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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

4 wheel atv information

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n8terry

02-04-2008 05:54:03




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Can anyone tell me where I can find information about 4 wheelers and their reliability. I am also wondering if the liquid cooled engines are the way to go, or is it just something else that can go wrong. A friend of mine said he knew of a guy that put over 30,000 miles on a 4 wheeler.

Anyone care to comment about this or pass along information? thanks




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2x4

02-04-2008 23:25:11




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
have a water cooled Yamaha Grizzly 660. Need to start it about 10 minutes before riding in winter time. Had a Honda 350 & it was ready right now, summer or winter.



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Leland

02-04-2008 21:23:08




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
arctic cat showed one in there quarterly paper that had 50,000+ miles and is still going you can't beat a cat .



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gene bender

02-05-2008 05:33:47




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to Leland, 02-04-2008 21:23:08  
If you figure 10-15 MPH avg thats tons of hrs.



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kyplowboy

02-04-2008 18:41:48




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Not wanting to jump on the bandwagon but I will say as I have alot before,,,,

Go with a Honda.

I have a 450 Foreman FM, 04 Model. NOT a problem with it AT all. I have rode it on the weekends over some wild stuff. It will hang with most any of them on the trails. As for farm stuff (IMHO) IT CAN NOT BE BEAT! If you are wanting one to take the place of a half ton truck go with bigger. I use mine to pull a truck bed trailor fencing, jocky around empty tobacco wagons, check cows, haul 100lbs of feed on the racks and such. This size Honda works fine for me. It is small enough to get around in the woods and has enough in it's shorts to pull anything that I think a atv should. If my Foreman will not pull it, I should have had a truck or tractor to start with.

Good luck.

Dave

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rodgernbama

02-04-2008 17:29:35




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Honda is the most reliable 4 wheeler made.



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John A.

02-04-2008 16:23:21




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
8nterry, "Successful Farming" magazine conducted a big study on the 4x4 side x side models they should have a link to it on their web site. Hope this helps .
Later,
John A.



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farmer boy

02-04-2008 16:15:57




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
My preference is Honda. Neighbour has a Honda 300 4x4 5 spd 1998. No brakes clutch is going but still runs strong. Sometimes it has trouble starting but it could be just the choke in the wrong place or whatever Could also be the engine though. I just saw this Atv in the Top Crop Manager magazine.

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in-too-deep

02-05-2008 09:13:51




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to farmer boy, 02-04-2008 16:15:57  
$9200. I think I'll pass.



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J.C.in AZ.

02-04-2008 15:39:27




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Saying Honda is the best is streching it a lot. i have a '01 Polaris HO 500 and a '01 Polaris 250 trail type 2 Cycle Machines and also a '07 Arctic Cat 500. My Machine of choice is the Cat. it has a much better ride,ground clearance and is an easy machine to do things on. Power wise it is equal to any other 500 cc machine. My Neighbor has a Honda Rancher and it is loud, whines and he gets fatigued easy riding it. He tries to con me out of the Cat to ride when ever we goe for a ride in the Mountains or Desert. That would be alright with me if he had a Polaris but, "A Honda?" I don't think so!

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Matt H NY

02-04-2008 15:22:36




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Honda hands down. I have a 2001 honda Recon. 250cc. This is one amazing little machine. I am only estimating but I would say probably over 10,000 miles on it. THat is with beating the ever-loving snot out of it every minute. Regularly ignoring the wieght limits and towing things that are very heavy. Doing jumps wheelies and other such foolishness. Flipped it many times. Had to replace swingarm bearings once, axle bearings 3 times wore the splines right off the ends of the axle so replaced that and snapped the handle bars off of it once too. Had the clutch replaced once too. Running it at WOT for a lot of riding also. If a kid can get a wheeler at 16 and beat on it for 7 years and it still starts right off in cold weather with little choke I would say that is a great machine. My next one will be a honda too. But i am older and mellower now so it wont crash it so much.

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dave guest

02-04-2008 15:14:58




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Only one I been on lately is Polaris. Rides like a cadillac in woods. 35MPH. Would not try this on other machines. Automatic and hand brake only. Also I have bad back for 35 years and this didn't hurt very much. A real plus. For comparison on a Harley I could onlyride 50 miles on best day.



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lesmc

02-04-2008 15:09:29




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
for what it's worth:

I have an '07 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 (first year of the 420 fuel injected)with electric shift. I know most carbureted ones do start good, but this thing is so smooth and starts so well in cold weather I don't know that I'll ever own a carbureted atv again. It's proven to be bullet proof so far.



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dr sportster

02-04-2008 14:42:48




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Depends what you need it for and there is a skill factor in learning to ride.Hitting a tree can kill you.Your friend must had a speedo.I know they had strret legal ones that drove cross country.There are all sizes but for yard type use I would just get about 250-300cc and not water cooled when you stop just shut it off[air cooled]and keep clean oil.I have a 220 bayou with a hitch but if you abuse trailer pulling youl strip the pinion gear[driveshft only] although I only did that with an 80cc Yamaha.Now that little 80cc went about 35mph maybe 40 down a hill and if you think about it it could hurt ya.They all start real easy.all brands Polaris jap whatever even will pull start on dead batteries but good luck with you arm muscules.To find more info go to the dealers that sell multi-brand and get brouchures or go to Polaris Kaw,Yamaha.Watch that thumb throttle too never bend over with the bike in gear.Lots of saftey to heed .Good luck whatever you choose,

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John (MO)

02-04-2008 14:35:45




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
I don"t think you can go wrong with a Honda, the one I have now is 9 years old. I"ve changed the oil (I use synthetic and she seeps a bit around the seal) and filter several times, been through a couple sets of tires and just replaced the original battery back in Dec. Mine is a 300, single cylinder air cooled 2 wheel drive. I use it for transportation on the farm and sometimes pull a trailer with it. There isn"t any of them that are tractors, if you need to use it like a tractor, you"d be better off buying a tractor. As for 4 wheel drive, I don"t need it. I"ve never tried to get any place that I couldn"t get to and I"ve got some real rough ground. I do have a front winch and if I drop into a ditch I can"t find a way out of I just hook the winch to a tree and lift her out. I"ve looked at them new no name ones at the farm stores, they look dandy but I wouldn"t gamble that they would hold up nothing like the Honda has.

