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buying a new ATV

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Rich Iowa

03-18-2006 15:06:08

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I"ve been thinking of buying a new ATV, somewhere around 400cc size with 4wd. At around $5300, I have a feeling this might be the only toy I ever buy brand spankin new. I looked at Honda Rancher, Yamaha Bruin 350 and Kodiak 400, and Kawasaki Prairie 360. After talking with the sales people, and getting a feeling for the attitudes of the businesses, I"m leaning towards the Kawasaki 360. Anyone have any experiences with this ATV, or Kawasaki in general? I will be using it for misc. farm work, hunting, and hitting the mud holes. Thanks for any and all help/ opinions.

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davpal

03-22-2006 00:21:17

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Yes the Suzuki is a very good machine. I should have mentioned that in my earlier post. I think they won the last shootout I read in atv magazine with their 700 and that was against polaris, kawasaki, yamaha, and honda. I guess that 700 is a heck of a machine. I have a friend that has one and really likes it a lot. Later.

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Brad Wright of MO

03-21-2006 14:09:24

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

It kind of surprised me that no one mentioned suzuki! I run a suzuki 400 4wd and it runs like a charm. I use it for a variety of things from checking the cows to moving fallen trees on the ground. I also spray the pasture with it. I think these are pretty good machines.

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KEH

01-17-2008 07:32:24

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Re: OT trailer floor in reply to bhb, 01-17-2008 07:22:33

White oak. This subject was discussed over on the tractor transporting forum.

Reason for white oak is that it is one of the hardest US woods. It is also decay resistant and will shed water because of the way the pores in the wood run. Earlier settlers used white to split roofing shingles from. Also barrels were made from white oak. Whiskey barrels still are to the best of my knowledge. Other hard woods such as Hickory are not decay resistant.

KEH

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old

01-17-2008 07:30:39

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Re: Tracots I got today but I forgot to say this in reply to Jrry, 01-17-2008 06:10:11

Well up till about a month or so ago I would agree but I have sold 3 in the past 3 months. If I hadn't I could not be buying again.

Hobby farm

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old

01-17-2008 07:28:46

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Re: I-6 loader in reply to Hey old...., 01-17-2008 07:18:36

Nope its close to Stover MO and is in very sad shape. The exhaust is open to let rain get into the engine and the spark plugs are out of the engine

Hobby farm

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Rich Iowa

03-19-2006 06:54:35

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thanks ya'll in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I"m still thinking the Kawasaki 360, but I"ll take another look at the Honda Foreman. I"ve got to pick up parts for my Recon this week, maybe the sale guy will be in a better mood. There"s a guy from work that has a Polaris 500 with the independant rear susp, and loves it. Polaris is the closest dealer for him and the farthest from me. I don"t need the IRS and all the bells and whistles, or the extra expense that comes with them. I was looking at the Yamaha Big bear 400, but the dealer was alittle too pushy on selling me a model they had on the floor instead of what I wanted. So, they"re out, down to Honda or Kawasaki. Thanks again.

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DJM75

03-19-2006 05:31:23

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Rich I am a polaris man and have had one for 9 years now and done nothing but a set of brake pads,never had it stuck and I work it hard I have pulled trees and everything. I also have a friend who has a kawasaki and he loves it and brags on it all the time and seems to be a good machine.Another friend of mine got an artic cat and he loves it and they had the best prices of anyone hope this helps.

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DJM75

03-19-2006 05:29:52

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

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Midwest redneck

03-19-2006 04:13:26

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

I have a Polaris 2004 Sportsmen. I like it but it was $6200, alot of money. Try to get a good used one if you can around here I see used ones 3 years old for 1/2 of new.

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Paul L

03-18-2006 21:41:31

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

go with the Honda. Well made, solid machines. And secondly, Yamahahaha (you get my point)

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davpal

03-18-2006 21:12:22

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

The new kawasaki's are great runners. You can't hardly buy a bad atv nowadays. My cousin uses two 1998 kawasakis, a 400 and a 300 that both run like the day he bought them. They have been driven hard from day one. He uses the 400 to plow snow too. Around here in Michigan you harldy ever see a honda in our area. I have seen mostly kawasaki's, polaris, and yamaha. Must be mainly due to dealers. I own a 2001 polaris sportsman 500 6x6 that has been a tremendous machine. It has been a powerful beast, reliable, not one breakdown and only changed the battery this winter. I bought it in Detroit in the crate for $5600 dollars. A dealer in Minnesota had two of them and went out of business and sold their inventory and I got a great deal on it. You should consider one of these machines. They are in a league of their own among 4x4 atvs. They can out pull, push, drag, haul anything so much better than any conventional atv it isn't even funny. You can haul 800 pounds of cargo in that box through just about anything you want to. I have had 15 fifty pound bags of wheat seed in the back of it ferrying it out to the field from the barn many times for planting and it handled it very well. Try that with a 4x4. This thing is a very well built machine and a true joy to own. If you can get one on sale for $1000 dollars more than a regular 4x4 buy it because they can do many times the work. I also love the automatic transmission. I use it to pick up trash on the roadsides sometimes and it is easy to operate and get on and off from. Good luck, they are all great quality nowadays. Later.

