Please educate me on used ATVs

[Shinesintx]

Thanks to all of you for your advice, please keep it coming.

I'm thinking a 4 wheeler ATV, rather than a side by side would work for us. We don't have a truck, but a 2wd Toyota 4-Runner. I saw where one guy had a small trailer that had a folding rear ramp. He hauled the 4 wheeler on the trailer, and then hooked the trailer to the back of the ATV to use in the field. This looks like a good plan to me, but I'd be interested to think what y'all think about it.

A UTV (side by side) or mule would be great, but I doubt we could afford one - even used.

River Rat 1 - I'll send you a PM.

Thanks again.

Dave

Get a 5x10 trailer that will run 70+ mph. The smaller trailers are not designed to run that fast...bearings and stuff are not capable. The bigger trailer will serve you better in the long run. Trust me on this one. Also, your 4 wheeler can easily tow the 5x10

[hully1029]

I have a 2006 yamaha Rhino 660 (side x side). love it. Bought it new and still running fine. Been a great tool. Love the bed to haul around corn to feel feeders and such. Very handy to have the bed in the back.

Just picked up a rhino 660 and it's awesome. Came with a custom removable dog box on the back and already been putting it to use.

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[Big pig]

I if I were you I would look at a utv that has a bench seat
and a dump bed. a lot easer to get in and has a bed to carry ,tools
and ect. Most of them have a roof to keep sun and some rain off. at my age a atv is hard to get on and off.

A small, used, newer Kawasaki mule is the lease ride I would be looking for.

[skeeter]

350cc 4x4 is all you need. and ill bet you a dr pepper you hardly ever use the 4x4. get a 4x8 trailer to pull it with and then pull the trailer with the atv. don't buy any used atv with a snorkel. backup pull start is a good option. not all atvs have a rope start. good thing to have if your battery dies.

[Texas8point]

Honda 4x4.

[txpitdog]

First, identify your budget. Second, do not consider ANY machine that has been snorkeled, lifted, or modified in any way.

I recommend 4x4. Most all the time you won’t need it as far as getting stuck or not, but I’ve found that I use it more for additional traction in climbing or turning in spots where it’s tight or I just need that extra bit of grab to get over/through/around something.

Agree with staying with the major brands. Agree that for 95% of the time you don’t need anything more than a 350-400cc engine. I bought a Grizzly 660, and I don’t think I’ve ever used more than half the throttle.

Now, for shopping for machines, here’s what I did. Like I said, define budget and avoid modified equipment. I scoured Craigslist for weeks and went to see a lot of atvs in person. You will quickly find what is “typical” for your price range: make/model, engine size, condition, etc. This will help give you an idea of what to expect for your budget and then what to look for as far as a really good deal. You’re looking for the outlier, the one that will rarely come up for your price range, basically the one that was hardly used but meticulously well maintained, and you’ll know it when you see it. And condition is more important than engine size.

I also considered the ratio of miles to hours. If a machine had higher miles and lower hours (like a 7-9 mph average), it was likely used for transportation on a deer lease. However, if it had a 3mph average or around that it was probably used for mud bogging and would potentially have more wear on the mechanical components.

Also consider the cost and condition of tires, when comparing machines. The one I bought was a good deal, but not quite as awesome after I had to drop another $300 into it for new tires.

Used atvs are a dime a dozen, and now is when some folks are selling them to buy a boat for the summer. Don’t buy anything that you aren’t 100% sure on, and don’t rush into it. The needle is in the haystack, and you’ll find it eventually.


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[bbqfan5909]

For what’s its worth, I have had 2 Yamaha grizzly 700s and they were awesome! But we keep going back to a utv, much more versatile. Kawasaki mule pro gets my vote here.

[bowhuntertex]

If your set on an ATV I would look at the Honda Rancher, solid machines. But honestly I would go find a good running Kawasaki Mule 4x4. You can pick up an older model for the same price as an ATV in running shape. They are more versatile and much safer to operate. the older Mules are very solid machines and if taken care of will run forever. You should easily be able to pull a Mule on a small trailer behind your 4 runner. With a Mule you won't have the need to haul a trailer to the field and risk damaging the trailer. I have both and very rarely use my ATV anymore. I much prefer my UTV over my ATV.

[sbushee]

By a side by side instead of a 4 wheeler. 4 wheeler is fairly useless on a lease

[MacDaddy67]

I had a Kawasaki 650 that wouldnt die...2001 model that I sold to a TBH member...thing was a beast....
CAN AM now...
Hondas are great bikes but I wouldnt buy one with the electric shift mechanism....bad design...
400 or up and I would get selectable 4x4...

Stay with the 4 major brands

[ColinR]

Just in case your not clear on it yet, get a Honda! The rancher is a great all around bike. Not too big, not too little.

[MagicBlade]

You ask for help with what to buy ..... you got it!

But if you haven't ridden one, you should first go ride different models. You may find out what you really want is something else.

Test drive anything before you buy it and consider how you are going to haul it!

[Roy D Mercer]

I have had this Yamaha for 21 Years.

2 carburetor rebuilds is the only thing i have done.

If Yamaha didn't make Yamaha i would buy a Honda

[hbender1]

Honda Rancher gets my vote Dave. Extremely reliable & you can find good used ones for around $3k.

[Graysonhogs]

[ATTACH]947914[/ATTACH]



I have had this Yamaha for 21 Years.



2 carburetor rebuilds is the only thing i have done.



If Yamaha didn't make Yamaha i would buy a Honda

Love the deer dolly. Hannibal Lectdeer. (Dad joke level 10)


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