OK, I'm hoping to be able to get me an ATV, I've pretty well decided on a standard type ATV, not a side by side, because there are alot of places around here you CAN NOT take a side by side. I'm thinking the EFI, 4x4, 500 cc or so. What are y'alls preferences and experiences with these. I want to buy ONCE. Reliability is a main concern.
THANKS!!!
Brian

I had a arctic cat 400 4x4. I only sold it because I was being stationed overseas and didnt want to let it sit for 3 yrs. anyway it was awesome. The customer service I recieved when I got it worked on was second to none. For example I bought it on a saturday and of course I was in ahurry. Later I saw where I could have got a winch for 69 bucks. I called them and asked and they said sure bring it by. while I was there they noticed the front end was out of alinement and fixed it for no charge. I had nothing but good experiences with arctic cat. I would get another the only problem is there is no where use them on public land. Good luck on your choice

500cc is a good size,

one with individual suspension is best for rough ground.

I go on a lot of rough country trial rides, And those without individual suspension are tilting and tipping much more then those with individual suspension.

Just sold a plolaris ATV 500 sprotsmanHO yesterday.

I use a Polaris RZR for fun and a full size ranger for work and hunting around the farm. The full size ranger is a bit wide for thick woods but the RZR is ok and much more stable then a ATV and you can ride two. Bit loud for hunting though. Always thought one of those electric ones with the motor on each wheel would be great for hunting.

You can get up to 800cc on an ATV but 500 will do the trick for hunting etc.

i've owned my artic cat 500 4x4 since 2000.i use it for about everything from playing around,spraying,putting ing in food plots to farm work,hunting and fishing..it has bee in ill.,mich and all over ohio.just put a new set of tires on last year and all new seals 2 years ago.very dependable quad.there are many good quads out there, you just have to go try some out to see what is there and what you want it for.try to get one with a wicnh on it so it can be used with a snowblade if needed or when you try to take it where you thought it should of gone but it didn't make it.

If you are going to do any kind of tilling, dragging, planting must hook on implements will require 500 min., I have always had good luck with Hondas, but I don't like the way the hitch is attached to the rear axle not to the frame. Several buddies has the Polaris and Artic Cat, the Polaris seems to be the best bet (650) can pull his double axle trailer with small load and ride two (not suppose to). take em for a test drive. Switch from 4 x 4 to 2 x 4 is nice and a locking diff is really great. Use in Tx. no snow or heavy mud. If you plan on going high country need EFI not carb.

I have owned one ATV Honda Rubicon 500 it has 2500 Miles on it and still running strong, I prefer the 500 plenty of power for pulling out game, or tilling for food plots, BUY ENOUGH HORSEPOWER. I have ridden Most popular ATV on the market. All are good. They are like cars pick the features you like best I really like my Honda, Very reliable, I do change all fluids and filters regulary and grease many times. My Honda does ride rougher than Polaris, Polaris very smooth ride and fast plenty of Power if the 500 class. (1) buy the winch at the time of purchase I have used my winch countless times, mostly for retreiving game, (2) Buy enough horsepower, nothing more discouraging than finding out the hard way you should have bought more power (3) I bought heavy lug tires, they ride ruff, but when the going gets tough they do make a differance. NEVER< NEVER put your feet out while moving if you think you are going over, the back tire will run up on your foot and snap your ankle like a tooth pick ( I know), keep the grease,oil and filers changed and it will last forever.

Best ATV depends on what exactly you wish to do with it !    Two years ago I did my research and asked all the ATV Stores owners for the best ATV for pulling implements such as discs etc. Also for pulling stumps and tree,s out of the way, Also for hauling Deer and other necessary items----hand Down 500 CC Honda Foreman---because of the Standard transmission-----Much stronger for work,  Others are atoumatics and or belts and chains,  belts will burn, have been exceedingly happy with the Honda---The shifting by the way is push button,  Now for sure i do believe there are better brands and models for different uses such as just trail riding. But I will keep my work horse,

My 2004 Yamaha Kodiac 400 automatic 4wd, will pull a disk harrow, a bush hog, fertilizer spreader, drag , deer, and will haul my son and myself, that's about 400lbs right there. I bought it because it is water cooled, and has push button-on the fly 4 wheel drive. I have ridden it through the swamp when the water was so high that the damn thing actually floated. When I bought it, the main reason was I couldn't afford a tractor, and of course I got it with the warn winch. At my dog hunting camp, there is one Suzuki, one Honda, one Polaris, and 7 or 8 Yamaha's. Most of the Yamaha's are 350s, mine is the only 400, and there is one 700. The problems with the 700 and the Polaris is the width, trying to get them through the woods and the swamps. Also, if the Polaris gets into water, the drive belt gets wet, and it doesn't want to go. The Honda, is constantly getting stuck, and it will turn over easily. The Suzuki will hang with the Yamahas, but doesn't have the pulling power, although it does have more top-end speed. Everyone I know that ever bought an Artic Cat didn't keep it long, before getting rid of it. They don't like the swampy areas that we hunt in down here.
I also studied long and hard, comparing consumer reports, and talking to people who owned different brands before I bought mine. I even looked at the John Deere, and the Kawasakis, but they have the same engines, and I had a bad experience with the Kawasaki engine, so I ruled those out automatically.
I also found out that most of the Yamaha dealers are much quicker to come off of their prices, and will also throw in a few extras if needed to close the deal. So, for my money, it's Yamaha all the way!

