How do you shop for a used quad?

My Polaris riding buddies seem to go through a lot more parts than I do. My machines are slowly getting beat up, cracked plastics mostly, stitched back together with cable ties, ripped the seat on my 550 last year so I recovered it with stuff from the fabric store. I’ve got a 09 grizzly 550 that I’ve had to replace the cooling fan on. Other than that, just fluids and filters, and I change the spark plug every few years just because. And we’ve got a 2012 kodiak 450 that hasn’t needed anything but maintenance stuff.
If you’re looking for used avoid things like lift kits, snorkel kits, and adds that say “this thing goes anywhere”. High mileage on a well maintained machine isn’t the end of the world.
My dad has an early nineties Honda 300 that I’ve pulled many moose out with. It’s a bit beat up cosmetically, but again, other than maintenance stuff and a battery we’ve never had to do a thing to it.
I’ve found that bigger machines break more stuff. One of the guys I ride with has a Polaris 850, he’s gone through three belts in the last two years. I believe yamaha has a 100,000 km belt warranty if you buy new(don’t quote me on that)
 
Well, Our Polaris are changed every 4 years and i negociate the 4 years bumper to bumper warranty in the price,

I have been a diehard Polaris fan for age.
Sled, ATV.

I had only one electrical problem that needed warranty and one turbo adjustment on my 750 turbo sled.
Over 10 machines since 2K.
 
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caramel said:
Well, Our Polaris are changed every 4 years and i negociate the 4 years bumper to bumper warranty in the price,

I have been a diehard Polaris fan for age.
Sled,

I had only one electrical problem that needed warranty and one turbo adjustment on my 750 turbo sled.
Over 10 machines since 2K.
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Good on ya. Polaris are popular. I do think they make a good sled, I’m not a fan of their ATV’s( but that’s just my opinion, and my opinion matters to nobody but me). But they are very fast and they look good. I don’t have the money to buy a new machine every four years. I’m more of a ride em till they drop kinda guy.
 
I have owned Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. all were great and id but any of them again.
How it was maintained makes 99% of difference

I currently have a Honda 420 with power steering and i love it!
My uncle has the older Honda 400 without power steering and he keeps borrowing mine :)
Power steering is really nice add on.

my general rule for ATV companies, do they make a good motorcycle? is so then id buy from them.

as for size, i had a 350 before and it was a bit under powered. I've never felt under powered with the 420.

ive mentioned this in another thread. get a skid plate!!! factor that into your upfront cost. It will save you many hassles and long walks home
 
I bought a Honda 420 a few years ago. A big part of the reason that's what I bought is that's what all the oilfield rental companies run. And if you think people are hard on rental cars, you should see how they treat a rental quad. I figured that was going to be the least maintenance and most reliable/toughest quad I could get. So far so good, I run a 60" snow plow all winter, and in the summer pull a 500+ lb steel trail drag to clean up my huge driveway and make dirtbike trails for the kids. No problem pulling a 4*8 utility trailer loaded with wood or whatever. Nothing but oil changes so far, bought in fall of 2011.
Kristian
 
bought a 2105 ac 700 limited in 2015 for 9900 bucks. limited came with power steering, metal front and back push bars, projector headlights and a winch. changed a light under warranty and 2 one way bearings in the clutch. the one way bearing does the engine braking under 10 mph, after the second time they left it out, so it will engine brake down to 10 mph then it coasts. no big deal. apparently towing and shock loading is what does the one way bearing in.

otherwise its been great. no regrets buying new.
 
Grizzly Adams said:
X2. Helps to be mechanically inclined if you buy and own a used quad. A little TLC can keep them running for ever. i'm still running my 93 Big Bear. :)

Grizz
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+1, being able to do your own maintenance is helpful to say the least. My 94 400 kodiak is still going strong, did a full tune up this spring and it’s running really nice.
 
CosmiC10R said:
Why are Yammis so good in the atv scene??
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I'm no expert on these things and the quad i own is the only one I have owned. It's a 2012 yamaha grizzly 550 with electronic power steering.
I did a tonne of research before I bought the machine. Poured over atv forums, hunting forums, a pile of internet reviews.
I was torn between canam, honda or yamaha.
I went with the yamaha for the suspension.
I also got a really good deal on mine and upgrade to the best snow plow/winch combo
Traded in the aluminum wheels and normal tires for steel rims and Mud Lite 2's in one size large than stock using the grizzly 700 adjustable shocks.
Gives a bit more ride height and ground clearance and the combo has been outstanding.
I've dragged whole moose, uphill thru a logging slash , 4 low, electronic lockers engaged and given er chit the whole 200 yards up to the truck. I think we winched twice but that machine proved itself to everyone present. That was her first moose trip and she has hauled many moose, elk and deer since then. Only had the basic service done as per the manual's suggestions and still running hard on the original belt. I was careful to follow all the dealer instructions on breaking in a new machine.
I can't ride many atv's due to my physical issues with my back and pelvis and the grizzly is such a nice ride.

love my grizzly ;)
 
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I dont - always bought new, still on 2nd one, was an upgrade to a new 750 Brute V twin + power steering, from a Polaris 450 Sportsman. They are both great quads. I researched them. Get new - it's your own wear and tear. Alot of used are ditch and mud bangers; unless you know who had them and how they maintained and treated them.
 
I have absolutely no complaints on my Polaris Sportman 500 HO. It has been very reliable and pulls moose and elk very well.
Only upgrades were the tires....originals left something to desire [went with Kendas...very good upgrade]
The only things I have to replace are: Drive belt, a couple of light bulbs, Winch solenoid and a stator. It has never left me
walking, and that is a good thing. :) Dave.
 
I think shopping for a used quad depends on your market. Around here in Southern Ontario when I was looking, it seemed liked every used quad was going for (or at least were asking for) $6k+ for a 10 year old ATV. Meanwhile a brand new one was only $8k.

For me, it wasn't worth the risk to buy a 10 year old quad and who knows how it was treated for only $2k less, so I bought new and didn't look back. I bought a Kodiak 450 and it's been great. Nothing but oil changes so far.
 
You dont need many ccs to pull a moose. 400 with low range and it's all about traction. Get good tires. I use maxxis bighorns. I'm pretty sure they're 8-10 ply and they've held up very well to rocks and roots etc. Also the <500 cc machines really just sip gas and my 850 guzzles it. I bought a Polaris simply for rider comfort and that I'm next door to the dealership. Bought new in 2012 and it has been nothing but reliable. Haven't had to replace anything but a battery in 3000km. I used to say that I would want a pull start as an option but those tiny booster packs have sure come a long way.
 
My Ranger SXS Polaris 1000cc is a pulling beast, it's rated for 2500 pounds +1400 pounds in the box. Last year., i moved my 2X Dickie Moore 35 feets work baraque on wheels, not very far but the Ranger made it easy and as mentionned by savagelh they have good comfort.
 
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Purchased a Big Bear many moons ago.
Luv'd that Yamaha to no end.
Then I purchased its kin, Kodiak in 400.
Not a bad rig.
Big fenders helped keep the mud awf yer skin.
Biggest problem with these two were e-brakes, or lack
of holding power of such.

Then along came the 660 Grizz.
Ohhhhhhhh my my.
Nuff grunt to pull the 4x6x2 trailer full awf farwood.
T'uther two jest woodn't pull it full.

Plow'in snow, never gartzs this unit stuck.
My new ride.
Bawt yews'd awff'ear.
Deal of the century, thank you Mr. M.

kvqX79a.jpg
 
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