How do you shop for a used quad?

H

huntingfish

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Posting this in hunting, not really "gun" related but very related to hunting (anyone that had to get a dead moose out of the forest will know you NEED a quad lol). Currently we get by with my father-in-law's quad...but would be nice to get my own to chip in a bit more.

Slowly looking at getting a quad for hunting. I'm far from being mechanically inclined, so I have no idea what to look for when shopping for a used quad.

Would be nice to have power steering and needs to be strong enough to pull a trailer with a full moose in it up a hill. I believe my FIL has a 750cc.

Not sure when power steering started appearing in quads...Ideally in the 5000-9000$ range.

Any make or models to stay away from? What do I need to look for as far as sign that a given quad was mistreated?

Cheers and thanks for any advice!

David
 
I'm a firm believer in the Yamaha quads being offered.
P/S is a great option, especially when moving around in gumbo.

Condition should be apparent.
Busted fenders, bent rims (lips).
Torn seats, bent bars and racks.
Does it start right up and no smoke out the tailpipe?
Check the axle and driveshaft boots for tears.
Steering tight?
Options?
Winch, hand warmers, windshield, etc.
 
With that budget you could find a new quad. I was looking for a used one for about 8 months before I caved and went new. I got a 2019 Yamaha kodiak 450 EPS for $8200, saved money on it since it was left over from the prior year.

Some other things to factor in when looking at used..
Ownership
Snorkels (avoid any quad with one of these)
Wiring (I saw some seriously sketchy wiring in my search)
Rust
Frame damage
Tires
 
Stripes said:
With that budget you could find a new quad. I was looking for a used one for about 8 months before I caved and went new. I got a 2019 Yamaha kodiak 450 EPS for $8200, saved money on it since it was left over from the prior year.

Some other things to factor in when looking at used..
Ownership
Snorkels (avoid any quad with one of these)
Wiring (I saw some seriously sketchy wiring in my search)
Rust
Frame damage
Tires
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With the OPs budget this is my suggestion. My 450 Honda has pulled out oodles of moose, with and without a trailer. While a 750 has more power it weights almost the same so it doesn't have any better traction than the 450, all it does is spin the tires faster.
 
Yamaha , Honda, Canam , suzuki..... in that order.

notice i didn't mention polaris?
I live up in the cariboo region BC..... lots of quads around these parts. LOTS of dead polaris machines in people's yards.
I have a 2012 yamaha grizz 550. If you can find one of these machines used, grab it.
Mine has had one service since new and has never let me down.
I did have some cold starting issues last winter(2019) but found a loose connection in my battery maintainer where the power cord was soldered in.
 
I shop cheap, used, and deal with the problems if and when they come up.
Works for me.

Decide if you want a utility machine, or you want to run speed with the fast guys, or bog in the mud with the guys into that, and decide how much you can afford to spend on that, if that's your thing. It's an expensive thing!

I cannot really justify much bigger a machine than my 450 Yamaha Kodiak. It was bought used as RCMP surplus, so it rode in the truck more than it got rode, but it was used. Paid a bit under $4K, but it was less than an hours drive to go get, so that saved me a bit.

Mine look like Frankenstein's monster. Now. Sun-fu**ed plastics, stitched together with iron wire. Bent. Scrapes. Pretty much textbook what to avoid if you are picky. Whatever. Bought it to use. Use it pretty much every day. Bumming around, haul firewood, fishing, chasing trespassers, doing chores, feeding the stock, etc. I'll buy new tires, gas oil and filters, and parts that make it run. Things that keep it pretty are low priority, and I will have it until it is pretty much only fit for parts or pretty much flat-lined, value-wise.

I would suggest to anyone, that getting a Royal Distributing paper catalog for the magazine rack in your bathroom, is a good addition to the collection! Maybe even before shopping, as it can give you a real idea what there is out there for parts support for some of the older models, as well as more or less where the support dies off at. They do bikes, quads, boats, and sleds. Have found their prices decent, their delivery quick, and their goods satisfactory. Just saying.

Back to deciding, there is a lot to be said for the basic Japanese makes that some decry as lacking innovation or power. Yep. Same engine through a long run of years. Equals parts support. Lack (supposedly) of high end power. Equals it doesn't leave you walking home.

