I seriously need help choosing some quads

[jaysun 10]

I joined this site today because I'm in need of some help from people that know what they're talking about. I posted a thread earlier with some basic questions...

http://www.quadcrazy.com/atvforum/new-members-area/12324-new-rider-looking-some-purchasing-advice.html

... but only received one reply, telling me to appease my GF and buy two utility quads.

Since then, I spent pretty much my entire day (while I should have been working) researching ATVs in my area and I understand that this post is going to be extremely long, but I would GREATLY appreciate some feedback on these bikes. I'm going into this blind and it would be awesome to get suggestions on what to buy and/or what to look out for or stay away from. I simply found things in my price range that seemed to be in good condition and slowly whittled them down to the following few.

It should be noted (if you didn't follow that link) that I'm looking for one utility quad (preferably manual) and one sport quad (preferably one that won't kill me), but I'm not completely opposed to two utility quads. My max is $7k total but it would be a beautiful thing if I could keep it closer to $5k.

Here are the utility quads I found:

2005 Honda 500 2wd - $3,500

Atv honda 500

2005 Kodiak 400 with snorkel (pictures are horrible) - $3,100

2005 kodiak 400

2005 Honda Rincon (is that a 650?) - $2,900

This one is a little suspect. No contact info and I live in Florida. It's odd that there would be a snowplow on it.

2005 Honda rincon 4x4

Honda Rancher 420ES (no year provided) - $2,700

Honda Rancher 420ES Fuel Injected

And here are the sport quads I've narrowed it down to:

2008 Yamaha Wolverine for $1,500 (seems too good to be true)

2008 yamaha 350 wolverine

2005 KFX 400 - $2,300

2005 kfx400

2004 Suzuki LTZ 400 - $2,000

ATV

2004 YAMAHA YFZ 450 - $2,500

04 YAMAHA YFZ 450

KFX 700 (not sure of the year and might be too much bike for me) - $2,500

KFX 700 (ATV) 2500 OBO

2006 YFZ 450 (supposedly $3k in upgrades and less than 3 hours on it) - $2,500. Listing says $3,500 but I've talked to him and he'll do $2,500.

BRAND NEW 2006 YFZ 450 WITH 3K IN UPGRADES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007 Raptor 350. This thing looks cherry. Less than 40 hours. - $2,600

2007 YAMAHA RAPTOR SPECIAL EDTION

1007 KFX 450 with a bunch of upgrades. Again, a cherry looking bike - $4,200

2008 Kawasaki KFX450r - SUPER CLEAN!!

Again, I know it's a lot to go through, and after my first post fell flat, I don't really expect much feedback, but I appreciate anything I can get.

Thank you.

Edited December 15, 2012 by jaysun

[catcandu 10]

As far the utility quads you have looked at, the only one that sounds any good is the 420ES Honda. FI is only available the last 5 years or so. A 420 will take you anywhere you want to go at a decent clip.

Hondas do have a few drawbacks. No IRS, most can't be switched for 4x4 to 2x4, and they don't have locking front differentials. They are great for girl friends to drive. Kind of point and shoot type ATVs. My GF has one. I drive an old 93 Suzuki LT-4WD 250. It has a 3 speed transfer case (Hi,Lo,SuperLo).

IRS and locking front diff. I've had it places I shouldn't have been. I have had newer and bigger utilities, but keep selling them and going back to old faithful. It'll only do 35mph flat out, but on a curving trail through the woods, that's too fast. When I get on gravel roads, I use my pickup.

Back to your list, forget a 2wd utility around mud. They get stuck to easy. Personally, I'd avoid any Hondas with an automatic. I know I'll hear about this comment. But IMHO they can't take the abuse a clutchless manual can. If they do break think in K$'s.

An old adage in looking at used atvs, look at the plastic. If it is beatup, so is the bike. I wouldn't buy used over 1500 miles either. Ther are a lot of good garage queens out there that only get driven a few times a year. Be patient, you'll find the right one in a couple weeks or so.

Anyway that's my 1 cent worth.

[jaysun 10]

As far the utility quads you have looked at, the only one that sounds any good is the 420ES Honda. FI is only available the last 5 years or so. A 420 will take you anywhere you want to go at a decent clip.

Hondas do have a few drawbacks. No IRS, most can't be switched for 4x4 to 2x4, and they don't have locking front differentials. They are great for girl friends to drive. Kind of point and shoot type ATVs. My GF has one. I drive an old 93 Suzuki LT-4WD 250. It has a 3 speed transfer case (Hi,Lo,SuperLo).

IRS and locking front diff. I've had it places I shouldn't have been. I have had newer and bigger utilities, but keep selling them and going back to old faithful. It'll only do 35mph flat out, but on a curving trail through the woods, that's too fast. When I get on gravel roads, I use my pickup.

Back to your list, forget a 2wd utility around mud. They get stuck to easy. Personally, I'd avoid any Hondas with an automatic. I know I'll hear about this comment. But IMHO they can't take the abuse a clutchless manual can. If they do break think in K$'s.

