Posted: 11/17/2015 8:45:17 PM EDT
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thinking about picking up a used one, have riddent hem before but other than that i know nothing about them What does the "400", "550" etc pertain to?  |
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You'll also find they come in both 2x and 4x drive. The 4x will obv do better in serious mud, etc. But cost more, typically the steering is harder, overall are heavier.
Fwiw, I have a Honda Rancher(2x) for here in the western NC mtns. Got it used from my son a few yrs ago. Been reliable, fun, and does what I need. |
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I have a 2004 Suzuki Eiger 400 4x4. Still runs and works well, but if I was to look for one now I'd want a Honda or Yamaha. I only bought the Suzuki because a friend was selling it to me.
OP, what state are you in? Do you get snow? If you want to ride much in over say 5" of snow you're going to want 4x4. I don't know how familiar you are with quads, but a 4x2 will go some amazing places with good tires, but get into much snow and you'll want the 4x4. It's obviously going to help in the mud too, but I've been through some pretty good mud with 4x2. As far as size, my first quad was a 250. It was fine, but slightly under-powered. A lot of guys will throw out big numbers, but I'm more than happy with the power of my 400. And factor in sometimes you want to be able to get off and manhandle the quad in places. The bigger the engine, the heavier, and harder it is to do that. |
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I've got a Foreman that is pretty useful around the farm. My wife and I shared a TrailGator for a while, but we never ended up having the right tools on it whenever we took it out. This was a great buy in that respect. I have my foreman set up with the fencing stuff that I normally need and she has the Gator full of feed buckets and such. I picked up this little trailer from Lowes last year, I think. Another good purchase. I've moved the saw mount back to a fender on the trailer now. It was blocking my "pod" light at night up there on the nose.  CHRIS |
| I've had atv's for 35+yrs, buy HONDA or YAMAHA! I just picked up an '08 Honda Rancher 4x4, I'm impressed! The Rancher's their flagship model, A1 buy! Yamaha has the Kodiak, or Grizzly. I have a 2000 Yamaha Kodiak 4x4 auto, I can't kill! Bought it new back in '99! STAY AWAY from off brands/snowmobile mfg atvs, you'll be disappointed in the long run! |
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Hipower,
I have been lucky enough to have been born & grow up in these mountains. Can you tell me roughly where you are? It's beautiful. Later! John It Quoted:
Watch what you wish for. I have my sons 06 350 Rancher. He bought it new..Its since been thrashed, mudded, etc for a few yrs before I got it. I baby it in comparison. Its been absolutely trouble free(sans 2 batteries) to date. He'd gotten a new 07 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. 4x4. Its been ridden relatively few times, so far. But its broken down numerous times already. Last thing to die was its 3rd starter. He had to basically take half the thing apart, just to get to it. Per him just now..."91hrs and on its third starter, second computer and needs a stator now." Heres both as we ride above my place here in the western NC mtns <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower060/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20046_zps6xu3j2kq.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower060/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20046_zps6xu3j2kq.jpg</a> Clearing a path up this 'at one time' county road. <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower061/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20024_zpsncsmgsxi.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower061/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20024_zpsncsmgsxi.jpg</a> Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a 04 350 honda rancher and love it. i would like to get a Polaris sportsman 570 though Watch what you wish for. I have my sons 06 350 Rancher. He bought it new..Its since been thrashed, mudded, etc for a few yrs before I got it. I baby it in comparison. Its been absolutely trouble free(sans 2 batteries) to date. He'd gotten a new 07 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. 4x4. Its been ridden relatively few times, so far. But its broken down numerous times already. Last thing to die was its 3rd starter. He had to basically take half the thing apart, just to get to it. Per him just now..."91hrs and on its third starter, second computer and needs a stator now." Heres both as we ride above my place here in the western NC mtns <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower060/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20046_zps6xu3j2kq.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower060/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20046_zps6xu3j2kq.jpg</a> Clearing a path up this 'at one time' county road. <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower061/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20024_zpsncsmgsxi.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower061/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20024_zpsncsmgsxi.jpg</a> |
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Quoted:
Hipower, I have been lucky enough to have been born & grow up in these mountains. Can you tell me roughly where you are? It's beautiful. Later! John It Quoted:
Hipower, I have been lucky enough to have been born & grow up in these mountains. Can you tell me roughly where you are? It's beautiful. Later! John It Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a 04 350 honda rancher and love it. i would like to get a Polaris sportsman 570 though Watch what you wish for. I have my sons 06 350 Rancher. He bought it new..Its since been thrashed, mudded, etc for a few yrs before I got it. I baby it in comparison. Its been absolutely trouble free(sans 2 batteries) to date. He'd gotten a new 07 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. 4x4. Its been ridden relatively few times, so far. But its broken down numerous times already. Last thing to die was its 3rd starter. He had to basically take half the thing apart, just to get to it. Per him just now..."91hrs and on its third starter, second computer and needs a stator now." Heres both as we ride above my place here in the western NC mtns <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower060/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20046_zps6xu3j2kq.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower060/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20046_zps6xu3j2kq.jpg</a> Clearing a path up this 'at one time' county road. <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/hipower90hipower061/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20024_zpsncsmgsxi.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/hipower90hipower061/Coles%20visit%2011%20013%20024_zpsncsmgsxi.jpg</a> Backed up to the AT trail...or literally across the street from the edge of the Joyce Kilmer/Slick Rock wildernesses...or about 5 miles from Fontana Dam. I was backpacking for 3 dyas last week in Kilmer. I can literally see the trailhead cut-out in the trees up on the mtn, from my driveway. I'm that close. Where God lives in the SE. A little hi jack.. View from the Hangover. We hiked up that spine, middle right side of the pic. I live behind that mtn top in the middle down below us...at the base of it, down in the gorge below. Smoky mtn nat park, being the farthest ridge in the distance. 
We gained 4000'. 
From our Bob Stratton bald camp. 
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I am currently a Honda owner. A '99 Foreman and a '12 Rancher. Both 4x4 and both have been amazing. That said brand vs brand is just that, no different then Redsox vs Yankees or Ford vs Chevy.
I have had both Polaris and Yamaha in the past, both were great with proper maintence. Luck of the draw or a mechanicalyy inclined owner you be the judge. I can turn a wrench and try not to abuse my stuff so YMMV. For "farm" work, and random trail riding I would recommend a basic Honda every day. Change the oils and fill her with gas... Don't submerge or abuse it and it will be good to go for a while. 
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