Atv advice for a new guy

[JW IN VA]

:) :) I am considering purchasing an ATV for traveling around the farm and up into my woodland.Having only been around a couple ( a Yamaha Warrior and a Honda Recon),I'm not real familiar with them. :dunce:
Since I know I'll have to buy used,are there any models I should look for or stay away from?I know dealer support is important but I can get parts for Yamaha,Honda,Suzuki,Kawasaki ad Polaris all in the same general driving distance.
I'm not sure I even need 4WD but, if so,would prefer a system which lets you change in and out.I know the Rancher is AWD.Is it that hard to manuever in tight turns such as trees or herding cows once in a while.I usually have cows who will come to me but occassionaly there is that one who decides not to. :roll:
Thanks for the help.I might add I don't see myself towing anything much since I have tractors and a small bulldozer for that. :D

 

[ALACOWMAN]

I got a Rancher... And a Foreman....the rancher turns fine in tight situations.. But of the 2,the foreman rides better and has select 4wd..Honda has a good resale value...

 

[JW IN VA]

I got a Rancher... And a Foreman....the rancher turns fine in tight situations.. But of the 2,the foreman rides better and has select 4wd..Honda has a good resale value...

Thanks.I was concerned about the AWD turning.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

Got a Suzuki,not running now.. that is
a pain in tight situations....stiff out in pastures too...

 

[Silver]

Honda makes great bikes for the most part. I don't like the way they reverse, that stupid little setup on the brake lever drives me crazy, especially if I'm in a hurry. We have a Rubicon that was great for years, but now it occasionally decides it doesn't want to drive... some sort of electric issue... changed the shift motor and associated sensors, and everything else we were told would fix it and it still does it. Also, just replaced a front CV axle on the Foreman and just the aftermarket axle was $250, half price of OEM.
But even after whining about those things, Honda does make quality stuff for the most part and hard to go wrong with them. I'm kinda partial to Yamaha though, I've beat them to death over the years and can't complain about how they stand up.

 

[True Grit Farms]

Yamaha Grizzly has worked out and held up for us.

 

[ga.prime]

I have a '17 Rancher and it has 4 wheel drive select. Had a '04 before that and it didn't have select. The '17 is much improved in ride, comfort, and power over the '04. The '17 is 420 cc and the '04 was a 350.

 

[kenny thomas]

Best advice is get a side by side. Best farm machine you can get.

 

[M.Magis]

Best advice is get a side by side. Best farm machine you can get.

This. I had to use our two 4 wheelers all summer while my UTV was waiting for me to put on a new head. Man did I miss that thing. Carrying supplies is just so much easier, and no more climbing on and off, just step out and in.

 

[Chocolate Cow]

I have a JD Gator 855D. Dealership took it in on trade from the State. It hadn't been used enough to consider the diesel broke in. There's something about the low hum of the diesel that doesn't disturb the cattle. They can be laying down and I drive through them without them moving. I had to get heavier loading ramps through. It weighs 1700lbs empty. I put a 60 gallon sprayer in the back along with fencing material and a sack or two of salt & mineral and act like I know what I'm doing! My border collie loves to ride along. It's very stable on hillsides & ditches. 4 wheel drive is a flip of a switch. I wouldn't want to be without my Gator.

 

[Atimm693]

SXSs have their place, but an ATV is better in timber or narrow trails, and better at chasing cows too.

Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki have been in the game the longest. You can't go wrong with them.

Independent rear suspension and selectable 4x4 are desirable options.

 

[bball]

Best advice is get a side by side. Best farm machine you can get.

I can't agree more with this. I bought a Honda Foreman couple years ago. Real solid machine that does exactly what it should. Wished I had bought a side by side almost immediately...

 

[ez14.]

Honda makes great bikes for the most part. I don't like the way they reverse, that stupid little setup on the brake lever drives me crazy, especially if I'm in a hurry. We have a Rubicon that was great for years, but now it occasionally decides it doesn't want to drive... some sort of electric issue... changed the shift motor and associated sensors, and everything else we were told would fix it and it still does it. Also, just replaced a front CV axle on the Foreman and just the aftermarket axle was $250, half price of OEM.
But even after whining about those things, Honda does make quality stuff for the most part and hard to go wrong with them. I'm kinda partial to Yamaha though, I've beat them to death over the years and can't complain about how they stand up.

you can get it setup so you don't have to use the button all the time (look it up on YouTube)

 

[Silver]

you can get it setup so you don't have to use the button all the time (look it up on YouTube)

Yes you can, but you still only get first gear speed once you are in reverse. And you still have to shift all the way down to neutral then reverse.

 

[ez14.]

you can get it setup so you don't have to use the button all the time (look it up on YouTube)

Yes you can, but you still only get first gear speed once you are in reverse. And you still have to shift all the way down to neutral then reverse.

True. But how far are you planning on backing up?

 

[Silver]

you can get it setup so you don't have to use the button all the time (look it up on YouTube)

Yes you can, but you still only get first gear speed once you are in reverse. And you still have to shift all the way down to neutral then reverse.

True. But how far are you planning on backing up?

If you ever leave your horse in the barn and try to move a calving cow out of the lot to bring her in with the quad you will quickly come to appreciate a reverse with some speed and the ability to get the gear quickly :cboy:

 

[ez14.]

Yes you can, but you still only get first gear speed once you are in reverse. And you still have to shift all the way down to neutral then reverse.

True. But how far are you planning on backing up?

If you ever leave your horse in the barn and try to move a calving cow out of the lot to bring her in with the quad you will quickly come to appreciate a reverse with some speed and the ability to get the gear quickly :cboy:

I don't have a horse (and would have no idea how to use it if I had one! John Wayne has been my only riding teacher :lol: )

 

[cfpinz]

Best advice is get a side by side. Best farm machine you can get.

Yup. Only reason we keep the regular 4 wheeler around is to catch wild cattle, can't bring myself to smack one with the side by side yet.

 

[jkwilson]

I have a Rancher with add on baskets and a 3500lb winch on the front. The basket in front holds a toolbox or whatever I want, and the one in back will hold 5 gallon buckets. Handy as heck. I have a trailer for it rated at 600lbs that works great for hauling sick calves.

The Foreman has more HP and real locking differentials. But I love my Rancher. I got the IRS because I own tractors and don't need my ATV to pull stumps or to plow. The IRS lets you go through ditches without feeling like you are going to turn over. IMO, 4WD is a must.

Here's a link to a picture of mine:

https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/ap0 ... Z1mFmNPsSg

 

[Logar]

In all honesty for what you just described you do not need a lot.

I do recommend the following - although they probably are not truly necessary in your case.

1. Get one with a hitch.
2. 4x4 - I would never be without - full time or part time your choice
3. Good aggressive rubber - no snowflake "sweetie" tires. Sooner or later you will be happy you did.
4. As much HP as you can afford.
5. All brands will have their promoters and their detractors - buy what YOU like - not what the neighbor likes.
6. Get one with a winch - even if you only use it once a year you will be darned glad you have it on that day.
7. Enjoy it

If you want to go side by side and such - then be sure you get a cab and heater - sooner or later you will be happy you did.

Enjoy it.

Cheers.