Wife approved ATV!!!!

[sieckanddestroy]

Alright, I finally got the ok from the wife to get myself a 4 wheeler! I have been looking around for quite some time and really love the new yamaha grizzly 550 with EFI and power steering, but I am still undecided. Should I buy new or look for a good used machine, what type, size, etc? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Roofer]

The yamahas are nice machines, but I would look also into the new Polaris XP line. The EPS is better and the suspension is better also.

Although Yamaha and Honda are tough to beat for the long haul, as long as high performance isn't a must have. The worst part about anything besides a Polaris or CanAm is the tires. Not only do they not get good traction, but the sidewalls are sloppy, they are easily punctured, and they wear fast.

There are plenty of practically new used ones out there right now.

If you are looking new, look for an 08 or 09 hold over for your best deal. Most times you still get the manufacturers 6 month or one year warranty.

As with any atv......you take care of it, and it will take care of you.



BTW, Congrats. They are so useful for an outdoorsman.

[pbrown5205]

Shop the used market first as much as I hate to say this... theres a lotta guys out there that have lost jobs and are looking to get out from under notes. Get new pricing to see how the used ones compare. Then if you dont like what you see go new.

[Stump]

I knew the day would come sieck!

The best advice I can give is to go and find dealerships that allow test riding. That helps a lot! Print out all the spec sheets of every wheeler you have in mind and compare everything spec for spec(including weight).

I love my Kawi brute force, but not a huge fan of how 4wd engages although it's not a huge issue. Have heard that the front end diff's are weak and the engine overheats somewhat easy. But that info is from guys who mud A LOT. Which isn't me.

Good luck! If you ever want to ride mine before you go and buy one, just let me know.

[sieckanddestroy]

Damn right stump, it only took me a couple of years....better late than never. I think when you got yours and posted pics I showed them to my wife and she just laughed at me! But anyway, so far I have test driven the yamaha grizzly 550 and 700, a suzuki king quad 500, and an artic cat. This day in age they are all nice machines but the grizz stood out for me so far. I have not test driven a kawasaki or the new polaris XP's yet but I have heard damn good things about them and I will now for sure! As for used ones I get paranoid about the "actual" abuse that they have taken. It seems to me that every ad that I see says "wife's machine," "easy miles," "never been in the mud," "adult driven!" I guess it just seems that nobody uses their ATV's anymore, so who do you believe even if the machine looks clean and drives fine? We will see what happens....thanks for the advice. Any other recommendations would be appreciated as I am really going to try and make a smart decision that suits me the best whether it is new or used!

[Stump]

Before I bought my BF, I was a huge Grizzly fan. I still am. Never was a Sportman fan at all. But it came down to price when I bought. Kawi was blowing out their '08 stock making room for the '09s and I got a smokin deal. Yam or Polaris couldn't even come close on a comparable machine at the cost.

This might be tough to explain, but I'll try anyway. One thing that I really like about the BFs is that when you sit on it....the seat is a little lower in relation to the handle bars than a Grizz or Polaris is. You kind of feel like your sitting into a cockpit type feeling and the handle bars are straight in front of you. A total personal preference thing, but I liked it.

Be prepared though, once you get it....atv accessories are plentiful and something that at least for me, you'll want to dump MORE $$ on. Tires, rims, racks, etc....

[ifish2]

Hey Siek!
I have a grizzly 660 in realtree hardwoods camo & love it! I have had experience with all the major brands & have had better luck with the yamaha than any other. Have never had any problems. I still have the very first yamaha atv that I got in 1985 & it still runs like a top & never had any problems. I have alot of friends that have polaris & they stay in the shop more than they get to ride them. I'm glad to hear you are getting one & I hope you find a good deal. Good luck & have fun with it!

[Woods Walker]

Have Arctic Cats & love them... they will go anywhere & I have video to prove it...LOL

Most of the machines are good & reliable these days... just depends on what you are after & how it will be used or abused. I have found that most used one are in decent enough condition, because most people don't treat them too bad.

