Best/ Worst ATV

J

Jeff23

New Member
I am considering buying an ATV in the next couple months for use in my business (Tree Business/ Snow Removal) and also for hunting. I won't need the biggest or best, but I want to get something reliable, large enough to handle some work and not break the bank. My research is showing some high asking prices for good used units, so I won't rule out going for a good deal on a leftover new, and I am in no real hurry except for having a write-off for this year.
So... what do you run that you love and has been good to you, or what lemons have soured you? Thanks for any advice!
 
I've got an '08 and its a 500. Use it for mowing brush, spraying, and spreading seed. Goes all day without a hiccup.
 
I bought a Honda foreman 500 last year and that thing is a beast. I paid $2500 for it off craigslist


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Tooln said:
I think you'd be better off with an UTV not an ATV. You can get a box to haul more in the UTV.
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I get in spaces where a UTV is too big. For example, I am borrowing my Dad's Foreman for a job where it barely fits through the trail to get to where we are working. An ATV is just a little bit more handy for me... for now.
 
We have a newer Polaris 800 sportsman, the only thing we don't like about it is it burns your right calf really bad. I had to cut open an oven mit to insulate my leg. I have to run a strap around the oven mit to hold it in place against my leg or wear my insulated rubber boots. We have an old sportsman 300 that we love.
 
You really can't go wrong with a Honda Rubicon/Foreman. I have a property maintenance business and use mine a lot. It also gets used for hunting and plowing. My Rubicon is a 2002 and all I have done is oil changes and air cleaner/spark plug. It doesn't get babied either.
 
Jeff23 said:
I get in spaces where a UTV is too big. For example, I am borrowing my Dad's Foreman for a job where it barely fits through the trail to get to where we are working. An ATV is just a little bit more handy for me... for now.
Click to expand...
Some of th new UTV's are no wider than an ATV. A guy I work with bought one this spring and hauled it home in the box of his pickup. Sorry I don't remember the brand but it was one of the big names not an off the wall brand.
 
Alpha Doe said:
We have a newer Polaris 800 sportsman, the only thing we don't like about it is it burns your right calf really bad. I had to cut open an oven mit to insulate my leg. I have to run a strap around the oven mit to hold it in place against my leg or wear my insulated rubber boots. We have an old sportsman 300 that we love.
Click to expand...

I have the same ATV... you can buy header wrap and wrap the exhaust to cure your problem.

We have a Polaris Sportsman 800 and a Sportsman 500. Great machines!
 
We are huge Yamaha Grizzly fans. They've been dead reliable. We've also been happy with a Kawi 750. For what it's worth, if you're like most folks, you'll likely end up with a side by side. We own both, and the side by side sees 4 times the use for work and play.
 
I appreciate all the replies. My Dad has a Honda Foreman, and it has been pretty good for him, but I don't like borrowing it for use in my business. We have a 2001 Polaris Ranger and a 2002 Kawasaki Mule for use on our family farm, but the same applies: if I take them for my business, they are not available for the purpose they are intended. To get one of the newer, compact UTV's would definitely be way over the budget I have in mind- man those things are pricy. Keep the info coming- both good and bad. Thanks!
 
I bought a Arctic Cat 500 a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it. Comparing features between the Polaris 500 and the AC 500 it was a lot more machine for the money.
 
The Polaris 570 regular size will fit in a PU bedI believe.Just remember because they are a UTV they still need to be used safely.I know 2 guys that have broken backs after rolling them and one guy was killed awhile back after hitting a deer on a gravel road
 
Kawasaki Brute Force, 2003. Have worked it hard at farm and play. Have had it with water to seat thru mud holes and it will climb a tree with its ITP oversize tires,literally. Easy to get around in the woods. Now, I sure would like power steering option avail now. I either throw deer on back or if not too steep of area pull with deer sled. Pulls my 7 foot cultipacker, sprayer, spreader. I'm sure you want more advanced one but if it ain't broke I sure not getting rid of it.
 
I have had good luck with Kawasaki, Polaris, Arctic cat but Honda is the most reliable. I have a good friend that works at a atv dealership and Honda come back for repair much less often than any other brand for repair.
 
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