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ATV shopping #7022122
10/20/20 11:45 AM
10/20/20 11:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
A
AJE Offline OP
trapper
AJE  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
I haven't owned an atv in 25 yrs, but am thinking of getting into it (now that I have more property). Also, I'm near a lot of atv trails (the groomed trails are mostly loose sand, as they get used so much). Years ago I had a Suzuki, I think in the 250 range. It seemed plenty fast. Now, I see only Kawasaki (Brute Force) & Arctic Cat (Alterra) make an atv in the 300 range. Apparently guys are going bigger & bigger. I guess snowmobiles are the same way. I'm the type though that loves my old 440 snobil, so maybe I'd be plenty satisfied with an atv that isn't top of the line (I want a name brand tho). Are there problems with 300 class models? I'm not looking to haul out elk, plow massive driveways, or ride over-aggressively with a large group. I don't want a kids toy though. The price difference is big between a 300 & a 400+. The 300's come with what looks like a decent rack (front & back) that could be used for trapping/hunting. They're shaft driven automatics & seem like a decent rig. I see pros/cons, but am curious if the 300s are becoming so rare because there's something wrong with 'em. Maybe they lack power, clearance, or something else, I don't know. As for getting by without 4WD, I could probably throw chains on if I encountered real issues. I imagine it might suffer in snow, perhaps why they aren't popular. I could be wrong but I recollect back in the early 90s the 300 class was popular.

Last edited by AJE; 10/20/20 11:51 AM.
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022126
10/20/20 12:00 PM
10/20/20 12:00 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,577
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
T
Trapper7 Offline
trapper
Trapper7  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,577
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
I have a Honda Foreman 450. I have never had any issues with it except I had to replace the muffler which never wore out, but a part broke of it broke off. The power these ATVs have as amazing.


I don't care how nice the hand soap smells, you should never walk out of the restroom sniffing your fingers.
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022128
10/20/20 12:05 PM
10/20/20 12:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,524
MN
D
Donnersurvivor Offline
trapper
Donnersurvivor  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,524
MN
I have a friend who is a full time test rider for Polaris, I asked him what I should get for hunting/cruising around the farm, I wanted nothing fancy just something simple and 4x4, he told me to get a Polaris sportsman 570 with little to no options and that is what I did. I think it was 6200 out the door with taxes and everything else, only options were metal racks. I have been happy with it so far after a year of ownership and doing everything from herding cows to driving around the snowy mountains in wyoming.

It is normally this time of year when they blow out the previous years models so watch for sales.

When covid hit and everyone got an extra 600 a week to stay at home ATVs sold like mad, Polaris stock doubled they sold so many units, it may be worth looking for a slightly used one, though I hate buying used ATVs because they are so easy to beat on and neglect.

Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022165
10/20/20 12:49 PM
10/20/20 12:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 870
Northern WI
L
Line Jumper Offline
trapper
Line Jumper  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 870
Northern WI
Those two look like 2wd and only the front is independent suspension, good work horses at low speeds. All wheel independent suspension saves on the body when the speed increases.

Re: ATV shopping [Re: Line Jumper] #7022439
10/20/20 06:32 PM
10/20/20 06:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
A
AJE Offline OP
trapper
AJE  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Line Jumper
Those two look like 2wd and only the front is independent suspension, good work horses at low speeds. All wheel independent suspension saves on the body when the speed increases.

Correct, they are 2WD. I'll ponder the suspension topic. The good news is I don't plan on driving like a wild man.

Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022448
10/20/20 06:38 PM
10/20/20 06:38 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,649
se SD
rags57078 Offline
Humorist
rags57078  Offline
Humorist

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,649
se SD
I have a 2016 450 Arctic cat Alterra I like it , I added the plow kit and use it on the driveway , I use it ice fishing also


Off in my own world

Fish on !!!!!!!



47 years in this game of trapping
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022454
10/20/20 06:43 PM
10/20/20 06:43 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,293
venango county,pennslyvania
minklessinpa Offline
trapper
minklessinpa  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,293
venango county,pennslyvania
2003 yamaha big bear 400.does everything i need doing.


life member Pennsylvania trappers
life member vfw
member fta
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022458
10/20/20 06:49 PM
10/20/20 06:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,102
7mtns of CENTRAL PA
GROUSEWIT Offline
trapper
GROUSEWIT  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,102
7mtns of CENTRAL PA
How big r ya? How many traps, stakes, equipment, etc. ya gonna haul at a time? What kind of terrain ya gonna trap? How many miles ya gonna travel each day?


NRALIFER,PRPA LIFER,HUNTER,FURTAKER
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022465
10/20/20 07:01 PM
10/20/20 07:01 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,860
Indiana
P
Providence Farm Offline
trapper
Providence Farm  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,860
Indiana
Have you thought about a side by side? I have both and prefer the side by side for most things .

Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022501
10/20/20 07:31 PM
10/20/20 07:31 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,779
Northern lower Michigan
Feedinggrounds Offline
trapper
Feedinggrounds  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,779
Northern lower Michigan
In my opinion, and just my opinion...Honda is the only choice for me. A 2005 Rancher and the wife's 2006 Rancher. I sat thinking, other than 2 batteries at the 10 year mark that's about it.


you're only allowed so many sunrises... I aim to see every one of them!
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022511
10/20/20 07:39 PM
10/20/20 07:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 43
central, michigan
3
3fox Offline
trapper
3fox  Offline
trapper
3

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 43
central, michigan
x2 on the Honda ranchers. I prefer the 4x4 Ranchers.

Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022519
10/20/20 07:49 PM
10/20/20 07:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,159
chelsea,wi
keets Offline
trapper
keets  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,159
chelsea,wi
rancher


2021 goals....make time to trap
PROUD MEMBER WTA NTA FTA GOA SPORTSMANS ALLIANCE
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022524
10/20/20 07:53 PM
10/20/20 07:53 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,054
midland, michigan
M
midlander Offline
trapper
midlander  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,054
midland, michigan
Based o n what you are describing you may get along fine on a smaller cc machine, but I would strongly suggest thinking long and hard before opting out of 4wd....absolutely priceless when you need it.

Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022540
10/20/20 08:11 PM
10/20/20 08:11 PM
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,740
Wisconsin
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Bear Tracker Offline
trapper
Bear Tracker  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,740
Wisconsin
y family runs all Honda. Tried others, drove others, all Honda. From 125 to 1000, My 500 Foremen is nice but honestly love my moms Rancher really need nothing more. Still light enough to move around by myself as well.

Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022556
10/20/20 08:21 PM
10/20/20 08:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,426
Missouri
ol' dad Offline
trapper
ol' dad  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,426
Missouri
I would look strongly at the Honda Rancher 420cc 4x4. Small enough to get around easily in the woods but more power than you'll ever need.

ol'dad


"I season my food with hunger"
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022561
10/20/20 08:26 PM
10/20/20 08:26 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 480
St lawrence county, ny
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Eyehi Offline
trapper
Eyehi  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 480
St lawrence county, ny
Honda guy here as well ..... 84 three wheeler I still use during hunting season .... 2004 rubicon and 2017 pioneer side by side ..... Honda is a shaft driven machine Polaris use a belt .... Good luck ....

Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022607
10/20/20 09:04 PM
10/20/20 09:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17,692
Central Oregon
AntiGov Offline
trapper
AntiGov  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17,692
Central Oregon
Honda or Yamaha .....for reliability


Report a post club - Non member


Re: ATV shopping [Re: AntiGov] #7022623
10/20/20 09:16 PM
10/20/20 09:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 492
Berlin, Pa.
C
cci Offline
trapper
cci  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 492
Berlin, Pa.
Around here all the farmers buy honda ranchers or foremen so that's what I bought. Bullet proof.

Re: ATV shopping [Re: Providence Farm] #7022665
10/20/20 09:42 PM
10/20/20 09:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
A
AJE Offline OP
trapper
AJE  Offline OP
trapper
A

Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Providence Farm
Have you thought about a side by side? I have both and prefer the side by side for most things .

I don't have room to store a side by side in a garage and can't currently afford 1.

GROUSEWIT- I'm 6' 185#. Terrain on my 130 acres is some hilly, some flat (generally wooded, with an increasing amount of mowed trails); snow covered in the winter months. Our public trails are somewhat rocky but sometimes all the offroad traffic turns them to loose sand (mud, after a heavy rain), though the county and state are working hard to reduce soft spots. It's rated to pull 500# but the Arctic Cat 300 I'm interested in has a rear rack that is limited to 100#. I don't plan on overloading it with traps. As for mileage in a day---not a lot. I do have a snowmobile with a rack that I can use if the snow gets ~deep.

Last edited by AJE; 10/20/20 09:44 PM.
Re: ATV shopping [Re: AJE] #7022666
10/20/20 09:43 PM
10/20/20 09:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,563
Worley, Idaho
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Machias Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,563
Worley, Idaho
I went on a bear hunt a few years ago in Northern Alberta. My outfitter has used about every make and model. The conditions up there are pretty harsh, constantly getting stuck, hauling heavy loads, lots of rough miles. He won't buy anything other than a Yamaha. Said none of the other models could make even one full season without being in the repair shop. I have a Yamaha Kodiak 4X4. Thing is an amazing workhorse.


When things are Grim, become the Grim Reaper!
Fred Moyer
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