atv question

February 06, 2006 at 6:27pm

who makes the best atv and what size motor other items for the trails for hunting

February 06, 2006 at 6:56pm

Red,
Just my 2 cents but I think it depends on your main usage

Comfort, slicker operation, stuff like full foot boards - Honda

Ride Height, take on anything, tough as nails, better braking and 4x4 operation - Yamaha

Cant go wrong with either but I have a Yamaha Big Bear.

Lil Hank

February 06, 2006 at 9:03pm

HONDA will be the only thang sitting in my shed. Point blank, your honda will out live YOU!

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 06, 2006 at 9:07pm

Honda...No matter how much i ram it jump it do wheelies and sling mud....i am indeed a hardcore mudrider and i just cant break my honda

MallardZ

February 06, 2006 at 9:19pm

Absolutely nothing but a Honda. I'm riding a 450ES now with a snorkel and will pass that down to my son for a new 500ES soon. My brother and dad both have a Rubicon which is a VERY smooth riding bike.My bro-inlaw bought a Kaw Bayou 300 once. My Big Red outlasted it by 7yrs and is still kicking as far as I know. Only got rid of it because it was a little cramped with 2 of us and trying to haul out a deer or two when my son started killing them.The 350 Rancher is a very good bike for a little less $$ if you don't need quite as big of a bike. I believe some WMA's may have a size limit also so consider that if you are hunting on one.

unome2

February 06, 2006 at 9:33pm

honda is good but if i was looking for something esle i would give the new bombordias a shot--they had them on tv awhile back with the others and they ran circles around everything esle--if the bikes are anything like their new e-tech outboards they will be hard to beat--just another two cents--have a honda rancher automatic it cannot pull itself out of a wet hole in the yard--in the shootout on tv it was last--if i had to buy one i would stay away from the rancher 400 auto--

Big_Buck_Down

February 06, 2006 at 9:58pm

well my opinion...the suzuki eiger 400 is the way to go...i rode honda all my life...and when my cousin brought his suzuki eiger over...it changed my mind on atvs...i like hondas...but a suzuki eiger is a very good atv..it has nice ground clearance,nice smooth ride and i was riding in 2 wheel drive and went in mud almost 3 1/2 ft deep...so if u get a chance try and get a suzuki eiger..

driftwood

February 07, 2006 at 5:43am

unome2, can you give me some specifics on that rancher you mentioned. I am also in the market for a new bike. I am looking for the smallest, lightest, no frills 4x4 bike around. I don't want the automatic or electric shift. So far, the honda rancher 350 is the smallest 4x4 I can find new. If anyone can comment on this please do. I might have to look for a used one since the trend is going to these gigantic, automatic, digital pieces of crap. I wish they still made the yamaha wolverine 4x4, I think that would fit my needs, or if kawasaki made the bayou 250 in 4x4. I own a two wheel drive kawasaki 250. To my knowledge, that is the best little bike around if you don't need a 4x4. There is a reason it has been unchanged for over 15 years. other than the displacement upgrade from 220cc to 250cc. If anybody has info on small 4x4 bikes, (even old models) please comment.

Thanks

Poppap

February 07, 2006 at 7:14am

I have a 2002 Rancher ES. I've got supper swappers tires on it. I've gone places with it the bigger bikes got stuck. Never have had problems with the bike. We've rode 3 on it out in rice fields with it with no problems.

unome2

February 07, 2006 at 7:36am

its the 400 rancher AT--its a good bike but when put in a bind the auto transmission does not pull--it would probably be worst if larger tires than stock would be on it--on the tv shootout all other bikes pulled a sled from 60 to whatever feet--this bike might have went 5 feet then stalled out--again the bomberdia out pulled everyone--pull up there site--the engine is awsome and have a 3 yr. warranty from the factory--my opinion --my son has the 350 rancher the only problem he has had is carb.trouble float sticking--this would probably be your best bet you can get some good deals in ms.and ark.

