If I were to buy an ATV [Archive]

Ruffy

03-05-2014, 9:36pm

What should I look for?

I'm working on a list of projects for when the foot of snow melts for good and getting my property in shape is high on the list. I'm thinking an ATV will be very useful in the process. I have a garden tractor for some things but it won't go down the ravine or handle the terrain I've got to cover. There is a lot of improvement that needs to be done.

So if I didn't have much money to spend and was looking for something strictly for utility use, what would I be looking for?

Knooger

03-05-2014, 9:38pm

but it won't go down

I have the same problem with my wife.

Blademaker

03-05-2014, 9:41pm

I got an '06 Polaris v twin and a honda 250.
Outta the 2, I prefer the Polaris.
Get all the HP you can.

...Whitepower...

03-05-2014, 9:47pm

I'd get a utility vehicle similar to a JD Gator.

Something that is 4WD that can tow and has a bed to throw shit itn. .

Knooger

03-05-2014, 9:49pm

www.fukkinWOEIIforum.com

Blademaker

03-05-2014, 10:00pm

www.fukkinWOEIIforum.com

This

Grey Ghost

03-05-2014, 10:13pm

Dude was having fun with his at the local MX

http://i.imgur.com/Ncd0k8W.jpg

Ruffy

03-05-2014, 10:28pm

I'd get a utility vehicle similar to a JD Gator.

Something that is 4WD that can tow and has a bed to throw shit itn. .

Don't really have side by side money.

Here is what I am dealing with. The first picture is a Google Earth view of the property. The yellow square...err...rectangle is the property line. The red circle is where the 2nd picture was taken to give a better idea of the type of terrain.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y286/ruffneckxx2/backyard2_zpsb3a1cae0.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y286/ruffneckxx2/backyard_zps21cbf759.jpg

...Whitepower...

03-05-2014, 10:32pm

What kind of work do you need to do with it?

Ruffy

03-05-2014, 10:41pm

Trying to make it more than just a piece of worthless ag-zoned land.

50+ years ago, there were horses and cattle on the property. There is barbed wire all over the place that has to be removed, trash accumulated over the years that needs to be picked up, trees cleared and some earth moved to create paths for ATVs/dirt bikes/whatever to travel, stairs built into the sides (probably railroad ties) to allow for foot traffic without needing to have a rope to hold onto to keep from dying...

And I haven't figured out how I am going to work out the zip line and tree house yet

...Whitepower...

03-05-2014, 10:51pm

What kind of budget did you have in mind?

RED-85-Z51

03-05-2014, 10:59pm

Look for something with a manual gear shift (auto clutch is normal), and manual 4X4 lever...avoid electric shifters, electric diff locks, in fact..avoid anything beyond electric start...but also make sure it has a manual recoil optioned...

9/10 ATV's I work on are related to electronic faults....the have ellectric fuel injection, idle control valves, ECM's, electric shifters, electric 4X4, electric diff locks, electric reversing, rev limiters, multiple lockout relays and solenoids....and it all goes to shit if it gets moist...

I like Arctic Cat, the ones from the early to mid 00's were some decent ones, fairly simple nd relaible, yet not killer on the wallet like Honda and Bombardier.

Knooger

03-05-2014, 11:01pm

RED is a total useful champion in this thread.

...Whitepower...

03-05-2014, 11:02pm

Might be cheaper to just get am old 4x4 work/farm truck. And more practical too.

m and t's77

03-05-2014, 11:12pm

Scout around on this site.I got my son a Suzuki LT80 and in a month or so i'm picking up a 2001 Honda Recon 250,its more utility than sport which is fine for me right now as it will serve me around the yard and trails my son wants to go on.

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m and t's77

03-05-2014, 11:15pm

Might be cheaper to just get am old 4x4 work/farm truck. And more practical too.

By the pics looks real tough to get a full size rig in those trails.Another option is Japanese mini trucks.

Japanese Mini Trucks | Parts | Custom Kei Trucks |Japan MiniTruck Importer (http://www.japaneseminitrucksonline.com/)

Ruffy

03-05-2014, 11:17pm

What kind of budget did you have in mind?

