Any ATV Riders?

[olds]

Sportsman 400

 

[Prong]

Polaris = Pile of Sh*t. I'd look at a Honda Rancher AT (400cc) or a Yamaha Kodiak 450 if I was in the market. The prices are comparable, yet the quality and durability are superior to Polaris.

 

[dderidex]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Topic Title: Any ATV Riders?
Topic Summary: How is this for a beginning, female rider?

Hmmm...going to need :camera:'s

 

[rmrf]

Originally posted by: Prong
Polaris = Pile of Sh*t. I'd look at a Honda Rancher AT (400cc) or a Yamaha Kodiak 450 if I was in the market. The prices are comparable, yet the quality and durability are superior to Polaris.

yep, go honda or yamaha. they are the better choice.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: rmrf

Originally posted by: Prong
Polaris = Pile of Sh*t. I'd look at a Honda Rancher AT (400cc) or a Yamaha Kodiak 450 if I was in the market. The prices are comparable, yet the quality and durability are superior to Polaris.

yep, go honda or yamaha. they are the better choice.

I have friends that ride that told me Polaris was the best followed by Arctic Cat.
They said to stay away from Kawasaki and Suzuki. Also that Honda was better than Yamaha.
What do you guys ride?

 

[slightlyhuman]

here's my atv i bought around a year ago

polaris isn't bad but it's not that good. i'd check out a honda recon or yamaha kodiak.

and btw, I bought it for one thing

http://lanceb.com/derrick/mud.jpg
http://lanceb.com/derrick/mud2.jpg

 

[olds]

Nice
Looked at the Hondas too. The seem to have a swingarm in the rear instead of IRS.

 

[Prong]

My ride here. I've since modified it with different tires, a wireless winch, heated grips (essential for winter or wet riding conditions), and a K&N air filter. I stand by my original recommendation of a Honda or Yamaha for a mid size model. If I was shopping for a big bore, I'd probably go to a Kawi Brute Force. One other thing to take into consideration is dealer support in your area. Arctic Cat makes decent stuff (friend has one with 6000+ trouble free miles on it), but dealers are scarce in comparison to Honda or Yamaha.

 

[MikeMike]

Polaris sucks for a few reasons: radiator??? front heavy. auto tranny (not sure on yours didnt click the link)

my first bike was a Honda Recon. still have it, its fun.

MIKE

 

[stev0]

http://powersports.honda.com/a...d=TRX650FA5&bhcp=1

 

[olds]

It's between these three:
Arctic Cat 4X4 Automatic
Polaris Sportsman 400
Yamaha Kodiak 400

All are automatic, 4X4 with IRS.

Haven't found out yet if AC makes a true automatic or if they are all toe shift.

I am not sure about the Polaris as it is not a true 4X4 and I am leaning away from it. It is AWD and the rear wheels have to spin before the fronts will lock. I was reading about a guy who was going up a steep hill and stopped. He had to get a tow because his rear wheels wouldn't spin and the 4X4 wouldn't lock in. The is no way to manually lock them though there is a way to trick them into locking when going down hill.

A friend warned me against the Yamaha brand but I see that on here and other boards it comes recommended. Of course if we get it and it breaks, we will never hear the end of it.

 

[bigredguy]

why a 4x4? what are your plans? I have ridden both 4x4 and sport and 9/10 the sport was more fun.

 

[Demo24]

yeah Honda makes some fun ATV's. Though I do like Artic cats unless your doing heavy 4x4ing or hauling/pulling stuff its not really worth it. Was still fun to drive though the shifters are a bit different in that it has 2 pieces. the front downshitfs and the back ups. Hard to explain but your using the heel and toe of your foot instead of your toes Took a bit to get use to it

but for a beginner I doubt she needs a big old 4x4. Id suggest getting a small Honda like the Recon or whatever it is now

 

[meltdown75]

We have a Bombardier on the farm, I believe it is a Fourtrax. very fun, nice shifting feature (right by your thumb as opposed to @ your feet - probably standard on ATVs I have no clue), durable as hell, fast, can go through anything. I guess that's why they call it an ATV.

 

[olds]

4X4 Because of the extra traction and stability. Riding will consist of the desert and forests. She won't be getting too crazy but I'd like her to be able to use 4X4 low when ascending or descending steep hills. Plus she can't get stuck and I won't have to keep turning back to get her.
Honda doesn't have IRS except in the expensive model.
I prefer she get something that she can grow into as her experience increases.

 

[phreaqe]

i have a polaris and all the people saying they are crap must have never ridden one. it kicked the crap out of friends honda. and my other friend suzuki or whatever it was. i have the explorer 400 and the thing will hit almost 65. it is had been reliable and very powerfull. it rides great and is almost impossible to get the thing stuck with the kinda or riding that i do. which is mostly through the woods and around my grandmas farm during the winter.