School me on ATVs

[MikeNV]

Interested in a buying a hunting/utility style 4x4 to keep up at my Montana place, to get me back and forth into hunting locations, attaching a snowblade to in the winter to plow out the driveways. Thinking 400-600cc sized engine. Been looking hard at the Yamaha Grizzly, plus or minus... what brand do you prefer and why?

What's the best time of year to buy one? I've seen the MSRPs, most are $5500-$7900 what can you realistically expect to pay for one, not quite sure what the mark-up is on an ATV so I guess what I'm asking is how much less should I offer on say a $6k ATV?

[Netpackrat]

I don't really like where the ATV market has gone (I prefer a smaller 4x4 with a transmission you can shift with a lever), but you'll never go wrong buying a Honda. Nothing can touch them in terms of reliability. Arctic Cat makes some good ones too, and a couple that are probably closer to what I would want.

[kimber_lover]

I have a 2006 Yamaha Big Bear 400 and I have had no issues. It is a fun toy...

[sansooshooter]

Check out some of the atv buyer guides. They usally cover all the basic's plus what breaks and maint item's that are important. Remember when it come's to stuff with engine's
Guy's get blinded by brand loyalty sometime's to the point of stupity. I have suffered a minor bout of it myself on occasion:biglaugh:

[lostone1413]

I have a Grizzly and a Poloras Sportsman 500. I love them both. Only thing I will tell you is get an ATV with independent suspension. They are way better on your back on a tough ride and I feel then can get out of more places then one without it. As far as the quality of the ATVs the ones I have would be a good choice But I don't think that their is much difference between any of the major brands as far as quality goes

[M1A's r Best]

And have a good winch installed on it. You won't realize how heavy these newer 4WD 4 wheelers are unless you stick one up and have to get it out without help.

In the mountains be careful of the automatic transmission ATVs (most are these days) and keep the rpms up when climbing a hill. If you let the rpm drop down below a certain point the darn clutch will disengage and you'll be going downhill backwards. Seen it happen to several folks. Just drop gears as needed to keep the rpm up. Also, carry something to plug a flat tire. I've not tried plugs but a small hole can be plugged/fixed enough to get you home with some slime in the pressurized can.

[Netpackrat]

In the mountains be careful of the automatic transmission ATVs (most are these days) and keep the rpms up when climbing a hill. If you let the rpm drop down below a certain point the darn clutch will disengage and you'll be going downhill backwards.

It isn't just the newer automatic transmission units that will do that; the centrifugal clutch types will also.

As for brand loyalty, it's hard not to be that way since I'm still riding my 1981 Honda ATC185s three wheeler. Never been restored, and I don't think that the engine has ever been apart, either (not the original owner). I did manage to break it last week though, the part of the frame where the mounting post for the foot brake attaches finally fatigued to the point of failure, so I have to drag it back to town to weld it back on. Didn't stop the machine though, since there are redundant controls for the rear brake and I usually use the hand lever anyway. Probably won't bother fixing it until near the end of the season.

[Eldora]

I have a '97 Honda Foreman 4x4 with a winch. It's full-time 4wd, straight axle, manual shift. Tough as pine knots. Honda is never the first one out with cutting edge technology but when they bring it to market it's good to go. Personally, I'd find a Honda with manual shift and independant suspension. Take care of it and it'll last forever. Just my .02 worth.

[380fps]

Can-AM outlander MAX 800cc of pure power. The 2 seater is the only way to go in my book. We have never had a problem with ours. I have been in mud over the tires and never got stuck. Pulled a honda civic out of a snow bank it was suck in. Plow snow with it. just a great engineered peace if equipment.

[mooseman100]

Hey Mike,
I guess yoiu did not do the App. trail or else you set a speed record..
I have a Canam 400 outlander max. Like 380fps above, it is a 2 seater. The rear seat is in front of the rear axle. Many of the other 2 seaters have hte seat above or behind the rear axle which can lead to flip overs going up steep inclines. The longer wheel base makes it very steady on steep inclines. For just zipping around and hunting the 400 has been all I need. It is a bit light when I am trying to drag logs of any size. I have managed by just cutting them smaller. I can drag a 12" round log 15' long up a slight incline. I paid like 6k back 4 yearws ago. It is automatic but has a braking transmission when going downhills. I have had no breakdowns with it. It is cold natured and does not start quite as readily in winter, it is kept outside.

At this point, I wish I had purchased a UTV rather. I believe it to be much more practical for working on the farm. I find myslef doing less pleasrure riding and more work with my machine.

I have a friend that just bought a diesel kubota. He pulls his hay rake with it rather than his tractor, pretty impressive.

[MikeNV]

Mooseman, Will be on the AT in 2012.... Just retired from my department 2 wks ago. Another cold wet spring up in MT will again cause the pheasants to be dismal this fall.

