Hey I'm new to ATV's and I know this question is all over the internet but no true answers. I'm 6'4" 210lbs and I need a quad that will rip and haul in mostly dirt and mud. I was told that you want your knees to be at a 90 when sitting but that's all I know. Don't want to go all out on a expensive quad for my first one, just want a reliable one that I can get a little rough with.

 

So are you looking for a sport or utility quad?

 

Most sport quads are on the smaller side with the exception of the Kawasaki KFX 700 and the Yamaha Raptor 700. The 4x4s tend to be on the larger side of things and if you get one of the big bores, say 700cc or better, you'll have plenty of power for mud and other terrain. I ride a Polaris Sportsman X2 and it is nice for my 6'3" 350 lb. frame. Quite a comfortable ride. Sporstmans have 700, 800, and 850 as their big bores. 850 is newer the other engines older. CanAm makes powerful fast machines in an 800. The Renegade (more sport than utility) and the Outlander. I'd go with the Outlander just for a larger quad myself. Kawasaki Brute Force 750. Powerful, good looking, odd way to lock in the front tires. Uses a little lever on the left side. More you pull, more it is locked. Yamaha has the Grizzly 700. Good all around. Don't know a ton about Arctic Cats. They have a 700 and 1000cc machine. Suzuki King Quad 750 is a good buy also. Don't care so much for Honda in the mud. Has only a limited slip in the front. Super reliable though.

 

I'm looking for more of a sport quad but might have to settle for a utility if there's nothing that fits me around here. I'll most likely buy used off craigslist. So are there any sport 250's or 300's that I would be comfortable on because that seems to be the popular size around here for my rice range.

 

I'm 6'5" 200lbs. I currently ride a 400ex, but that is as small as I'd want to go. 250's or 300's will feel very cramped. Size-wise the 400ex does ok. It has good ergonomics, but you would probably want to consider taller handle bars. My next quad will probably be a Raptor or Outlaw as both seem to be accommodating for taller riders. The DS650 is also a good quad for big guys, however it is a bit on the heavy side and doesn't have reverse.

 

Am just 6' 2" and don't weigh anything. But, the Suzuki King Quads are all the same body. I have a 450. Same frame and dimensions (by and large) as the others and you save big $$$. Performance has been awesome. I know, the KQ gets a knock here and there for being a bit old school, maybe sluggish. But Fuel Injected if you live in the north makes a big difference. Dif locker is a champ too, again, for me this is pushing snow. This quad will climb trees. Mega engine breaking, your call as to good or bad. I love it. Again, snow and ice... If you want a sport, get a sport. If you want a ute get a ute. I ride my KQ like a sport most of the time, but I NEED it to be a ute when I need it be a ute.

Good luck, you will love whatever. My KQ 450 is the bomb (for me). I wouldn't trade it for gold.

 

I have very slim pickings around here but I'm going to check out a 2002 Raptor 660 this week, the next biggest are mostly 350 warriors or 300EX's but from what people are telling me those would be a little small. Either way I'll see if the raptor fits well in the meantime.

 

I am 6,1 330 and ride a Scrambler 500 with no issues. Been riding it for 8 years.

 

The 660 is a decent machine. They have a few quirks, and from a pure handling standpoint I would greatly prefer a 400EX or Z400. Actually, I think the Z might be a good one to look into. They have 450 class power with a big bore kit when you decide you need it, and if you can find an efi one, they have pretty darn good stock shocks as well. Pretty much any 400cc or larger could fit your bill though.

 

I was capping my funds at $1500 but if I get $2000 there's a lot more 400's and 500's available. The raptor was good but it was grinding as it started, I don't know if I feel like spending 200+ fixing anything but I'm still going through tons of listings each night, something will pop up.