How do you shop for a used quad?

[trevj]

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.

I found about the same value retention in flatbed car hauler trailers when I was shopping for one of them. Used and abused prices were generally not much below off the lot new prices for a comparable trailer, so I bought off the lot new.

Yeah, for that kind of age/savings formula, def not worth dicking with used. But I shop USED! And REALLY REALLY cheap! Like around $3500 over 2 1/2 years put two runners and a parts machine in my shop floor.

Or, in the case of the stuff off Crown Assets, I take an acceptable level of risk based on who owned the stuff before me. RCMP usually takes pretty decent care of their stuff. Fer example.

 

[kamlooky]

I found about the same value retention in flatbed car hauler trailers when I was shopping for one of them. Used and abused prices were generally not much below off the lot new prices for a comparable trailer, so I bought off the lot new.

Yeah, for that kind of age/savings formula, def not worth dicking with used. But I shop USED! And REALLY REALLY cheap! Like around $3500 over 2 1/2 years put two runners and a parts machine in my shop floor.

Or, in the case of the stuff off Crown Assets, I take an acceptable level of risk based on who owned the stuff before me. RCMP usually takes pretty decent care of their stuff. Fer example.

Yah howd, yew skewpt me awn one deal.
Luv the Crown Assets awwkshun.
Sitting furr ahh few years and won't start now.
No chit, needs a battery and a bit oh carb werk.
Some of that up north chit is bawt furr ah song.
T'ain't werth the fewl'n time tuh go gitt'im.

TrevJ, needs to meet up soon.................
Seton izz cawl'in me name.

 

[Butternut]

I had a Honda 250 4trax for 31 yrs , bought it used . A couple sets of tires , few spark plugs , regular oil changes , set valve clearance once . Brakes lasted 30 years , sold it last April . Engine ran pretty much like it did in 88 .

 

[barry1974w]

I bought my 09 grizzly 550 used in 2013, we bought the kodiak 450 new in 2012. My dad has more or less handed his machines over to me also. He bought them both used 20 some years ago. My son finally broke the 94 yamaha Timberwolf 250 last spring, it’s currently sitting in the garage in need of a rear diff and axle (if anyone has one kicking around shoot me a PM), I’ve replaced the seat cover on his 91 Honda 300 twice. Other than that, nothing....
I think for most guys the Polaris machines are good. They last reasonably well if they don’t get beat on. And realistically, most guys don’t beat their machines that badly.
I worked for an outfit that bought me Polaris machines to use as my work bikes. I spent a lot of time walking.... it gave me a pretty bad taste regarding Polaris. But that being said, I hammered the #### out of them, and didn’t even try to baby them. But I broke them a lot. Belts, axles, tie rods, ball joints, chains (yep, started with one that long ago).
But I think if a guy is looking for a bike to hunt a bit and do some light recreational riding, the new Polaris 420 might be a decent bike for the money. Pretty sure it’s the least expensive four wheel drive brand name bike out there.

 

[Tinner4]

Can Am Outlander 1000 Xmr all the way!! Lol. Gobs of power that’ll break everything if you beat it right. So much power it just spins the tires and goes nowhere. Sucks down fuel at double the rate of a single cylinder machine. Everything is double the price on this machine when it needs repair. Weighs as much as the moose you are trying to recover. Rad relocate makes the front rack useless. But you’ll get there faster than everyone else and look cool as hell. Comes factory with the dreaded snorkels that automatically mean it has been/has to be swamped. Vibrations from the motor get the ol’ lady randy.

I kid, I kid. This is my machine though and I love it.

After many years riding almost every weekend my advice would be to look at/for a Yamaha Grizzly/Kodiak like many of the other posters suggested. Very reliable machine and I wish all quads came with the same locker set up. Can’t remember ever having to tow a Grizz out of the bush. If my intent for a machine was mostly work/chores and hunting I would be riding a Grizzly 700 EPS.

