ATV advice needed......

[JPL]

Living in the Northeast poses some snow issues from time to time, along with broken snowblower issues from time to time, so I came to the conclusion that I want an ATV. I figured why get another snowblower when I can do more, and have more fun with a quad, so I narrowed it down to a few specs:

1. 4x4

2. Feul Injected

3. 400cc or higher

4. Reverse

5. Automatic preferred

6. Winch & plow preferred

6. Price is up in the air, $2-3k used, $5k new



Anything I should look out for? Anything I missed? Any brands to avoid?

[jar1292]

any thing honda you will be pleased. im not sure whats new out there but honda is the only way i go

[xpbprox]

And kawasaki, the new KTMs, New yamahas
Honda is top notch for sure.
I wouldn't get anything below 450, it's a big jump from 400. All the workhorse quads are mostly over 400 anyways closer to 600-800+
If you want used I'd get a Honda, they have been quality since day 1. The other brands u mentioned didn't get good till just a few years ago. With the exception of Kawasaki, I like them, they have been good for a bit longer than than these other 2.
And as far a FI I don't know when they started selling it from the factory but
I think it's only been out for about 2-3 years??

[RKCHARGER]

I have a Polaris Sportsman for plowing snow!  Love that it's an automatic, no shifting is handy for plowing snow.

[chargermike]

polaris sportmans are best quads bar none. i have ridden quads here in the rockies for years. ploaris is the best and very depenable. simple and powerful. there great in the snow with a plow or just having fun. never had a problem with any that i ever had. and i beat on them all. never was left standed anywhere. and there MADE IN AMERICA by a american company. CHARLIE DONT QUAD. keep it american

[Charger-Bodie]

I have a 750 brute force 4x4 Kaw. I live it alot. Lots of torque.

[Budnicks]

For a work horse & combined toy I would go with the Polaris for sure, 4x4, reverse, water cooled, high ground clearances, large fuel capacity, fast & durable, easily update-able & easy to lift & put larger wheels & tires for mud or snow etc. & still have plenty of power... I have had several Quads, Honda's 250r's, Yamaha Banshee's & Warriors, my friends always had the big 750+cc Kawi's & Polaris's that we could use year round, summer heat, rain, winter snow, hunting or cruising you name it, mine were more for hauling a$$...

[68blue]

Still use my Honda 300 and 450 every week, the 300 is 16 years old. Can't beat them for reliability.

[hemi o]

Honda all the way,own a 2009 420,4x4,heaps of torque,super reliable water cooled engine.
Polaris do not have that good of a name in New Zealand,although could be horses for courses,different conditions etc.

[JPL]

The best deal I have going right now, and I need to let the guy know by tomorrow, is a 2007 Honda Rancher liquid cooled 420cc 4x4 fuel injected, 20 hours, but looks like a rough 20 hrs, no instrumentation & a Warn winch, negotiated down to $2850.00.