February 07, 2006 at 7:39am

I have an Artic Cat 250 4x4. (I think they only come in 300 now) Mostly b/c I could not afford the Honda. However, it has never given me a minutes trouble & I have used it from the woods to hauling 3 hunters through flooded rice fields. Less expensive than the rest & better warranty that I've never had to use.

If I had it to do over again & $ was not my primary concern, I'd by a Honda. However, if you are looking for an entry level bike, I wouldn't pass up the Artic cat just b/c your neighbor has never heard of it!

crazy white boy

February 07, 2006 at 8:24am

By far the best is a honda. I have owned them all my life and have also bought yamaha and a few others but none hold a candle to the hondas. There braking systems are better sealed and so are the rear ends and front ends. All of them build great engines but if what is attached fails you are still broke down.

HORN HUNTER

February 07, 2006 at 8:53am

I HAVE A 1979 HONDA 3 WHEELER, A 1985 250 3 WHEELER. A 1994 HONDA 300 4X4, A 200 HONDA 450 S AND A 2003 HONDA 350 RANCHER. WOULD NEVER BUY ANYTHING BUT HONDAS. THESE ARE RODE HARD AND PUT UP WET WITH LITTLE TROUBLE. I LOVE THEM ALL

Gone-Pecan

February 07, 2006 at 9:23am

i have an honda 450/s and love it...no problems and i goes anywhere. i credit the tires for that.

whatever you buy make sure you can switch from 2wd to 4wd, make sure it's shaft driven ( not chain or belt) and sealed brakes. whatch out for liquid cooled bikes. one rosoe or branch thru the radiator and you are a sitting duck.

LONG GUN

February 07, 2006 at 9:43am

THIS THING WITH VAMPIRE TIRES WILL OUT PULL AND GO PLACES YOU WONT BELIEVE. 6 BIKES IN MY GROUP. HONDAS AND YAMAHA'S, ALL ARE 400 CLASS SHAFT DRIVEN BIKES. THE HONDAS ARE A LITTLE BETTER.IN MY OPINION THIER IS NO PLACE FOR I.R.S BIKES IN LOUISANA ... I PULL A SET OF DISC CULTIVATORS THAT WERE TOOK FROM MY GRANDFATHERS TRACTOR AND THE 450 IS BAD TO THE BONE,, I HAVE HAD FRIENDS COME HELP TO PLANT AND TRIED TO PULL THESE CHOPPERS THATS WHY I DONT LIKE I.R.S. BIKES. LONG LIVE THE STRAIGHT REAR AXLE...

mudslapper

February 07, 2006 at 9:46am

nuff said

POP PA-T

February 07, 2006 at 10:31am

I had a 200 3-wheeler, great 3-wheeler, Now I have a 350 4-wheel drive rancher, 5 years old, never been in the shop. Tomorrow I am going buy a 500-4 wheel drive. All Honda's, There are plenty of good bikes.Keep the children off, espically boy's and you should have no problem, Just take care of them. But I like HONDA'S

Lil Hank

February 08, 2006 at 9:04pm

Long gun, get you some real tires....ITP TITANS BOY! HAHAHHAHAHA

I got to brag alil bit! haha

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 08, 2006 at 9:15pm

I go to Marengo every Year and my rancher with the 26" mud lites were kicking butt.. outhauled a 450 with the 28" Vampire EDL's!!!

Gone-Pecan

February 09, 2006 at 7:57am

27" mudlites... awsome tires.. have not got stuck yet...

LONG GUN

February 09, 2006 at 11:28am

vampire tsl's rule. only the outlaw's come to mind if you want more. i'll follow 489 titans in 2 wheel drive.

Captain Robert

February 09, 2006 at 12:10pm

Oh yeah, well I wanted to save money so I just bought one 26" mud lite for my Honda. It's all I needed. I had to pull out some guys with vampires.

Just kidding (duh!).

-Rob

Gone-Pecan

February 09, 2006 at 12:30pm

ITP 589's beat outlaws and vampires in mud hole contest by several magazine reviewers. they may not look as bad but the pulled better...

