kwikrp said:
I am considering purchasing an ATV, but do not know much at all about them. I was hoping I could get some recommendations good/ bad on various manufacturers and models.
I would like a general all purpose machine. Something I can ride trails with the kids, work such as dragging or towing wood from the forest, some hunting etc. I think a air cooled 4x4 with reverse and electric and kick start ?? I am 6'4" close to 300 lbs so a size that could carry me and a deer out of the woods.
At one time I would have had a few specific ideas for good and bad manufacturers, but honestly most have reached the point where they're all pretty reliable and decent machines (of course that won't keep Honda guys from bashing Polaris guys and Can Am guys bashing the Kawasaki guys and . . .)
I think Luke is right . . . for your size you would most likely be most happy with a 450-500 cc ATV or larger . . . I also suspect that most every main manufacturer would have an ATV that would work for you. Personally I am a long time Honda guy, but I must admit that recently I was taking a serious look at Can Ams and the Yamaha Grizzly.
Around where I live I see a lot of Polaris ATVs . . . mostly Sportsman 500s . . . a fair number of Hondas and a smattering of Can Ams, Yamahas, Kawasakis and a few other brands. For whatever reason I don't see many Arctic Cat ATVs . . . or the off brand ATVs made in China (and personally I would not recommend these having seen folks that have bought these cheaper ATVs.) I think most of the big brands would have something that would work for your intended purpose.
You mention an all-around ATV, but it would honestly help if you could give a percentage breakdown of play vs. work. I ask since while many ATVs can do both, some ATVs are a better bet if you do more trail riding and hunting . . . and others would be better if you do more work. For example, Honda ATVs are pretty popular here for folks that do more work than play . . . again . . . not saying that other ATVs would not work well . . . but Hondas straight axle, low center of gravity with most of their ATVs, granny gear, simplicity and legendary reliability are good for work. That said . . . most of the Honda line up is not the best riding ATV when it comes to the trails . . . there are many much better riding ATVs out there.
I would guess if you think you're going to be plowing or hauling wood 60 or 70% of the time you might look at an ATV that is more for work than play . . . If you are looking at an ATV that can do the work, but expect to be using it more often for trail riding or hunting I would go with an ATV set up for trail riding with independent rear suspensions, disk brakes, fully automatic shifting, power steering even . . .
My personal pics . . . for work . . . Honda Foreman or Rubicon. If you go to most dealers that carry Hondas as well as other brands most will tell you that the Honda is often behind the eight ball in terms of innovation, ride and features, but these two models are among some of the best ATVs for work.
My personal pics . . . for trail riding . . . Can Am line up or Yamaha Grizzly line up. Polaris ATVs have some of the best rides in the business as well . . . Again, these ATVs should be able to handle anything you throw at them for work . . .
Most ATVs have an alternative method of starting with either a kick start or pull start . . . some of the larger twin cylinders might not have that ability. Most ATVs are now liquid cooled -- the older Honda Foremans I know are air cooled (and honestly I could go with either -- I've never had a problem with over heating, but the extra power from liquid cooling is very appealing.) Reverse is pretty much standard on most ATVs as well.