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Posted by: trx430ex
Verry well said Tree Farmer.
My two cents,,,See Gordon.
99Honda450es 99400ex 86trx250r
Posted by: trx430ex
Just a note, Honda not done Releasing the 2000 line up yet.Theirs a couple hiding in the wings.
I think the manafactures show in North caralina is September 15,Where all manafactures show off their new toys.
Would sombody confirm the date.
Posted by: trx430ex
The 99 450es we got was $5798.
Plus 6% sales tax.
$50 for registration.
$149 for insurance.
$6195 out the door.
Posted by: Tree Farmer
Maintenance free? Or perhaps more accurately stated, low maintenance?
Methinks you undeniably limit your candidate population, Ahunter, without listening to or evaluating anyone's opinion. Check owners' manuals. How much preventive maintenance do the various rides demand?
The requirements you mention are admirably satisfied by a vast armada of 4X4 utility quads now on the market, the lion's share of quad types sold.
I think your post invites the preferences of others; however, your preference alone should drive your purchase. Truth be told, the difference in capabilities between quads in your eligible population is only marginal for the appllcation you mention.
Your preference is the sole discriminator among this sea of capable machines.
Tree Farmer
Posted by: Tree Farmer
Ahunter, you can't make a bad decision from your choices, except NOT buying an ATV! Thanks for the kind words, fellas!
Tree Farmer
hey look here sally see how this voice recognition software works - every word I say winds up on the screen - no I don't say the bayou 300 four buy four optimally fills this guys requirement although its too range transmission and swing axle semi independent suspension are plusses - folks would think I recommend this machine only because I own one - no no sally don't touch that button - that sends this post out on the internet and I don't want this part to
Posted by: Tree Farmer
Ahunter, "yer pays yer money and yer takes yer cherce."
I think the Suzuki/Arctic Cat 500's are outstanding machines, along with others you're considering (the King Quad/Quadrunner 250 4X4's are impressive, also; not to mention the . . . I gotta stop! They ALL have something to offer!).
Bargain-wise, the Bayou 400 should be a winner--I understand the model has been discontinued for 2000; dealers should deal, clearing their showroom floors of these machines. Jim Phillips (armyman368@aol.com) wrote a compelling piece of analysis concluding the Bayou 400 more cost-effective than the 300, even at list prices--he might E-mail you a copy if you ask for one (even if you don't buy a Kawasaki, Jim's piece contains solid analytical tools for anyone buying a quad).
My recommendation: decide what you really want, then stretch, if necessary, to obtain it. If you really like a low-cost machine, great! If you like a more expensive number, buying another machine on price alone is probably poor economy. Good luck!
Tree Farmer
Posted by: Tree Farmer
Please clarify, ahunter, who was drinking that Johnny Walker? Your wife? I thought so!
As Ogden Nash said, "Candy's dandy, but liquor's quicker!"
Tree Farmer
Posted by: 01ds650
I think the new Explorers are only chain drive to the rear, shaft to the front. While a 2 stroke isn't usually the best for work the 400 is big and a reliable motor. Plus it's liquid cooled. You also get the best 4WD drive on the market. Some argue that,but how 3 wheels pulling is better than 4 wheels I don't know.
On top of all the you'll have a utility quad that will surprise all your buddies :)
Don't forget the 500 Magnum either.
c-ya,
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Andrew Thomas
'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.
Posted by: 01ds650
$5500 is one of the cheapest prices I've seen for a 500cc 4X4 utility quad.
c-ya,
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Andrew Thomas
'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.
Posted by: Robv
At 6'1", the Honda 300 may feel a little small for you. Not bashing Hondas, I've got a Foreman 400 myself. A very important factor in your purchase, not being a vertically challenged person, should be "Fit & Feel". Try the Prarie 400 or the Magnum 500. Try them all!! Buy the one that feels most comfertable to YOU. Now I'm not saying to base your entire decision on this factor alone, but it should be at the top of your list. It seems that you don't really care about bells and whistles, full auto or semi auto, just a good reliable machine.
Posted by: Andy Bassham
Thats a good point. The honda 300 will do about anything that you need it too. Sure there are better mud bikes, and ones with auto trannies and disc brakes, but the venerable old 300 honda will follow anything else through 98% of the places that most people normally go. I've watched a honda 300 2wd carry two 175 lb. men, a spike and a 4-point out of the bottom of a hollow in Devils Den State Park in Arkansas. There were a few spots that the passenger had to get off, but it brought them out, and at a descent pace too.
