Been looking for awhile now at used atvs. Mainly for plowing our drive and "working" but would like something double duty and enjoyable to ride once in awhile. If you were shopping used, what would you go after? I've been chasing grizzlies but can't find one that isn't junk or overpriced. Let me know.
Reliability? Honda! Rancher or foreman in the 4x4 flavor. I have the foreman 500 and had a 2" hitch welded on it and she'll handle the 50" swisher snow plow and 800#+ lawn roller.
I've been seeing some good deals around my area on those facebook rummage sales sites.
We have 5 Polaris ATV's. The oldest is a 2001. Next is a 2003. They both still run like a champ. The other 3 range from 2005 - 2012. I have never had a problem with any of them. I let the dealer service them every 1 to 2 years depending on how much we ride them. The only thing I've had to replace is the batteries. Would not hesitate to buy another.
Honda.... not the fastest but for reliability they can't be beat! Can Ams are great but the prices are crazy expensive! I have an '05 Rincon 650 and haven't had a single issue with it other then tearing an axle boot. Love the manual and automatic transmission choice.
If you plan on hauling / moving a boat or trailer stick with a Rancher or Foreman with a straight rear axle. The independent rear ends add comfort but squat to far with a heavy load. I made up a device which keeps my rear end from squatting when moving the boat or trailer.
Thanks guys. It will be mainly plowing and pulling a yard trailer. Nothing super heavy, no boats, etc. Grizzly or foreman is what I'm after. Think I've narrowed it down.
Weve had Polaris our entire life. Never any major issues. I have a big driveway and have plowed with it for years and also did my grandmothers and in laws......as far as pulling when ice fishing on st clair ive hooked up a 5x10 trailer to it and had 5 guys sit in the trailer with all there gear and have pulled them all over st clair with no problems. The sportsman I have is only a 500 as well. Awesome quads with the best suspension and ride hands down on the market. Having the third headlight on the steering is also nice so you can see where your turning a lot easier in low to no light conditions!
Like most the other guys, if looking for reliability, the Honda with Yami second. Glad to hear some are having good experiences with the Polaris, but not for me.
A 14 electric shift foreman 500 with less than 100 miles, plow and winch. A 12 grizzly 700 less than 1000 miles plow and winch. Both prestine, same price. Which do you pick. Foreman is straight axle. Grizzly is irs. Both have difflock.
Owned 6 Honda ATV's and never had a problem with any of them. I have a SRA Foreman ES that is a 15 model and that thing is an animal. I was bored a few weeks ago so I put the blade on and cleared a spot for a ground blind and couldn't believe the power it had pushing brush (10ft), didn't even have to lock the differential. It's not the fastest thing but will run around mid 50's. IRS will give a better ride but I've found if you are used to SRA's stick with them as they handle totally different. Would have bought a Rancher but liked the idea of the Locking Differential. Had a 13 Rancher and it would do just about everything I wanted. I've actually shopped around and gotten some better deals on new , than a good used one.
Consider new... Toys get either beaten to death or owned forever. My 2003 foreman rubicon was expensive, but the 13 years of bomb proof service has paid me back 10fold. Added a Kawasaki mule trans utv to the fleet 4 years ago. Same experience. Utility machines for work, sport machines for play...
"96" 500 Polaris Explorer and it's still like new. It doesn't get beat and not taken care of so that's probably what your looking at. Cleaned every time it's used and also greased every time. Has a plow and pulled many deer, and is for sale. Original tires hardly warn.
I'd go with a Grizzly too. you may want to check out craigslist or better yet a specific grizzly forum
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