Gurise

February 09, 2006 at 12:46pm

i use the Gators, there rather inexpensive, about $40 each.I think they are made in Louisiana. Cycle World put'em on and all for about $250. been using themm for 3years, and they satisify me.

Captain Robert

February 09, 2006 at 1:11pm

Just wanted to add. There's a lot of decent mud tires out there, but I bought the mud lites. My buddy has the 589's and they are good. My other buddy has gators, they're good too. We pretty much decided the mud lights with the tall tread was the ticket, so that's what I got on mine. It was nice to be able to see them on a friend's bike and what they do and how they fit and all before you buy. If your bike goes where you want it to then you got the right tires!

Two things. If you don't get stuck you ain't riding your atv much. Second, don't ask me how I know this, but atv's float with mud light tires! I know this as a fact.

P.S. I sure miss my old Rancher, after all the fun swamp riding we went through (with a cooler of the good cold cans on the back) I'll never forget that little booger. Katrina took it for it's last ride that b----.

-Rob

BIRD HUNTER

February 09, 2006 at 1:35pm

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BIKE THEN YOU NEED TO CONTACT A&B CYCLE IN MOBILE. IT IS A LITTLE DRIVE BUT THE BEST PRICES IN THE SOUTH. ( HONDA )

LONG GUN

February 09, 2006 at 2:42pm

tried the rest and went buy the best. no magazine articles were allowed at out test site.after all were stuck several times and winches tired and smokin ... the vampires won the day. been there done that too many times.

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 09, 2006 at 2:46pm

Captian Rob you got that Right... My Mudlights combined with the Smaller Bike that i have (350 Rancher) my bike floats(to a certain extent) I even crossed water 8 feet deep just floating along as long as you can keep the bike balanced. And everytime that i did get stuck....(everyone will get stuck in one mud hole or another if u ride enough) all i had to do was wiggle and push a little then keep on floating. It was awesome!

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 09, 2006 at 2:56pm

I put a post of my rancher with mudlites in action on another post.. hope yall enjoy

ldifulco

February 09, 2006 at 2:58pm

Forget all the Honda hype these guys are throwing around.

First...Establish a price range

Next...go look at the bikes. See what features are offered. Don't buy a bike that doesn't have high and LOW range. (the almighty honda 650 DOESN'T!!!)

Then...go buy the most atv for your money.

There are many great atvs on the market. I like the yamaha 660, the new Polaris 500 EFI, the Arctic Cat 500 and 650, the honda rubicon 500.....and the list goes on. Then of course there are all the BIG BOYS...700 and up! Honda guys are almost cult-like in their obsession with the brand. I do admit, Honda makes good atvs but they are real pricy too. In 2001 I bought an Arctic cat 500 for less than a honda 350 rancher costs...A no brainer at the time! I have a lift, bumpers, jet kit, n2 filter, douglas aluminum wheels, 2500lb warn winch, and 27" mudbugs. I love the bike. I have had very few problems and it has tons of power. The maxxis mudbugs are a great tire with almost tractor like lugs and the best thing is they are one of the lightest tires on the market.

The top thing i would say to look for are
1. high & low range
2. ground clearance
3. warranty
4. price
5. a locking front diff like on the 660 yamis is nice

Just make the call on your own. Like I said, the market is very competetive and all of the major names make good atvs.
I hope this helps.

LONG GUN

February 09, 2006 at 3:08pm

DONT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF BUYING AN AUTO MATIC ANYTHING!!! 4 WHEELER. ESPECIALLY ARTIC CRAP OR 2 MANY MOVING PARTS POLARIS. THEY WORK REAL GOOD FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR.
BACK TO THE REAL STUFF WHO'S READY TO DIG SOME MUD WIT THE HONDAS

Captain Robert

February 09, 2006 at 3:11pm

Dear Sir:

Tell me this, why does a 1988 Honda Fourtrax 300 4x4 still sell for $2500 when the original purchase price was $3600?

What do you think an arctic cat will be worth 18 years from now? Answer: nothing b/c it will have crapped out way before that.

The proof is in the puddin'.

