Need ATV advice

The probelm isn't so much the hip as the complication from the surgery. Hip moves well but because of nerve damage I have almost no feeling from the knee down. Makes walking in rough conditions tough and hard to balance, even when not carrying hay.

Went and looked yesterday at the local Honda dealer. Really like the little 400cc Rancher 4 X 4. No problem getting on or off and hand controls so I don't have to try and get my foot to participate. Was hoping to find some used 4 X 4's but they seem pretty rare around here (called a couple other dealers too). More money than I want to spend but certainly cheaper than falling and getting hurt.

I'll go out tomorrow and take one for a test drive and see what I think. If this is the cost of being safe and getting to keep critters, I'll probably bite the bullet. Least it'll be a tax write off.

Kathie

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www.littlebitfarm.net

Ride several different models from different manufacturers. There are drastic differences among the various machines.

Also be advised that many of the 4x4 machines aren't. They're essentially 3 wheel drive. To get a true 4x4 you need what is called a locking front differential. Polaris has a locking system as do many of the models in the Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Arctic cat brands. Honda simply does not offer a locking differential. Their legendary reliability is from their late 80s early 90s machines and their new ones simply aren't up to those standards. They're overpriced, underfeatured and simply not up to the technical standards of other machines now.

Polaris ride the best and are known as serious work machines, Can-Ams tend to be the fastest. Yamahas are usually good machines. The new Grizzly in particular is a very sweet ride. Kawasakis are good to modify and customize. Suzukis tend to be nice well rounded machines but with questionable customer service from Suzuki.

Around here used 4x4s (no one really buys 2 wheel drives unless they're sport bikes) hold their value and they sell quite high. Based on prices for a 3 or 4 year old machine it seems like a person is ahead to buy a new one. Oh, and extended warranties aren't a bad idea either. The parts on these things can be unreasonably high at times.

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Respect The Cactus!

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


atv deaths= 467 in 2005
http://www.atvsafety.gov/stats.html

auto deaths = 47000 plus in 2004
http://www.nsc.org/lrs/statinfo/odds.htm

14-18 year old kids arent signing organ donor cards.

These type of exaggerations are how negative perceptions are perpetuated, how many hours have you spent working with a quad?
Ive been riding quads, motorcycles and three wheelers for over 20 years and never seen a death, seen a few big accidents but never a death. Ive also seen prob 8-10 auto fatilities in that time, (not in the ER, while driving)

We purchased a Honda Recon ES 250 4X2 yesterday with thumb gear shift. It's large enough to fill our needs. I hope it serves us as well as our 12 year old Yamaha Timberwolf 250. After checking with all our local dealers, this was the best priced machine for what we were looking for. Oh yes, we also purchased front and rear basket, trailer hitch and dog pad. Our mutts like to ride too.

I haven't had a chance to go test drive any of them yet. But I want to hear about the dog pad!!! I've been trying to figure away that he could come with safely.

Kathie

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The dog pad is just a pad that fits behind the seat. With a rear basket, your pooch can be trained to ride back there with safety. The sides on the basket keeps them from sliding off. We never go fast, so they're fine. We have a large dog and a small dog. Sometimes they love to run along beside us, then there are times they'll stop as if to say "let me on". We'll stop and they'll jump on with us.

Finally took my test drive today! 2007 FourTrax Rancher AT. Piece of cake to drive!! I was quite pleased with it. They had a pretty good discount on it so I went ahead and bought it. They will add a snow blade to it and drop it off next week. Thanks for the advise!

Kathie

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www.littlebitfarm.net

Congratulations!! I know you'll enjoy it. DH and I have just come in from riding ours, the old and the new one.

Congrats! Please learn how to drive it safely. Being the cocky SOB I am, the first time my wife and I went riding together I had the foolish thing pointed skyward like a rocket. I am sooooooo glad she didn't get hurt.

They are fun though and can get a lot of work done. Enjoy.

I should be ok. I driven enough farm tractors, lawn tractors, and motorcycles to appreciate slopes and turns. Also not a speed freak!

Kathie

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www.littlebitfarm.net

Many times they actually PAY YOU to take the course. The last new ATV I bought Honda paid me 100 bucks to take the safety course. A Saturday of putting around on an ATV and listening to a guy lecture about ATV safety for a c-note. I got to have lunch with a cute girl from class too. A guy could get use to that sorta work.

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Respect The Cactus!

HHhuummmm...Could be a place to pick up a guy!

Kathie

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www.littlebitfarm.net

The safety training class is a great idea and as far as I know all the major companies offer incentives to take it either in the form of cash back or gift certificates for accessories and if you are not familiar with ATVs it will be time well spent and could save your life.

As far as ATVs being dangerous, I have been on scene of literally dozens of ATV accidents several of which were fatal and in every occasion multiple operation safety rules were broken, and often alcohol was involved. Just like a car, tractor, chainsaw, stove or whatever, if you choose to disregard the safety rules for using the equimpment you will eventually get hurt, maybe not the first time but eventually.

I chimed in too late for your purchasing decision but my recomendation for your intended use would have also been a 4x2 Honda and one of the smaller versions at that, if you could have found one of the old 300s in good shape you would have had a great machine but I am sure the one you chose will serve you well.