Need ATV Advice

Joined
Oct 2, 2021
Messages
351
Location
Central Virginia
I am thinking of buying an ATV. I mean the regular old 4 wheeler type. It is primarily for use deer hunting and for utility use at my hunting camp. There is also a lot of nearby national forest we can hunt on, and I will likely use it there too. I might want to pull a brush mower behind it at some point.

Side by sides are just too expensive given how much I am likely to use it. I have ridden ATV's a few times when elk hunting out west, but I have never owned one. I am thinking of getting a Honda, on the assumption it will be low maintenance and dead nuts reliable like other Honda products. I am a fairly big guy, 6'4" and 250 or so, and I want to make sure I get enough power to haul myself and my 13 yo son around. If it works out, I can add another one in a couple of years when my son is old enough to drive one.

What do I need to know? Here is the one I am thinking about:

Honda

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What do I need to know? Here is the one I am thinking about:

Honda
That's "the one", you chose wisely.

We've had one for years. It might be a 2016.

We change the oil every once in a while. Had to put new tires and a battery on it this year.

It just works.

Our 2 Yamahas that cost more don't start without flooding and tweaking half the time.


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They are very handy machines and more versatile than a SxS. You can never go wrong with Honda, but don't be afraid to look at the other major brands like Suzuki and Yamaha. If you can get ahold of a model that has Power Steering you will appreciate it! If your boy is growing into a frame like yours you won't want to ride double on one quad very long. I have personally only owned mid-sized older used machines, but been around and ridden newer ones plenty.
For motor size, a 400-500 is a great personal machine, the 700s and bigger tend to come in handy more for running tracks, hauling 2 people often, or trying to commercially push snow, to name a few things :)
If you decide you want more storage I definitely recommend hard-shell over soft bags!
Have fun shopping and be safe!
 
That's a great choice it would personally go with the foreman over the rancher especially at your size and planning on hauling 2 people but that one would get it done. You could always buy the rancher now and hand it down to your son if you decided to go with a foreman later.
 
Bought two Honda 300’s back in 97 and 98. They always start providing the battery is charged even after months and months of sitting. They have been powerful enough for riding double or hauling meat out of the high country in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. They are smaller but go anywhere any of my friends have gone with their bigger machines. Neighbor has several different brands and sizes but his Honda has been his most reliable. Have fun
 
The price doesn’t move much, you can probably get them to throw in a wench or some accessories at best. I have the rubicon and it has survived two teenage boys and all their friends.
 
Im 6 1-260 and have no trouble 2 up on my 400 rancher. Tow a trail mower like a champ. Goes 55 mph if I need it to. I put a box on the front for carrying things, and have stacked 600lbs of fertilizer bags on it without issues. I went with the rancher as I could get auto trans and power steering fir less than a standard foreman. Never felt like I've made a bad choice. Power steering is something I didnt know I needed, I do.
 
The Honda rancher/forman are bulletproof....but they will beat you on hunting roads. They do not ride near as nice as a Polaris 570 or larger with independent suspension. I have an older Honda Rancher...and bought a new Polaris 570- much nicer.

The comparable Honda to a Polaris 570 is about $4k more.

The key to these; Use the Rec 90 fuel in them if you can- it just doesn't go bad...or at least high octane and don't let them sit for long periods without running them a little.
 
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