Hi guys and girls,

I'm looking at buying my first ATV and need advice. I was looking on the RacewayATV site at the Jetmoto 250 ... Went searching for third-party reviews and came upon this forum. Now, I'm not set on any one brand, I was of the mindset that big names are the only reliable brands to buy, ie: Honda, Arctic Cat, etc (I see I'm wrong, reading through some posts), so I'd like your input as to what ATVs I should look at.

These are some considerations for my ATV:

No more than $5000, I'd prefer around 3-4 but I'm keeping my wallet a little bit loose here, as I understand quality generally means more money.

Shipping to Ottawa, Canada (I'd rather buy from a Canadian dealer to get either free shipping or at least not have to pay import charges but I'm not against US dealers so long as the final price is right)

I'm a 21 year old female, I'm not a daredevil but I have two brothers, 17 and 19 and they will likely want to beat the crap out of it. One is a Motocross junkie and the other is in a Jeep club lol, I'm sure you know what that means They will go gently if it's required but you know I'd really like to get something that can handle it. So that's preferable, but not a must.

I'm looking to go riding through the woods, maybe tear up a few fields, maybe get covered in mud and pop around some corners. I don't want to do jumps, I don't want one of those sport ones, I like the utility style best. I do like my speed though, given an open space I'll be seeing how fast I can go so I'd like to not be disappointed ... though 50mph is fine for me. This is not a priority, would just be a nice addition.

I'd like to be able to fit two people on this, whether by way of a seat on the back or else just grabbing hold ... Or just sit my dogs on it while I bring them to the woods for their run Again, not a priority but would be nice.

I'm the furthest thing from mechanically-inclined but my 19 year old brother is pretty good with cars. I'm wondering if this translates, and what type of maintenance he could do himself and what would require dealer visits, and also what ATVs are good for not running in to problems ... Do I make sense?

Finally - I'll be riding this puppy in the snow as well!

Some ones I've looked at recently:

Roketa ATV-11
Jetmoto 250
Kazuma

Okay, well that seems to be about all you'd need to know ... Hopefully somebody out there can help me, I read through the entire *WARNING* Jetmoto thread before posting this, so I know there are knowledgeable and honest people here

Thanks!

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~

You want a "utility" type machine, but you don't specify whether you need 4wd or not. Funny, from the description of your riding conditions, I was thinking you were going to say you wanted a sport quad! Do keep in mind that sport quads are often hundreds of pounds lighter than utilities! Makes a huge difference in handling and the "fun" factor.....

That said, there are some nice major brand 250cc utility machines that are 2wd, like the Honda Recon. Even a new one is in your price range! The Recon gets close to low end sport quad handling.

If you need 4wd or want to go bigger, it should be easy to find a used Honda Rancher 350 (or even a new leftover 06) or something like that is within your price range.

I have a friend who bought a couple Kazumas and one with a Jetmoto, and a third with some other "off brand" machine. All have lived to regret it many times over. I have even lived to regret it....towing their kids for 20 miles back to the truck! Enough said about that!

-------------------------
Southern California Deserts and Mountains....

Desert: 450R, 400EX
Technical Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and TRX90
Dual-Sport Bikes: KLX250S and XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

I had hoped somebody could point me in whichever direction I need to go ... 4wd or 2wd I kind of laid out the plans I have for it and advice for whatever you think I should go with is appreciated.

I found a 2006 Yamaha 660 Grizzly, right out of the crate, no mileage ... for only $3200. Is there something wrong with it, is that a normal resale price, or is the owner just dumb?? I'm hoping they're dumb because if I can test-drive that baby I'm getting it!!

So your advice would be stay away from the off-brands?

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~

If you plan to ride snow and mud, or rocky technical terrain, you will want 4wd. Thing is, when you go to 4wd the size and weight of the machine, and of course the price will also go up. Still, there are lots of sweet mid size 4wd utes out there!

Got to wonder about that Griz. Has to be stolen or something! You know the saying...if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is! Run the VIN before you spend your money.

-------------------------
Southern California Deserts and Mountains....

Desert: 450R, 400EX
Technical Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and TRX90
Dual-Sport Bikes: KLX250S and XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

Okay yeah, I just edited my original post because I forgot to mention I'll be riding in the snow. It IS Canada after all LOL! Guess I'll be going with 4WD.

Thanks for your advice about checking the VIN .. I wouldn't have thought to do that.

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~

Calienta
The deal on the 06/660 Grizz sounds to good to be true,so it probably is. If that person has excuses why you cant see the quad right away but needs money up front, beware, you will never see the quad or your money again.

-------------------------
04/400 Outlander

Thanks sled, and no worries, they wouldn't get any money out of me until I'd had someone knowledgeable test-drive it and had checked its VIN like recon suggested.