I've always liked puddin'.

You wanted to save a couple of bucks, you did. But have you ever heard, "Sometimes it's more expensive to be cheap?"

Reminds me of the time we went to look at bikes at the "ripoff" place in Hammond (no names here) and the guy tried to sell me an arctic cat. Then he showed me his big ol' fancy arctic cat he had tricked out - IT WAS IN THE BACK IN ABOUT 200 DIFFERENT PIECES! IT WASN'T EVEN A YEAR OLD!

Yeah, that's what I want.

Honda = bullet proof.

Don't believe? Like I said, what's a 1988 arctic cat worth?

-Rob

Been there, done that, bought t-shirt, turned around, came back, had a soda and took a siesta! Mud lites rule!

ldifulco

February 09, 2006 at 3:23pm

I new i would catch some sort of honda hell for my comments.
I fully admit that in 1988 honda was the best. But the 350 rancher that has replaced the 300 fourtrax of old is not bulletproof. Go check out highlifter.com and see the pullcord seal kit that they sell. That is just to keep the mud and water from getting into the crankcase throught the pull cord!?!?! Also, they now sell a gear reduction kit on the same site so the honda 650 can have the low end power that all the other 650 and 700's have on their own because they have low range. A friend of mine bought a 2003 Rancher for $5700 and has rebuilt the engine twice because it blew from getting water in it through the pull cord. I bought my 2001 arctic cat brand new for $5100. I have changed the front wheel bearings and that is it. That is after over 1200 miles in crawfish ponds, swamps, and rice fields. Now who seems like the fool????? Me or him???? I don't give a crap about resale value if the piece of crap leaves me stranded in the middle of nowhere!!!!!! My big cat has never left me stranded!!!! Ever!!!! 4 trips to marengo, 5 hunting seasons, and 5 crawfish seasons and it has never broken down on me!!!!! Forget 1988. We are in 2006!

LONG GUN

February 09, 2006 at 3:31pm

THATS WHAT 1ST GEAR' FOR,,,,,,, SEE YA WHEN THE BELT BREAKS

Captain Robert

February 09, 2006 at 3:36pm

Mr. Idifulco,

Good luck with your arctic cat. You want to be a part of the modern era? Send me an email in 2019 and tell me how that arctic cat is doing. Surely you'll still have it b/c it's so great.

Nice try.

You are right that there are a lot of modifications out there for the honda's, though. Because they are so AWESOME they sell so many of them it's no wonder they would have the most after market mods!

If I wanted a rancher for the swamp and I knew I had to pay $70 for a plate to cover the pull starter you think I'd buy a piece of arctic crap? Nope.

Keep up the good work spreading the glee of an arctic cat owner, maybe they'll send you some free repair parts - YOU'LL NEED THEM!

Go search the posts and find my pic where I killed the two does one afternoon. That is the 1988 Fourtrax 300 4x4 I mentioned that was purchased in 1988 for $3600.

I did have some problems with it though, I'm not gonna lie about that. It's had the spark plug replaced 4 times.

-Rob

ruger109

February 09, 2006 at 3:38pm

You all sure know how to stir the pot. Asking someone their preference in ATVs (or what tires to buy)is sure to get the comments rolling.

Oh, for me, HONDA ALL THE WAY. Mine is a 2003 Rancher S and I hunt in the palmetos and boggs of St. Landry Parish where an inch of rain puts 2' of water in the trails. Then the trails turn to mush. Never been to the shop, starts and runs like a champ.

ldifulco

February 09, 2006 at 3:46pm

to captain rob and long gun....I guess ignorance is bliss!
If you don't know that there are better atvs out there then you can be blissful on your over priced and underpowered hondas. And the claim that there are parts for hondas because they are great....having to by a part to keep the motor from blowing because of 14 inches of water is not great in my eyes! And back to you long gun....WHAT BELT????? There is that ignorance again. Guess you didn't know that arctic cat offers the 500 models in a standard or automatic. I have a 5 speed standard tranny!!! I bet the guy who I gave my extra quart of oil to on the Marengo Swamp suicide ride last year would be a little less smug than you two! He was on a honda 450 and it burned so much oil, he had burned up his quart and i had to give him a spare that i carried just so he could get out of the swamp.

