Buying an ATV
- Thread starter 802flyfish
- Start date
tzone
Well-known member
What type of riding do you do where easier to steer and safer riding don’t fit your riding style?
We ride 1000’s or miles of trails. A lot of it fire lane, gravel and paved rods. Not once had anyone wished they went back to standard steering.
Stay Sharp
Well-known member
When a guy invests in an ATV, its entirely likely he will have to trailer it and customize it to his needs. There is no need for you to get all emotional and upset over having seen such a thing on your computer screen. You may wish to invest in a computer mouse with a wheel that allows you to scroll on by to spare your feelings hoss.Of course you did. The guy asked about ATVs, not a build-it scenario.
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midwesthunter
Well-known member
Neighbor has a Polaris 570, he had to put some heavier springs after trying to haul out a deer on a rear carrier. Bottom out the stock springs. He said with 2 adults it would squat pretty good. Other then that he loves it but has only been used for light duty work here in the flat lands.
Woodrow F Call
Active member
Easier to steer power steering doesn't provide feedback on roads where you can drive faster. It is less tiring, but you don't feel wheel slippage as well. It masks what is going on with the bike.
I'm not telling you or anyone what they should buy. I'm sharing the considerations of the two options.
If I was riding 1000s of miles of trails, I'd probably want power steering too.
As noted in my post earlier, I use my bike to work around camp and pull deer out of the woods. Otherwise I'm walking. I do drive my bike to the beginning of different trails..... for where I hunt, I don't want power steering.
The OP has to figure out what his needs are and what best fits them.
tzone
Well-known member
Well we just flat out disagree on that one. But...that's why they make them with both...for now. My honda is a tank, fulltime 4wd, solid axle, no PS, slow, foot shift, ultra reliable. My Can-Am is completely opposite. Power Steering, IRS, automatic, fast, not reliable. lol Both have their purpose, but the Honda goes to my son. My back can't take riding on it much.
shootbrownelk
Well-known member
I bought a used Yamaha Rhino 700 Special Edition back in 2010. It had around 1,000 miles on it. It has been totally reliable. I added a 3" lift and bigger tires and this year I'll add an aftermarket EPS kit. I love my Rhino.
8andcounting
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2013
- Messages
- 3,401
Power steering is definitely way to go. My ranger has it my dads does not and we both have tracks there’s a huge difference
802flyfish
Well-known member
Thanks for the responses everyone. I’m leaning more towards the Outlander 570 & the Sportsman 570 both with power steering. I think that will be plenty of power for my purposes.
The Hedgehog
Well-known member
I have a 2001 Honda rancher 4x4 ATV in my garage collecting dust. It’s been parked inside and went for more than half of its life not being started. I could part with it .. make me an offer.
Best decision I ever made was selling my Sportsman 500’s. Polaris nickeled and dimed me to death. Were in the shop constantly.
2003 Yamaha Kodak 450 has been beat to hell and back and still use it for plowing. Been to the shop once for a blown brake line.
Just bought a Honda Foreman and so far I like it a lot. Got a 5 speed and sounds like that was a good choice vs the electric shift
2003 Yamaha Kodak 450 has been beat to hell and back and still use it for plowing. Been to the shop once for a blown brake line.
Just bought a Honda Foreman and so far I like it a lot. Got a 5 speed and sounds like that was a good choice vs the electric shift
tzone
Well-known member
You probably already know from your research that they're different machines. If I had your cash, i'd spend it on the Outlander. That said, I have an Outlander. I've had a few Polaris' and it's the only bike that's left me stranded in the woods... and it did it twice.
Got our first ATV last summer, ended up with a 2016 Kymco 450. My one requirement was it had to fit into the bed of my Tacoma, it's a tight fit, but it fits.
Used to to explore "roads" which WY seems to have a very liberal definition of at times! Got me back elk hunting and just exploring the Big Horn Mountains, lots of fun
Used to to explore "roads" which WY seems to have a very liberal definition of at times! Got me back elk hunting and just exploring the Big Horn Mountains, lots of fun
802flyfish
Well-known member
I’m in no rush to buy an ATV so I’ll probably wait till Can Am has a good promotion going on. Looks like they made quite a few changes to the 2020 model so maybe I’ll snag one when the 2021 get released.
