Picking a 4 wheeler

[Jeff]

I realize this is like asking someone what kind of gun or car they like. However I am lost.

I need a 4 wheeler for around my farm, it's 20 acres somewhat wet. I am tired of rutting my pastures with my truck. However I have been looking at used bikes for a while and really am further away now then when I started on what I need.

I am about 99% sure I need 4X4.

How do you know what size is right? I don't want to go too small.

Are there certain features that are better than others? Are there some that are must haves?

Lastly, I see a lot of used bikes for $2-3K that are 10+ years old, do 4 wheelers hold their value that much, or are these overpriced? Seems to me that if you can buy a new one with 4WD for 5,300 or so why spend 2-3K on a used one??

Anyone have any insights, I didn't think buying a toy would be this thought provoking!!

[duckkiller]

The old 300's were the best in the MArket as far as I am concerned, all these new ones are the size of mini trucks. If it was me I would go back to a Honda 300(I own 2 of them) but if you were to buy new I would go with a 350 rancher manual shift. To me these bikes are just the right size and can go anywhere and do anything

[Tedl10]

Duck, I agree with you 100%. I have a 95 300 that cranks first time, EVERY time. You cannot kill them unless you go up to the handlebars in water. Truly what put Honda on the map, IMO. With that being said, it's hard to find one anymore due to their overall reliability. If I were in the market looking now, I would look for a 2000-2002 Rancher with manual shift. They are my second favorite bike Honda made. Good luck!

[hencutter]

Do yall think that a 350 or so will pull a utility trailer a couple hundred yards with no problem? I drop my trailers off with my truck sometimes, them we get a good rain, and it gets too wet to get the truck back in there.I have a Kawasaki 22o, and it's too small for that.

[duckkiller]

good lord yes, I do it with a worn out 1998 300, and I pull it through some crap at times. Also when I was running hog traps down in the swamp all I had to move them with was my 2 wheelers and one of them is 2 wheel drive and I moved them with no problems. A 300 and some grips is all you need, and I'm not talking about jacked up with bad booty tires I'm talking about normal size tires with good mud grips

[MudHog]

Honda 300s are the best bike out there. I'm not a Honda person and prefer the Yamaha Kodiak 400cc or the Big Bear 400cc bikes. I'be personally had both a Kodiak and Big Bear. I would stay away from the automatic ATVs. They have come around since the previous models, but I still like a manual shift quad. If you do want to go automatic, look for a Polaris. They have had autos the longest and have worked out all the bugs.

P.S. Check your PM Jeff.

[Trip]

Jeff, I bought a new rancher at the end of last summer and have been very pleased with it. The rancher is no longer a 350, it's a 420 now. I opted for the manual shifter and it has selectable 2wd/ 4wd that you shift in. I'm not a fan of any of the electrical stuff on a fourwheeler so this was as plain Jane as I could get with a Honda. I'd recommend it to a buddy.

[Jeff]

Okay so the easy concensus is that the older Honda 300s are the way to go. How do you figure out what one is worth? Is there a blue book for ATVs?

I am trying to figure out weather it's worth it to buy one used or to just pony up and buy one new. I definetly want one that's manual so no problems there. Ya'll keep the advice coming, as you can prolly see I can help with boat questions, but the 4 wheeler stuff is like spanish too me!

[Jeff]

Okay, found the KBB for ATVs, thats a big help.

[Trip]

I've seen the older 300's go for $1500-$2500, and mine was $4600. I don't think you'd go wrong with either one it just depends how much $$$ you want to spend.

[qckmstr]

300's were the most durable but were lacking power. anyone that has ever owned one will agree. it you have a heavy load, thick mud,etc you ain't getting outta 1st for to long. if you're gonna use it on your farm only.. i'd say honda foreman. plenty of low end power. good wheeler.. but... i will say this.. if you're getting one to hunt with.. check out some other brands.. honda, in my opinion, is a little far behind in times. if it will be used in exccesive,water, heavy loads along with this.. i wouldn't recommend honda. i've had a whole bunch of hondas and yamahas and the newer honda ain't the product they used to be. i think they're built more for the old man using round the house..

i currently have an arctic cat. 1st i've ever owned and only had it bout a year and ain't put but bout 600miles on it so i can't give you the long term report on how great they are. but.. i can say this.. it doesn't not ball up with mud in a field, and is by far the most agile wheeler in mud,water,woods,log crossing,etc. i've ever seen or owned.. it has a suzuki engine and bout everything else is stamped suzuki. so.. i'm guessing suzuki might own part of them. that's kinda what helped me to buy one.. suzuki has always had a good name with wheelers.. they also have a ton of accessories/farm implements for artic cat..

but bottom line i'd suggest this.. if you're gonna use it only around you farm.. foreman would be perfect... if you gonna hunt with it and use it in mud,water etc.. i'd look into other brands.

as far the manual vs. auto. i've always had manual but baught this arctic cat with auto.. no problems yet... as for now.. i will Never own another manual. if it helps ease you mind on this matter.. the auto is a stronger transmission.. think bout it.. how many wheelers above 500 cc do you see in manual shift ?

[Greenhead22]

Jeff, I bought a new rancher at the end of last summer and have been very pleased with it. The rancher is no longer a 350, it's a 420 now. I opted for the manual shifter and it has selectable 2wd/ 4wd that you shift in. I'm not a fan of any of the electrical stuff on a fourwheeler so this was as plain Jane as I could get with a Honda. I'd recommend it to a buddy.

I'm probably about to trade in my '05 rancher 350 for the new 2wd/4wd selector option. They were supposed to have that option when I bought mine back then.

[jdphish]

Have you considered one of the side by sides, like a Rhino. They are just as easy on the the turf as a four wheeler and super handy.

[K-DUB]

Jeff,

I like you have been looking at four wheelers for a while.
The saying "I wouldnt buy anything but a honda" are gone for now at least to me.
The Yamaha to me is just better almost all around from my research.
I am looking at the big bear 400 because I dont want an automatic.
Yamaha uses marine grade electrical connections, has differential lock, independent rear suspension (not available on honda except rubicon) and the salesman told me the racks were powder coated and not painted.
The big bear also comes standard with IPT mud lite tires.
I have always liked honda but I believe some of their features are lacking in todays four wheeler market.
Yamaha usually will also have a deal going where you can add a winch for $69.00.

[GordonGekko]

if i was gonna buy new I'd get a Honda Rubicon.... no it's not the most powerful thing on the planet...but how much power can an ATV actually use for pulling...they are limited by traction....

it will pull any implement you want...has an auto transmission (non-belt driven)...isn't air cooled...geared fairly low for tourque and you can select 2/4 WD.... and if you needed a reason to buy an auto...think of this.... you never have to worry about getting the toe of your boots under the shifter...or wearing a hole in the top of your boot (take if from someone that's done this more than once).... and you can drive the thing one handed leaving your other hand free to hold a drink....

the 300's were great for transportation, but their weakness was pulling a load/implements....

In all seriousness the Yammies (and others) are really scooters I just don't like a belt drive automatic, just gunshy I guess (if they go to slipping, and I know it doesn't happen often, but it does happen, you are just there).... and I do like the convenience of a auto.... that being said I may just have to chance it and get a rhino in the next couple of years....

but then again, I'm apparently one of only a few people who has never had a problem with their electric shift on their Honda ( and I use it hard, and it is constantly in the water)...guess I'm just lucky...I'd better go knock on wood....

get the most displacement you can get...and consider an auto with selectable 2/4 WD...that way its easier to hold your beverage of choice