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Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
#5189518
07/07/14 03:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 582
joedav31
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 582 |
What does thf recommended for a four wheeler for this deer season? Something in the 400cc to 500 cc range. Use will be primarily getting around the lease and doing typical deer hunting activities. Juts looking for advice on which ones are the best.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5189548
07/07/14 04:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
dlrz71
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573 |
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: dlrz71]
#5189573
07/07/14 04:35 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,561
Slow Drifter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,561 |
This ^^^. Mine's a 2003 Rancher ES with hard use but not abuse and showing no signs of giving up whatsoever. Other than routine maintenance and a couple sets of tires all I've done to it is the rear swing-arm bearing a year ago and install a 4wd cutoff on it for easier steering on some tight twisty trails on the place. It's been an absolute working beast. I keep waiting for it to give me an excuse to buy a new one, but I think it's made up its' mind to outlast me.
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5189707
07/07/14 12:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872 |
Any size will work but if you want to also haul some corn and maybe pull a trailer get at least a 400. If you have any rocks or hilly terrain a 4weel drive is also nice. I have a 400 Suzuki 400 Iger auto matic with 4 wheel drive that works nice.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: GLC]
#5189755
07/07/14 01:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,317
Deans
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,317 |
I had a Honda Foreman and liked it until I had to load a deer. Then it was not much fun. If I ever buy another 4 wheeler it will be a side x side. More comfortable and has a bed for tools, deer etc.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” ISAIAH 41:10
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5189832
07/07/14 02:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,716
BigPig
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,716 |
Honda Foreman or Rancher. Selectable gears, excellent 4 wheel drive. Very simple machines and reliable machines. I have an 04 Foreman 450 that I'm fixing to sell. PM me if interested
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5190323
07/07/14 07:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,113
Bbcat78
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5190452
07/07/14 08:20 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,699
603Country
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
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It might be impossible to kill a Honda ATV, but Yamaha ATV's are just as tough and maybe tougher. My Yamaha Big Bear 400 was bought in 2000. I've replaced the battery once or twice, and the rubber handgrips needed to be replaced. That's it, other than regular fluid and filter changes. No new headlights or taillights or anything at all. Still got the original tires.
The only issue I ever had with Honda ATV's was that their ground clearance wasn't high enough for use in deep mud and their front and rear racks had low weight limits. Yamaha and Polaris have (had) higher ground clearance and higher rack weight limits. Artic Cat has the independent suspension on the rear end, which sounds good, but gets to be a problem in deep mud. If you, like I now do, live in a dry area where mud isn't an issue, Honda will be great. Still, if this Big Bear ever dies, which I now doubt, I'm going for a big Yamaha Grizzly. Now THAT's an ATV.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5190455
07/07/14 08:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,052
Dodge_Rock
Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,052 |
What does thf recommended for a four wheeler for this deer season? Something in the 400cc to 500 cc range. Use will be primarily getting around the lease and doing typical deer hunting activities. Juts looking for advice on which ones are the best. Take a look at the new can-am 450. $6.4K with 5 Year Warranty! http://can-am.brp.com/off-road/atv/outlander-l/outlander-l.html
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5190633
07/07/14 10:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 236
jcarroll3
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 236 |
I am a big time Can Am Guy. I own an Outlander 1000, and Maverick 1000, and love both of them. I was a big time Honda and Yamaha guy before, and to me there is no comparison.
I would definitely consider Can Ams New 450. A Can Am 450 has the power of most brands 750+.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5190688
07/07/14 10:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257
Texas Dan
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Once you reach 400cc's, it's best to go with a liquid-cooled engine given our summer heat. Not all automatics are crested equal. Most are belt-driven and for that reason require maintenance that isn't necessary with those equipped with manual shift or hydraulic-controlled transmissions.
Reliability is good across the board, with Polaris being the exception IMO.
