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Looking at getting a quad. Advice needed.

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by csuviper, Jun 4, 2016.

  1. Jun 4, 2016 at 1:20 PM
    #1
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    I have decided to get a quad for some added fun on camping trips. It will be used for light wheeling with my oldest son on front or back. He is almost 4. In a few years or so I will get him his own. The one I get now will become my wife's and I will get a new more powerful one.

    Def need to buy used in the 1-3k range.

    I have never owned a quad.
    What brand/model is recommended?
    Engine size?
    What should I look out for?
    Typical maintenance?
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2016
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  2. Jun 4, 2016 at 2:11 PM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Assuming 4x4 right?

    Yamaha Grizzly. 350 or 550. At this point, you're not gonna be hauling ass, and later on the wife can start off on this and be comfortable.

    The Yamaha Grizzly 660 has a rear seat adapter so someone can safely ride doubles. I'm not a big fan of riding doubles on quads that are not designed for it.

    Polaris makes some nice machines, can probably get an old 500HO for the money you are looking at spending.


    Sounds like you might not need 4x4, so this can really lower your costs big time. Unless you plan on hunting, plowing snow is there really a need?

    http://boulder.craigslist.org/mcy/5617491548.html

    There would be a great little starter quad for your family. Replace the rear bent axle and enjoy. I would not be scared of the bent axle either. I bent every single one of mine that came from the factory.


    Maintenance. Lol....well, it is like this. You will become intimate with tuning for elevation, valve adjustments, timing chains, broken parts (hopefully quad only), and rebuilds.

    Or....

    Take the 2000.00 max, find the quad you like and put a down payment.. Most manufactures offer a monthly plan for under 100.00 per month.

    This is what I would do every year:

    Put down 500.00 on a new Yamaha YZ450F, and at the time would pay 69.00 per month to ride the shit out of it.
    Next year sell it and do it all over again. I had a fresh bike every year and hardly ever had maintenance issues. Only upgrades I would usually do was re-valve/tune the suspension. I drained the crankcase oil and changed filter every 4-6 hours, so pretty much after each ride.

    Everyone's financial situation is different, so that may not work for your family. I just never had good luck buying someone else's old ATV or MX bike that was over a few years old. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you do not.

    Most importantly is the next two topics:

    Protective gear. Two of my many injuries that required surgery, I was going under 15 mph (one was at a standstill). Speed does matter, but even going slow can have some adverse effects on you. Know this, crashing on an ATV, more often than not, that quad is going to land on you. Keep that in mind. This is why I am not a huge fan of riding doubles unless the quad is made for it.

    Some gear I would recommend:

    Must haves- helmet, goggles, good gloves, high top boots, pants.
    Good idea to have- riding boots, spine/chest protector, riding pants.

    Insurance. You would be amazed at how many people do not insure their machines. For the love of God, this protects you medically and financially for a really low rate per month. One of my best friends rear ended me on his quad (I was on my MX bike) and his insurance covered 1800.00 worth of damage to my bike, the damage to his quad, my physical therapy for a few months (torn MCL). All totaled up to over $20k in just a quick second.
     
    CaptTyler, trayday and csuviper[OP] like this.
  3. Jun 4, 2016 at 2:49 PM
    #3
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    ^^ TL;DR

    :p
     
  4. Jun 4, 2016 at 2:58 PM
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    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Thank you @ColoradoTJ. Some good info there. I really like Yamaha and heard Hondas are long lasting too. Probably go with one of those two but still open to consider others.
    I'm going to say 4x4 for sure.
    I will also take this out with friends on my own so I don't want a total dog.
     
  5. Jun 4, 2016 at 3:49 PM
    #5
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    The reason I'm thinking 4x4 for sure is because I will have my son holding on in front of me and need to go slower over obstacles. Won't be able to use speed over them. The trails I will go on are 4x4 trails with lots of rocks.
     