February 09, 2006 at 3:51pm

Like I said in my comment below, Honda would be my first choice but $ did not allow for it. However, I've had the Artic Cat for 3 years w/o so much as a hicup! My little 250 will carry me and two others & gear through the rice field w/ little effort.

Oh yeah, it came standard w/ stick stoppers & independent suspension for the $.

I'd ask those who are calling them crap to cite specifics. I'd be willing to bet you guys fall into the I drive a Ford b/c my daddy did crowd!

I will say that the $ I saved on My Artic

ldifulco

February 09, 2006 at 3:55pm

Amen TP!!!

Captain Robert

February 09, 2006 at 3:56pm

Mr. Idifulco,

If you love your arctic cat so much, then go hug your atv and buy it some candy for valentine's day!

See, my honda don't want that b/c it eats arctic cats for breakfast.

Nice try, though.

Like I said, go see my post of the deer on the front rack, and another deer on the back rack of the most reliable atv out there. I didn't shoot those deer with my A-bolt 7mm mag in the pic. I aimed it at the Honda, and the bullet split into two and ended up killing the two deer - that's how bullet proof a honda atv is!

Now, let's hear your next attempt at convincing us arctic cat's are good bikes LIKE THE DEALER CONVINCED YOU!

-Rob

Lil Hank

February 09, 2006 at 4:22pm

CAT'S ARE SCARED OF WATER, don't you know that!

Gone-Pecan

February 09, 2006 at 4:34pm

my foreman 450 misfired once. when i looked back expecting to see black smoke i saw what was left of an artic cat. it swallowed it and spit it out without even slowwing down. i kept on rollin.

Allen Smith

February 09, 2006 at 4:44pm

This is Ldifulco on another computer. Marengo is the first weekend in June, no b/s and no excuse put your money where your mouth is . Show up or shut up .

February 09, 2006 at 4:48pm

well my daddy is bigger than your daddy! Thats about how childish you people sound. He and I like our cats. You are so proud of your old honda that you make a fool of yourself. no big deal, really!

Gurise

February 09, 2006 at 4:48pm

gators don't float. on a 1992 Honda TRX300 4x4.I justkept going down,over the gas tank.. but the Honda didn't stall so I made it out, just got a little wet. still going strong.My brother parked his on top of a hill, about a month old, in 1993. and went into the woods to hunt, heard a big splash, thought he jumped a deer, but when he went back to look his Honda was not on the hill, he forgot to set the park-brake, it flipped upside down in a deep gorge,just a little tires were out of the water-completely submerged for about 20 to 30min.upside-doun on the handle bars. before we could flip it back over, pulled it out, it started right-up, plenty smoke, rode it all weekend, brought it to the shop, NO Water ANYWHERE..oil was fine, airfilter was dry..never had a problem since.very lucky..
Never buy electronic/shift/automatic,anything. and it should last 15yrs of hell.Watched a buddy's one catch fire riding through dry tall grass.

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 09, 2006 at 4:49pm

You see.... now... I had a Big Red three wheeler that was made the year before they came out with the reverse ...now thats pretty old.... and that thing made it through years of hunting ... canefields.... and 3 years of marengo... and still running to this very day....No wonder honda has a reason to be proud.... Its not very hard to look back and say wow we made those back in 1980....My currently 2000 Rancher ES has been through 5 years of marengo 6 years of Redriver WMA and The Rich soils of the bottomlands in Tensas which includes the big flooding that occured in Mississippi in 2004-2005 hunting Season....Now lets see.. the only thing i had to change...was an air filter a few oil changes and new brakes....LONG LIVE THE HONDA....HONDA OWNER AND PROUD

POP PA-T

February 09, 2006 at 4:53pm

Honda is giving 42 months free warranty, I just bought a 500 4x4 yesterday.The warranty is worth 500.00

