Please help me choose my next ATV

[HD Archer]

I’m in the market for my next ATV and am asking for some input from folks with more experience with multiple brands/models and their strengths and weaknesses.  

 I’ve been using an ATV for farm work and hunting for 30+ years and in all those years I’ve owned only 2. My first I bought used, it was a Suzuki Quadrunner( I think) a 250 or 300. In 4x4 low range and low gear with diff lock I believe it would’ve pulled a freight train if it could maintain traction. In 1997 I won a Polaris Sportsman  400L 4x4 in a raffle and foolishly got rid of the Suzuki, but the Polaris has served me pretty well but with several repairs over the years. 

 I’m looking to replace the Polaris with a new unit, something in the 500cc range and 4x4. I’m currently most interested in Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha. I know the Honda’s are available with both straight rear axle and IRS and 3 different transmission options, the Suzuki and Yamaha, to my limited knowledge, are only available with the IRS and belt driven automatic transmissions. 

 I’m really not wanting this to become a Ford/Chevy/Dodge debate but rather just an attempt to gather information from the experience you all have had. As you may have gathered I keep my equipment a long time. I don’t drive through knee deep mud or cross creeks because I can but, I will and do, because I have to to get the job done. 

I appreciate any and all recommendations and advice.  Thanks HD

[Jeremy Morris]

In all honesty,  the best lasting machine for your money will be a late 2000s honda rubicon. Have had many through the shop with 30k miles on them

[Martin Prevost]

Have you think of a 6x6 to work on your farm ?

Like a Polaris or CAN-AM ?

 

Or maybe a side by side with a cab to haul stuff in the back

[Tim-ANC]

Definitely think you need something with gear drive versus belt drive. Yes those old suzuki's with low range and diff lock were beasts for their time but too light weight for your needs. I think the 2000's 400 Kingquads are manual transmission and some Honda brands mentioned by Jeremy above.

 

 

 

 

[Thomas Giles]

I have Polaris, Sportsman will probably go with Kawasaki Brute Force next time.

[Wicked]

I use my ATV for my ranch and for camping/hunt trips.  I decided on the Polaris Sportsman xp1000.  Do I really need all that power? No, but its nice for the time you really do (I mostly keep it in work or standard mode).  So far its been a work horse and have no complaints for its performance as a work vehicle on my ranch or a trail rider.

My only complaint is the rear axle being locked 100% of the time.  On my Ranger xp1000 I can toss it in turf mode to not tear up my driveway and yard - to me not having turf mode is my one an only complaint.

Edited August 1, 2019 by Wicked

[Ajmboy]

On 8/1/2019 at 6:43 PM, Wicked said:

I use my ATV for my ranch and for camping/hunt trips.  I decided on the Polaris Sportsman xp1000.  Do I really need all that power? No, but its nice for the time you really do (I mostly keep it in work or standard mode).  So far its been a work horse and have no complaints for its performance as a work vehicle on my ranch or a trail rider.

My only complaint is the rear axle being locked 100% of the time.  On my Ranger xp1000 I can toss it in turf mode to not tear up my driveway and yard - to me not having turf mode is my one an only complaint.

Congrats on the sportsman! Post some pics!

[Wicked]

Thanks I love it so far  just gave her a bath in this pic after bringing her home

 

On 6/17/2019 at 8:08 AM, Thomas Giles said:

I have Polaris, Sportsman will probably go with Kawasaki Brute Force next time.

What don’t you like about the sportsman?

Edited August 3, 2019 by Wicked

[Wicked]

On 3/21/2019 at 9:23 AM, HD Archer said:

I’m in the market for my next ATV and am asking for some input from folks with more experience with multiple brands/models and their strengths and weaknesses.  

 I’ve been using an ATV for farm work and hunting for 30+ years and in all those years I’ve owned only 2. My first I bought used, it was a Suzuki Quadrunner( I think) a 250 or 300. In 4x4 low range and low gear with diff lock I believe it would’ve pulled a freight train if it could maintain traction. In 1997 I won a Polaris Sportsman  400L 4x4 in a raffle and foolishly got rid of the Suzuki, but the Polaris has served me pretty well but with several repairs over the years. 

 I’m looking to replace the Polaris with a new unit, something in the 500cc range and 4x4. I’m currently most interested in Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha. I know the Honda’s are available with both straight rear axle and IRS and 3 different transmission options, the Suzuki and Yamaha, to my limited knowledge, are only available with the IRS and belt driven automatic transmissions. 

 I’m really not wanting this to become a Ford/Chevy/Dodge debate but rather just an attempt to gather information from the experience you all have had. As you may have gathered I keep my equipment a long time. I don’t drive through knee deep mud or cross creeks because I can but, I will and do, because I have to to get the job done. 

I appreciate any and all recommendations and advice.  Thanks HD

Did you decide what you were going to get?