Best first 4 wheeler

My teenage daughter and wife have both wanted a 4 wheeler for a long time to zip around on. I've never owned a 4 wheeler and couldn't talk them into a side by side instead. I'm a tractor guy. I have 21 acres with plenty of trails.

What's a good used 4 wheeler for a first one? Looking to spend maybe $1,500-$2,000

 

You'll get lots of opinions here...but from wrenching at a big 4 dealership, you can't go wrong with a Honda (as with any MFR, some models better than others) if you can find a nice used 250 Recon, those are pretty bulletproof (especially the non electric shift (ES) models) they have made these things for 20 years now, and they are pretty tough...another one is the TRX300 4x2, or 4x4, those things are tough like an old John Deere! I've been out of the industry for a while now, so not sure how parts availability for the TRX300 is still?
Stay away from the chinese stuff, nothing but trouble...if you at least stick with something from the big 4 (Honda Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki) you should be ok...but like I said before, some models are still better than others!

 

I second the Honda mention. My grandpa owned a foreman that was a bulletproof tank. Imo Honda fit, finish and quality is second to none. I’ve owned 2 Honda 2 stroke dirt bikes. My oldest son is still riding a four stroke. I drove a civic for years. My wife has owned a CRX, CRV, Accord and Pilot. They make good stuff.

 

What is primary purpose? Is it for fun, or for chores? Some will do both. You talkin spanky new or used?

 

I'd like it to be utilitarian, but they want it just for fun. Used.

 

My initial instinct says Honda Rancher with manual shift. A utility bike that rides kindof sporty. Yamaha Wolverine 350 comes to mind as well. I'm out of touch with all the stuff from the past 15 years though.

 

Some of Yami's stuff was Ok...their transmissions were just clunky compared to Honda, especially getting in reverse.
I had a Wolverine for a minute...I'd pick a Rancher over the Wolverine in a second.
I have an older 660 Grizz still, those weren't too bad...really any of the Yami stuff with CVT trans was decent IMO...might be pushing it with the price range to get into that stuff though.
The more I think about it, the more I think the Recon would be my choice for a couple of new riders like that, and in that price range.

 

Hondas are good, you might need to look a bit for a used one that's not beaten to snot for that coin.

Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki are all excellent, on most accounts. Some models/ years are better than others. Polaris sportsman ATVs are pretty darn good too, again some models more than others. Sportsman 500's are solid. At the price point you are looking at it's probably more about the particular machines you find, as how they were cared for and upkeep will definitely help.

 

Recon, Rancher, or Foreman (in that order). Id start with a Recon for them to learn on. When they are ready to move up, youll sell it for what you paid for it... because its a Honda.

 

I've been a big 4 atv / dirt bike guy my whole life since my first YZ at 11 years old. Mainly Honda and Yamaha but had Suzuki and Kawasaki as well. I will say that Hondas are Uber reliable but their utility quads ride like a hay wagon. At least the 350 Rancher and 450 foreman we had did. After riding huskihls Polaris 500 ho sportsman I totally get why people love them. They ride like you are setting on a marshmallow in a cloud. Denny's Yamaha grizzly is pretty nice riding as well.

 

Agree with above. The Hondas are the way to go. Lots of TRX 300s and XR dirtbikes from the 90s still going strong.

 

I had three different XR bikes. 1987 XR250R, 1995 XR600R and a 2001 XR650R. My favorite bikes. That 650 had 49.7 HP at the rear wheel with the Honda power up kit. I miss riding.

 

FIFY

 

All your buying for $1500-2000 is someone else’s junk that’s likely been abused or neglected.

got a $4500 repair bill that confirms that.

brakes, front hubs rebuild, both clutches, all suspension bushings,

2000 Polaris Sportsman 500.


I wanted it specifically because it’s still has a carburetor and a recoil starter on it still. About all I use it for is towing this trailer for firewood duty and snow plowing. We got it in 2015 after my heart attack for me to do snow plowing our small driveway instead of manhandling a 8 hp snow blower.

this year was the first time in 7 years I took it out to play in the woods.

 

Yup

 

Hey, show me any real quantity of Polaris quads from the 80s and 90s that are still reliably plunking around the trails...I see tons of Hondas, and if they are still cosmetically nice, they command darm good money yet too

 

I wish I would have collected a few Atc 250r’s back in the day. There are atc clubs now.

 

I have a 2003 Yamaha Wolverine. It’s based off the Warrior. It’s a 350 single with two valves, air cooled with an oil cooler in the bumper. It’s a simple machine. I bought it back in 2006(?) from a kid, so it needed some work and some fasteners replaced. I’ve ridden the wheels off it; figuratively. I used to ride with a bunch of buddies up in Western Mass. I had to have the frame welded after it cracked in a few spots; trails were rough!

It’s been a solid machine. Since about 2009, it’s lived at the weekend place and operates more like a tractor for hauling firewood. It just put gas in it, keep the battery hooked up to the solar charger and it’s good to go. It could use a carb rebuild and probably a valve adjustment, but works just fine as is.

As mentioned, the transmission is a bit hard to shift. Even when warm and running synthetic, it can take a bit of effort to shift. I suppose since it doesn’t have a clutch lever, that extra effort is not only shifting but actuating the clutch as well.

Whatever you end up with, try to find something that’s in decent shape. Avoid something owned by a younger individual who tried to make a machine something it isn’t. Be wary of machines with ill fitting aftermarket exhausts and plastered with Monster Engery stickers. ; )

 

I hear ya...still have my 350X though...