LONG GUN

February 09, 2006 at 5:38pm

I BET YOU GOT THE MOST JACKED UP ROOTEN TOOTIN AFTA MARKET LAIDEN PUDDY CAT OUT THERE. I.R.S BIKES SQUAT LIKE A LIL GIRL TRYING TO PEE WHEN YOU TRY TO PULL ANY THING. BUT I BET YOURS DON'T '' TOO MUCH AFTA MARKET GIZZMO'S ON IT , THAT'S YOU NEED THAT GRANNY GEAR. SO TAKE YOUR KITTY AND GO PLAY IN THE MARANGO ARE WHAT EVER YOU CALL IT.
YA SHOUDDA BOUGHT A SNOW MOBLIE, THATS WAT U GOT.

HONDA 450 STOCK .. LIL 26'' VAMPS ILL GO WHERE EVER YOU GO .. GET SOME BALLS AND CHALLANGE ME WITH A STOCK CRAPP ER

LET ME KNOW WHEN HUKKELBERRY

February 09, 2006 at 5:48pm

Yeah Bra! You got dat right dawlin! Hmh!

LONG GUN

February 09, 2006 at 6:00pm

http://www.forgotton.net/atv/marengo/index.htm

HERE'S THE DREDDED MARENGO SWAMP RIDE LOOK FOR YALL SELVE'S

MY HUNTIN LEASE IS WORSE I THINK

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 09, 2006 at 6:52pm

My bike is stock... with just a 2 inch lift and 26" mudlites and a Straight rear axle and i got a snorkel (not like it helps u get through the mud it just helps in case your fourwheeler kills in water which has never happened yet) only "power" mod i have is a UNI air filter and i only got that so i could clean it instead of buying a new filter... Marengo is worse than the pictures seem... they have holes that some bikes wont even touch... the water soo murky with the algae growing on top

Lil Hank

February 09, 2006 at 7:19pm

Long gun, that comment made my day. "SQUAT LIKE A LIL GIRL"
HAHHAHAHA, LOVE IT!

I SMELL A SCARED CAT.

driftwood

February 10, 2006 at 12:00am

Thanks for all of the comments guys. kind of got off subject, but its good to hear all the different input. I'm sure honda makes a great bike, but I'm kind of leaning TP's way. I bet the reason most of you guys own them is because that's what you were taught. Typical La. hunter: Ford truck, Honda ATV, browning rifle, leupold scope. Not that thats a bad thing. have any of you guys ever owned anything else besides honda and had trouble with it? Please site specifics. from looking at the specs on the net, I have to say that yamaha is winning in almost every category. Ground clearance, light weight, better fuel capacity, locking diff., high/low range. I think its the big bear. I compared it to the 350 rancher, about the same size frame, only a few pounds heavier, and its a 450. Can anyone vouch for these? My brother owns an older kodiak, and it's great, but I don't like the automatic. I really wish suzuki would make there 250 in a 4x4. I am not looking to put it in mud up to the fenders, or huge tires, or anything like that. I need a small atv that I can easily put in and out of a boat by myself. The most wieght it will ever have to carry is myself and a deer. please continue to comment.

Thanks

LONG GUN

February 10, 2006 at 6:33am

THE FORMAN WILL PULL HARDER, THEY BOTH HAVE 26'' VAMPIRES. THE BIG BEAR HAS A 2'' LIFT ON IT. THE HONDA NOT IN ALL CASES WILL DRIVE THROUGH WHERE IT GOT STUCK, FACTORY HIGHT. MY COUSINS 350 RANCHER WITH 25'' VAMPIRES IN THE MUD WILL OUT DO ALL OF US IF YOU WANNA TAKE SCORE.BUT WORKING A DEER LEASE ,PLANTIN , CHOPPIN WITH THE BIKES YOU CANT BEAT THE 450 S ALL AROUND, ITS A RAMPAGING BEAST THAT WILL STILL FIT INTO A SHORT BED PICKUP AND CLOSE THE TAIL GATE.