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Blue guy

03-18-2006 20:04:09

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Rich, I have a 99 400 Prairie. It has been a very good machine. However if you plan on spending $5300, you could do a little better in the cc department. A dealer near here has 06 grizzly 660's advertised for $5600.

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2x4

03-18-2006 21:04:19

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Blue guy , 03-18-2006 20:04:09

have a 660 Grizzly. Its a powerful machine, about half tractor & more than I need but I've been grateful for the extra power & stability more than once. I dont care for the hand shift; would rather shift with foot but you can get that option. It is cold-natured cause its water-cooled & has to warm up to run. Once you decide the big issues, pay attention to the small things that will annoy you for the next 10 years.

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KNEB

03-18-2006 19:59:12

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Rich, if I were you I would go with the Honda. They are the most reliable as fas as a "get on and go" ATV. We have run anything from Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris, to Honda. We have never run a Yamaha ATV, but from what the local dealer says it is the perfect ATV, IF YOU LIVE IN TOWN. I can't give you a honest opinion on the Suzuki because it has been about 10 years since I have run one. I really hate to say anything bad about USA made, but DO NOT buy Polaris. (I know it wasn't one you listed.) They are great machines and go like hell untill they break down, and then they will give you trouble from then on. We have owned about 6 of them over the years before we smartened up. EVERY ONE gave us a lot of trouble. Then after that you can't get anything for them on trade in. The Polaris dealers don't even want them back. The Kawasaki is a good machine. We have 2 Prairie 400s. One still runs and the other needs a overhaul. In three months time we put 1500 miles on both of them and hade no trouble other than putting a spark plug in them. We are now running Honda Rancher 350 electric shift. We have three of them. I am not quite convinced that I would buy another electric shift. Sometimes the shift sensor goes bad in them and it wont shift. (can be done manually, but pain in the butt)I wasn't quite sold on the foot shift either because of the full running board. Looked to like it would fill up with mud and snow and then you can't get your foot under it to shift, especially with snow boots on. The automatic is more money, and they are not the best thing when it is really cold out. My final judgement is the Honda because they just seem to keep going. In the end it is really up to which one you think will work the best for you.

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KNEB

03-18-2006 19:52:55

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

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CLW

03-18-2006 19:44:07

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

I think you will like whatever you get. I have a 2003 Honda 450 that is bullet proof. If I were buying another it would be the 500 only becouse of the automatic transmission. The others make good machines, but if you want pure quality, Honda will be the best. Check Ebay, you can get almost new ATVs for $5000 or less.
CLW

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CLW

03-18-2006 19:43:12

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

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CLW

03-18-2006 19:49:28

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to CLW, 03-18-2006 19:43:12

Only ment to say that once. Sorry.

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kyhayman

03-18-2006 19:17:55

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

I've got a Honda Foreman, 450cc. If I needed another one tomorrow thats what Id get. Does every thing I need, even pulls a double hay rake in a pinch.

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WyoDave

03-18-2006 19:01:06

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Check those hondas again. Some of the new ones are selectable 4 wheel drive. I have a Rubicon 500 with the fully automatic transmission. I have 5000 miles on it now with nothing done to it but oil changes and it runs like new. I put about 40 miles a day on it irrigating in the summer and I'll never own anything but a Honda, and I've owned several of the major brands.
David

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dbwillia

03-18-2006 18:57:17

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

My wife has a 2000 300 Prarie Kawasaki with full time four wheel drive. She loves it. It has shaft drive to both axles and works really well. She has owned it about two years and really enjoys it.

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dbwillia

03-18-2006 18:56:27

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

My wife has a 2000 300 Prarie Kawasaki with full time four wheel drive. She loves it. It has shaft drive to both axles and works really well. She has owned it about two years and really enjoys it.

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Jonfarmer

03-18-2006 18:11:15

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

I love the polaris automatic transmissions and they are by far the most popular brand in this area. As Rich has said, the Honda's were all full time 4wd, and I used a couple of Honda Fourtraxx 300 machines, they were very gutless, but dead reliable. I love the selectable 2/4wd I guess it's because I'm still a young adult and I love doing donuts and getting alittle crazy from time to time, and with full time 4wd, thats totally not possible.