I have a Kawasaki Bayou that's 17 years old, and a Honda Fourtrax that's 22 years old. I would buy a new one by either manufacturer in an instant. Whatever you buy, change the oil and filters regularly, rinse it off after every use, and never work it as if it were a tractor. It should last just as long if not longer.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5191133
07/08/14 03:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,615
MELackey
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,615 |
Follow the leader, he's on a Honda.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5192214
07/08/14 11:44 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7
clener
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7 |
Four wheelers are good. But that first cold morning or a wet day of hunting a windshield works wonders! I am a polairs guy, 400 Express, sportsman 500, then a sportsman 800, now a UTV, I enjoy four wheelers but the room and comfort that comes with a UTV, its all UTV for me now.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5192294
07/09/14 12:30 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,699
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,699 |
Neighbor just came over on his 4Wheeler. He says it's a 1984 Honda 300 (I think it's a 300). Still runs good, but looks pretty whupped. Like I said earlier, I just don't think you can kill a Honda.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: 603Country]
#5193622
07/09/14 10:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 582
joedav31
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 582 |
Awesome info guys. Appreciate all the posts.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5194236
07/10/14 04:41 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,005
HornSlayer
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,005 |
Check craigslist. I bought a 2003 Kawa Prairie 650 for $600. That was 5 years ago. It is by far quietest 4 wheeler I've ever heard. I have had it tuned a couple times and that it. Disconnect the battery when your going to let it set for a week or two and the battery will last a couple years.
They make ammo specifically for hunting for a reason!
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: 603Country]
#5194240
07/10/14 04:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891 |
Neighbor just came over on his 4Wheeler. He says it's a 1984 Honda 300 (I think it's a 300). Still runs good, but looks pretty whupped. Like I said earlier, I just don't think you can kill a Honda. I had an 87 that we bought new. Drove it, flipped it, sunk it, wrecked it, climbed a tree in it...and gave it away two years ago. Last I heard, it was still running and easy to start. I am sold on Honda. I had a Polaris 500...never again.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: txshntr]
#5194973
07/10/14 05:40 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 582
joedav31
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 582 |
Neighbor just came over on his 4Wheeler. He says it's a 1984 Honda 300 (I think it's a 300). Still runs good, but looks pretty whupped. Like I said earlier, I just don't think you can kill a Honda. I had an 87 that we bought new. Drove it, flipped it, sunk it, wrecked it, climbed a tree in it...and gave it away two years ago. Last I heard, it was still running and easy to start. I am sold on Honda. I had a Polaris 500...never again. wow. so Polaris is that bad huh? had another guy tell me the same thing. any specific issues? just a curiosity because there are quite a few around here priced very cheap
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5196482
07/11/14 02:40 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 34
Snow_man
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 34 |
Polaris is a sore subject for a lot of folks, I know alot of the older models were plagued with problems. I wouldn't buy one older than a 2007 model personally because of that aspect. I have been around quite a few polaris over the years, I currently own a 2013 500HO over 500 miles on it so far and no problems, a friend of mine has a 2007 500HO over 3000miles with no problem. As with any machine maintainence is key. It is true polaris has a higher ground clearence than most other machines, and the cost is generally a lot less than other brands. Even though I will never own anything but polaris I will tell you they are heavier than most others in the same category. My 500 has a dry weight of 700 pounds. If weight is a decisive factor than you may want to go another route.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5197453
07/11/14 10:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 351
TexasPI
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 351 |
No issues with Polaris for me....I have 2 2003 models and a 2013 500HO and have been really pleased with them. Nothing major on the 2003's (other than maintenance) and the 2013 has been really impressive. I did a ton of research before buying the 2013 500HO, and have had absolutely no regrets since.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5199330
07/13/14 02:53 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,917
Bear Charge
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,917 |
I have a 2010 Polaris 330. Once it starts and runs long enough to idle, it's great but it is a cold-blooded son-of-a-pistol.
"Democracy is a sheep and two lions voting. Liberty is a well armed sheep contesting the vote." Ben Franklin
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5199364
07/13/14 03:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,396
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,396 |
I have 3 Polaris atv's and they hardly ever make it to my hunting spots anymore since I got my electric Bad boy buggie. I see way more game with going in quite. We do use the ATV's to retrieve game on a couple of our spots. If I were going to buy a new ATV, it would be Artic Kat or Can Am since they have true 2" receiver hitches. You can use so much more accessories with the 2" receiver that my Polaris with the 1 1/4" can't touch.
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Re: Four wheeler for upcoming deer season
[Re: joedav31]
#5287517
09/04/14 01:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 107
Get'n Jiggy
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 107 |
Bought a 2014 Honda Rancher 4x4. It's the best thing I've bought in years, has saved me so much work and time and money. I'm not tearing up my truck any more trying to get in tight or muddy areas. power steering with foot shift
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