PS DRIFT ... I DRIVE A DODGE TURBO DIESEL

AND TOO SMART TO BUY A ARTIC CAT

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 10, 2006 at 6:59am

got it half right... i do own a honda..... but i had a yamaha big bear which was faster but honda still is more comfortable and durable and rode a polaris which had a hard time picking up because of the belt slipping...2nd.... i do have a browning....browning 12 ga browning .30 06 browning .22 and more but before that i had a remington shotgun and and a winchester rifle...3rd... i dont drive a ford i drive a 2001' chevy z71 had a 98' ford 4x4 b4 that i used to be a die hard ford person until my ford gave me problems and had a very rough ride unlike my chevy. 4th....my gun doesnt havea leupold on it i have a nikon buckmaster...i think its far better than the leupold which my dad has on his gun... the point of this is I did give other things a chance.... but its just these things came to my preference.. like everyone else have their own preferences for the different things they like to do not just because we are die hard

BIRD HUNTER

February 10, 2006 at 9:38am

i just recently purchased a bike. it is an 06 honda rancher 4X4. i looked at an artic cat. it is a nice looking bike but in the past i owned a (99) 300 fourtrax 4x4 and loved it. so my opinion is a little biased. fall of 04 my fourtrax was stolen while at the hunting lease. there were 5 bikes present at the time and (3) were stolen. the three that were taken my (99) fourtrax , an (02)2x4 rancher, and a (03)4x4 big bear. the 2 bikes that were left untouched were an 04 polaris 500 and a (04) artic cat. why do you think this is?

nutcracker

February 10, 2006 at 9:46am

thats the best one i have heard so far--thanks for the input

February 10, 2006 at 10:05am

They stole the ones that cost the most! By the way, the only time my artic cat squats is when I'm pulling that big pile of money I saved over the Honda!

nutcracker

February 10, 2006 at 10:05am

in 88 i bought the first honda 300 4x4 --used it on red river wma--this place should be a proving ground for atvs--had myself and 2 boys on it --even had chains on it at one time-it held up for about 4yrs at the end with the rear and front diff. giving me trouble the old girl would still start with one revolution--i then bought a new 400 kawsakwi water cooler --gave me trouble first day even used the old honda to pull it out of the swamp- lost 1500 dollars on a trade end for a 400 kodiak--it held up for only one yr. and rear end went out--then i really went stupid and bought the 400 polaris 2 stroke--torn it up within a year and still did not have enough of polaris's so both myself and my son bought the new polaris 500 sportsman--now these bikes were bad to the bone in the mud would run circles around the other bikes but they had all kind of problems--the boys 500 was torn up in a yr. and we kept it for parts to keep mine running---he then bought a honda rancher the shift type and i bought the 400 rancher at--his only problem has been carb.float and mine no problem except the auto on these bikes cannot pull theirselfs out of a wet paper bag--all in all as for as holding together my honda and others that have them seem to hold up longer--but like anything esle you can get a lemon--your the one who will fork out the bucks for one--

Captain Robert

February 10, 2006 at 10:12am

This ain't about rifles, trucks, or whatever. You can try and distract people by suggesting that they are brainwashed, but that doesn't change the fact that honda atv's are the best.

I swear this is true: I went to that atv place around hammond that sells arctic cats. The guy showed me his, he was so proud of it. It was tricked out with tires, lifts, you name it. And it was a nice bike - TOO BAD IT WAS IN 200 DIFFERENT PIECES B/C IT BLEW UP AND WASN'T EVEN A YEAR OLD!

I had a yamaha, and I can't say it was a bad bike. My buddy has the 660 griz and it's nice. Only bad thing about it (and this is a minor deal, really) is it has a vent from the front and back that goes to where the belt is. When your riding deep water if it get's some in there the belt will slip, you have to get it on dry ground and pull the drain. Once it drains it's all good.

It doesn't matter to me what you think about bikes, I'm so hard headed and stubborn you'll never convince me to buy anything that ain't a honda. Get what you want, it's your money. More than one way to skin a deer you know.

Y'all need to quit watching arctic kitten infomercials and get out there and ride. Then you'll know which bike to get.

