Need ATV advice

[littlebitfarm]

I'm considering getting an ATV to help with farm chores but know nothing about them. It would get pretty light use, mostly just carrying a couple bales of hay a day in the winter. I know I want electric start, my rotten replaced hip won't do a kick start (which is why my motorcycle doesn't get any use). I know the 3 wheelers are dangerous and out.

I would love one that would fit through a 4' door. Then I could store it in a stall and not have to open the big gate to get into the pasture. That rules out the "Mule" type vehicle.

How many cc's am I looking for? I would be looking for a used one. What do I want to watch out for? Do they have a reverse? I assume mud isn't a problem?

Thanks,

Kathie

[agmantoo]

This machine will do anything you need done. http://www.southernhonda.com/new_veh...6&CatDesc=ATVs The engine is more than you need but it is the only choice with the other features needed. I doubt that you will be able to match the price at this site. These are great machines. I have an older one that is nearly 20 years old and it is super reliable. It is only on its third battery in that time. I ride it nearly every day. A true work horseand it will go through your 4 ft door!

[boonieman]

My neighbor has one of these. It's two wheel drive and it will go almost anywhere my 4 wheel drive model will. It's a 250, but will easily do everything you described you need done. I have a 1996 Honda Fourtrax and it still has the original sparkplug in it. Honda reliability is hard to beat. Lots of other nice machines out there, it's just that all my experience is with Honda's.

http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/ut...elId=TRX250TM8

[Country Lady]

I don't know if this will answer any of your questions, but this is where I posted a few days ago, asking some questions. I got some very good answers.
ATV's - Pros & Cons

[littlebitfarm]

Originally Posted by Country Lady

I don't know if this will answer any of your questions, but this is where I posted a few days ago, asking some questions. I got some very good answers.
ATV's - Pros & Cons

Thanks! I hadn't followed that thread because I hadn't slide through enough snow to try and think of an easier way yet!

I'm only 5' 4", wonder if I could get away with one of the smaller teen models? Not looking for speed just the ability to move me and a bale of hay.

Kathie

[Cascade Failure]

I have a Suzuki King Quad 450. I use it mostly for skidding oak logs and hauling firewood or stone. Looking to add a multipurpose plow. Will definetly handle hay bales. Will fit through a 4' door. Electric start. Auto tranny. 2 or 4 wheel drive at push of a button. Wife loves to drive it (made the mistake of teaching her, just like shooting, now I have to share).

There are bigger and smaller models available. Honda makes a real nice machine as well. Would avoid one of the teen models for two reasons. 1) You may one day wish for greater capacity. 2) Durability.

One last tidbit. If you have never ridden and plan to go off road consider some sort of training, be it formal or with a friend. Good luck with your search. They are more fun than you might think.

[ergoman]

Ive ridden and worked several different brands of quads. I'll never buy anything but a Honda, I have a rancher thats several years old and it gets worked HARD. Try to get one that you can select 2 or 4 wheel drive, full time 4x4 takes more force to steer at slow speeds. I have a manual trans, if youve got a bum hip you should prob get an automatic. Shaft drive, and solid rear axle make towing loads much easier than independant suspension.

Having said all the above, If your hip is painful when your swinging your leg over (abducting) the seat. Bombodier (sp?) makes a 4 wheeler that is open in front of the seat so you can slide onto the seat without swinging your leg over.

[CJ]

We bought the 450cc Honda Rancher with the electric start, electric shifter (not an automation, but no clutch involved, just a thumb switch) and it's fuel injected so no choke either.

We're very pleased with this model!

[Cabin Fever]

The Polaris Sportsman will easily haul bales of hay and go thru a 4-foot door (it's 46" wide).

[wormmaker]

We are getting ready to buy two ATVs this spring and from what I have learned you would be very well served by something in the 350-500cc range. There are several brands and they all have their (+/-) features. Honda Ranchers, Yamaha Kodiaks and Polaris Sportsman editions all would fit your needs and then some. Some are full auto (hit the throttle and go), some are semi-auto (push/lift a lever with your foot) and some are electric shift (push a button with your left thumb). You can buy good used ones with under 1,000 miles all the time and can save a couple thousand dollars in the process. Just like cars, there is typically a flood of used ones right around tax refund time.

You might also consider a trailer designed for ATVs. Good for hauling dirt, rock, firewood, hay, etc.

I would stay away from the Chinese knockoffs. Everyone says parts are a problem to easily locate.

I will second that recommendation that you get a riding lesson with the ATV. Could save you from a REALLY bad day.

