probably has MAYBE 20 hrs on it. They do tend to sit alot but are a nice toy to have.
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Bcordb3
Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 09:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have a Honda Rancher 425 and

I have the Honda Rancher 420 with the electric shifter it works fine, two buttons, one for up-shifting and one for down_shifting. If you aren't good doing the texting thing on a cell phone you are screwed.
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Acgwolfe
Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 01:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Most of the offroad parks here in kentucky that have restrictions on their trails is the the vehicle must be 50 inches wide or less although i have noticed that most atvs that i have encountered on the trail are huge espically with the bigger tires and offset rims, my neighbors 750 kawasaki brute force is about as big as my ranger.
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Wolf102
Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 11:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i have a 1998 grizzly 600.i wouldnt go with anything less for pushing snow
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