Thanks for all the thoughts on this guys. I haven't made up my mind yet. The Polaris dealershi here has ad me share their booth a number of times in some high dollar shows. He might be a bit put out but if his machine is't upto what i need, then i'll go somewhere else. Snow is not a problem here but I plan on doing some traveling so there is a slight chance. I DO plan on a winch. This is Louisiana after all. Last year we were ferrying atvs across the bayou to hunt. SPORTY to say the least. Big lugs can be an issue because the WMA does not allow lugs especially over 1 inch. Got somemore thinking to do for sure.

RThomas 4----I did not mean to get your blood pressure up---what i mentioned is what i learned---As you should have seen i did acknowledge the Honda was not great at other things---I also did not say any other ATV can not pull a disc or other implement---I was just informed the honda would handle it the best,  Was told this by our Local Yamaha, Polaris and Susuki dealers by the way-P.S. The local Arctic cat dealer was gander mountain which the salesperson was absolutely no help at all----Just my two cents worth and opinion,   No offence was intended,   from now on maybe I should just keep my thoughts and opinions to myself.

hatfield hunter, What are you talking about? I certainly didn't get offended by anything that you posted, and no way was I trying to insinuate anything negative towards you. All I was trying to do was impart the knowledge and experiences that I have on this subject. I certainly apologize if you thought i was trying to denigrate you in any manner whatsoever. Obviously everyone has different opinions, and different experiences. Please, you don't owe me or anyone else an apology for your post.

I've got a Polaris Sportsman 500cc 4x4 and I'll tell ya' it will do what ever you ask of it without any problem,.. and then some. I thought about a 700cc but that was a little overkill for my intended usage, not to mention it's a heavier machine and had a little more power than I wanted for a quad.

Go out and give a few a road test and see what you think,.. your the one who will be setting in the seat driving so only you will know for sure which fits you best. Hell now days they even have power assisted steering,..wish mine did!

Maybe it'll elp if I tell you guys what I got in mind. i want one to tote me and Miss kathy (yea, I know) ar0und for hunting. Pushing my bot a 1548 john with a 25 Mariner around the yard, maybe pulling a bushhog or disc, and toting me and the deer or hog out of the woods. side by sodes are nice but the wMas around here are vERY limited on the availability of the trails you can take them on and never off the trail to retreive game. You can take a regular 4 wheeler though. A winch is a given on ANY rig I get. i was leaning towrds the automatic because it would be easier and simpler for Miss Kathy should the need arise for her to drive. She not real good with shifting. I have pretty well narrowed it down to either the Polaris or Honda. 500 or so cc and 4 x 4.

We have the Honda Rancher 350cc. She's a workhorse. If you want a 500cc, then you'd want to get the Foreman or Foreman Rubicon. Also, Can Am makes a great EFI machine.

Yahmaha all the way!!!
My dad had a Yahmaha "Timberwolf" 250cc utility for a long, long time, and the only problem with it was that it seemed to run out of gas too quickly after several hours of nonstop trailriding action! It started every time, it never had to be taken in for repair, and it performed flawlessly whenever we needed it to. Also, it handled very well. Smooth turning, great springs, no kickback. I cannot say the same for the Kawasaki we had previously, that thing could be a real pain in the ass. I also have experience with my buddy's Yahmaha "Grizzly," which I am very impressed with, and that thing is old! The only problem hebever had with it was when he flipped it down by the pond and handlebar got bent, but that was his stupid fault.
I caution you of Artic Cats. We have 2 of them at work, bought brand spankin' new in 2006, and they are just falling apart. The big red one's factory tires are shot to hell, got the first 2 holes in them 3 weeks after purchase (they're tires are currently plugged), the foot brake stopped working a year after purchase, it doesn't run in low range, it won't move it you bring it from reverse to high range, you have to go from reverse to neutral to high range, the speedometer stopped working a while ago, the truck bed style rear box is rusted through and the tailgate is only held on by one latch. The smaller green one's list of problems is basically the same, which leads mento believe that they are common problems.
Hunt 'em up!

I noticed a few years ago you made a post and asked if anyone knew much about the Crackerneck WMA in Aiken, SC.  I am going to be hunting there in October and wondered if you had any info.

Thanks.

After spending 2 days repairing road to my cabin I offer this if you don't have a place to ride it don't buy it. Ground that is not posted against hunting doesn't mean you do as you please.

Posted By tsbear on 10 Sep 2010 08:28 AM
After spending 2 days repairing road to my cabin I offer this if you don't have a place to ride it don't buy it. Ground that is not posted against hunting doesn't mean you do as you please.

Oh-Oh,... sounds like someone was out on your property tearing up the roads for you,..

Yeah back in the winter I tried to confront one of them and he tried to run over me. Talked to his parents they said he wasn't hurting anything. I replied did he ask me to ride on my property and they said no we didn't think we had to. I wonder how they would like if I took my truck to there house and drove around the lawn a couple times.

Ya' know,... a lot of the problems with the kids in todays world is their PARENTS !!

With the attitudes parents have now a days I guess if your kid doesn't kill someone then it's alright to do! Just goes to show people about their upbringing, there seems there isn't any "values" taught to kids anymore,.. respecting something that does NOT belong to you, common sense when it comes to things, right from wrong, manners,... hell I could go on and on,...

The world has sure gone to "hell in a handbasket",.. makes me almost glad that I won't be around to see how the world turns out in another 100 years !