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First atv- need advice #5432439 11/20/14 03:25 AM
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Cleric Offline OP
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Hey all,

I need some advice on my first atv. I see 3 options...

1 spend 2k on a used 300 or 400cc atv

2 spend 4k on a used 500-600 cc atv

3 spend 4k on a new 300cc atv

I am going to use it on my deer lease. Others on the lease have 250-700cc and have no issues. It will be used just for transportation of me, some corn/gear, and rarely much more

Thoughts?

Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5432930 11/20/14 02:23 PM
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First, I recommend figuring out if you need 4x4. If not, you can get a 2-4 year old honda rancher 420 for around 3000. If 4x4 is needed, then still stick with either a honda 420 or yamaha 450. might have to get a little older but can still get one for 4000. just my 2 cents. good luck. I personally went with a new honda 420 ES 4x4 when I was in your shoes, but that was 5500.


You should give some serious thought to thanking your lucky stars your from Texas.
Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5433300 11/20/14 04:53 PM
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I have been told to stay at least 500, depending on how much weight of combined material, you etc., 4x4 is useful in its own way (mud, hills, pulling a load, you just never know when you might need it, trip to Colorado or something. You have to think past today. Just my thoughts. I have a Honda 500, older model full time four wheel drive, it is handy does what I want, large enough to carry two people, a deer (has a rear rack basket), 6 bags corn, pull trailer with dead pigs.

Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5433847 11/20/14 09:04 PM
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landsurveyor Offline
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Can't go wrong with used Suzuki or Honda 4x4 min 400cc but 500cc preferred. Both are work horses and unless abused will last a long time. Surveying and hunting I've used the 2007 Suzuki Eiger 400 and the Suzuki Vinson 500 loaded down with gear and both still running strong. If you run fuel with ethanol be sure to use a fuel treatment. Sea foam is a good one.


"A hungry dog hunts best." Lee Trevino

www.prospectlandsurveying.com
Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5433865 11/20/14 09:14 PM
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spend 4k on a Honda rancher, or Yamaha griz or Big Bear.. the older rubicons and big bears are two of the most reliable wheelers iv ever operated.

Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5433871 11/20/14 09:17 PM
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why are yall needing 500cc atvs? the machine maybe weighs 300lbs maybe.. a utv weighs 1100-1600lbs and has a 500cc engine... I mean yeah cant argue more is better but even a 250cc engine is more than plenty

Re: First atv- need advice [Re: landsurveyor] #5433891 11/20/14 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted By: landsurveyor
Can't go wrong with used Suzuki or Honda 4x4 min 400cc but 500cc preferred. Both are work horses and unless abused will last a long time. Surveying and hunting I've used the 2007 Suzuki Eiger 400 and the Suzuki Vinson 500 loaded down with gear and both still running strong. If you run fuel with ethanol be sure to use a fuel treatment. Sea foam is a good one.


cheers ethanol sucks

Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5433897 11/20/14 09:25 PM
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I'm just giving an opinion on what I have experience with. Can't really speak on the 250cc motors because I have no experience with them


"A hungry dog hunts best." Lee Trevino

www.prospectlandsurveying.com
Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5434223 11/21/14 12:25 AM
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I have a 14 year old Yamaha Big Bear and I have replaced only the left handlebar grip and replaced oil and filters and a couple of spark plugs. Had the carb done a couple of years ago. It's 400 cc and it's all I've ever needed. And I still have the original tires and even the original light bulbs in the various lights. Can't kill that darn thing. It is getting ugly.

400 cc is all you will ever need. I am a fan of 4wd, though in Texas (where the mud isn't so bad) 2wd will probably do just fine.

Honda and Yamaha will last forever. And I'm thinking that Suzuki might just measure up also. My wife's Suzuki Ozark 250 is, I think, 8 years old and I have replaced nothing but oil and filters.

I say that you get a 400 cc Honda or Yamaha, put front and rear flat racks on it. Put a trailer hitch on the back. Put a winch on the front. You are good to go. For at least a decade.


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5435142 11/21/14 03:40 PM
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I've put 600lbs of people and gear on our Honda Recon 250 and it puttered right along. If this truly is just for the lease, why tie up money in it that you don't need to by buying too much machine?


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Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Navasot] #5435168 11/21/14 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted By: Navasot
Originally Posted By: landsurveyor
Can't go wrong with used Suzuki or Honda 4x4 min 400cc but 500cc preferred. Both are work horses and unless abused will last a long time. Surveying and hunting I've used the 2007 Suzuki Eiger 400 and the Suzuki Vinson 500 loaded down with gear and both still running strong. If you run fuel with ethanol be sure to use a fuel treatment. Sea foam is a good one.


cheers ethanol sucks

Yes sir it do. Really the only problem I have ever had on the suzuki was moisture in the fuel after not using it for a few months. Couldn't get any rpm's out of the 500 so purged it with some sea foam and problem solved.


"A hungry dog hunts best." Lee Trevino

www.prospectlandsurveying.com
Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5443864 11/26/14 06:01 AM
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I'm a fan of the 250's I've had.

Currently have an 02 or 03 Ozark 250, it has a bigger stance than my Bayou 250 did. About the size of my buddy's Honda 400, body wise.

I've run both of those(and an older ES250 Suzuki) since around 2005 on hog traps, pulling a 4x8 hog trailer with 1k lbs of hogs in it and it never really slowed down.

Don't get me wrong, there have been times I would have loved to have a bigger machine, and 4 wheel drive, but take away running the traps, and the 250's have been great machines that have done everything that I've needed.

I've had the ozark for about 7 or 8 years now, bought it used, and the only major thing that was done to it was a rear end bearing gave up, and the carb had to be rebuilt after it set for about 6 months and gummed up because I forgot to shut off the fuel over the summer.

You can pick up a good 250-300cc machine off craigslist for under 2k on most days.

In the same conversation, I've currently been looking for a 4x4 machine, something in the 500cc+ range to pull the new trailer around. The 250 does it, but not well.


I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.
Re: First atv- need advice [Re: Cleric] #5443874 11/26/14 06:45 AM
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You almost can't kill an old Honda Fourtrax. Pick up a used one for 2k and still get the 4x4

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