If you are riding rugged terrain the power steering is nice, if you are just going to trail ride, I think the Polaris has the softest ride...If you are going to play in the swamps of Minnesota, might want to consider a Cat. I have a 400 & a 650, love them both.

BTW... The Gander Mnt, in Brainerd MN has closed its Power Sports area & still has a few Acrtic Cats for discounted price... might be worth a phone call.

[Slugger]

I like artic cats, do a little research and get what you like though, BTW congrats, Its tough to make big purchases like an atv in these times.

[sieckanddestroy]

Believe me, I probably wouldn't be buying one in these tough times if I didn't sell my boat! That was pretty much the deciding factor for my wife......can't have both!

[Slugger]

Believe me, I probably wouldn't be buying one in these tough times if I didn't sell my boat! That was pretty much the deciding factor for my wife......can't have both!

so what your sayin is in order for me to get my wife to let me buy a 4 wheeler is to buy a boat and then sell it..... but How do i get her to let me buy the boat? LOL


I will have to wait a few years but what the heck.... I like draggin deer out........

[Drenalin13]

hey sieck! i was looking threw a magazine yesterday and they make camo rims to match the Grizzly 660 just a little adder that would be pretty primo!

[Roofer]

Polaris Browning XP model comes with camo wheels.

[Roofer]

This might be tough to explain, but I'll try anyway. One thing that I really like about the BFs is that when you sit on it....the seat is a little lower in relation to the handle bars than a Grizz or Polaris is. You kind of feel like your sitting into a cockpit type feeling and the handle bars are straight in front of you. A total personal preference thing, but I liked it.

Very true. I feel the same way. The XP Polaris is a little more of a "sit in" machine like the brute, than the older sportsmans that you seem to "sit on". I also felt that the Kingquad was more of a "sit on" machine. Definite difference in feel, and I also recommend driving all of the ones you are interested in.

I really can't say that any one machine is "junk", like some people try to say.

[Roofer]

Well.......???? Wife approved......anything happen yet? If so, any pics of the new ride?

[sieckanddestroy]

Sorry guys, I have been gone for a week......I might just have a little something up my sleeve to show you tomorrow! Stay tuned.......

[sieckanddestroy]

Well, after much deliberation, test drives, research, and sleepless nights I went with my gut and brought this baby home today!!!!!! I will have some more pics when I get some goodies for it.....(you weren't kidding stump, now all I want to do is buy crap for it)

[Stump]

That a boy Siek!!! Fine lookin ride!! Is that a 700?

(you weren't kidding stump, now all I want to do is buy crap for it)

O man. Just wait! From racks to new tires/rims, snow plow, gun/bow racks, performance modules....it never ends. ha, ha If you want info on any of the above, I've probably researched it. Hit me up.

[sieckanddestroy]

I went with the 550, has plenty of power that is for sure!!!! What kind of plow do you recommend?(I have heard that Moose plows are the way to go) That is the one thing that I would like to take care of as soon as I can. There are plenty of other things that I would like to have but first things first, I need one before the snow flies!

[Stump]

From what I have read, Moose plows seem to be about the best going. Still waiting to hear back on how many different blade directions they have though. The mounting plate on the Moose seems to be about the best one there is for NOT hanging low and getting you hung up on anything. 11 gauge steel on the blades.

Cycle country seems to be a pretty close 2nd. 3 different blade directions and 12 gauge steel on their blades. And the mounting plate is pretty similar, but I still like the moose plate a touch better. CC's are going to be a touch cheaper. I think because of the gauge of steel and maybe because it's not the Moose name.

I'm close to pulling the trigger on getting a 60" moose blade, pushtube and plate for mine. And I think that I'm getting a pretty good deal. If your interested and somewhat ready to pull the trigger, I could see if the guy would cut me/us a slightly better deal if we bought them together.