ATV Websites

[jrandol]

I think I am going to buy an ATV this fall for hunting and to plow snow up at our cabin. Was wondering if anyone knew of a good website like the TDR for ATV's where I could go research what ATV brand and type would be best for me. Is there such as site as good as the TDR?



TIA for your replies



Jeff

 

[TowPro]

From what I have seen, TDR is a good place to figure out what kind of ATV you will need!

Originally posted by jrandol

I think I am going to buy an ATV this fall for hunting and to plow snow up at our cabin. Was wondering if anyone knew of a good website like the TDR for ATV's where I could go research what ATV brand and type would be best for me. Is there such as site as good as the TDR?



TIA for your replies



Jeff

 

[jrandol]

Well I am open to recommendations! I will use it to hunt a couple times a year here in Colorado but mostly it will plow snow up at our cabin in Crystal Lakes which is near Red Feather. Last year we used our old lawn tractor to plow with weights and chains but after dropping the clutch in it alot and flooring it with 30 yards of time to gain speed into a pile of snow, somehow the clutch gave out and the frame is bent up. (oops!! )



I dont need the most powerful ATV on the market or anything like that but do want 4x4. It might see 15 hours of use a year so I am not really excited about buying the biggest and baddest machine on the market. We usually dont get huge snowfalls except this past spring and then we have a larger tractor with a loader for moving big snow.



What are all your recommendations on models?



Jeff

 

[Smokin 90]

Hi Jeff,

I think Highlifter.com may be what you're looking for. they have fourms for all of the atv manufactures. I think it will answer all of your questions.

Kurt.

 

[TowPro]

I also bought my ATV to replace an "aging" lawn tractor I was distroying, using to plow snow. I bought a 2wd Yamaha Bear Tracker 250cc, sure its small sounding, but it will plow 100X better then the 1 wheel drive tractor did, plus it will pull the garden trailer up my yard/hill without tearing up the grass. And its small enough my Daughter can drive it as she gets a little older (she's 10 now)



But here in SE PA we only get snow (wet snow) in less then 12" at a time (well, most times that is). I have to plow before it gets over 6" or its to much for the ATV. It would be nice to have a 4wd, and maybe something around 400cc or bigger, but still, I am happy with it.

What are all your recommendations on models?



Jeff [/B]

 

[mcoleman]

Highlifter.com should help you out. We need a few more TDR members over there to combat the Stroke owners anyway. I go by zookyridr over there. Check out the truck discussions

 

[Diesel Dan]

Jeff,

Try this



www.atvtime.com



I look at it for sport atv's but they have info and forums for all types. (i think)



Hope this helps



DD

 

[mcoleman]

Also www.atving.com is OK.

 

[Big E]

For your planned use I would go with a 4x4 in the 300 to 500cc range.



The Suzuki Eiger (400cc) and Vinson (500cc), both have gotten good reviews and are good values.



Honda has a new 2004 400 Rancher model that would be worth looking at. Honda has always been at the top in reliability.



I've been riding quads for 18 years now. I currently own a '93 Honda 300 4x4 and a '03 Arctic Cat 500. My Honda has been over the Rubicon trail here in California several times and has had a lot of hard use. It has never broken down and still runs strong today. I haven't had the AC long enough to give it a good review. It seems solidly built and goes over and through things the Honda would get stuck on or in.



Check out all the models at the local dealers. Sit on them, ride them if possible. Once you find one you like, shop around and get the best price from a dealer that will give you good service.

 

[RankRam]

www.atvnation.com

 

[mcoleman]

For plowing snow and hauling out big game I would recommend the Prairie 700, the Grizzley 660 or Polaris 700. They are good work quads with lots of power. My favorite being the Prairie 700 from Kawasaki. My son has an Suzuki Eiger 400 and has had good luck with it. It's the auto version and he has put a camo fender kit on it along with ITP 589 M/S tires and a gun scabbard. It seems to be unstoppable with those tires on it. And tops out in the mid to low 50s. My Wife has a little 2 wheel drive Suzuki Ozark 250 and it has been a good machine. We treat it like a 700cc work horse and it just keeps running. I had a Suzuki Z400 sport quad and sold it a couple of weeks ago and it was also a good machine I just decided I didn't need a sport quad anymore.

 

[jrandol]

Do I really need a 600+ cc machine? I havent ridden one of these for years so I am definetely out of the loop here and maybe I do. I have no intention nor desire to ride one of these at high speeds. For pushing snow or hauling out an elk wouldnt you just put it in low range or use the gears and torque? More info and advice from you riders please... ...

 

[Big E]

Like I said above, given your intended use, a 300 to 500cc atv is all you really need. The large bore machines will cost you anywhere from one to two thousand dollars more. I've used my 300 Honda to pull out elk/deer and have even carried deer and an elk calf back to camp. Adult elk we usually carry on the jeep racks.



My Arctic Cat 500 (same engine in the Suzuki Vinson) has plenty of power and will lose traction before it bogs down. It has a hi/lo range sub transmission, and also comes with a manual or auto transmission (I have the manual). It will easily do 50+ which is way faster than I want to go on forest roads.



If you like to ride fast, want to beat your buddies back to camp, and have money to burn, than maybe you do need a big bore quad.



That's my $. 02