An old adage in looking at used atvs, look at the plastic. If it is beatup, so is the bike. I wouldn't buy used over 1500 miles either. Ther are a lot of good garage queens out there that only get driven a few times a year. Be patient, you'll find the right one in a couple weeks or so.

Anyway that's my 1 cent worth.

First off, are you saying that the 420 is the only 4wd of the bunch and that some of them are auto? I didn't realize I had chosen any automatics. I definitely do not want auto unless it's some sort of incredible deal that I can't pass up.

Secondly, I suppose I haven't made my lack of knowledge clear enough. I don't understand most of what you said. FI, IRS, 3 speed transfer case, Hi lo superlo mean nothing to me.

I'm the type of person that generally uses forums to get input on large purchases like this and take the advice of the hive-mind at face value to make my decision, learning to use the equipment after the fact. I did the same thing with photography, which I have many thousands of dollars invested in. It's just the way I work.

That being said, I suppose what I'm looking for is this... if you had to choose one of those utility quads and one of those sport quads (and had to keep it under $7k), which ones would you choose, and why? I understand that it's asking a lot for people to look at all those bikes and evaluate them, but I don't have any other options. I don't know anyone that knows anything about ATVs. I figured posing these questions to a site full of quad enthusiasts would be better than just jumping in completely blind. Some of those bikes have almost no use and it's effing hard to try and figure if it's worth getting an older bike with a few hours or a newer bike with hundreds of hours. Keep in mind that I know nothing about repair or maintenance. I'll have to use a shop for that. Also keep in mind my lack of experience. I want to learn to ride sport but I've never even put my ass on one and I've never driven clutch.

I greatly appreciate the feedback. Thanks for taking time to review my mess of a post.

[jaysun 10]

Also, I have no idea what year that Rancher is, and the axles and front racks are rusted, which leads me to believe this thing may have been stored outdoors. Any idea what year that thing is?

[oxidized_black 78]

if that was my budget, i'd go with the yamaha kodiak and the kawasaki kfx 700 ...

yamaha reason, has diff lock, automatic and mid size motor with lots of torque, IRS (independent rear suspension). disc brakes, and 2 to 4 select .... http://www.moto123.com/atv-specs/Yamaha/2005,Kodiak%20400.spy

kawasaki reason, awesome bike, good investment, fast and nice looking ... 2004 Kawasaki KFX® 700 V Force Reviews, Prices, and Specs

[Jenko 10]

if you can get a kodiak they are a good reliable multi purpose bike with very few drawbacks. most will cost you if they brake a big part. but all in all go kodiak....

[jaysun 10]

if that was my budget, i'd go with the yamaha kodiak and the kawasaki kfx 700 ...

yamaha reason, has diff lock, automatic and mid size motor with lots of torque, IRS (independent rear suspension). disc brakes, and 2 to 4 select .... http://www.moto123.com/atv-specs/Yamaha/2005,Kodiak%20400.spy

kawasaki reason, awesome bike, good investment, fast and nice looking ... 2004 Kawasaki KFX® 700 V Force Reviews, Prices, and Specs

Precisely the type of input I'm looking for. Do you think the 700 is too much for someone new to the game? I'm basing this question solely on engine size. I'm not sure how that 700 is distributed or how it handles. It just seems like a lot of power. Have you ever ridden one?

[jaysun 10]

if you can get a kodiak they are a good reliable multi purpose bike with very few drawbacks. most will cost you if they brake a big part. but all in all go kodiak....

Thanks. So that's two votes for the Kodiak. I appreciate the input.

I also have to plan for the the Kodiak no longer being available, though. What would your 2nd choice be?

[oxidized_black 78]

to be honest i'd keep looking for a good score. not bashing hondas, i love them. BUT, i don't like the ES (electric shift) and i don't like automatics on honda (which i think the rincon is). clutchless manual transmission is the only way to go with honda in my opinion. and i agree with catcandu about the 2WD.

the 700 will scare the hell out of you LOL. they are powerful and fast. BUT, you don't have to drive'em like you stole'em either. it's just you have the power there if needed ... and they are reliable.

[catcandu 10]

FI - fuel injection usually runs smoother than a carb, but repairs could cost more.

IRS - independent rear suspension. much smoother ride than a rigid rear axle.

3 speed transfer case - Hondas usually only have high range. Most other brands of 4x4 atvs offer hi and low range. Low is useful in mud and going down steep hills. Old Suzukis had an even lower gear (super low) to compensate for the small engines (250-280 cc). I've pulled a 25 foot trailer full of barn beams with a 250 in super low. don't think they've made it since 2001 or 2002.

I had a Kodiak for a year and put the third set of brake pads on it at 500 miles. On the other hand they are cheap and very easy to replace. I don't think I even had to take the wheels off. Other than that they are pretty tough and priced right (used). 2005 and newer have the independent rear suspension. And the brakes are hydraulic disc front and rear.