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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*
Posted by: Andy Bassham
I suposedly got a 99 500 AC for $5450 from a friend whos dad has a dealership. He said that it was about cost + any freight that they might have had to pay. They ran them at $6000 at the time, though you could get it for $5900. $5500 is a damn good price. If this is the bike you really want, then this would be the place to get it at. You won't beat that price unless you find one used.
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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*
Posted by: Sport400
2 words polaris sportsman!!!!!it's automatic and has 4wheel drive
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Wesley Shelby Sport400,Trailblazer 250
Posted by: BenA.
Arctic cat Arctic cat Arctic cat!!
Posted by: MiNdZ
It depends on what you need it for. Do you need a 4x4 or a 2x4?Need lots of power?or just to get you around?Give us some more info and we can help you out more
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~Arctic-Cat 500 4x4~ Http://users.pcnow.net/mindz ICQ - 8968820
Posted by: mxer
how much do you weigh and how tall are you?
Do you want to shift or do you want a auto. On the logging roads do you want to go fast(like55)?
Posted by: mdemarest
I have 2 quads a 425 and a 600 and I agree there is no place the 600 will go that the 425 can't. However from my experience if my buddies are riding 400's and up I don't want to be dragging up the rear on a 300 all the time. Check out the deals on 99 model years, I know for example Yamaha sells a 99 grizzly for around the same price as a 2000 Kodiak.
If you wan't a low cost option that will smoke your buddies uphills - try a polaris explorer 400 2 stroke 4x4. More HP's than a sportsman at 200lbs lighter. You don't read much about them because they are 2 strokes (liquid cooled) and Chain drive. I've been told the motors hold up well for thousands of miles, (Low RPM's not like a snowmobile)
and well you have to oil chains ? If I bought a 300 3 months later I would be begging for a bigger machine - don't do it!!!
Posted by: mborum
Good Points Everybody!
I'm 6'1" and 270 (before supper)anyway to the point.
Welcome ahunter; looks like your on an atv safari in search of the ultimate game. "THE BEST ATV"
My opinion is that's like hunting for a unicorn; treat this like your hunting for real.
Match your weapon (YOU!) to the game (ATV!) your hunting.
Robv and trx430ex are right on target about trying them all and see what Honda may be coming out with.
What Have You Got To Lose: Look how long you have hunted without one.
Remember: "Haste Makes Waste" and "Great Things Come To Those Who Wait"
Good Hunting ahunter hope you bag a trophy!
mborum
(this thing needs a spell checker)
[This message has been edited by mborum (edited 09-01-1999).]
[This message has been edited by mborum (edited 09-01-1999).]
Posted by: Phoenix1
If money is not a concern, then I would go with a Honda 450S or 450ES. The S has manual shifting. The ES had pushbutton shifting and full floorboards (a big plus for hunters). They list for $6199 and $6399 respectively. If you dont want to spend that much I would go with the FourTrax 300 2wd or 4wd, they still have plenty of power and wont hurt the pocketbook as much, they list out for $4399 and $4799 respectively. I think if you ask other hunters they will also recommend Honda. Honda is tried and true, but not on the cutting edge of technology like Polaris. Hope this helps.
Posted by: Phoenix1
Believe no one. When I was looking about 2 months ago, this site was a big help for me. After talking to many dealers, a independent repair shop, reading posts on this site and as many reviews as I can I deduced that Honda was for me. It will not be for everyone. I prefer to have something that has a rock solid requtation (sp) than have all the new fancy stuff. I am sure that others feel differently. If you are going to use your quad for hunting, then I would not think that you would need things like automatic transmission and independent rear suspension, but depending on where you hunt, that may be what you want. In my opinion, when Honda adds something to their bikes, that feel that it is not a fad and they have engineered it to the max. Yamaha also makes a good bike, they are relatively trouble free.
Posted by: Phoenix1
Well said Tree Farmer
Posted by: Phoenix1
I think that you would be making a good choice with any of those three. They all have a good reputation, and man that Grizzley is huge, I like the shifter on it and the push buttion 4wd.
Posted by: Phoenix1
For some reason I thought that I read that September 9th is going to be the release date for the new Hondas. How long it will take to get to the dealers is another story. I am hoping for a Foreman 500 with independent rear and push button 4wd. What a monster that would be!
Posted by: Phoenix1
What we need is a consumer reports for ATVs.
The magazines generally do not want to say that a particular quad has problems, because that manufacturer would pull all their advertising. And also, when they test a bike, they almost always have a brand spankin new one.