Not sure...not a lot. It all depends on what is out there

LATB

03-05-2014, 11:24pm

Polaris side by side are real nice.

Or, as noted...an old Toyota pickup. They are cheap and near bullet proof.

RED-85-Z51

03-05-2014, 11:26pm

Suzuki Samurai is pretty badass...easy to work on, 4X4, fits in a small trailer, easy on gas, has suspension, 5 speed, 4 Banger, water cooled, a seat..so you arent smashing your twig and berries over bumps. Plus...you can drive it at 55mph on the highway if you need to.

Ruffy

03-05-2014, 11:27pm

By the pics looks real tough to get a full size rig in those trails.Another option is Japanese mini trucks.

Japanese Mini Trucks | Parts | Custom Kei Trucks |Japan MiniTruck Importer (http://www.japaneseminitrucksonline.com/)

Yeah, full-size isn't going to work. These trucks look awesome but still out of my range and terrain is still a little extreme.

Its only 2.5 acres. I'm just trying to be lazy and not have to carry everything back and forth by hand when I'm doing things. Hauling trees I clear up the hill is going to be a bitch.

LATB

03-05-2014, 11:27pm

Sea Six

03-05-2014, 11:36pm

RED is a total useful champion in this thread.

*cham-PEEN

RED-85-Z51

03-05-2014, 11:39pm

I think the Suzi's only had like 90hp or something, but dammit they had torque to be so light. A buddy I used to have 10 years ago kept one on hand ,no title, no tag, no insurance...just as a beater on his little chunk o property, pulled a wagon, dragged stuff, pulled stumps, he found a small snow blade for a tractor and mounted it up front with a linear motor to lift and lower...and pushed dirt around with it, could have pushed snow if we got any, ever. was comfy, had a roof like a jeep if you needed it..would run on 10 gallons of gas for months on end...

They, honestly..make an ATV look like a play toy in comparison of abilities...

m and t's77

03-05-2014, 11:39pm

Yeah, full-size isn't going to work. These trucks look awesome but still out of my range and terrain is still a little extreme.

Its only 2.5 acres. I'm just trying to be lazy and not have to carry everything back and forth by hand when I'm doing things. Hauling trees I clear up the hill is going to be a bitch.

Whatever you do get a brand name atv be it for replacement parts or when you get done with the cleaning and want to sell it you can still recoup a good amount as they don't drop in price like Chinese junk.

Ruffy

03-06-2014, 12:23am

Whatever you do get a brand name atv be it for replacement parts or when you get done with the cleaning and want to sell it you can still recoup a good amount as they don't drop in price like Chinese junk.

That's a good idea.

I also just thought maybe I'd fill in the ravine but a super rough calculation said I needed about 11,000 cubic yards of dirt.

SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84

03-06-2014, 4:14am

Looking at your property......I'd recommend this. M-60. I went everywhere in one of these....

http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx256/realbunky/M60BattleTank.jpg

Kerrmudgeon

03-06-2014, 6:13am

That looks like your very own private Sherwood Forest to me. All you need is a few merry men in green tights, and a bunch of bow and arrows! Just like downtown. :rofl:

Dave

03-06-2014, 6:24am

Polaris Sportsman 800/850 EFI with a 3500-4500lb winch and utility racks front & rear.
Should be able to pick up a good used ~5 years old for about $5-6k

vtelvr

03-06-2014, 7:33am

Polaris Sportsman 800/850 EFI with a 3500-4500lb winch and utility racks front & rear.
Should be able to pick up a good used ~5 years old for about $5-6k

This...but keep in mind that the newer 500~CC models are plenty powerful as well. Polaris has TRUE 4wd with the flick of a switch...others, if the even offer true 4wd, it is a manual switch to lock the front differential.

I had a 2011 Polaris Sportsman 500, and it pulled me around at almost 265lb like it was nothing, and would try to stand up on me in 2wd going up a hill if I didn't shift my weight forward. The only downside to the 2011 and newer Polaris Sportsman is the rack configuration. Very few tie down points for gear. I would suggest a 2010 or a little older model for true usefulness.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/VTELVR/Polaris%20Sportsman%20500/PoSportsman500001.jpg

And, if you want to just have fun...it looks like this!

