From you wheeler folks out there. I'm needed advice. I plan on getting one for my business. May requirements are simple.
4 wheel drive
Auto is preferred but manual is OK.
Reliability
Not super size. Thinking nothing bigger then 450.
Used over new. Used price vs new?

Need one to run beaver traps and predator trapping this winter. Not interested in going 50 miles an hour. From point A to B. Body has taken a beating over the years, so, want to just make it easier on this old frame.

Thanks for your help.
Sarge

Sarge,
I'd consider a SxS.

I recommend a Honda.

700 or 1000.

You'll never regret the purchase.

Honda rancher or honda 4 man.
Any year,they are bulletproof and dont quit.Maintenance is basic,
Second hand will be as good as a new one unless really abused bad.

If getting a 4 wheeler ( ATV ) I would get a Polaris 550. They start good in the cold and run cheap. And they go in the back of a pickup and you don't need a trailer.

I worked at motorcycle shops for years, owned a small shop for 10 years. Only reason I would have a polaris is to sell it!
If you have any work that needs done get a side by side. Hauling firewood, brush or whatever. I just bought a kawasaki mule sx. Its slow, so no one can crash it too easy. It fits in an 8 ft truck bed. Easier to get into than a 4 wheeler. My father inlaw had 2 strokes and cant use his right hand too good, I wanted something he could drive if he comes over.
Im not a Yamaha fan either.

Power steering

I would get a new Honda rancher with power steering, if you want to haul in a truck, sxs if you're taking a trailer anyway

I use a Polaris 570 year around. If the snow gets to deep I have a set of tracks for it. It does have power steering which is needed for the tracks. It has plenty of power, more than I will use for trapping.

Have a Honda Rincon. Have never regretted the size and power.

I'm with u.

I have a lot of hours on all the makes except Kawasaki. If you want reliable, long lasting with only scheduled basic maintenance, Honda still rules. They are not the fanciest, certainly not the fastest, but they are just plain reliable. Polaris would be my last choice for a quad...

I run a Honda Foreman, a lot of times I wish I had a Rancher. I think they are smaller, fit into the pickup truck better. Mine fits but takes up a lot of room. I bought mine during COVID and there was no choices, pay now pick up in six months or so. Manual transmission is about bullet proof.

wws

I would not get a manual. Automatic is the way to go. Not sure they even make quads manual anymore.

If you’re carrying traps and tools and hauling out beavers, then you’ll need to rig some kind of box on the quad or haul a trailer.

I’d suggest getting a side by side. I bought a Kawasaki Mule pro mx last year. Plenty of room for tools and no bs.

I run Yamaha Big Bears, have a 350 around the house, but running a 400 now, about 5-7 hours a day. Nothing fancy, good tires, will go where you point it, winch front and rear.
I wouldn’t be afraid of a Honda either.

I have a 300 Honda FourTrax If you can find one built like a tank

I have a Honda rancher 450, auto or manual and 2 wheel or four wheel drive with a flip of a switch. I dont think you can beat a Honda. Mine is an 06.

I bought a Honda foreman rubicon in 17. Very nice machine and has power steering. It is a little bigger machine like some mentioned, but it’s not like a side by side. I’m surprised nobody has mentioned how much more nimble they are in the woods versus a side by side. I can cruise through the woods versus my buddy following in his Polaris general. I guess it’s all give and take. It’s awesome on fuel and has been trouble free for a couple 1000 miles.

I would vote Honda, they aren't the best at anything except reliability. There they can't be beat. Polaris would be my last choice... well except some of the Chinese knockoffs.

The difference in where you can take a fourwheeler vs. a side by side really can't be overstated.

I like a manual foot shift, Honda is the only major brand that still offers that option, I've ran Arctic Cats with an automatic for the last fifteen years because they quit making a manual, and the automatics have come a long ways since the old days, but I still like a manual. Honda offers a foot shift manual, an electric push button shift, or an automatic (actually offer an option where the machine can be used either in automatic mode or electric shift mode). Honestly, take your choice, ATV auto transmissions have came far enough that it is really a preference rather than a reliability vs. convenience choice.

Best ATV ever made

I have a 1991 that is still going

I bought a new Arctic Cat H1 650 quad that’s been abused. Still going strong. It’s not a speed demon, more of a torquey work machine. Lik3 a little skidder. I’d love a SXS but they’re too big (big $ too) and I have to get into some thick stuff, sometimes straight through the bush with no trail at all. If I get stuck, I winch out.
Only reason I went with Cat is because I know the dealer, good service. They all make great machines but Honda sure holds its value. Alotta of the used machines around here look good but need big work as they’ve been swamped a hundred times. Home made snorkel isn’t a good sign…lol

Find a used honda on FB marketplace that looks clean. You can't really go wrong with one of the old foreman's or four trax or something similar. If you only want like a 500 you should be able to find one pretty reasonable. The honda rincons were ok too but you don't want the first couple years they went to fuel injection.

two Honda Foreman 400 a 97 & 00 they start & go everywhere keep the oil change every 25 hours still idles & runs very good machines.

We have a Honda 300 we use on farm every day in summer, tough as nails.

2002 Honda Rubicon automatic with 1800 hours. Very dependable and love automatic.

Thanks to all who replied. Sure gives plenty to think about. Sure do need one to help save.the knees and back.
So, thank you for the help. Now the search begins.
Thank.you,
Sarge

Get power steering.

If I go with used. What is consider high hours. Also, what are some things to look for if it's been maintained or dogged out. I'm good at buying cars, but never an atv.

I'm looking for the same. Just priced a 24 polaris 570 at $7,661 out the door tax n all. New polaris just came out so the 24s are on sale. I still need to price a Honda, I'm probably to cheap for either new.

There are dead ATVs scattered all over the Seward Peninsula. At least half of them are Hondas. I have personally owned every brand except Kawasaki. Mostly ran Polaris 6x6s, 500, 800 & SxS. Last one a Can Am 6x6. All machines need regular maintaining and every machine will break. I switched to 6x6s for the ride and ability to haul lots of gear while also towing a trailer on the tundra. When I moved to ND, I ordered another Can Am 6x6.

I have a Honda Foreman 500 with electronic shift. Great machine but ATVs are not designed to carry much weight at all. Yes you can get baskets for the front and back and they are handy but makes it very easy to overload. I found that mine would carry the traps and critters pretty good on flat ground, but I do not trap flat ground.

I upgraded to a Honda Pioneer 700 side by side. It took some modifying to get it like I wanted it but it is a trapping machine. More stable than the ATV and will handle the weight of the traps and critters. It provides a lot more room to keep everything organized and it makes taking a ride along a breeze.

I still run the ATV for small jobs where I am only setting a few traps but on bigger properties, the side by side is my go to.

I had over 18,000 miles on a Honda foreman 500 foot shift. I bought it new, and used it trapping and hunting. I only ever had it in the shop once, and that was to change an oil temperature sensor. There was a recall on it. Other than oil changes and tires I never did a thing to it. If they kept the oi; changed I would not be scared of any amount of hours or miles less than that. I never had it not start or quite while I was riding it.