If you could have any ATV . . .

[robinvt]

what would it be?

Just curious what people like and don't like. Would you pick a traditional gas powered ATV like a Polaris, Honda, Arctic Cat, or similar? How about one with a dump body? Or would it be a diesel powered like the Kubota RTV. Perhaps an electric powered like the Bad Boy Buggie?

Let's hear your thoughts.

[wjsmall97]

I prefer the gas pwered atvs with differencial lock and good ground clearence.the big two across machines are too big to trailer two together on one trailer to take up to Me. hunting.
my choices are suzukis,originally an 1984 quad runner,then an 1985 quadrunner for the wife, then sold one and bought a king quad then a vinson

[browning204]

I have a Polaris sportsman also. Other than being totally submerged for like 5 hours, I have never had a problem with it.

[MK-M-GOBL]

I believe my first choice would be the Honda FourTrax Rincon in a camouflage color. If money was not an issue, I’d probably be going with the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 Advantage MAX-1 HD. Now that puppy can scream and is a real nice riding machine. You’ve got to be real careful on it though! You hit the throttle on her and she’s move right out from under you leaving you sitting on your rear.


My buddy Raymond’s Kawasaki is a blast in our WV camp. When we’re out just hitting the trails in search of mud holes, I’ve always got to get on her for a little while. I do believe that the 750 Brute Force is way too much machine and money for a hunting only ATV, if that’s what you’re looking for. What to buy all depends on what you want your ATV to do.

Those Buggies, Rhino or Mules are fine and a lot of fun but feel that they are limited to farm use only and not as good for in the woods like an ATV. There's one guy in our camp (Rick) that's got a Mule or a Rhino (I’m not sure which one he has). When ever we go on our camp poker run rides, we get short changed on our ride every time he goes This is what Rick says every time we’re planning a run, "Oh, my ride can't make it up that trail, we have to go on another trail" or "there's too many trees lying across that trail, I can't make it under them" or that trails too steep for my rig”. It seems like we can only hit one trail run because his rig can't fit through the other trails.

The Buggies, Mule or Rhinos are all pretty sweet powerful machines with a lot positive / negative features. The down side that I’ve defiantly seen on them so far is that you CAN NOT maneuver them like an AVT, you CAN NOT escape from one as fast or as easily as you can from an ATV! They’re a lot higher than an ATV, which does make a HUGE difference when out in the woods. A few things that I feel would keep me from exploring buying one.

[browning204]

well, when my quad was still new me and a buddy were riding in this spot we have riden alot. There was this swamp area that we have gone though 100 times. But we never went into this one area.

We thought that we could and I went first because he has a Kawi and it always has something wrong. (bought the same day as me)

so away I go and I start into this deep merky crap hole. I was doing good until the front of my quad dropped and sank like a rock. I hit the brakes and put it in reverse but just dug myself some big ole ruts.

So my friend hooks up a tow rope to me and was gonna pull me out.

he guns it and my quad ain't moving. So, he digs himself some ruts and now BOTH quads are stuck and bad. We start to dig his quad out but the holes just fill up with more mud.

It is framed out and can't be moved, we try everything. We put logs under his tires, push, pull, swear at it but after a while his quad decides it has seen to much mud and and the engine starts making funny noise and grinding and stuff.

Long story short, we both call everyone we know who has quads and the one guy with a winch that can help us is a couple hours till he can help.

We end up getting our quads loaded back up at midnight and the next day my quad goes to the dealer for a good lookin at.

The techs where amazed at the amount of mud in the gas tank and in the motor and stuff.

A good flushing out and the polaris was ready for more action!

P.s. The kawasaki is not really 4-wheel drive, it is three wheel drive intil it starts to slip, then you gotta hold this stupid lever to make that wheel dig. It never is 4-wheel.

The Polaris is true all-wheel. All 4 wheels will work no matter what.

My quad gets stuck WAY less than the kawasaki and handles terrian WAY better.

[troutpro]

Well, with the way our Honda has treated us I would have to go with one of them. Ours has around 5500 miles on it and the only problem it has had is a broken wheel baring. Also my dad crashed taking a calf to a pen on it. He was getting off to open a gate and the calf's head hit the throttle and pinned it. The fourwheeler went straight into a metal pole and needed the plastic and rack replaced. Though I would want one with 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive and a larger engine. Ofcorse a nice sporting fourwheeler would be nice too.

[phesnt]

I have a Polaris Sportsman 700 in mossy oak camo. Love it. No problems, plenty of power and rarely gets stuck. Crossed the lake after all of the big storms we had this winter to get to the bobhouse and had no issues. My recommendation would be the sportsman. plus how can you beat the name Sportsman.

[robinvt]

Well, I finally pulled the trigger. Not on an ATV, but a UTV. I bought the Polaris Ranger. It's a fuel injected 500cc engine with independent suspension, 11 inches of ground clearance, and a 4,000lb winch. Also have a chainsaw scabbard for it. So far I really like it. I think I will like it more when I load the first buck in it ;D

. . . Rob