My wife and I would like to buy 2 machines. We rode the arctic cat 400 4x4 (not sure of the model, but a recent year) and with both of us on it, we loved it. I wouldn't mind buying a 2 seater since we have 2 young kids...but, i'm concerned about the weight distribution on those. No matter what we decide on, since my wife is about 130lbs I'll prolly get her around a 350-400cc machine, and myself weighing in at 250lbs I was thinking a 500cc machine. All we want to do is trail ride, with the occasional "off-trail" excursion. I also want something that will be useful around the farm but not as a primary job. anyway, since i've never ownded one before, I would like your opinions on what I should buy. below are the "must haves"
-4X4
-utility
-4-6k range
-low gear
-on the smaller machine...automatic or semi-automatic transmission
-on the larger machine...std transmission
-two seater? yes or no and why?

thank you so much for all your posts and i look forward to your thoughts

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"AK-47, When you absolutely, positively gots ta kill every mother f@#$%r in the room? THAT'S the gun you gots ta have"

I chose the Honda Rancher 420. Sweet trail machine! Not to big, but not to small either. Fuel injected, water cooled, good suspension, and snappy acceleration right off the bottom. Dead solid reliable. Simple time proven autoclutch transmission with ultra low 1st gear (so it doesn't need a transfer case).

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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 have a Suzuki Eiger 400. Meets all the requirements you have. If you read the reviews all over the internet for it, it is basically indestructible, does about 50-55mph, and has plenty of power to plow a foot of snow or more. The Rancher 420 is the biggest competition to the Eiger, but I went with the Eiger for the 2wd/4wd selectability (as opposed to full-time 4wd with the Honda) and the Low-range. The biggest benefit of the Honda is the fuel-injection. As for a machine for yourself, if you want something with more motor, the Vinson and King-Quad 450 are both nice machines.

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'07 Eiger auto 4x4, Duro power grips, Powermadd guards, heated grips
'87 A.C. 340 Jag
'90 YJ- Swampers, Ford small block, Lockers, etc.

ok fellas, thanks for the inputs....i looked at both machines and i gotta say, i like the look of the suzuki myself. i'm open to anyone else who has ideas as well. Here's a new question for you. I don't have a garage, so i'd like to buy a closed trailer for the two quads and keep them in it when not in use...I understand the security issues with that, but the trailer will be gated and of course locked. The question(s): 1. what make/model should i be looking for? 2. a closed trailer big enough for an Eiger and a Kingquad...how much am i looking at new?...roughly.

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"AK-47, When you absolutely, positively gots ta kill every mother f@#$%r in the room? THAT'S the gun you gots ta have"

I had a Pace American enclosed trailer, and it was reasonably priced and of good quality.

What I do for secutiry on trailers is get Kryptonite Fagedaboudit locks and chains, and run the chain around the axle and then through the spoke holes. That trailer isn't going to go anywhere!

I have a friend with a landscape business, and they do this on their work trailers that they leave on the job sites for weeks on end....in Los Angeles! Nobody ever messes with their trailers....

-------------------------
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

Just keep in mind that each machine is around 7 feet long, that's a big trailer. Probably looking at 3k-5k for a really nice used one.

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'07 Eiger auto 4x4, Duro power grips, Powermadd guards, heated grips
'87 A.C. 340 Jag
'90 YJ- Swampers, Ford small block, Lockers, etc.

Experience has taught me to always get a trailer 50% bigger than what you think you will need!

-------------------------
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 again guys...I really appreciate the advise.

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"AK-47, When you absolutely, positively gots ta kill every mother f@#$%r in the room? THAT'S the gun you gots ta have"

i would get a yamaha grizzly 660. they are great 4x4 quads

I would get the Honda Rancher 420. Great machine and it does have selectable 2wd/4wd.

thanks for the suggestions guys, but I've been looking into the suzuki eiger and kingquad, can you give me comparisons as to why your suggestions would be better than these two? I do appreciate your suggestions though...thanks.

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"AK-47, When you absolutely, positively gots ta kill every mother f@#$%r in the room? THAT'S the gun you gots ta have"