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Jonfarmer

03-18-2006 18:48:49

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Jonfarmer, 03-18-2006 18:11:15

My machine is a 1998 Polaris Xplorer 300 4x4 two stroke with polaris automatic transmission. It has pretty good power for what it is, and enough power to easily do donuts with a 250lb man on it. Of course if you wanted one of these, you'd have to buy used since I know they haven't made them for a few years. I tried out a used Sportsman 500 4 stroke a couple of years ago and it definatly lacked the low end punch the Xplorer 300 has. biggest compaint is the 3 drive chains it has, one up front for the 4wd, one in the center, and one in the rear, and they require oil almost daily to keep them quiet and they all turn all the time even though the 4wd is not engaged. Another complaint is my neighbor has a Honda Big Red 250 3 wheeler that will have my machine for breakfast, I can't even begin to keep up with him, neither on take off or top end and his only uses half the gas my machine does to do it, we'd always go for a ride with full tanks and then when we got back, we'd unscrew the gas caps and compair, my machine always took twice the gas and gave less performance, but his only has 3 wheels (bigger in diameter than mine) and I was pushing around that 4wd front end that wasn't in use. I think my next machine will be a two wheel drive sport machine. I hardly use the 4wd, it's just more mantinance and more fuel consumption. I really like the looks of the Polaris Predator. Don't have plans of trading up any time soon though, and this machine still runs like new and still puts a smile on my face, a beauty of a trail riding machine.

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MellonHead

03-18-2006 17:28:09

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Kawasaki's are generally OK but from years around various motorcycles I can impart a bit of my own personal gar-nerd hot air.

Generally Kawasaki has always strived to be just a bit faster for just a bit less money.

I immediately started to gain a feeling towards this back in the 70's They just had to have fast motorcycles like a triple cylinder two stroke or a KZ1200. We worked part time doing assembly work at a distributor. We'd take them out of the crate, bolt the handlebars and a few thing on, polish them and send them out to the dealers. We did most Japanese brands. If there was one brand that tended to end up with broken bolts it would be Kawasaki. Of course we were a bunch of bonehead kids, but still we didn't break Suzuki and Honda bolts.

I'm sure any brand you buy should do you well provided you have a local dealer to fall back on for warranty work, or parts when needed.

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Leland

03-18-2006 15:37:23

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

I have an arctic cat 400 and it will run circles around the Kaw ,had it since Dec 03 and I am now tired of it so it will be in a ad before long but I would buy another cat before anything else .

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Leland

03-18-2006 15:36:25

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

I have an arctic cat 400 and it will run circles around the Kaw ,had it since Dec 03 and I am now tired of it so it will be in a ad before long but I would buy another cat before anything else .

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Nebraska Cowman

03-18-2006 15:24:43

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Why?

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Dave from MN

03-18-2006 15:23:49

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

Rich, I would have to say a Honda 450 Foreman would be the absolute best machine for you, if they still make them, otherwise go with the Rancher. I have a the 450 and the thing is perfect for our farm+hunting+fishing+trapping+hauling kids, you name it. I have not had one issue with it that would deter me from buying another. Of all my freinds and relatives up here we run every brand, and use them hard. The guys with the least complaints and maint issues have the honda's. Just make sure you get a GOOD aggressive set of tires on it. Dealers like to advertise a "lower" price and you bite and then realize at home it has the cheapest tires in the market on it. Not good in mud or snow.

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Rich Iowa

03-18-2006 16:14:36

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Re: buying a new ATV in reply to Dave from MN, 03-18-2006 15:23:49

I currently have a "99 Honda Recon, and I like it very much. So much in fact, I"m gonna keep it when I buy my new one so others can ride with me if they don"t have one. One thing I don"t care for on the 4wd Hondas is the full-time 4wd. Maybe they now have selective 2/4wd, the saleman didn"t seem to want to deal with me, so I went elsewhere. I know what ya mean about the tires. Replaced the rear tires last spring and the fronts this week on my Recon. Friend has mud tires on his Honda Rubicon, it"s a mud machine.

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Rich Iowa

03-18-2006 15:12:49

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sorry bout the multiple posts in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:06:08

computer isn"t cooperating with me today.

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03-18-2006 15:37:27

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Re: sorry bout the multiple posts in reply to Rich Iowa, 03-18-2006 15:12:49

Kawasaki Prairie ATV is a darn good worker too.

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