What should I buy ?

[neusbaum]

Hey gang
I haven't owned an atv since the three-wheeler I had 20 years ago, but I want to get one. I would use it for ice fishing, getting to and from my waterfowl area, which has a lot of wet slough areas, and deer hunting in tall grass and wooded areas. I would occasionally pull a trailor with somewhat heavy loads, including large deer or elk. I know I want 4X4, but have a few questions.

Is an automatic transmission worth while? Why wouldn't I want an automatic?

What size engine should I be looking at?

Any specific suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Also, any tips on buying a trailer?

[Benny]

Well this is a relative question, but a wise one.I personaly would go with the automatics, unless you plan on pulling real heavy loads.It is just easier to use and I have yet to see any major benifit over the manuals.
Size should be based on what you feel comfortable with,a 500 or bigger may be to much for your needs or skill level all though they are all so docile now.A 300 or larger would be a good starting point, the smaller ones are lighter weight.Also be sure to check your controls will have room for pac boots,large mittens, and other cold weather cloths.I had a bad experiance with a machine once, my boot was to big to stay planted on the small close in brake pedal.What a ride it was, also had trouble up shifting the same machine as the shifter was so close to the floor board, and didn't have a heel lever.
Good luck, Benny

[Dave]

Benny notes some good advice. Most shifters can be adjusted up; to have more room between the floorboard and the shifter.

If price is a factor, don't be fooled by the smaller machine's capabilities either. They have the power to tow heavy weight'especially a machine with a sub tranny (super low gearing). Maybe not the same places a larger engine, bigger tired machine might but if you're not towing all the time it's something to consider if cost is a problem.

Consider machines that have full four-wheel drive for increased traction when riding or towing, too.

[Guest]

I HAVE A HONDA 450ES WICH I AM IN LOVE WITH
IT IS NOT TO BIG AND NOT TO SMALL. THE E.S. (ELECTRIC SHIFT) MEANS I SHIFT GEARS BY PUSHING A BUTTON ON MY HANDLEBARS. THIS ALLOWS ME TO HAVE CONTROL OVER GEAR RATIO. BUT IF I GO THRU MUD OR WATER I CAN LIFT UP MY FEET. I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 450 AND THE STUCTURE HELD UP WELL. ON THE HONDAS THEY TURN THE MOTOR SO THE CRANK SHAFT AND THE DRIVE SHAFT ARE PARALLEL. I HAVE NOT RIDDIN A WHEELER THAT I LIKE BETTER THAN MINE. AND IT IS MANUF. IN U.S.A.

[neusbaum]

i was at a dealer last weekend and saw a yamaha (i think a kodiac?) and a honda (?) sitting side-by-side. from a front view, the honda was obviously wider. why would i want wider, why would i want narrower?

[Dave]

Wider ATVs are more stable on side slopes. Hondas are pretty close to each other in width. Tire width can also play in the measurement.

Grizzly 660 45.3 inches
Kodiak 400 42.1 inches
Big Bear 400 43.7 inches
Wolverine 350 42.3 inches

Rubicon 500 46.6 inches
Foreman 450 45.3 inches
Rancher 300 45.0 inches

[Ely Lake Expert]

Neusbaum,

As far as automatic or not, I would just go with personal preference. Get out and ride a couple different machines and see what you like. Personally I like to shift myself, it just makes it more fun.
Engine size, I would say 350 or more. As I have said in previous posts, I have a 2001 wolverine and love it. It is good for everything I want to use it for and that is alot of things. Work and play. It is truly my favorite machine out there at this time.

Dave found you the widths on a few machines for you. Width does matter, but you have to think about things like seat height and length. You need to look at all these aspects when thinking about stability.

Good luck and tell us what you decide,

Ely lake expert

[Benny]

All the above is true, I wanted to add that some machines seem more cramped up than others also.A Polaris may feel better to you than a Yamaha or visa versa.The advice of going out an trying a few machines is probably the best piece of advice for you.
Happy trails, and don't forget to write your congress people and tread lightly.
Benny

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Ben's Tackle and Guide [email protected]

[Guest]

Look for a dealer that tkes the time to show you the diffrence betwween all the machines. Most people are just looking for the best price, but several years down the road saving a couple hundred bucks isnt going to mean a thing if the dealer isnt there to take care of you!