I'm looking at the Honda Rancher 4x4 ... Looks pretty decent for $5099!

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~

Being your from Canada I'm curious why your not choosing a CanAm?

-------------------------
2004 DS650X (Rotax)
800 Open Mod (Rotax)
1991 Mach1 617 on NOS (Rotax)
2001-250 Honda Recon
1975 250 CanAm MX2 (Rotax) I miss that bike.
1996 D3500 V10 425hp
1996 Harley Davidson 833 XLH Custom
1958 Wife "Soulmate"

Obey Gravity....It's the law!

Nothing like the smell of Klotz 118 Octane racing fuel.

Oh and welcome to the forums Calienta, glad to have yuh aboard.

-------------------------
2004 DS650X (Rotax)
800 Open Mod (Rotax)
1991 Mach1 617 on NOS (Rotax)
2001-250 Honda Recon
1975 250 CanAm MX2 (Rotax) I miss that bike.
1996 D3500 V10 425hp
1996 Harley Davidson 833 XLH Custom
1958 Wife "Soulmate"

Obey Gravity....It's the law!

Nothing like the smell of Klotz 118 Octane racing fuel.

Do you know what year the Rancher is??? There are two different Honda Ranchers out there:

The new one for 07 is a fuel injected, water cooled, an honest 420 cc's, and it has selectable 2wd/4wd.

The older ones (00-06) are air cooled, called the 350 but actually are only 329cc, and full time 4wd.

They come in either 2wd or 4wd, and with or without "ES" electronic pushbutton shifting. So, be sure you are looking at at 4wd, and I highly recommend avoiding the ES version. (Unusual number of posts in here recentlhy from folks having problems with the ES!).

-------------------------
Southern California Deserts and Mountains....

Desert: 450R, 400EX
Technical Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and TRX90
Dual-Sport Bikes: KLX250S and XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

Thanks free And I'd certainly be willing to look in Bombardier(Can-Am now I guess lol)

And recon ... I don't see that Ranchers are sold in Canada :S Unless there just aren't any dealers in Ottawa ... But the honda.ca site doesn't even have them listed.

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~

Not sure why, but they don't call them "Ranchers" up there. Might be called TRX350 and TRX420???? In the old days might have been Fourtrax350????

-------------------------
Southern California Deserts and Mountains....

Desert: 450R, 400EX
Technical Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and TRX90
Dual-Sport Bikes: KLX250S and XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

Forgot....there is also a "Rancher" 400 which has an automatic transmission.

http://www.honda.ca/Motorcycle...ult.htm?model=fourtrax

-------------------------
Southern California Deserts and Mountains....

Desert: 450R, 400EX
Technical Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and TRX90
Dual-Sport Bikes: KLX250S and XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

Yeah I saw those Fourtrax ones, they look pretty sweet.

Okay, I got an email back from the seller re: the 2006 Yamaha 660 Grizzly ...

Hello there,
Thank you for your email.You must know that i am located in
Galveston,Texas and the atv will be shipped directly to your address. Here are
some details about the ATV.It has been never wrecked or damaged.
The asking price is $4000US, shipping included.
It comes with 2 years of warranty. All the manuals and the original
documentation come along with the atv. You will receive it in
4-5 working days at your home address. It is insured in case of damage.
The payment is fully refundable. If for any reason you do not accept
the unit or if it has scratches, hidden defects, or it is not as
advertised I will even pay for the shipping back to my location if you
reject it but i'm sure that it won't happen cause it works and
looks perfectly.
Because it is a large transaction we will complete the deal only through Ebay,
using their Purchase Protection Program.ONLY AFTER you receive the atv and you inspect it, eBay will release the payment to me, in this way we are both protected.
If you are still interested just send me your full name and shipping address.
I will forward your info to ebay and they will notify you about our deal.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Thanks


This sounds like I can't go wrong, really ... I could get it, have a dealer inspect it and if I don't like it, send it back for free

I've asked him for the VIN anyway so I can run that, and a scan of his original bill of sale..

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~

Well .. I bought a 2006 Polaris Hawkeye ... 2 miles on her, runs great so far! I've read a few complaints about this atv so I'm crossing my fingers that I didn't get a lemon!

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~

did u get the 4x4 version. hey it has irs which is nice to have fully auto which is great for long rides.

-------------------------
07 kingquad 450 (mine)<BR>06 ozark 250 (wifes)

Yes I got the On-Demand AWD ... Put about 30km on so far and I really enjoy the ride. No sputtering or anything like I've heard about ... I'll check for the manufacture date to see if it qualifies for the recall but other than that I'm not really worried!

-------------------------
~2006 Polaris Hawkeye~