You guys in kaybec still getting screwed by the sled trails bunch? Having to pay the levy money towards trails on the sale of an ATV, but not allowed to use the trail system? Or has that changed?

Anyways, for your budget, I would likely start at the Yamaha dealer and see what they have in new old stock, or trade-ins with warranty, and work from there.
 
Remember, The bigger the quad the harder it is to manoeuvre when your power steering fails. Smaller quads are easier to handle by yourself.

I’m a big fan of Honda machines as they’re tough and reliable. They’re made for work more so than pleasure riding and a 300-400cc is perfect for dragging out moose. When the tsunamis hit Japan they took out the Honda parts warehouses so finding parts on 80’s/90’s machines is hard now.
 
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I agree with the guys that say to go new. Lots of them in your budget under 9 grand. Don't need 800-1000cc unit to drag a moose. Hunters used to and likely still do drag them out with 200cc three wheelers. First thing my insurance company asked when I bought mine was what size it was because generally the rates go up on machines above 700cc.
 
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We bought a used Yamaha kodiak 450 several years ago. It required a little work soon after but other than batteries, has required very little extra expenses.
We also bought a used 650 Kawasaki a few years later. It is a little slower to start, (our lawnmower has a kawi engine also and is also slower to start), but once warmed up it has performed well. My son replaced the rear drive shafts as a lot of sandbar riding had holed the boots and the joints were done, but it has scary power and runs well. It came with less than 2000 km on a 2008 for $4500.
I followed ads on craigslist looking for lower km and reasonable price. They show up but sell fast.
 
I love my Honda 680 Rincon. Mine is a 2011, use it around the farm for tilling the wife's riding arena and its been great in the bush and hunting.
I'm in agreement with people above, my brother in law got a Honda for 8k taxes in brand new with warranty.

You can find great used deals, just have to keep an eye out for them.

happy hunting
 
Nashville said:
Look for chain driven not belt driven
Remember, The bigger the quad the harder it is to manoeuvre when your power steering fails. Smaller quads are easier to handle by yourself.

I’m a big fan of Honda machines as they’re tough and reliable. They’re made for work more so than pleasure riding and a 300-400cc is perfect for dragging out moose. When the tsunamis hit Japan they took out the Honda parts warehouses so finding parts on 80’s/90’s machines is hard now.
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Who makes a chain drive machine anymore?
 
Used quads are not like used vehicles.

Buy new if you can and avoid the headaches.

Too many quads are raped and/or "modded".

Everybody I know who has purchased as used quad has wound up balls deep fixing when they should of been using.
 
barry1974w said:
Who makes a chain drive machine anymore?
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Yeah, really. That just baffles the crap outta me.

I think maybe some of the racer-boy type quads are chain, but they are not exactly the prime target for a guy looking to drag a moose anywhere.

Gotta rate as pretty useless bloody so-called help.
 
There are lots of grampa's out there that buy one & seldom use it. When I had my honda 500 there was one year that I put one km on it. That's right 1 km. When I sold it I got more than I paid for it. Patience is key. Look at the person's yard, vehicles & so on. If that looks like junk chances are his quad is junk as well. Honda, Suzuki King Quad or Yamaha. I personally would not look at anything else. Just like vehicles low kms means something. If it has an air cleaner stack on it don't even look at it.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Used quads are not like used vehicles.

Buy new if you can and avoid the headaches.

Too many quads are raped and/or "modded".

Everybody I know who has purchased as used quad has wound up balls deep fixing when they should of been using.
Click to expand...

Depends on the price you put on your time.

I bought a non-runner, hard used Honda TRX350FM from a survey company for cheap.
Cost me $250 in parts to put a new head on it. 3 or so hours to change. Drove the living hell out of it for a couple years before it needed any more attention, and that was totally my own fault, too.
I'll gladly do a couple hundred dollars worth of work to save a couple thousands in expenses.

They ALL need some work at some time. Best bet is to be on it from the outset.

If you go into the bush without at least a little basic skill and knowledge of mechanics, best you carry some comfy walking shoes!
 
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