Not sure if this is the right forum for this question but it's relevant to firewood in a way. Most of the time I work in the woods alone, and drive my tractor out on the trails to cut and collect wood. Sometimes, though, I'd like to just take a drive around to "inspect" the woodlot, or go out and just cut without bringing a pile of equipment with me, or just ride around for fun. Or have something for the kids to ride if they're out helping me. I have never owned a four-wheeler, but have ridden a few. Kids are 14 and 12 so old enough to learn. Looking for advice on what I should be looking for and how easy they are to operate and maintain. Leaning toward Honda, because they are Honda, but open to suggestions. Also, cheap is important. Early 2000's model years - any standouts?
I have a brand new Can am 450 outlander and i paid $6k and i love it!!! I might have gone with honda but they cost alot more. If i your looking at buying used i dont know much about them but i can tell you my buddy bought two used honda’s a while back (early 2000’s ) for him and his wife to drive down to the lower half of his farm to take care of animals. These machines are stored right next to his deck all year long, never covered or garaged, sitting in pouring rain, ice and snow for about 8 years now. They get beat to hell, skidding logs pulling animal buildings around cuz he switches the garden plot and chicken area back and forth every season, plowing snow and whatever else he needs them to do. They start every time and never give him a problem. They are tanks in my opinion!
06 Foreman here. Other than a battery, starter and a couple spark plugs it’s taken a beating and just keeps going. The stock dunlaps wore out fast replaced with maxxis bighorns. Older ranchers are full time 4wd which can be a pita on tight turn radius. Used market on these can be buyer beware stay away from anything with a snorkel.
Great thread I'll def be I really want to pick one up, just waiting to see my way clear a little. Something very reliable, pleasure drive a little, haul my dump carts loaded with wood and pull my 16' bass boat from front of the house to around back. I've been advised to be careful buying used as most people beat the pi$$ out of them. But if I can find a seller who took care of it, I'd like to go that route. However looking at some deals on new ones with 0%APR are very tempting.
We have a mechanic lives not too far from us. Has his own business and works on atv's, utv's, and motorcycles. He gets business from all over MI and also from Indiana, Ohio and even Wisconsin. It is amazing because he is not in a high traffic area; actually way out of the way, but he is good. I've asked him and his advice is always Yamaha first and Honda second. Some machines he won't even look at but those two are his mainstay. For us, I've owned 3 Yamaha and have been mostly trouble free. I do not have the racing machines but the utility type.
If you can find a TRX300 4x4 that isn't all used up grab one. Considered one of the most reliable and robust 4-wheelers ever made. Honda made a Bunch of them. Parts common and cheap. Predecessor to the Rancher. The TRX300 had a standard, forwards leaning cylinder, rather than the longitudinal setup on the ranchers (easier to work on, if you ever happen to need to). Early Yamaha Big Bear 350 is another that I favor.
Honda and Yamaha used are hard to find used here. People keep them because they seem to run forever without a thought about them breaking down. I like the old Honda Fourtrax, and currently own a 2007 Yamaha 450 grizzly which is the perfect machine for me. It only has 650 miles on it from deer seasons, our trails and wood hauling and hauling me out on the ice before it is ready for my truck.
Bought a 03' Honda Rincon 650 from a friend in 05'. Thing has been rock solid with no problems. Hauling firewood, plowing snow,working foodplots, joy riding, it's been a great machine.With that said, I have maintained it carefully, changing fluids and keeping it clean. In the used market there are some that are just beat up while it seems the majority of people just ride them until something wears out before performing any kind of maintenance on them. I bought a used Honda 250 Sporttrax for my son several years ago. I asked the guy if he change the diff lube and he says, " There's no need to check it or change it if it's not leaking.". Went through the whole machine and it has been trouble free as well. I am partial to Honda but any will do if taken care of. If you plan on breaking trail through snow you will want four wheel drive. RCBS 's recommendation of the TRX300 would be a good choice as you have a tractor to do the heavy work.
I’ve owned 2 early 2000’s BRP Outlander 400’s, and a ‘06 Yamaha Rhino SxS, and I had no trouble with any of them. Wife and I put almost 10k on the Outlanders trail riding over 5 years. I plowed snow for 3 seasons with the Rhino and a 6’ manual angle plow and it worked better than I expected it would and it was just plain fun to boot. That was a lot easier on a bad back than the ATV and still great in the trails. I sold because I physically couldn’t ride anymore, and I see quite a lot of older guys selling well cared for machines around here, but there’s a lot of beat up junk also. Usually it’s not too hard to tell the difference. You can tell if they’ve been maintained well most of the time.
My son now has our old Suzuki 300 that we bought new in 1995. Many miles on it from the old farm days. Runs like a top. Our newer (now sold) 2009 Suzuki 500 is now "livin" at that old farm. It has tracks on it. According to the guy's wife, he's obsessed by it... ... rides it every day. Keep lookin Jon_E ... you'll find one, in any flavor... and the kids will love it!
4 wheelers are for trail riding SxS is for work and trail riding. After having the gator, would never even consider a 4 wheeler unless I was into motor cross stuff. There not even in the same league in my eyes.
Subscribed. What about for a smaller property of only a few acres? A 4 wheeler with a rack to haul a small wood trailer and saws would fit the bill for me. Lots of Honda Foremans for sale in this area.
Honda is the answer. This is coming from Yamaha Wolverine owner. The 87 Honda TRX250x gives me way fewer issues and it's 16 yrs older than the Yamaha.
I just can't say enough about the old Hondas. I have a 2004 Foreman with the manual shift. I bought it new and have about 800 miles on it-not a lot of use, but it has never failed me. I have had to put 5 or 6 batteries in it-probably because of the sparse use. Not a single thing besides those batteries and perhaps a a couple spark plugs. It gets the oil changed once a year, and air filter cleaned. If I was a serious user I probably would have switched tires when I bought it to something more aggressive. I live in farming country-almost every farm has an old Honda that is 15, 20, or 25 years old. They often look like crap, but they run and run and run. I would recommend the OP look for one of these-Foreman, Rancher, older TRX models. Good for teaching kids, able to tow a 1,000lb or so trailer, etc. Not something for the hardcore trial rider, but just a good utility quad.
I’d disagree on 4 wheelers not being for work. With a decent trailer you have as much or more capacity than a utility SXS. More maneuverable and easier to get unstuck in a woodlot. SXS are nice though but way more $$$ than a good used quad
Yeah each has their own spot where they excel for sure. I have a 04 rancher and a 16 pioneer 1000. Tight trails = rancher. Also anything you cant drive over, you can find a way around. Turns tight and can fit between any two trees on my place. SXS = bed capacity. I can load wood up over the roll bar and drive thru anything. And pull a trailer. And have 3 in the front seat. But i need 30 feet to turn lol! Also, honda all the way. I have probably 3000 miles on the rancher and 2500 on the pioneer, no isssues on either one.
Here’s my setup with single jet ski trailer I picked up for $50 plus some cull lumber and piece of metal siding to cover the splits awaiting the woodstove. Cut the trailer tongue shorter to track better in the woods and just long enough to not smash a tail light when it inevitably jackknifes during tight reversing maneuvers.
Does that 250x still have 3rd gear (the first gen 250x had issues with 3rd)? I had a two 91's, loved them. Great quads.
