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ATV's - couple questions

BJohnson

BJohnson

Well-Known Member
I have basically decided that I am going to upgrade my ATV either this fall or winter. As usual, I tried to go with a cheap option and am quickly realizing that I would like something capable of more. My current unit was bought right so I should be able to recover my cost without too much effort. I have been starting to look around some and have a couple used units spotted. A couple questions have come up in my mind that I would like some input on. One is related to fuel systems, the other displacement.

1) One option that I am curious to get some input on from more experienced ATV owners than myself is whether to go EFI or carburetor fuel systems if given the choice. I have been given some advice that EFI is the only way to go, if given a choice. However, I have noticed a lot of new ATV's still are being offered with carburetors rather than EFI. This leads me to believe that carbs must still be a solid option. Is this really that important ?? Any strong opinions out there one-way or another ??

2) A couple units are becoming available locally that I am interested in. One is a 05 Sportsman 400 (carb)with low miles, the other a newer Sportsman 500 EFI with about 1,400 miles. The 500 is a really nice unit but more expensive. When I did some research, the 400 is actually 425cc, the 500 is 500 cc. Towing capacity looks to be around 1,200 lbs for either unit. Would there really be much difference in work capacity between these two ATV's. I really think I will most likely be looking in this size range as anything larger within my budget is most likely going to be older or have more mileage than I will care to purchase.

Thanks in advance to any willing to share some insights.
 
What he said x2, I have a honda 420, cost around $5500 new and are solid bikes. the forman is also really nice, I really don't think carb or efi is that big of a deal. But personally like the efi. I have never been a fan of Polaris, but some like them. Hope this helps.
 
You cant beat the polaris 500 engine, I would have it before any other engine on the market, they are bullet proof and will last way longer with little to no troubles than the quad itself. carb to EFI your not going to notice unless you have both and use them both alot. biggest diff. would be tuning and storage, The EFI's are going to be less apt to cause any problems but when and if there ever were a problem its going to be spendy. A carb can have many mre prob, but any good atv mechanic can go through a carb in no time at liitle expense. the biggest differance would be going out west in diff elevations, a carberated atv will need jetted or it will cause you problems where an EFI will not.

For the $ I would definatly take a 500 over a 400. I would take a 500 over a 700 also.

hope this helps.
 
If you use it in cold weather go with the efi option. My old man has a honda rincon carb and a friend of mine has a efi rincon and my old mans is very cold blooded compared to the efi version.
 
Not sure what your budget is, but with the rebates and discounts the 2011 Sportsman 800's are selling for around 5800.00. That is a great price for a workhorse quad. I have a 800 Polaris RZR that I love. I opted for the side by side and having the bed is awesome, yet it is still small enough to go anywhere a quad will. I have had 3 stands and 4 sets of rapid rails in the bed with no issues and you still have the passenger seat for gear if you are alone. Your call, but I know you pick up used RZR for around 6500.00. Depends on what you want to use it for, but anything under 500cc will have a hard time food plotting. My good friend burned up his Honda hauling a Gandy food plot machine. Just something to keep in mind.
 
BJohnson said:
I have basically decided that I am going to upgrade my ATV either this fall or winter. As usual, I tried to go with a cheap option and am quickly realizing that I would like something capable of more. My current unit was bought right so I should be able to recover my cost without too much effort. I have been starting to look around some and have a couple used units spotted. A couple questions have come up in my mind that I would like some input on. One is related to fuel systems, the other displacement.

1) One option that I am curious to get some input on from more experienced ATV owners than myself is whether to go EFI or carburetor fuel systems if given the choice. I have been given some advice that EFI is the only way to go, if given a choice. However, I have noticed a lot of new ATV's still are being offered with carburetors rather than EFI. This leads me to believe that carbs must still be a solid option. Is this really that important ?? Any strong opinions out there one-way or another ??

2) A couple units are becoming available locally that I am interested in. One is a 05 Sportsman 400 (carb)with low miles, the other a newer Sportsman 500 EFI with about 1,400 miles. The 500 is a really nice unit but more expensive. When I did some research, the 400 is actually 425cc, the 500 is 500 cc. Towing capacity looks to be around 1,200 lbs for either unit. Would there really be much difference in work capacity between these two ATV's. I really think I will most likely be looking in this size range as anything larger within my budget is most likely going to be older or have more mileage than I will care to purchase.

Thanks in advance to any willing to share some insights.
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Being around both units and owning a 500 at one time. I would spend the extra money and get the 500. 400 is nice but the 500 has quite a bit more torque and power. :way: That 500 engine is pretty much bullet proof. Honda makes a great machine as well but I have never owned one.
 
I would go with EFI. I bought a used Kawasaki Prairie 700 for 3500 with 900 miles on it last year and it has been used a ton on the farm pulling a disc, spreader etc. If you are going to be putting in decent sized plots go with the bigger unit.
 
Hondas are reliable but they ride like a lumber wagon.

I own a 400 Sportsman and 500 Sportsman. My 500 will spank that 400 up and down the road all day. (Except very top end)

I put the pencil to the paper 2x this summer to see if an 850 Sportsman was in the budget. Did some calling around my neck of the woods and 850s out the door were bout 7k. Exactly what I paid for both of the 500s I have owned. Im young and aggressive and I want torque and power so I wont own another wheeler smaller than 500cc. Plus I have an ATV disc for food plots that is all my 500 wants to handle.

