Texas Hunting Forum

4-wheelers

Posted By: dowen

4-wheelers - 02/10/11 04:31 AM

i'm just curious to see what you guys think is the best brand & value. i may be lookin for 1 in the next couple of months for my 12yr old daughter. i'll be looking for used. thanks in advance

Posted By: JJT003

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/10/11 04:41 AM

Honda, especially if you are looking used. There are a lot of old models and really old models out there depending on your price range that are still running.

Posted By: WTHunter75

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/10/11 03:00 PM

I have a 98 Yamaha Big Bear that I cant live without. It has been awesome and starts everytime. And I don't spoil it. Used 99% of the time during deer season. Stays at the ranch yr round. Do my own oil changes. Had in a shop once and it ran like crap for a yr took it back had them work it over again(rings and carb) and havent been back since. Battery, oil and air filter, tires and spark plug is all I have had to replace.

Posted By: dowen

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/10/11 11:44 PM

thanks guys. anyone else have any input?

Posted By: Lone Ranger

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 12:10 AM

I have been using Polaris ATV's since 1992 and never had a problem. All of mine have run great and have done everything that I wanted them to do. They are the most comfortable of all. I currently have 2, a Sportsman 800 and a Sportsman 500.
POLARIS ALL THE WAY!!!

Posted By: helomech

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 12:37 AM

I hate polaris, mine has been broke many times. And no I don't ride it rough. The lower control arms on the rear tires broke from the frame, on both sides, the transmission is going out now.

Posted By: A.B.

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 02:16 AM

I have had nothing but polaris since 94 and never a problem. I think they are great for young riders with their floorboards, one brake lever, and their soft ride.

Posted By: BIG KENNY

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 06:38 AM

I have a rancher 420 and love it, can't go wrong with Honda ,maybe look for something around a 250 for her

Posted By: jdickey

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 04:21 PM

I bought a used 98 Polaris 500 in 2004, had it for 3.5 years and never had a problem - traded for a Ranger.

Just like anything else mechanical - maintain it!

Posted By: Smith#34

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 05:27 PM

Honda has the number one "out of the shop" ratings if that helps. While Polaris has number one in the shop ratings. Meaning that Polaris vehicles are brought back to be worked on more than any others.

Posted By: A.B.

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 05:58 PM

Originally Posted By: Smith#34
Honda has the number one "out of the shop" ratings if that helps. While Polaris has number one in the shop ratings. Meaning that Polaris vehicles are brought back to be worked on more than any others.



Would love to see proof of that survey.

Posted By: Stump_jumper

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/11/11 06:41 PM

Originally Posted By: JJT003
Honda, especially if you are looking used. There are a lot of old models and really old models out there depending on your price range that are still running.


I would probably agree with the Honda but would also look at a well treated Polaris. I have a Polaris I bought used and got a decent deal. I bought it because is was ridden gently by an older fellow. He just used it in his pasture in E. Texas. I have done some normal maintenance stuff but nothing major. I like the Polaris because of the ride and the fact that mid to smaller sizes are a little beefier. I really like the floor boards as someone else said. They can be a little tough to work on but I am sure that most are that way. There is just a lot of stuff crammed in a small space. If you are in the Dallas there is a guy in Rowlett that works on Polaris out of a shop in his backyard. He is listed on Amazon or one of those his web address is something like polarisguy.com and last name is Kerby.

Posted By: Smith#34

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/12/11 05:28 PM

I didn't read that anywhere. We we out shopping for a utv a few months back and we stopped by kubota, Honda, Kawasaki, John Deere, and yamaha, and every single dealer we talked to said that Polaris was number one in the shop. And the only person that I've known of having a Polaris was my grandad about ten years ago. We bought a Honda while he had a Polaris. His Polaris broke so he bought a new one and then it broke within two years. Then he bought a Honda and has had it every since.

Posted By: twinbubba

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/12/11 09:00 PM

I had a Polaris ATV and that was the coldest natured, hardest starting motor of any kind I have ever owned. In really cold weather I had to let it warm up for 10 min. before I could ride it and every 2 min. of that 10 min. I had to adjust the choke or restart it. Maybe the EFI models are better but that ruiened me for ever buying another Polaris product. I sold the Polaris and bought a Yamaha Rhino side-by-side and have never looked back.

Posted By: billy gordon

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/13/11 12:51 AM

honda

Posted By: #Hayraker

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/13/11 01:46 AM

Kawasaki Bayou. The current model began production in the 90's and they are still being sold.

They are not big and fancy like some people like but they are good.

I have a 94 and it still functions like it was new.

It has a pull rope too for when the batterie dies.

Posted By: SWG

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/13/11 03:50 AM

Honda Rancher ES (electric shift) or Automatic. Both are very dependable havent had any trouble out of either of ours.

Posted By: tth_40

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/13/11 06:17 AM

Bought a used '03 Polaris Trail Boss 325 about 5 years ago, and it's been fantastic. The only problem I ever had was entirely my fault, leaving fuel in the carb for too long. Cleaned out the carb, replaced the gas and fuel filter and everything was good to go. All 4 wheelers are mechanical objects, as long as you do the maintenance they should be fine.

Posted By: suzukiman

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/16/11 05:16 AM

i have had great experience with my Suzuki Kingquad... 6 years without a lick of problems.. Had a Suzuki 230 before that was an 86 model with no problems at all.. still ran like a champ when i sold it to buy the bigger atv....