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KYfarm

02-04-2008 14:19:59




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
I've got two 2004 350 Hondas, 4 x 4 with electric shift and haven't had a single problem with either of them, not a hickup. Start great in cold and simply work great.

Yes, Honda is a Japanese company but I think the atvs are made in S. Carolina by Americans!

I would definately buy another one and wouldn't even think of buying anything else.



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Dave from MN

02-04-2008 13:35:10




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
I have a 2003 Honda 450ES Foreman. It is used everyday, starts in the coldest(-25) temps, and it sits outside most the time. It is used for a lot of pulling around the farm when a tractor is to big or isnt handy at the moment. I would strongly recomend one. I will add - it is thirsty for gas, 1st gear could be slower for more starting out power, primer pump could be in a better spot. Brother has a new "king Quad" nothing but problems from day 1 and he is very disatisfied with the service, they tell him they cant make it any better. Brother in laws Polaris, 4x4 ent out in less than 20 hours, sounds like its made outa a bunch of vibrators, but has a very nice suspension for trail riding.

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in-too-deep

02-04-2008 14:16:50




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to Dave from MN, 02-04-2008 13:35:10  
So, Honda's do well in the MN cold? I'll be wanting a new Honda Rancher 4x4 when/if I move north and can save money($5500.) The 2008 has fuel injection and a bigger engine. I won't be able to fix it myself, but it'll be reliable as heck like yours. Miss Minnesota will have me running all over Creation and I can't always ride with her on her 4-wheeler ; )



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BLinWMi

02-04-2008 17:11:59




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to in-too-deep, 02-04-2008 14:16:50  
Well first off, I agree that Hondas by an large are the best out there, BUT they do not all start as well as some folks have had luck. I have a 2001 Rubicon and it starts terrible. In any weather and really bad in this weather. I have it parked out side the barn and start it if I have to go chase in some moo cows. It always starts but it may turn over for 30 seconds before it fires. It is not wore out, has 1230 miles on it but it just does not start well. The wierd thing is, if you use the pull handle, it starts pretty easy then. Just not with the starter.

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Dave from MN

02-04-2008 14:24:14




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to in-too-deep, 02-04-2008 14:16:50  
Exploring Minnesota on an ATV is a blast. There are many, many public trails, but I have to say riding with her can have its advantage!!! Let her drive, you just hang on to her...ahhh, lets just leave it at that.



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in-too-deep

02-04-2008 14:46:26




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to Dave from MN, 02-04-2008 14:24:14  
Hahaha good idea, Dave. She said she'd rather let me drive and she'd hold on to me. Ok, NOW, we're gonna leave it at that. Maybe someday we could come down for a visit and go riding.



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Neb Super H

02-04-2008 11:55:00




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
I have a polaris and had to tinker with it alot. I am selling it this year to get a honda. They are pretty dang bullet proof. I know alot of farmers that get 10,000 + miles out of them.



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48C-MAN

02-04-2008 10:59:45




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
The only ATV that doesn"t break down is a Suzuki.



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Neb Super H

02-04-2008 09:36:08




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Look in ATV magazines, I usually read one at Walmart and it shows tests and rankings of all the different kinds.



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Gun Guru

02-04-2008 09:25:42




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
I have a Polaris Sportsman 400. I would highly doubt that mine would get 30K miles in its time. I now have 2000 miles or so on it now. My opinion is that ATVs are built cheap and cant do real work that they advertize for the 25 HP size. You see pull behind driveway graders and plows. (I wouldnt pull a plow with my ATV).



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135 Fan

02-04-2008 12:05:57




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to Gun Guru, 02-04-2008 09:25:42  
You may have a different opinion if you hadn't bought a Polaris. I know a few people that haven't been happy with their Polaris' and got rid of them. They were top of the line models too. Water cooling is better as it helps to prevent overheating and keeps the engine at a more even temperature. Any of the Japanese quads from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki are reliable and should last a long time if properly cared for and used. I think a quad could do 30,000 miles but it would take a very long time to do. For a quad hours would be a better gauge. A good quad should last for several thousand hours or more. It depends on how it is used. Dave

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JD9295

02-04-2008 08:48:47




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to n8terry, 02-04-2008 05:54:03  
Go with a honda, they are the best. Had hondas around the farm for as long as i can remember and will replace with new ones.
As far as water cooled, it depends on what your going to use it for.
We use ours on the farm and hunting (coon) also, that pushed me away from water cooled on the one I bought last year. Im afraid the radiator is to easy to ruin and im sure they aint cheap



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Balatonm

02-04-2008 11:51:29




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 Re: 4 wheel atv information in reply to JD9295, 02-04-2008 08:48:47  
Sucssefull farmer has been running an all-terain test in the past 2 or 3 catalogs.

I agree with JD thoe, Honda is the best.



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