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/VTELVR/Polaris%20Sportsman%20500/Polaris500.jpg

I added a few extra things...Front and rear bumpers, rack extender on the rear rack, winch, and a seat on the rear rack for the wife(which I covered after this picture)

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk86/VTELVR/7ca209b8.jpg

Disclaimer: This post is not RED approved. This wheeler has all the things he doesn't want on one.

Superstreet

03-06-2014, 7:56am

We have a Suzuki KingQuad 450 that has EFI with locking differential. We have 6 acres and it is plenty for what we need it for. I.E. using it to drag fallen trees to cut up for firewood, hook our cart to haul rock, etc….

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/Superstreet/Atv5_zps7ab70f34.jpg

markids77

03-06-2014, 8:44am

Large frame (400cc and up) machines are too wide and lack the turning radius for trail blazing in tight woods... they simply do not fit. I recommend either a Kawasaki Prairie 300 or 360. Full time 4WD, adequate power for real work, but not so big it is frustrating in tight woods. They made these forever and they are cheap and plentiful. My 300 has 3800 miles on it and the engine/trans has never been touched internally. Mount a box on both ends, put a hitch ball out back and a winch on the front and it becomes a real tool for property maintainence. And a hoot to ride for grins as well.

DropTheTop

03-06-2014, 9:57am

Looks to me like you need to find a used Bobcat.

RED-85-Z51

03-06-2014, 2:44pm

D9 Cat is adequate for this task...and it turns on a dime.

http://www.img1.ritchiespecs.com/rbir/2007101/1585127_1.jpg

markids77

03-06-2014, 2:56pm

And with that ripper stowed in the upright and locked position you can give the whole world the finger too... and if they give you shite, just flatten them.

Joecooool

03-06-2014, 3:08pm

mrvette

03-06-2014, 4:32pm

D9 Cat is adequate for this task...and it turns on a dime.

http://www.img1.ritchiespecs.com/rbir/2007101/1585127_1.jpg

MEOW!!!@#Z$$%%:rofl::dance:

LATB

03-06-2014, 4:46pm

I don't get what you mean by "get in shape". Do you want to clear the land to build a house? Otherwise, its woods. Why do you need to get woods in shape?

I think your best bet is to rent a bulldozer and level the place.

You could define "get in shape" as forestry management. I'm involved in the management of 1500 acres and its quite a job.

So much so, we recently spent over 200K building open and enclosed barns to house approx. a million dollars worth of the equipment necessary to get the job done. It's a long and substantial list, including Caterpillar...Bobcat...John Deer...New Holland...and others.

We have farming operations...hunting lands...shooting and sporting clays ranges...conservative lands...and recreational acres.

I'm mostly just the on site builder, but I'm also involved in many aspects.

Best gig I ever had. Serious.

8Up

03-06-2014, 6:30pm

An independent rear suspension like on the Yamaha Grizzly is nice. My only issue with Polaris is they are much heavier than the yamahas. Mine is a Yamaha wolverine 350. Not IRS but full time 4x4 and it gets through just about everything. My next one will be a Grizzly 660 that my friend owns. Just need to convince him it needs to be sold.

Norm

03-06-2014, 7:04pm

Kawasaki Mule 4010 4x4. When I finally acquired some property, got this, not a go fast, but a decent workhorse, 4x4, high and low gears, dump bed. Has trailer hitch, and fun to drive with the kids in the back fields.

http://s27.postimg.org/qb1165olf/mule.jpg

courtesy postimage.org

Ruffy

03-06-2014, 9:26pm

I like the Kawi Prairie and bobcat ideas. There are a couple around here for sale like this one http://siouxcity.craigslist.org/sno/4363417429.html

I also like the tank.

The closest thing for sale around here is this:

http://images.craigslist.org/01212_a2UkWnDWHxp_600x450.jpg

or this

http://images.craigslist.org/00p0p_dA4RlUpZykp_600x450.jpg