  6. Jun 4, 2016 at 3:56 PM
    #6
    zcarpenter92

    zcarpenter92 Yotas and Yellow Jackets

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    My recommendation is the Honda Fourtrax series. Great reliability and tougher than nails. Some decently priced ones up in FoCo, here's one:

    image.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2016
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  7. Jun 4, 2016 at 3:57 PM
    #7
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    Hondas and yamahas for 4x4, if you want a sports bike (4x2) then yamaha or Can Am. I have the Can am DS450. It's super fun. And yes buy them used. Quads take a big hit if you buy new and sell it used. My quad new was $8K but I got it used for $2K.
    Also polaris for 4x4.
    I would say get at least 350/450 for sports bike or 550 for 4x4.
     
    zcarpenter92 likes this.
  8. Jun 4, 2016 at 6:05 PM
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    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Not sure what that is...
     
  9. Jun 4, 2016 at 6:18 PM
    #9
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Too Long Didn't Read.
     
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  10. Jun 4, 2016 at 6:23 PM
    #10
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    TFL
     
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  11. Jun 4, 2016 at 6:57 PM
    #11
    AMRE2ME2

    AMRE2ME2 New Member

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    I get it.

    When I have more time to type, I'll give you my input. But TJs advise is pretty good.
     
  12. Jun 4, 2016 at 7:01 PM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    :drevil:
     
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  13. Jun 4, 2016 at 9:13 PM
    #13
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Most makes now days Brian are pretty good if maintained well. I had a log book of all hours and maintenance. Due to only working 15 days a month, I have a buttload of time off. I would ride for 3 days straight all the time.

    To be honest, my machines would see 800 hours per year easy. That gets expensive quick and you start doing your own tire changes, clutch jobs, top ends, valve adjustments, general maintenance when needed.

    I always kept my quads and MX bikes in top running condition though.

    I see you raised the price range up to 3k dollars. Probably more realistic on getting a good used machine with low hours.
     
  14. Jun 5, 2016 at 2:54 AM
    #14
    AMRE2ME2

    AMRE2ME2 New Member

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    Yep as TJ said, most are pretty good now days.
    For the past 30 years I've been chasing lions all winter with my hounds. We use quads, trucks and sleds. I hunt full time from Nov.- April 30.
    This past winter I put 2200 miles on my quads. I'm currently running 2 Yamaha Grizzly 700s with PS. By far the best I've had. In the past I've had Polaris, Honda, Kawasaki and now the yamahas.
    Altitude kills horse power so keep that in mind. If you ever think you might run tracks on your quad, power steering is a must along with a bigger CC quad. 500 CC would be minimum.
    If you think you might run in snow, then 4x4 is a must along with better tires. I run ITP mud lites. No more need for chains.
    A couple of the other guys that run with me have Polaris quads and Rangers. They just don't hold up as well as the Hondas, kawasakis and yamahas. We spent more time fixing broken steering and A arms this past winter then riding them. I had zero issues with the yamahas.
    I had a couple kawasakis I really liked that held up well. The locking differential lever is the best in the business. The yamahas are ok but you have to stop to engage them. The kawasakis, just pull the lever in at any speed. A very nice feature.
    This year I rode a 2016 Honda rincon for a couple days that had the new push button shifting. It was a PITA.
    I'm going to run the yamahas at least one more season before getting newer ones.
     
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  15. Jun 5, 2016 at 3:12 AM
    #15
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    The Yamaha's are pretty sweet machines. Never had many issues with mine.
     
  16. Jun 5, 2016 at 5:37 AM
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    Virgils12

    Virgils12 New Member

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    Camburg Fox factory 2.5" lift Xd monsters with 295/70/18 nitto terra graplerrs Corsa cat back Weather tech liners Wet okole covers
    This is a tuff subject do to the fact that everyone is different. You can take any of these suggestions as they are all good but at the end of the day you have to find one that you are comfortable on. I'm a Yamaha guy love there stuff. I've had my old rhino 660 since 05 and will probably never get rid of it. So that would be my suggestion save a little more and get a sxs. I just feel they are safer and you have more control over them. If no interest in them I would look at the grizzlies mentioned by Chris. They are great bikes and are available in your price range. Hondas recon is another one that has a very solid platform that will get you in that range. The bigger the bikes the more there gonna cost. Just set your mind to a budget and stick to it but try a couple and make sure your comfortable on it. So after all that shhhhew.... Get what feels go to you not what others say is good. Lol.
     
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