Bob

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

This machine will do anything you need done. http://www.southernhonda.com/new_veh...6&CatDesc=ATVs The engine is more than you need but it is the only choice with the other features needed. I doubt that you will be able to match the price at this site. These are great machines. I have an older one that is nearly 20 years old and it is super reliable. It is only on its third battery in that time. I ride it nearly every day. A true work horseand it will go through your 4 ft door!

I have one of those that I have been beating the crap out of for 8 years. It has been a very reliable workhorse. I like the "smallness" of it compared to the bigger ATV's. I don't think I would go smaller then the 350 though. Mine is the electric shift model. (ES350).

The only problem I have had with mine is the electric starter is on the blink. I have been using the pull starter since last spring but I am going to fix the electric starter as soon as I can find the time.

You can't go wrong with the Honda Rancher.

[Rickstir]

Got a Polaris Sportsmans 500 4 years ago. It has hauled wood, deer, rocks, hay, babies and beer. Wonderful machine that will really get going if you want it to, or go very slowly and safely if you need that too.

[mowrey1999]

I have Rode or owned about every size honda and Yamaha , atv made, I dont think you can go wrong with either brand but the honda is the most popular, I had the 350 rancher for several years and used it for everything snow plowing, hauling wood, deer, towing others out ect,its a great machine with a great reputation, and the other 2 I have had the 450 and 650 were good machines but my main problem with the bigger atv,s with the electronic transmissions ect is they are heavier and arent as easy to go thru the woods and just get caught on more obstacles and are a lot heavier at least the 650 is , I always made it with them but the wider handlebars and extra weight was more of a pain to me, I also noticed that when I had the 350 rancher, it never broke down ,I just changed the oil and plug and kept riding,it was the FM 350 or manual shift not the automatic, The dealer who I have known for years told me that the best most dependable all around unit was the fm350 for there dealership , for snow plowing pushing or pulling things they recommended the manual transmission over the automatic and said less problems, I feel that is true since the others I have owned have had some transmission issues but were taken care of, I personally will probably go back with another 350 cc model since it is plenty of machine for me and has been the best all around machine I have had, I only bought bigger because everyone else had a little bigger one but now will probably go back to the 350 next year ,and it will still keep up with everyone I ride with or all my needs,

[Raptor]

My Kawasaki 610 Mule 4x4 fits through a 4' yard gate with no problem. If you have a bad hip you might rethink throwing your leg over the seat on a quad every time you get on. The mule is great and has a dump bed and can pull a heavy load. Much more practical in my opinion.

[xbeeman412]

We brought a 450 king quad made by suzuki in June and wish We had done it years ago. Our farm in Oklahoma is 120 acres and we have 2 real steep draws to go up and down to check fence and this machine does GREAT even in mud up hill. If You can afford it go for a 400 or so cc machine 4x4.

[BeeFree]

We have had a Yamaha 250 electric start for years. Had it so long, I can't remember when we bought it. Probably around '95. We gave 3300 cash for it. It was new.

Last year, at Christmas I wanted a new one for myself. I started shopping on the internet. About a hundred miles from home I found a new Yamaha 250 Bruin in green with electric start for 3000. The new models were coming out so they had put these on sale. DH bought it for me. Now I don't ride one very much, but I really like my new one. It is more comfortable than the older one. More stable feeling too. It is a 2x4 as is the other one.

The old one has been used on the farm for about anything you can think of and keeps on ticking. My new one stays covered up most of the time, unless I feel up to riding.

SIL has an older Honda and it seems like each time he goes to ride it, he has to work on it.

If buying again, it would be another Yamaha and since I don't have one, it would be a 4x4. Although the only thing that will do that a 2x4 has trouble with is the ice.

[haypoint]

Mao Clinic calls them "donor cycles" because they are the source of most of their organ donations. When they flip over, crush the skull or snap the neck, the rest of the organs, in perfect condition, become available for transplants. Generally the organs are from healthy children and perfect for donation.

[Country Lady]

Originally Posted by haypoint

Mao Clinic calls them "donor cycles" because they are the source of most of their organ donations. When they flip over, crush the skull or snap the neck, the rest of the organs, in perfect condition, become available for transplants. Generally the organs are from healthy children and perfect for donation.

Anything can happen at anytime, but I have the utmost respect for ours. I consider it just like driving a car, using precautions. I've never had ours past 3rd gear, and most of the time it's in 2nd gear. I'm speaking only for myself. For others in the family, I can't say, but I do insist on their being careful. You're absolute right, they can be very dangerous when handled irresponsibly, but so can a car, bike, motorcycle, go-cart or whatever.

[Westwood]

We'll sell you this one!

[tamatik]

If you have a bad hip there are step-thru models also,.I have a 2000 suzuki 4x4 500cc and it was my tractor for 3 yrs..I use it now for firewood and plowing snow.Very dependable as I'm mechanically-challenged