Not cable drums in the back like Hondas. Avoid Polaris, they break a lot and my son in law was seriously hurt on one when the tie rod broke for no reason. Steel plate and 7 screws in his knee! Arctic Cats are durable, have all the features, but tend to be a bit heavy. Kawasakis seem to have a lot of electrical problems. newer Suzukis have less features than the old ones. Can Ams are pricey for what they are. I don't know if you can get Kodiaks with a manual shift, tho. Never seen one. But most of the newer automatics are pretty reliable. I think they all buy the same CVT (constant velocity transmission) from the same source or at least build under license from the same patent holder. Honda is the only one who won't pay and designed their own. It's actually a manual trans shifted automatically.

Hope this helps.

I'm sure you will get other opinions.

Edited December 15, 2012 by catcandu
dyslexic fingers

[jaysun 10]

FI - fuel injection usually runs smoother than a carb, but repairs could cost more.

IRS - independent rear suspension. much smoother ride than a rigid rear axle.

3 speed transfer case - Hondas usually only have high range. Most other brands of 4x4 atvs offer hi and low range. Low is useful in mud and going down steep hills. Old Suzukis had an even lower gear (super low) to compensate for the small engines (250-280 cc). I've pulled a 25 foot trailer full of barn beams with a 250 in super low. don't think they've made it since 2001 or 2002.

I had a Kodiak for a year and put the third set of brake pads on it at 500 miles. On the other hand they are cheap and very easy to replace. I don't think I even had to take the wheels off. Other than that they are pretty tough and priced right (used). 2005 and newer have the independent rear suspension. And the brakes are hydraulic disc front and rear.

Not cable drums in the back like Hondas. Avoid Polaris, they break a lot and my son in law was seriously hurt on one when the tie rod broke for no reason. Steel plate and 7 screws in his knee! Arctic Cats are durable, have all the features, but tend to be a bit heavy. Kawasakis seem to have a lot of electrical problems. newer Suzukis have less features than the old ones. Can Ams are pricey for what they are. I don't know if you can get Kodiaks with a manual shift, tho. Never seen one. But most of the newer automatics are pretty reliable. I think they all buy the same CVT (constant velocity transmission) from the same source or at least build under license from the same patent holder. Hond is the only one who won't pay and designed their own. It's actually a manual shifted automatically.

Hope this helps.

I'm sure you will get other opinions.

I contacted the person with the 700 and convinced them to hold it for me until I can pick it up on Monday or Tuesday. Not only did I have people in this thread suggest it, but a friend of a friend also suggested it, so it's worth a shot. I don't like automatics but it'll certainly come in handy for riders that don't know how to operate manual. If I ride it and like it, I'll scoop it up, but I'm not really sure where that leaves me. It seems to kinda ride the middle ground between sport and utility. I guess I'll give it a ride and see which way I wanna lean for the 2nd ATV.

[oxidized_black 78]

the auto on that kawi will be sweet, and it's not as heavy as a 4x4 so you'll be able to pin it over and thru mud where others get buried ... JMO

[jaysun 10]

the auto on that kawi will be sweet, and it's not as heavy as a 4x4 so you'll be able to pin it over and thru mud where others get buried ... JMO

I just really hate auto. I feel like I don't have enough control. Do you think my girl can easily handle this bike? If so, I'll just leave the auto to her and I'll get the sport bike I want.

(of course, you can't answer whether or not my girl can handle the bike. I'm just saying, overall, is it an easier bike to handle, even with 700 CCs?)

[oxidized_black 78]

you know, i had all my bikes manual shift until i bought the grizz. i tell ya once you have it you wont want to go back ... true story !!!

yes she'll be able to handle it ok, and probably like the auto ...

[jaysun 10]

you know, i had all my bikes manual shift until i bought the grizz. i tell ya once you have it you wont want to go back ... true story !!!

yes she'll be able to handle it ok, and probably like the auto ...

I hope you're right. She's given me a lot of shit since I started looking for bikes about not getting autos.

I just find it so hard to believe that a 700 (even auto) doesn't easily get away from an inexperienced driver. That's a lot of power.

[jaysun 10]

I hope you're right. She's given me a lot of shit since I started looking for bikes about not getting autos.

I just find it so hard to believe that a 700 (even auto) doesn't easily get away from an inexperienced driver. That's a lot of power.

Then again, what do I know. I've literally only driven utility 400s with non-clutch manual shift...ever.

[oxidized_black 78]

rule #1 on anything motorized is respect ... or you'll find out the hard way and learn to respect

[jaysun 10]

rule #1 on anything motorized is respect ... or you'll find out the hard way and learn to respect

Fair enough. Okay, so let's say we can consider this auto 700 as the "utility" (even though it's not. What I really mean is a bike for the girl). Which of the other sports bikes would you recommend?

[jaysun 10]

Because I'm seriously leaning towards this...

BRAND NEW 2006 YFZ 450 WITH 3K IN UPGRADES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oxidized_black 78]

no question it's nice too