Looking to get an ATV

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renegade_987

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Morning guys, I am thinking about purchasing an ATV in the near future. Most likely a utility version to use around my parents/grandparents farm and for the occasional off road trip. I am looking at a couple different models that I'll list. I have only ever owned Yamaha products before so I would like insight on other makes. I'm looking at:

Polaris Sportsman 550 EFI
Yamaha Grizzly 550
Can Am Outlander 500 or 650
Kawasaki Brute Force 650
Suzuki King Quad 500

Thank you for your input!
 
those are premium, there are some good knock offs, one from ontario ca, wolf something, they have trikes too.
if you are little mechanically inclined, they will do the job.
 
My friend has land and they have owned many brands over 16 years. He says the only ones they'll buy from now on are Honda's as the others have issues starting as they get older. They now have three Foreman 4x4's and they are very nice to ride.
 
I bought a new 1 year old Kawasaki Brute Force 750i (a 2010 model in February 2011). I could not have been happier with my choice. It came with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty and I saved about $1800 over the cost of a current year ATV. I love my BF--tons of power, low maintenance, and a blast to ride + it comes in handy to pull my sons ATVs out of the mud.

While I have some Chinese knock-offs for my two sons, I would not recommend them for a long term purchase--many of them are "here today and gone tomorrow".

Stay with a main stream brand and you will be happy that you did. The BF650 would serve you well, check for new 2011 ATVs at the dealers, you will be pleasantly surprised at the savings.

Good luck!
 
I would stay away from the Polaris and the Can Am. I have a 550XP Polaris. Awful sounding engine. Not refined in the slightest but it does have plenty of power. The whole quad is really not my cup of tea. Polaris had a couple of recall issues as well. Oil changes on mine are a pain too. Very poor placement of filter and drain plug. I actually have nothing good to say about the ATV.
I've ridden a Can Am. Responsive at higher rpms but lacking in torque in the lower. Rather cheaply built in my opinion and usually over priced. Not much of a utility vehicle in my opinion.
All the rest are pretty good choices. The Suzuki would probably me my choice. Too bad you won't consider a Honda Foreman though.
 
Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
I bought a new 1 year old Kawasaki Brute Force 750i (a 2010 model in February 2011). I could not have been happier with my choice. It came with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty and I saved about $1800 over the cost of a current year ATV. I love my BF--tons of power, low maintenance, and a blast to ride + it comes in handy to pull my sons ATVs out of the mud.

While I have some Chinese knock-offs for my two sons, I would not recommend them for a long term purchase--many of them are "here today and gone tomorrow".

Stay with a main stream brand and you will be happy that you did. The BF650 would serve you well, check for new 2011 ATVs at the dealers, you will be pleasantly surprised at the savings.

Good luck!


+1 to the Kawi Brute Force. I have a 2008 Brute Force 750 and it's been trouble free. The fuel injection works flawlessly.
 
If I where you I would look at the ARCTIC CAT 700 TRV DIESEL. That thing is just awesome. Great for hauling loads, snow plowing and so on. Since it's a diesel don't expect crazy speeds but the toque and the sound of the engine are so sweet
smile.gif


http://youtu.be/WJ4d2wbxEso
 
I've owned every brand mentioned, they all are very good. DO NOT BUY CHEAP CHINESE JUNK POS ATV'S! CanAm 650 will have the most power, but is more expensive. I'd go with whatever dealer gives U the best price and most of all the best SERVICE! SERVICE MEANS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! U can buy used too. It is very difficult to destroy these well made machines, ask me how I know...
 
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I've owned every brand mentioned, they all are very good. DO NOT BUY CHEAP CHINESE JUNK POS ATV'S! CanAm 650 will have the most power, but is more expensive. I'd go with whatever dealer gives U the best price and most of all the best SERVICE! SERVICE MEANS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! U can buy used too. It is very difficult to destroy these well made machines, ask me how I know...

Might be difficult to destroy one....but not so difficult to screw one up.
My Polaris is an example. Requires several different fluids and maintenance is a real chore....plus, on one of my first rides on the thing I was on an extremely narrow trail where I had to constantly go between trees. Well, I gently bumped into one with my right front wheel and BINGO....front end is out of alignment. Took it to the dealer and they said a front to rear adjustment and camber CAN"T be made on my machine and that I must have bent it. Piece of junk because I barely hit the tree and it's SUPPOSED to be a bulletproof ATV being a heavy framed Polaris. Not so much.
 
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I moved from a Honda Foreman to a Suzuki King Quad 750. The KQ is every bit as reliable IMO and will do anything the Foreman did only 100x better. Ride, power, capability, true 4x4 with front locker..etc etc. I would never go back.