[Matthew Sweeney]

I like Yamaha's for hunting and work. But Honda's are tough and reliable and seem to be more fun to play around on. From my experience with both you cant go wrong with either.

[Streetlight]

I had a 2 rider atv that I liked pretty well. Then my daughter let me use her Rhino. The side by sides have some real positives. Since the gas and brakes are on the floor, it is much easier to fight on the move with the side by side. With some of them your passenger could even climb in the back and be the trunk monkey. Hers has a fold down windshield. It made me grin when I drew my pistol and extended it, the windshield fell out of the way like that is what it was designed for.

I know some will say that ATV's weren't designed to be a fighting vehicle. However, in my neck of the woods there are some pretty sophisticated drug operations in the back country. Also, when off road it is not always possible to flee at a high rate of speed, no matter the capabilities of the machine. Being able to move and fight simultaneously can be a huge advantage.

[Bama Prepper]

I like Yamaha's .I have a 2000 Kodiak 400 2wd that has never had a problem except for normal maintenance and a 2005 Grizzly 660 that has been problem free so far as well.

[Netpackrat]

You know, looking beyond general brand recommendations, I was just reading over your planned use again, and thought I would give my thoughts on plowing with an ATV. In short, it can be pretty slow and frustrating, and it's also hard on the equipment. BUT, if you are going to have an ATV anyway, and you've got a big enough area to plow and a place to shove the snow, it can be better than doing it by hand. For plowing, a heavy ATV is going to be way more effective than a lighter one. You'll have to balance this against the fact that a lighter one will probably be a better machine on the trail and less likely to get stuck. And for plowing, chains may be very helpful if the snow is very heavy/deep at all. Be sure that whatever machine you choose has at least an oil cooler or is liquid cooled, because pushing/pulling heavy loads (which includes plowing) at low speed is really hard on an air cooled engine. You'll want a winch for sure, not only for off-road, but because it is the easiest means of raising and lowering the plow when you are working. BUT, the sharp angle of the cable is not good for it at all, so plan on repairing the last bit of cable often and/or replacing the cable regularly. When I was using our old Honda 4x4 to plow, I modified it to use a snatch block to reduce the angle of the cable, and increase the radius over which it worked, which increased the life of the cable tremendously. I mounted the block to the bottom of the roller fairlead and the cable took a different (and lower) route through the frame of the machine. Be creative.

Personally, I don't have a good space to plow snow to, so I find it easier to use a snowblower to clear my driveway, since it can throw it to the middle of the lawn no matter how big of a berm gets built up. Even so, I usually find it faster and easier to use a push shovel to clear my drive, and then use the snowblower to throw the resulting piles out of the way.

[Youngman]

My first was an Artic Cat. 500......second was a Polaris 800...now I have a Yamaha 700 Grizzly..technology is getting better and better...the new Yamaha has power steering...great suspension.....I can drive it into town where I live so 70 KMP on asphalt.....and no swerving....great control..the Polaris had two cylinders...and it was much more powerful...my Yamaha has only one for the 700..slower starts..get the racks...both front and back....you will use them all the time....get a bag or hard case too....you always have stuff...TP for one...first aid...gloves..shovel...etc etc etc...a trailer hitch works too...always need a trailer for dirt..junk...firewood...lol

[ericb]

I would look at a side by side instead. used ones run in your price range.

[Matthew Sweeney]

I modified it to use a snatch block to reduce the angle of the cable, and increase the radius over which it worked, which increased the life of the cable tremendously. I mounted the block to the bottom of the roller fairlead and the cable took a different (and lower) route through the frame of the machine. Be creative.

Sounds like a good idea...got any more info on this?? I get the basic idea of what you are saying...but how are you running the cable through the snatch block?

[1gatekeeper]

another thing you may consider, depending on elevations that you will be using it, is fuel injection. My 400 Kaw. is great with the full time 4x4 but after having it on my 9000 ft elevation hunting property, I have to get it re-jetted for the plains.

[s4141]

If plowing, I'd go with a more powerful motor. Arctic Cat now has Diesel-powered ATV.

Depending on the country/usage, maybe consider and Argo or Max II or IV. Throw some tracks on them 6/8 wheelers and you may be better served doing the plowing thing.

[Netpackrat]

Sounds like a good idea...got any more info on this?? I get the basic idea of what you are saying...but how are you running the cable through the snatch block?

I didn't take any pictures and we got rid of that machine years ago, but to the best of my recollection, there was a 2 pulley snatch block that we had with the winch, and I took the smaller pulley out. I think I had a large quick-link like you would join 2 pieces of pipe together with, and I cut off the threaded section. Either I hooked it around the lower horizontal roller on the roller fairlead, or maybe I had to take the roller off and bolt it or something, I don't remember. Then I hung the snatch block from the other end using the bolt where the removed pulley had been. Assembled it all with the cable in place, which reduced the angle that it had to turn tremendously, as well as providing a better bend radius. Never had any trouble with the cable after that.