Some car magazines (Car & Driver I think) has a section in the back that has updates on how a car has done, including any repairs. I think that would be great if the magazines could do something like that.
Posted by: Djinn
well...my vote for your criteria is a Honda 3004x4.....Built like a tank....rock solid capabilities....its just now starting to show the age of the design, some ten years later.....They are a truely great ATV....Ive ridden several of them....and for the price you just cant beat them! If you dont need all the bells and whistles...dont buy them!
Posted by: Djinn
I have to ask you for your true NEEDS...and your WANTS...If you are the only one hunting...a super powerfull machine truley seems like a waste of cash to me....Is it nice to say "I have a Kodiak"...yes...will it fit your needs...I dont know. My vote is copmpletely different then all the others on this discussion so far. I think that a Yamaha Wolverine would very nicely fit into your situation. It has a tried and true mill, (borrowed from the Warrior), is relatively light for a 4x4...has excellent suspension and brakes...Lists for hundreds less than all the other quads that have been thrown into the fray. Is it a mud wagon, no. Will it tow 16 men and a boy...no. Is it far more manueverable than the rest...yes. On a trail there is not another 4x4 out there that will keep up..save for a scrambler. I think that you should at least take a look at its track record and give one a ride. I only wish I had one ..instead of borrowing my friends!!!
Posted by: ahunter
I need help in selecting an ATV. I want it for going up/around/down hunting areas. I'm 6'1" 250 lbs. What are my best choices???
Posted by: ahunter
I need/want an ATV to help my lazy body get up and down the big hills that I bow hunt. I do this twice a day for approximately thirty days. At 51 I'm getting too lazy to hoof it much longer. I would be ridding logging roads and going thru the woods to get to where I want to go. I've never had an ATV but I've had/have motorcycles. I have a SUV and a roadster. I want something powerfull enough to get my big body up these hills while knocking down small brush along the way, AND, did I mention maintenance free?
Posted by: ahunter
Money isn't that big of a factor in my decision at the moment. I want the best that's out there. I've been hearing so many bad thing's about Polaris on this site, who should I believe?
Posted by: ahunter
I'm 6' 1" 250 lbs. I don't care if it's an auto or manual shift and I really don't think going 55 thru the woods is in my best interest. I'm using this site to do my research and the Yamaha Grizz, Honda E/ES, & the Artic Cat 500 have my interest. I don't need the bells & whistles but if they go with the package so be it.
Tree Farmer you have a way with words.
Posted by: ahunter
That's a good idea! It sure would save on money. It also sounds like it would maneuver better than one of the big ones (or am I wrong)? It would also make it a bit easier to get by my wife.
Posted by: ahunter
I just looked at the prices. It wouldn't save me that much money!!!
Posted by: ahunter
Thanx Tree Farmer, I know it slipped, but that was an interesting route to go. I just read the info on the Bayou 300 & it look's pretty good. It seems more maneuverable than the big bikes. These thing's aren't cheep, are they? If it was down around $4,000 I'd jump at it, but at $5,000 I don't know. Would it be in my best interest to spend $1500 more and get the Arctic Cat 500? I know, I know, It's a decision that I have to make (actually my wife).
Posted by: ahunter
Well said mborum,
Yer right, I'm on a hunt for the elusive one. I've been cramming for this hunt so that I get a decent one. It's kinda like wanting a 12 pointer that makes the record books and tastes great also.
I'll be taking a ride to look at the Arctic Cat this weekend but I'll wait a little longer to see the Honda's.
I'm reading anything and everything I can get my hands on right now.
How come there are sooooooo many Polaris haters out there??? From what I read it sounds like a good bike, (but a little expensive).
Posted by: ahunter
If can get an AC500 for approx $5500 would that be a good deal?
Posted by: ahunter
Last night, after a couple Johnny Walker Black's, I told my wife what I was going to do (asked permission) and she was all for it (well... not entirely!). I should have my AC 500, either auto or manual, next week. YEAH...YEAH...YEAH!!!
Posted by: ahunter
Ha Ha, I tried to feed her drink's but she's the type who sips on one drink all night (not me).
I bought the AC500 Manual yesterday!!! I got the special on the Warn Winch for $69.00. Just in case!
[This message has been edited by ahunter (edited 09-08-1999).]
[This message has been edited by ahunter (edited 09-08-1999).]
Posted by: ahunter
It's also $1500 dollars more than the AC500. Money that I don't have to spend at this time.