The opinions on the popo's are fairly accurate in the groups I associate with.

I would consider a Yamaha Grizzly after the KQ of course.
 
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Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I've owned every brand mentioned, they all are very good. DO NOT BUY CHEAP CHINESE JUNK POS ATV'S! CanAm 650 will have the most power, but is more expensive. I'd go with whatever dealer gives U the best price and most of all the best SERVICE! SERVICE MEANS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! U can buy used too. It is very difficult to destroy these well made machines, ask me how I know...

Might be difficult to destroy one....but not so difficult to screw one up.
My Polaris is an example. Requires several different fluids and maintenance is a real chore....plus, on one of my first rides on the thing I was on an extremely narrow trail where I had to constantly go between trees. Well, I gently bumped into one with my right front wheel and BINGO....front end is out of alignment. Took it to the dealer and they said a front to rear adjustment and camber CAN"T be made on my machine and that I must have bent it. Piece of junk because I barely hit the tree and it's SUPPOSED to be a bulletproof ATV being a heavy framed Polaris. Not so much.


Yeeeeaaaaah... I "barely" bumped this tree too with my Polaris RZR. It should have held up too...JK! I actually had to replace the frame after this one.
DSC00756.jpg
 
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Wow. That must have cost a bit.
My hit was at about 4 mph and not nearly so dramatic. After sustaining unrepairable damage from such a minor bump, I'll pass on any future ATV purchases. With the economy, my age, and the lack of a close riding area....I'm done. The nickle and dime thing is also getting to me. My Polaris takes more different fluids than my car....and costs as much if not more to maintain. Can't wait to get rid of it.
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Wow. That must have cost a bit.
My hit was at about 4 mph and not nearly so dramatic. After sustaining unrepairable damage from such a minor bump, I'll pass on any future ATV purchases. With the economy, my age, and the lack of a close riding area....I'm done. The nickle and dime thing is also getting to me. My Polaris takes more different fluids than my car....and costs as much if not more to maintain. Can't wait to get rid of it.


Insurance paid for every penny. Vanishing deductable=no out of pocket $! Only had 4.7hrs on it too. I use Amsoil chaincase oil for everything (tranny and rear gearcase) except the front diff. and the engine oil. I do the fluid changes myself too. The RZR is alot harder to do than an ATV so I can't see why it's such a problem changing fluids. I ride alot and only change out the fluids once per yr. and even then the fluids are like the day I put them in.
 
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Right here brother. $1299 shipped to your door.

811.jpg


I'm kidding!

I've got some experience with the Chinese stuff. They're fine for tooling around your yard, pavement or smooth trails. Even with that you've got to go through every nut & bolt and blue loctite everything, better secure all wiring and connectors, etc..

Swamping, jumping and generally pounding on them and they'll come unglued.

Joel
 
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Wow. That must have cost a bit.
My hit was at about 4 mph and not nearly so dramatic. After sustaining unrepairable damage from such a minor bump, I'll pass on any future ATV purchases. With the economy, my age, and the lack of a close riding area....I'm done. The nickle and dime thing is also getting to me. My Polaris takes more different fluids than my car....and costs as much if not more to maintain. Can't wait to get rid of it.


Insurance paid for every penny. Vanishing deductable=no out of pocket $! Only had 4.7hrs on it too. I use Amsoil chaincase oil for everything (tranny and rear gearcase) except the front diff. and the engine oil. I do the fluid changes myself too. The RZR is alot harder to do than an ATV so I can't see why it's such a problem changing fluids. I ride alot and only change out the fluids once per yr. and even then the fluids are like the day I put them in.

Between the brain-dead placement of the oil filter (needs special tool to remove as it's located in between skid plate and bottom of engine....nearly impossible to get it done without swearing a few times) and the oil drain plug (also in between and ALWAYS drains oil ALL over the skid plate and makes a mess) plus add in the required fluid for the ADC and a different fluid for the differential.....it's a real pain.
Never had an ATV be such a disappointment in maintaining as well as not fulfilling it's reputation as 'rugged'. Had better times with a Honda and a Suzuki I had. Both were much less complicated to take care of and engineered far better. The engines on those quads didn't sound like a bucket of bolts like the Polaris either.
 
My Grizzly 660 will be 9 years old in August 2012, bought it new. Use it for every thing from plowing snow, pulling a roller, to recreational use. I don't recall ever having to repair anything, just maint. Based on that and experience Iv'e had with other Yamaha products, I'd buy another. All of the electronics on the newer ones concern me about long term reliability (EFI, Electronic power steering, etc...), maybe I'm just old fashioned.
 
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