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ATV size?

bjkpharmd

bjkpharmd

New Member
Thinking about getting an ATV. It wouldn't be used for heavy ground work, maybe some spraying or when I burn prairie. Just how much power/size do you need in an ATV? I see lots of used 350 class machines that seem reasonable. Brand isn't a big deal to me but trying to figure out what I need to haul myself around- 180 pounds on a good day.
 
I have a Honda Foreman 450 and it gets me around just fine. I pull a utility trailer now and then and it doesn't seem to have a problem with that. I am not to worried about speed either so it works for me. I haven't ridden a 350, so I can't help you there. Good luck deciding, my atv was one of my better purchases.
 
power isnt really a problem. A 350 will pull as much as you will ever want it to. My dad has a Yamaha 350 , I own a Polaris 500 and a Polaris 700. The biggest thing that bothers me about his is that it is not nearly as stable on steep sidehills as mine are. He uses it for spraying and checking cattle for the most part and likes it just fine. I would say that if you dont plan on getting on real crazy terrain, or flying down the road at highway speeds, a 350 will do just fine.
 
350 is a good machine...the honda rancher is a great buy, workhorse and play machine. The foreman or rubicon are 450's and they have a little more of everything top of the 350 rancher.
 
I bought a Sportsman 400 (425 cc's actually). I tested it side by side with the 500, which is identical except the larger motor. I did'nt really see $800 difference between the two. A 350-400 class machine would do everything you would likely want it to. Definitely get a liquid cooled machine for any type of work like spraying, mowing, towing, etc.
Having said that, there is no such thing as too much power. I have since bought an ATV disc and while the 400 pulls it ok, extra HP would just make it easier on the machine. You generally run out of traction before you run out of power but with discing or similar chores I would take all the HP you can get. I know you already have a tractor though, lucky dog!
A 4wd ATV is an extremely handy tool for anybody who owns more than 3 or 4 acres. I plow snow with mine, spray, mow, landscape, foodplots, check trail cams, retrieve deer...
 
I have a 500 Honda Rubicon and use it to drag a harrow and pull a trailer. It has plenty of power. A 350 would be fine for spraying but I wouldn't try to pull much with it.
 
More to it than power. Look at the suspension. Look at the availabillity of front diff lock. Hi Lo range?Automatic or shift? Chain or shaft drive? Brakes? Foot pegs of full foot support? Amp rating of the stator? Fuel capacity? 2 inch receiver? Towing capacity?

My first ATV boiled down to two machines that would do what I wanted. A Grizzly 660 or a Polaris 700 (I think). I bought the Grizzly based on dealership and couple of points that I don't remeber. I have since traded it off for a Yamaha Rhino, a side by side that does everything the Griz did and has a bed. Lots easier for two people to ride and has alot more utillity than the Griz. If you are intrested we could arrange a test drive, but I get to DRIVE!!!!
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The 'Bonker
 
I just bought a Arctic Cat TRV500, I am super impressed with the machine. Its a horse! I pull a 4 foot firminator with it (see link: http://www.thefirminator.com/mhs/FIRMINATOR.tpl )and it weighs around a 1000 lbs. I can harrow up a mowed field and have it ready to seed in 2 to 3 passes. I recommend getting a little bigger four wheeler than you need. You never know what you might need it for in a month from now!
 
I have the Honda Rancher ES (electric shift)I love this thing! Plow an eighth of a mile driveway with it,haul a utility trailer full of wood,or dirt,climb out of ravine behind my house,and yes even haul a deer. All with my 190 lb. butt on it! Mine is a 2002 model and when I bought it I weighed 310 lbs. It still took me down the road at over 50 mph. The only thing I have added to it is a wench.Never have had a bit of trouble of any kind. I bought mine new for $5500.00, now I see you can get a new one for aroud $4000.00! One thing in favor of the smaller Quad is they are a easier to manuever in tight spots, timber etc.!
 
I did wonder about plowing as well. My lane is a little better than a 1/4 mile but all blacktop so it pushes easy- I have an old chevy 4x4 with blade but have to keep it running, insured, and licensed so thought this would make good fiscal sense in my pitch to mama. I need to be able to haul it from home to the other properties so I kind of ruled out the bigger side by side seating outfits. Ideal would have one fit in the truck and then get a couple of the little 50s for the kids in a trailer.
 
I would suggest going with at least a 400. You always end up doing more with them than what you think your going too. I currently have a Polaris 500 and it does anything I want to with it.
 
It all boils down to what you want to accomplish with your ATV. I had a 450 Foreman for about three years. I had no problems over that time and it had plenty of power. I found that I was always dragging around a trailer on the property hauling tools, rocks, wood, whatever.

For me, the Polaris Ranger was the direction I needed to go. 1500 pound dump box was a major selling point. This thing is a working machine with a top end speed of 45 MPH. Sure it's big and bulky, but, if it will fit, it will get you there with 4 x 4 posi-track.

And, although it is a rare occation on my place, it will haul three people and a large cooler of beer in the back very nicely.
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Oh, and Bonker...in the video they show a Rhino on top of the box of a Ranger!
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Just kidd'n...sort of...
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Ghost,
My brother just got a 700 Ranger he had the 500 before and he uses it for about the same stuff you do he absolutely loves the machine and they are definately rugged.
 
Ghost, I'm sure there is a pic of a Rhino on the back of the Mule. What do you suppose the Rhino is doin to the Mule? What is the gestation time of a Mule/Rhino cross?

Seriously, I looked hard the the Mule, I liked it. I looked hard at the Rhino and liked it better. The Rhino had a few more things that I needed, or think I need, over the Mule. I did like the three person seat though. Would have given me room to expand. The dealership had both Kawasaki and Yamaha so that point was even. Not a bad choice either way. Only bad knock on the Rhino is the locked rear diff. The back tires tear up the yard going around corners. Goes anywhere, except for that one incident in the what looked to be dry creek bed, but tears up the yard.


Pharmer: BWAAAAK BWWAAAK BBBWWWWWAAAAAAAK!!!! (Insert chicken sound here.)


The 'Bonker
 
Bonks ol buddy.....the Mule is a Kaw and is a dog, I would pick the Rhino over the Mule anyday.

I am talking about a Polaris Ranger! You must not have looked at those.
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Yeah, well, ya gotta give me style points anyway. 18 months ago when I was looking at 'em I coulda given ya the specs on about anything. Even the beasts that Kubota and Bobcat make. I didn't actually "look" at the Ranger as I didn't like the way the dealership worked with me when I was looking at ATVs, but I did look at the specs.

My bad.

The 'Bonker
 
Ghost, I just bought a new Ranger and I think it could be my best purchase yet! It's so damn handy to have around. I got the 500 because the 700 seemed to buck a little too much! I actually ended up buying 3 because my neighbor and buddy both wanted one and I like wheelin' and dealin'!!
I am curious to the options you have added to yours. I have only added the boot gaurds so far!

T$
 
T$,

I haven't added much. They do have tons of add on stuff. You could probably drop just as much as the original cost in the add ons. I think it would make a great snow plow machine with the heated cab option. You can easily get a deer back to the barn all by yourself...I do know that.

Have fun!
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