Posted: 4/5/2012 11:55:30 AM EDT
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Got access to a new lease in Ga. for hunting and it's not accessible by truck or jeep, so I need an ATV.
I never owned one, though I have driven a few, and don't know where to start so I'm looking for some input. I need it to gain access to my area, to retrieve game etc. I weigh about 230#'s, I need min250cc i would guess. Do I need 4 wheel drive ? Where do I start? |
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I have owned Yamaha, Honda, Polaris and Suzuki over the last 20 years. Though I liked my Polaris Scrambler 400 4x4 and my 450 Sportsman they were reliable and worked good enough. It is my Honda 400 Rancher AT that was my favorite. I Also owned a 500 foreman that was bullet proof. The 4x4 is definetly a must unless you just plan on putzing around on dirt roads and even surfaces. The 4x4 is indespensible when it comes to traversing terrain (rocks, mud, steeep trails, sand , etc) you will never regeret getting the 4x4 option.
Now that i have none and have my house and Harley purchaser out of the way me and my girl are debating a ATV. It will be a Honda Rincon 675.. My riding buddy has an 2009 650 that still runs excellent. |
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My goto quads are Honda Ranchers. They are just hard to beat as an all around ride.
Mine have been great, and they will last many many years with just basic maintenance. They haul this 230 lb fat boy around just fine. I don't mud (like waist deep mud), but do the hunt club thing, so occasionally go into foot peg deep stuff. They do fine with factory tires, but most everybody seems to eventually upgrade the rubber. However, that is common on any brand. Doc Edit to add, this seems to be a good time to pick up a lightly used quad. Lots of people are struggling now and moving them for reasonable prices. Mandatory pic; 
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4x4 is awesome to have, but it's not necessary unless you plan on getting into those swamps. Here in PA just about the only time I ever have to engage the 4x4 is when the snow is reaches a certain depth. I very rarely need it for mud, but I don't intentionally seek out mud holes. Most ATVs are very capable in 2WD.
Also, more power is nice but it's not necessary either. My first quad was a Honda TRX 250 (2x4). Some guys that claim 4x4 is a necessity and that you need at least a 500cc engine would be amazed at the places I took that thing and the things I've hauled. Right now I have a 2004 Suzuki Eiger 400 4x4. I think it's a nice size. It's big enough to be comfortable, small enough to man handle, ample power, and the 4x4 is definitely a nice fallback, and I will say that when the snow accumulates it becomes necessary. I wouldn't recommend a Suzuki though. My next quad will be something else. |
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An ATV is called a bike now? that's a new one.
I would not get one that's not 4wd. I've never had much luck with the 2wd. Also, I would err on the side of too much. Nothing sucks more than having an ATV that doesn't have enough power. I still have an 87 Yamaha 350 big bear. Old school, carbureated, no fancy bells and whistles. Works for what I need on the farm. Don't bother with the snow plows, unless you have pavement. |
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Quoted:
An ATV is called a bike now? that's a new one. I would not get one that's not 4wd. I've never had much luck with the 2wd. Also, I would err on the side of too much. Nothing sucks more than having an ATV that doesn't have enough power. I still have an 87 Yamaha 350 big bear. Old school, carbureated, no fancy bells and whistles. Works for what I need on the farm. Don't bother with the snow plows, unless you have pavement. There, fixed it for ya 
Doc |