[pikechaser]

well if your looking for an atv you might wanna stop and think about what you want it for---I know everyone in MN owns a polaris, but unless you love to do alot of maintenance and many trips to the dealer for repairs, instead of just putting in gas and changing oil, you probly dont want a polaris.... if you are gonna mainly use it for hunting you would be wise to look for a machine that is smaller in stature--some of those monster atv's have a very tuff time going thru the woods..most hondas/suzukis/yamahas are very reliable and will do what you need--as far as autmatice or manual--guess thats personal preference--I ride alot in utah and the guys with automatics need to rejet due to the altitude--i do ok with my manual shift--

[Ely Lake Expert]

Hey pike,

Not everyone in MN rides a polais. I am sticking with my yamaha. Just from experience with friends and family, Polaris=problem when it comes to wheelers.

That is just wheelers though. When it comes to sled I love my polaris.

Ely lake expert

[Guest]

I just recently purchased a kawasaki prarie 650, and WOW. So far it is awesome. I get my big tires on thursday and I will see how good it is then. So far all my budies are in awe. And that is with stock tires.

[Dave]

St. Louis, do you find the softness in the Kaw650's front suspension a problem? Average to higher speed riding on whoops and stuff tends to dig the front end in the ground, I think. The front needs to be a bit stiffer. Otherwise, the Prairie 650 has some awesome power.

[doubleUcubed]

neus., Lot's of great advice in the previous posts. I've owned a "Kodiak" for about 6 years now and we used it alot in the field to pull trailers with sizeable loads. Our needs really led us to the manual shift and low range. Once again, analyze your specific needs/wants and ride them all, ask lot's of questions and it will help you make the right decision!! Good luck.

[Biggestfish]

Don't let all these people scare you out of buying a Polaris if you are thinking of buying one. I never had a problem with my old one and I know several other people who have never had problems with theirs. If people want to get into bashing any one brand of Wheeler, just name the brand and I can tell of a problem someone has had with that brand. My point being that all brands break down now and then. One main thing about the Polaris's and maintanence is having to grease all those grease fittings. Yes it is a pain in the butt, but if you think that the sealed bearings on the other brands don't wear out.. You are only fooling yourself. Also don't forget about Artic Cat, they are made in MN. I wish you good luck with what ever you buy.

[Dave]

If we ride our Polaris's "normal" (limited mud dives and high water runs) we grease about once, twice a year. Not a bad 10 minutes or so too spend.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Biggestfish,

You are right. We should not bash other kinds of machines. We have not reason to talk him out of something he wants. It is pretty much everyone has a personal preferece and personal experience that persuades their preference. No machine is perfect. Here are the machines and some of the problems.

1984 moto4 50- nothing runs perfect and a collectors item if anyone is interested.

1986 fourtrax 125- bad brakes and no suspension

1989 moto4 200- bad brakes and front suspenion is gone

1993 big bear- high low reverse shifter broke. fixed myself

1998 big bear- no problems

1999 sportman 335- belt twice, shifter once, backfires constantly, and Reverse overdrive quit working. Good thing for the warranty

2000 sportsman 500 HO- belt once, shifter twice, backfires quite often, 2inner wheel boots ripped. Good thing for the warranty there too

2001 wolverine- bad throttle cable. fixed that and it is a great machine

There is my fourwheeler experience and that is why I am pro yamaha and kinda anti polaris.

I am not trying to bash anything. People should test wheeler for what they want out of it. Also check length of the warranty.

Ely lake expert

[Dave]

Ely, I'm curious. Can you explain when/how you were riding each machine in regards to the belt problem? Mud? Low range? Did they break?

CV boots ripping......I wouldn't blame Polaris, or any OEM, for that.

I've heard about the backfiring and can't remember the remedy?

[Biggestfish]

Thank you Ely Lake. I agree with you 100%, it all comes down to what wheeler fits your needs best.

As far as the backfiring problem... I think that I had posted before that it was a carb problem.. That it might be, but when I remember back to the Hondas that I had own in the past, the problem was related to the valves being out of adjustment. I hope this helps for anyone having this problem.

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Just Having Fun!
Love to Fish.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Dave, The problem with the 335 is alot of pulling. We own 70 acres and cut the grass on 50 of them. We have a pull behind mower with a 50 inch blade. During the summer we use that wheeler constantly to pull the mower and it has seemed to just wear the belts out.

With the 500 I am not totally sure. What is suspect is that the belt got wet and started sliping and it never went back to working right. Me and my dad do ride rough. He rides his 500 and I ride my wolverine. We do hit alot of deep wet mud and cross shallow enough rivers.

None of the belts broke, but they would wear down and start slipping.

Dave if you have any idea on how to keep them from wearing down I would like to hear your suggesstion.

As far as the cv boot ripping I don't blame Polaris. They tore going over brush. I just wish they were made out of a stronger material.

For backfiring I was told something about rejetting the carbs. I just figured with how many times I heard this from other people, polaris would have done something about it by now.

Ely lake expert