EFI for sure. Its a possibility of something else going wrong but ease of use compared to choking to much/to little getting it warmed up makes me want EFI.
 
a carbuerated bike will produce a broader powerband than EFI. EFI runs cleaner. cant beat a rancher 420 but NEVER get a rancher 350. i wouldnt recommend any brand except for honda and kawasaki. yamaha's are complete crap and use 1990's technology.
 
Hondas are normally the most reliable, not the most powerful or fastest but unless thats what youre looking for go Honda... and thats coming from a guy that owns a kawasaki. That being said I would stay away from kawasaki, specially the V-twins and even more specifically the Brute Force. They are super torquey, fun, and fast but theyre known for having a lot of problems and needing a lot of maintanance to keep them going. I bought an 05 Brute Force 750 with 2000miles a little over 2yrs ago for $3500 and have put that much into it to keep it going since then. Most of my buddys have Honda Rincons and they beat the tar out of them and never have any problems, they seem to be bulletproof. Polaris is Ok I suppose but theyre pretty heavy and if you ever get it stuck youre in for a "fun" time digging and dragging that toad out. So I would say go Honda... or Can-Am if youre looking for the absolute best.
 
rutnstrut said:
Most of my buddys have Honda Rincons and they beat the tar out of them and never have any problems, they seem to be bulletproof. So I would say go Honda...
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Words from somebody that knows something. I agree 100%. Honda only way to go.
 
rutnstrut said:
Hondas are normally the most reliable, not the most powerful or fastest but unless thats what youre looking for go Honda... and thats coming from a guy that owns a kawasaki. That being said I would stay away from kawasaki, specially the V-twins and even more specifically the Brute Force. They are super torquey, fun, and fast but theyre known for having a lot of problems and needing a lot of maintanance to keep them going. I bought an 05 Brute Force 750 with 2000miles a little over 2yrs ago for $3500 and have put that much into it to keep it going since then. Most of my buddys have Honda Rincons and they beat the tar out of them and never have any problems, they seem to be bulletproof. Polaris is Ok I suppose but theyre pretty heavy and if you ever get it stuck youre in for a "fun" time digging and dragging that toad out. So I would say go Honda... or Can-Am if youre looking for the absolute best.
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I agree, but honda makes better mid size 4 wheelers than Can-am does, but when it comes to 700+ cc the can am rules. I have 2 brute forces that are great, but they do require a lot of maintenance
 
Just my two cents but what is the most common brand of used ATV that you see for sale? Polaris are a dime a dozen used and lots of them and there are reasons for that, now look and see how many Honda's you see sitting around for sale, or look on ebay and compare the numbers. People tend to keep their Honda's around and there is a reason for that also. But I am biased as a proud Honda owner 6 times over now. Gotta go Honda and you cant beat their resale also.
 
My dad has a polaris sportsman 500 that has been a solid machine. Its a 1999 and it hasnt had any problems and I wouldnt say he has exactly taken great care of it. He uses it to plow the driveway(hard on the machine in my opinion) and drive around his land. I bought a 04 sportsman 500 and it also has ran great. It did have a problem with the ECM but polaris replaced it free of charge because it was recalled even though I wasnt the original buyer of the machine. Maybe this is standard industry practice but I was still impressed. I just bought an 07 sportsman 800 efi. Big difference in power and speed between a 500 and 800. Paid 4700 for the 800 and it had 42 hours on it(camo and winch model). I noticed a big difference between my efi 800 and carb 500. Efi atv seems to start much easier. Didnt have to mess around with the choke much like you sometimes have to do with the 500 carb. I would imagine the difference would be even more noticeable in the winter
 
If ya wanna know what Not to buy look at the want adds in your area!! Here.....The 500 Polaris is the king!!!!!!!!! If it's so great , why is everybody selling it? Buy a Honda!!! They are and have been the most reliable motors for a long, long time!!! I have had Honda since about 1967! I own a 2003 Rancher! None have worn out!!!!!!!:way::way::way:
 
I had a Honda 420, 4x4, loved the EFI! I wish it had a little more pulling power cause I worked the piss outta it BUT it was totally fine for most anything and fast too. I had a winch on front end which as a side-note, came in VERY handy & needed. The whole unit was LOW COST, brand new with warranty & winch I think it was like $4,800. I don't pay taxes cause it was a farm ATV and I dickered them down some. I paid a little extra and got the EXTENDED warranty cause I beat stuff up pretty good. I am all about buying USED but when it came to this deal, there's no way I was gonna buy something used when for $4,800 I had a NEW unit, under warranty & winch - out the door. No brainer. WARRANTY & knowing you have a NEW unit sure is nice. I also found the same unit I bought but USED for like $500-600 cheaper than a NEW one BUT the warranty was gone or close, they were used and had plenty of hours on them. Just wasn't worth it. New was the way to go in MY case.
Since then, I've sold my Honda and now have a Gator that's Diesel and an electric golf cart for silent cruising (lifted and big tires and fast chip- 25 mph) just for sneaking around my farm. The Gator is the work horse and cart is the silent cruiser. I could NEVER think about going back to a 4-wheeler since having my gator, 2 seats, bed, roll cage, seat belts, etc, etc. But I'm more into "working" machines than fun toys so depends on ones goals/needs of course. I've seen a lot of used UTV's for the 6-8k range. just my 2 cents + some. :)
 
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If i were you i would save your money and try to get one that is bigger then a 500 depending on what you are going to use it for. We use a 500 and a 660 grizz and the 500 is a dog when you compare it to the 660.
 
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