Had a Polaris 500HO. Spent more time fixing it than I did riding. It’s Achilles heel was the front diff that never wanted to lock up. Rebuilt it a couple of times but the plastic internals just couldn’t take being wheeled hard. Broke axles easily but I had lifted it and installed larger tires to accommodate my riding areas. Overheated a lot. Small rad in a bad spot for getting plugged with mud and difficult to get completely clean. Hard to start in the cold but mine was a carburated machine and the newer 570cc machines are EFI.

Can Am has their “L” line up of machines that are more utility in nature and affordable for a new machine. Even have hunting editions. Repaired one that had been rolled over (novice rider)and was impressed with the ride and power it delivered. The one I worked on was a 570 twin. Simple machines with steel racks front and rear.

 

[stubblejumper]

The sad part is, that this is the worst time to purchase an atv. Not only is late summer a high demand time for atvs, but if you look in dealers showrooms, they are pretty much empty, because of the covid crisis. Sales set records in May and June, and the dealers haven't been receiving inventory from the manufacturers.

 

[caramel]

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.

The one that will let me walking, would get traded sooo fast. Yours is a keeper. JP.

 

[trevj]

Yah howd, yew skewpt me awn one deal.
Luv the Crown Assets awwkshun.
Sitting furr ahh few years and won't start now.
No chit, needs a battery and a bit oh carb werk.
Some of that up north chit is bawt furr ah song.
T'ain't werth the fewl'n time tuh go gitt'im.

TrevJ, needs to meet up soon.................
Seton izz cawl'in me name.

Were you after that Kodiak out of Clinton? Shoulda bid higher then! LOL! My brother bought one out of somewhere near Chetwynd, paid less than me, but paid a trucking Co. to haul it down, which wasn't super expensive either. I won't bother looking at the stuff way up in the High Arctic Boonies though.

Local Band has finally stopped chasing down the folks out in the middle of the Seton Lake in kayaks "For the protection of our Elders!"

Last person I talked to said she had not seen any "Elders" out in the middle of the lake, but there was a pretty good crowd of guys in the speed boat that chased her down. All kinds of covid stupid.

Latest power game locally has been to close down access to the Texas Creek/Molybdenite area to supposedly protect the grizzly bears. PITA, as it shuts of access to a pretty nice trout stream.

I'd be up for a boat ride! Give me a days notice!

 

[kamlooky]

I do beleaf it wuzz in the naybourhood awf forty frigg'in dawlars yew outsmartitted me awn.......................

This 660 is sure fitting the bill though.

Seton is going to go visit an old time buddy and see wtf heez dun to the cabin.
Bit of a story worthy of face yap time.

30* up at 3500'
I could only imagine you low ly'in folk are kewk'in yer bawlzs'n such.
Sure do enjoy this heat for a change.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

We've hauled Ontario moose with a 300 Honda, just get the head up on the back of the machine and some weight on the front. My old '98 350 Big Bear plows snow, drags moose, deer, bear, and firewood. I use it nearly every day. The only thing I've done to it is adjust the valves. did that myself.
Options, you will need a winch sooner or later, and heated hand grips are excellent.
I have a fairing for mine arounf here somewhere, If you do long rides on trails you might need one. Me, It's just in the way.

 

[remyltr]

The sad part is, that this is the worst time to purchase an atv. Not only is late summer a high demand time for atvs, but if you look in dealers showrooms, they are pretty much empty, because of the covid crisis. Sales set records in May and June, and the dealers haven't been receiving inventory from the manufacturers.

i am having to wait months for my new truck
painfull

 

[trevj]

I do beleaf it wuzz in the naybourhood awf forty frigg'in dawlars yew outsmartitted me awn.......................

This 660 is sure fitting the bill though.

Seton is going to go visit an old time buddy and see wtf heez dun to the cabin.
Bit of a story worthy of face yap time.

30* up at 3500'
I could only imagine you low ly'in folk are kewk'in yer bawlzs'n such.
Sure do enjoy this heat for a change.

Well, there's a bunch of lightning fires around Pemberton area, and a fire getting some air cover about halfway between Lillyland and Lytton, up on a steep section north of Lalliwassin Creek.
The Hot weather has been making up for the long wet spring and early summer season.
Supposed to be a small start up above the Seton Ridge FSR too.

36-ish degrees more or less today. Was supposed to be hotter.