[gunplumber]

I also like the side-by-side. I don't drive like a maniac, and can still keep up with the more agile ATVs just fine. Slightly wider footprint, but far smaller than the '78 GMC Jimmy I replaced with this. I has done well supporting 3 adults while hunting. I can carry a half ton of rocks or hay, and hook a rake up with a 55 gallon drum of water to drag my horse arena. I've got it stuck in light powder sand on a 45 degree incline, but easily winched myself out.

I wanted a toy, but it had to be enough of a utility vehicle also so that I didn't consider it just a toy.

THe Polaris Ranger has done a decent job. The Yamaha was more comfortable, but less towing capacity and seated one less.

16326

[Netpackrat]

The side by sides are nice; a neighbor of mine has a 6x6 Polaris and he likes it a lot. One thing to keep in mind is that the increased width can be a real disadvantage at times. A side by side physically won't fit across the footbridge out where I have my property, while many regular quads can. I realize this is a pretty unique situation, but even if you don't have a choke point like that in your way, the size of one of those things can be a real disadvantage in some terrain.

[lostone1413]

The side by sides are nice; a neighbor of mine has a 6x6 Polaris and he likes it a lot. One thing to keep in mind is that the increased width can be a real disadvantage at times. A side by side physically won't fit across the footbridge out where I have my property, while many regular quads can. I realize this is a pretty unique situation, but even if you don't have a choke point like that in your way, the size of one of those things can be a real disadvantage in some terrain.

Agreed Here in Arizona I've been on a few trails with one of my quads that a side by side couldn't fit on either. Not many like that but a few. I'd just get a 4x4 quad with INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION. Without A doubt its way better on the back and what I've seen its allot harder to get stuck say going over rocks

[boss]

Pound for pound dollar for dollar you cant beat arctic cats, I have two 700's bought both for the price of one Can-am, independent suspension, EFI,FT FWD, you lock it in all four wheels spin. Look at Cat country in Min. largest dealer in the states. Mine have the king quad motor but the new ones have there own motor alot more power. They go anywhere anyother atv goes, period.

[Netpackrat]

My next door neighbor has 'cats and he seems to like them a lot. I always liked the looks of the one with the King Quad motor. I grew up in the trucking business and it has all those wonderful GEARS! :drive:

[BB82]

Seems everyone has their favorite, and for varying reasons.
So lets talk maintenance. Whichever brand you get, get the maintenance manual. Do as much of the work on it yourself that you can....it's a learning opportunity.
I've got friends that run their ATV's to the dealer for everything, and they personally don't know how to change the oil in them.
But when you've taken one apart and put it back together again, you won't have trouble diagnosing problems and fixing them on the fly. I had an issue arise when I was miles from the nearest road. But because I know my ATV like the back of my hand, I was able to work on it right there in the woods, and get going again.

[Matthew Sweeney]

Seems everyone has their favorite, and for varying reasons.
So lets talk maintenance. Whichever brand you get, get the maintenance manual. Do as much of the work on it yourself that you can....it's a learning opportunity.
I've got friends that run their ATV's to the dealer for everything, and they personally don't know how to change the oil in them.
But when you've taken one apart and put it back together again, you won't have trouble diagnosing problems and fixing them on the fly. I had an issue arise when I was miles from the nearest road. But because I know my ATV like the back of my hand, I was able to work on it right there in the woods, and get going again.

Yeah for sure...although the same can be said for ANYTHING you drive... We fix our own stuff almost all the time on all the vehicles. If it has to go into the shop then its a pretty major issue.

[Netpackrat]

Well... yeah. My first ATV was a 200X 3 wheeler that I acquired in boxes and built into a functional machine. The 5 speed transmission was literally parts in a bucket when I first laid hands on it, and there was more than one 200X worth of parts there. So, it was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. I strongly recommend against obtaining your ATV in that fashion, but I learned a lot from that project. I'll see if I can dig up a picture of it later.

[Matthew Sweeney]

Well... yeah. My first ATV was a 200X 3 wheeler that I acquired in boxes and built into a functional machine. The 5 speed transmission was literally parts in a bucket when I first laid hands on it, and there was more than one 200X worth of parts there. So, it was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. I strongly recommend against obtaining your ATV in that fashion, but I learned a lot from that project. I'll see if I can dig up a picture of it later.

Man...that's gotta be rough building a tranny from scratch. I've never touched one that I didnt take apart, thus knew how to reassemble.

[Netpackrat]

I just followed the diagram in the manual exactly and it worked okay. Turns out, that year of 200X had tranny problems, which mine developed within a few months of getting it running. Ended up with a later motor/tranny to fix it.

[Matthew Sweeney]

I just followed the diagram in the manual exactly and it worked okay. Turns out, that year of 200X had tranny problems, which mine developed within a few months of getting it running. Ended up with a later motor/tranny to fix it.

Yeah that is definitely one time to follow the included instructions...