Posted By: cooldadtexas

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/16/11 02:29 PM

I am a Yamaha Grizzly fan!

Posted By: bigbuck1

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/16/11 09:07 PM

I owen a Artic Cat and love it. My hunting Buddys all have Polaris and they love them. My son has an old Yammaha aand that thing just keeps going. So I think you can get a good one in most brands. I had a Kaw Praire 300 that was stole a few years ago and that was the toughest four wheeler I have owened. Good luck.

Posted By: gotta199

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/16/11 11:16 PM

Get her one like this...



For the record, this isn't mine. I saw it at a dealer and was wowwed, so I had to stop and take pictures.

Posted By: dowen

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/17/11 04:24 AM

i was wondering when i might see something about arctic cat on here. didn't realize you had to be a giant to ride one

Posted By: txgun44

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/17/11 05:41 AM

Dang...might as well buy a jeep. Especially if that green monster doesn't have power steering.

Posted By: sticksteer

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/19/11 03:12 AM

i have in my family , a 660 grizzly a 750 brute force and a 700 king quad , the brute is the fastest , the grizz has the highest ground clearence , but the suzuki has the most torque and the smoothest ride , and its the least cold natured, and has the best lighting , oh i have a honda too but since its smaller i left it out , i bought the suzuki because i got a deal and it turned out in my opinion to be the best overall

Posted By: Jim A.

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/19/11 03:43 AM

06 Brute Force 750 V-Twin. Never had a problem with it. I keep it maintained. That is the key. Had a Honda Rancher and beat the crap out of it and it ran like a top. As long as you take care of them, they will last. Start her off with a 250 or 350. Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha. I've had to push all of my friends Polaris's back on the trailers too many times. I wont ever buy one. JMO.

Posted By: sticksteer

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/19/11 04:28 AM

ps as far as hunting and most recreational uses i really think a 500 or close is all you need , went to mena ark and did all the trails and my honda recon 250 went everywhere the my 750 kaw the 660 yam and the suzuki 700 went , i could see buying the bigger if you used them for work otherwise at least in my case it was all ego except on the suzuki i bought it from a out of buissness dealer in the crate for 4050.00

Posted By: twice70

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/19/11 04:32 PM

Honda!! I've got 2 Honda 4 wheelers and they have both been great. I just bought a Polaris, it's an 08 but had been setting up and had less than 20 hrs on it. The carb needed to be rebuilt and I just got it out of the shop yesterday, so haven't had much time to ride it, hope to get it out tomorrow and see how it does.

Posted By: BOBO the Clown

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/19/11 09:13 PM

Have a 2000 yahama grizz 600... getting carb reworked now...other then that its a beast.


Whats ever you get do your self a favor and put a small filter in the gas line...it will save you a lot of heart ache down the rode.

Posted By: Tx Deer Hunter

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/19/11 11:34 PM

POLARIS! I have owned 2 in the last 10 years. Have a 2007 600cc sportsman that is a beast and it is loaded. even has a 2500lb winch on the front smile and I am usually the one towing the Honda, Yamaha or the Kawasaki back to camp laugh

Posted By: n-all

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/20/11 12:29 AM

HONDA...

Posted By: panther3025

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/20/11 10:04 AM

Honda Rancher 420

Posted By: 30378

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/20/11 03:32 PM

Love my Grizzly. Over 4000 miles and not one issue. This is one monster machine.



Posted By: panther3025

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/21/11 12:29 AM

Nice lookin rig texas

Posted By: el Rojo

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/21/11 07:41 PM

I have always had good luck with Yamaha. Here's a link I have to one in the trading post section. It might be too big for her though.

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u...ale#Post2133316

Posted By: jerry hart

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/22/11 02:58 AM

honda by far, and I have owned them all, nothing but Honda's now

Posted By: overcomer401965

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/23/11 03:15 PM

Have 2 Yamaha 700 grizzlies with PS and love them. Fixin to either sell them or trade them in on a Rhino.

Posted By: DeeCee

Re: 4-wheelers - 02/23/11 03:33 PM

I've had Hondas, Suzukis, and Polaris. I'm a big fan of the Honda.

Posted By: sticksteer

Re: 4-wheelers - 03/09/11 03:55 AM

suzuki was first 4 wd atv and i think the best

Posted By: jcarlson91

Re: 4-wheelers - 03/14/11 12:38 AM

Well if she's a small girl, don't get her anything over 400cc's.
I would suggest 350cc's or less. Honda is by far the best. I've raced/rode quads since I was 5 years old. Yamaha/Polaris aren't worth the money. Kawi's are pretty good. But def can't live without a Honda. up

Posted By: Mr. 2 Million

Re: 4-wheelers - 03/14/11 12:47 AM

Had Honda 3 wheelers the a Honda rincon 680 then a Honda foreman liked the foreman loved the rincon , have a buddy with an old Yamaha that always runs and a buddy with a Polaris all are good bikes , depends on mainenance and purpose for which is best suited but all will do a wide range well for a long while if taken care of in my opinion

Posted By: dowen

Re: 4-wheelers - 03/22/11 03:06 AM

can somebody tell me the difference between the rincon,foreman & rancher? thanks again

Posted By: 30378

Re: 4-wheelers - 03/22/11 12:33 PM

Rincon is 680cc
Foreman is 500cc
Ranchers are 420cc

Posted By: dowen

Re: 4-wheelers - 04/03/11 05:49 AM

does anybody have an opinion on the kawasaki prairie? i did buy an '05 rancher recently but now i need one for myself

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