I see there quite a few after market power steering kits available online. Has anyone purchased one of these kits? Curious as how they would compare to Can Am power steering ?
I see there quite a few after market power steering kits available online. Has anyone purchased one of these kits? Curious as how they would compare to Can Am power steering ?
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Steiny
Well-known member
I've owned Honda, Polaris and Suzuki and they have all been good machines. Currently running a Honda 400 Rancher.
I would stick with something close to the 400 cc range as these machines are still light enough that you can wrestle them around a little.
The big 700cc stuff is too darned heavy in my opinion. Get one of those stuck or turned over and you've got a problem.
I would stick with something close to the 400 cc range as these machines are still light enough that you can wrestle them around a little.
The big 700cc stuff is too darned heavy in my opinion. Get one of those stuck or turned over and you've got a problem.
6mm Remington
Well-known member
I hope this is okay to post.
Montana Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife has a new Polaris 570 side by side they will be raffling off. This is a non-profit group of good folks who work hard to have some input on hunting, fishing, and trapping issues so that we all are able to continue to do these things that we love very much. This group IS NOT affiliated with the Utah group with a similar name, or any other Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife group. A lot of states are seeing similar organizations get started and they each are unique and individual to each state. ( I say this because the Utah bunch has some radical ideas about wildlife and public property.).
Montana Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife - Bill (for tickets) 406-544-2325
1- ticket $10.00
10 tickets - $100.00 & you get a free membership for a year. $35.00 value
www.mt-sfw.org
Might be a lucky way to get an ATV and win the sucker. I bought $100.00 worth of tickets. Who knows? I believe they are selling a Maximum of 2000 tickets also so the odds are not terrible!
Montana Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife has a new Polaris 570 side by side they will be raffling off. This is a non-profit group of good folks who work hard to have some input on hunting, fishing, and trapping issues so that we all are able to continue to do these things that we love very much. This group IS NOT affiliated with the Utah group with a similar name, or any other Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife group. A lot of states are seeing similar organizations get started and they each are unique and individual to each state. ( I say this because the Utah bunch has some radical ideas about wildlife and public property.).
Montana Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife - Bill (for tickets) 406-544-2325
1- ticket $10.00
10 tickets - $100.00 & you get a free membership for a year. $35.00 value
Hunting, Fishing, Trapping | Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife's mission is to preserve, protect and enhance Montana's hunting, fishing and trapping rights while protecting Montana's rural heritage.
www.mt-sfw.org
Might be a lucky way to get an ATV and win the sucker. I bought $100.00 worth of tickets. Who knows? I believe they are selling a Maximum of 2000 tickets also so the odds are not terrible!
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tzone
Well-known member
The CanAm power steering is a bit different in the way you can adjust it for different "stages". I have mine set on "low" meaning it takes the most effort of the settings to use. Which obviously isn't much effort. The 2 Honda's I've driven with it, you could have steered with your finger.
dcopas78
Well-known member
For just trail riding, it's hard to go wrong with a Honda in my book. My dad bought a new fourtrax 350 in 1994. The only thing he has replaced is the tires, changed oil and filters, a few spark plugs, a starter solenoid, battery, and had his friend(small engine mech) adjust the valves once. It's still a great machine and starts on the first try.
I bought a pioneer 500 utv in 2016. I had to have the shift adjusted after the first 30 miles, and I've done oil and filter changes. It pays to buy from an independent shop in my book. In my case, I have a family owned Honda dealership that I buy from. They are great mechanics. They have saw the problems (if there are any) associated with any particular model of machine and will usually have a fix for it. With the shifter on mine, they just told me to run it 10-20 hours and bring it back in to get adjusted. It hasn't been an issue at all since. It shifts smooth as ice after the adjustments.
I bought a pioneer 500 utv in 2016. I had to have the shift adjusted after the first 30 miles, and I've done oil and filter changes. It pays to buy from an independent shop in my book. In my case, I have a family owned Honda dealership that I buy from. They are great mechanics. They have saw the problems (if there are any) associated with any particular model of machine and will usually have a fix for it. With the shifter on mine, they just told me to run it 10-20 hours and bring it back in to get adjusted. It hasn't been an issue at all since. It shifts smooth as ice after the adjustments.
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