johnf Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 I've got about $950 saved up already for my ATV. I will not finance any on it and want as much bang for my buck as I can get. Here are my options so far. Option #1 It looks like I can get a good used Suzuki Ozark or Honda Recon 250 (my two top choices)for between $1800 and $2200. Option #2 There's not a Honda or Suzuki dealer close, just Kawisaki. They have a Bayou 250 that I can get for $2800 new (out the door). I rode one yesterday and it seemed to have plenty power. There are a ton of guys who use the older 220 bayou around here and they love them and I havn't heard a single bad thing about them from anyone. Option #3 The best price I've found on new Ozark or Recon has been about $3200 + tax and other fees totaling up to around $3500. If I get used, I can get what I want and pretty easily have the cash by June. I'll have enough for a the Bayou by mid-summer and for the new Ozark or Recon it may be mid fall. I'm leaning pretty heavy toward used right now. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Re: ATV Delima if you go used just make sure you know how it runs and look at the maintence records if you can. that is the only way to know. a bike might look good on the outside but may have some major mechanical problems. the ozark is a good little bike. my girlfriends uncle bought one and now im tryin to get my little brother to sell his dirtbike to get a 4wheeler that he could use for huntin. but just make sure you check it out or have a dealer check it first before you spend your hard earned money to only find out that you need more to fix it up. hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt03 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Re: ATV Delima I would not by used unless you absolutely know or really trust the person selling it. Alot of people abuse the crap out of their 4 wheelers and the longevity of the machine is not going to be that great in most cases. I would try to get new if you can, if not be real sure of what your buying. In my opinion it's not really worth trying to save a few bucks if it's something you plan on keeping around for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Re: ATV Delima John, the only way I would buy a used 4wheeler is if I knew the owner, and knew him/her well. These things take so much abuse, even if cosmetically you can't tell. My advice would be to save a few extra bucks and buy a new Honda. It will last you a lifetime. I just recently sold my 94 Honda 300 Fourtrax to a buddy of mine. All I ever did to it was change the oil, and it always cranked on the first try. I would steer you away from the Recon though and move up to a Rancher. The added power is nice, plus Honda has had some trouble with the Recons. Also, you could probably find a great deal on an '06 Rancher, since they just came out with a new body style/engine for the 07's. There are still plenty of New 06's floating around there at dealers. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacherman Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Re: ATV Delima John........ Don't know how far you are from Union City, TN; but Abernathy Cycle Center has brand new Ranchers for a little under $3400. I agree with Mark, stay away from the Recon and step up to the Rancher. Had one for a few years, 2wd and never had a minutes trouble out of it. www.abernatycycle.com is their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima [ QUOTE ] What do you think? [/ QUOTE ] Think when you asked for advice before, some very good advice was given to you John. Do whatever YOU think will best work for YOU and you will be the one to deal with the decisions you make. btw, abernathy's was the link I gave you before too, they have great prices, that is where we bought our bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima [ QUOTE ] btw, abernathy's was the link I gave you before too, they have great prices, that is where we bought our bike. [/ QUOTE ] What do you think about this Polaris trail boss. It's got a lot more towing capacity and has 100cc more than the honda for the same price. I've heard conflicting reports on Palaris though and am a little gun shy. I've also noticed that the Honda 350 seems to be a thing of the passed. Has the 420 replaced it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima I would probabley avoid the trail Boss if your looking to work the atv at all. The Honda trx300 and trx350 are a thing of the past, but both are bullett proof if they have been maintained like they should. Buying an atv is a hard decision. I would love to get a new one. My girlfriend is buying a Grizzley 350. While we were at the dealer I got to try out a Grizzley 700 with power steering. What an awsome atv. If you buy from a reputable dealer you should be good with ending up with a quality used machine. Thats the route I would go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima Polaris is a good bike also. For the purpose that you are wanting to use the bike for, any of the brands should be suitable. The best thing for you to do, is determine the dollar amount that you are willing to spend, then go to the different dealers and test ride the bikes that they have in your price range. That is something that you could start doing now, you wouldn't have to wait until you have the cash to do that. I personally would lean toward the Polaris