ATV recommendations?

[fisher_king2004]

I'm exploring the purchase of an ATV and would like some feedback from experienced owners. I plan on using it for hunting in the fall but really want to use it for pulling my portable fish house around in the winter. I can't afford both an ATV and a snowmobile so I'm trying to compromise.

Does any one machine run better in cold weather? What should I expect for reliability by make and model? Are there any features/options that are recommended?

Thanks for the help.

[Surface Tension]

You might want to ask this question in the ATV forum. I'll move it there.

[Black Bear]

A little "ditty" I learned the hard way......

"You wanna go FAST...buy a Polaris....You wanna go HOME....buy a Honda!"

[JEV]

Well, I have a feeling your going to get a mixed bag of suggestions here.

I can however give you my experiences. I bought a new Polaris Sportsman 500HO in 2002. I'm not a big trail rider or mudder. I use mine mainly for hauling stuff around the yard, working up my foodplots, leveling the driveway, pushing snow, and of course cruising the lake in the winter. I don't abuse it, and I don't rod it. I run a regular "preventive" maintenance program on it. It has yet to give me a lick of serious trouble. I have to say I've been really pleased with it. In all honesty, its been one of the best purchases I've ever made. There is hardly a day that I don't use it in one way or another. As for cold starting, my 500 has been really good. Like I mentioned before, I run it almost daily. In the dead of winter I've yet to have it not start for me. She cranks right up.

JEV

[mntraveler]

I too may be in the market for a 4-wheeler soon. I realize everyone has their opinion on what's best and haven't been able to find a good "consumer report" on wheelers. Does anyone know of a HSOforum?

[wisconsinfish]

Go and test drive them, see what you like. They all will have problems at some point. They all have +'s and -'s. The quality is getting better on all of them for the most part.

Some features to keep in mind: Weight, ground clearance, brakes(drums or discs), locking differentials vs. limited slip, fuel injection, independant suspension and warranty. A lot of dealers will try to sell you on the brand they carry, so plan on shopping around.

[IndyEFI500]

I am Polaris too the bone so I won't preach. I do know that a friend of mine had a Honda Rubicon that got drug off of the lake everytime it dropped below 0. He now has a Grizzly as do others I ride with and they are impressive. I have seen many belt problems on the big new Polaris's and Kawasaki's. The new Cat's don't seem to bad but maybe a little high in price. I know nothing about Suzuki but I am curious. I have a 500 Sportsman and have not had any trouble in almost a thousand miles. This is just what I have seen with the machines I ride with. I also lean towards the Minnesota companies. Good Luck!!