or Kawasaki, because I have and am familiar with those brands, but in reality they will all serve the purpose you need, just find the one that is most comfortable and has the items/accessories that you want. I think you should def. buy new, and look hard at getting the extended warranty for them also. An abused bike could be cleaned up and have new plastics put on and look good, but really be junk and you not know it until it is to late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima if you want a polaris i think i would go with the Hawkeye. check it out. but i am tryin to talk my little brother into selling his dirtbike that he out grew and get a grizzly 350. i think it would be perfect for him and it would be almost like his big brothers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima The Rancher 350 is only less than a year removed from Honda's lineup. Like I said earlier they can still be bought new in the 06 models. And they definitly proved themselves. Yes they were replaced with a 420 but you're going to have to shell out more money to get the 07. Nothing wrong with buying a Honda that is no longer in production. My 94 300 that I sold to my buddy is still running strong. Oh and DON"T buy a Pullmeoutpleasearis, they're crap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima [ QUOTE ] The Rancher 350 is only less than a year removed from Honda's lineup. Like I said earlier they can still be bought new in the 06 models. And they definitly proved themselves. Yes they were replaced with a 420 but you're going to have to shell out more money to get the 07. Nothing wrong with buying a Honda that is no longer in production. My 94 300 that I sold to my buddy is still running strong. Oh and DON"T buy a Pullmeoutpleasearis, they're crap! [/ QUOTE ] This is what I was talking about Johnf How are your buddy's brakes on the 300? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Re: ATV Delima [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] The Rancher 350 is only less than a year removed from Honda's lineup. Like I said earlier they can still be bought new in the 06 models. And they definitly proved themselves. Yes they were replaced with a 420 but you're going to have to shell out more money to get the 07. Nothing wrong with buying a Honda that is no longer in production. My 94 300 that I sold to my buddy is still running strong. Oh and DON"T buy a Pullmeoutpleasearis, they're crap! [/ QUOTE ] This is what I was talking about Johnf How are your buddy's brakes on the 300? [/ QUOTE ] Brakes are great, along with everything else on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Re: ATV Delima I took a drive and went to a Polaris/Yamaha dealer today just to check them out. At 525lbs on thier lightest atv besides the kids bikes I'm not going to be getting one. I rode the Yamaha a couple years ago and just didn't like it. I think that after looking at some bigger bikes I'm going to stick with my original thought of the 250. I'm not a big guy and I want something that I could pick up and move if I was in a pinch. With my bad back there is no way I'm going to move a 500lb+ bike on my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Re: ATV Delima I would be very wary of buying used. Thing is about ATVs is they are almost ALWAYS riden very hard and used to their limits. Like someone said, I would not buy one used unless I knew the owner personally and knew his/her driving habits. That being said they are built pretty tough to take the abuse but still... JMO If your not in a huge hurry I would save for a new one if possible. Piece of mind and warrenty go a long way with an ATV when your the one depending on it to work right. Oh and definately get a winch to aid in getting unstuck. 1500# to 2000# minimum capacity too. It dont matter if the bike is 150# or 600# add the sucking power of mud to anything and its around 1000#. No lie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Re: ATV Delima [ QUOTE ] Oh and definately get a winch to aid in getting unstuck. 1500# to 2000# minimum capacity too. It dont matter if the bike is 150# or 600# add the sucking power of mud to anything and its around 1000#. No lie. [/ QUOTE ] My plans for accessories. Gun boot, towing hitch, atv silencer and of course a winch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Re: ATV Delima So long as you have a winch, it really does not matter how heavy the bike is. Honda 350's are pretty light, at least they used to be. think the manual for our old foreman saiid the dry weight on that old 4wd bike was like 387 lbs. The few times I got it stuck, I was able to pretty easily help it out of the holes by getting off, and lifting the rear or front end around to where it could get a good bite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Re: ATV Delima i dont know if i would spend the money on a silencer for a 250. they are amazingly quite already. especially if you get a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Re: ATV Delima [ QUOTE ] our old foreman saiid the dry weight on that old 4wd bike was like 387 lbs. [/ QUOTE ] The new ones are pretty heavy. The 250's (honda, suzuki, Kawi) are all around 400lbs. 350's are going 525lbs and up. I tried lifting the front of the 330 Poliaris at 520 lbs. I couldn't budge it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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