-Rob

BIRD HUNTER

February 10, 2006 at 10:50am

YOU KEEP STATING ALL OF THE MONEY YOU ARE SAVING.

ARTIC CAT 400 4x4 $4800.00

HONDA RANCHER 350 4x4 $4599.00

ARTIC CAT 400 AUTO. 4x4 $5699.00

HONDA RANCHER 400 AUTO 4x4 $5395.00

WHERE IS THE SAVING? TRY AGAIN!

ldifulco

February 13, 2006 at 10:35am

One more final comment for long gun and then i am through with all this crap. No one hear wants to do anything but blow smoke!!! So here we go again long gun... ignorance!!! I have a 2001 A.C. 500. NO IRS! I have a solid rear axle, four link semi-independent rear suspension with square cut gears in the rear diff (=tough). NO squatting here, and i don't need aftermarket parts to make my cat BAD. So, try again if you dare but remember that you have been dead wrong every time up until now.

To everyone else with a stupid comment and a honda that they make love to every night, lets get together a ride. I am serious about this. I think it would be fun. Doesn't matter what type atv you have. We should get together a group. I know some good atv parks with miles of trails. Anyone interested, let me know. ldiful1@lsu.edu

LONG GUN

February 13, 2006 at 11:36am

MAN IF YOU THAT STUCK ON WHAT EVER BRAND ''X'' YOU RIDE ,, GET ON WITH IT . I NEVER SAID YOU GOT A IRS BIKE. I SAID I DONT LIKE IRS BIKES . ARTIC CRAP BIKES I BEEN AROUND WERE I.R.S BIKES. BRING THAT THING YOU GOT SOME WHERES CLOSE TO ME . ILL TIE ON TO IT AND DRAG YOU BACKWARDS ALL DAY. BUT YOU WOULD PROBABLY SHOW UP WIT LIKE I DID SAY WIT THE MOST JACKED UP ROOTINIST TOOTINST SOOPED UP CAT JUST TO MAKE THE SHOW. MINES BONE STOCK!!! BRING IT ON

ldifulco

February 13, 2006 at 11:51am

Long gun, My email is on the post. Get in touch and lets go ride!!!

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 13, 2006 at 1:26pm

whoa whoa whoa... LONG GUN.... Did i hear right?.... Someone challenged our hondas?

LONG GUN

February 13, 2006 at 2:06pm

he wont quit till one of us goes and get stuck in the marengo mud for him and all crapper riders out there.
HERE'S A CHALLANGE FOR HIM '''' LETS RIDE NEXT YEAR AND SEE IF YA GOT THE SAME BIKE.. ALL ORIGINAL PIECES ON IT.
BUT I'LL STILL BURN UP MY WARN WINCH TO HELP PULL HIM OUT..

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 13, 2006 at 2:13pm

oh yea i forgot to add....my fourwheeler is in the shop right now... getting its oil changed and fixing the winch from pulling out either the cat or the polaris last year at marengo.....getting ready for this years marengo ride! Yea i wonder if his bike would be in its original piece... after surviving marengo this year... "IF HE SURVIVES"

woodie

February 13, 2006 at 6:47pm

I don't know what you're planning on doing with this four wheeler but if your just using it for hunting, a Rancher is all you need. If you want a fast bike, buy a racing bike. If you want to pull trees, buy a tractor. If you want to go in water over the handlebars, buy a go-devil... I have a '02 4x4 Rancher. Never had any problems with it. Always gets me back to the truck and there's not a deer in Louisiana too big for it to haul out.
My brother has a Big Bear. I've ridden it and drove it several times. I wouldn't trade my Honda for 2 of those things. If you make a U-turn it wants to flip over, and as soft as the suspension is you would think it would be more comfortable to ride...wrong.
I'm not trying to convince anybody. Whatever kind of bike you buy, won't hurt my feelings any. This is just my opinion.

Allen Smith

February 13, 2006 at 8:46pm

Long gun you sound like a worried little b!tch . just my 2 cents I think I just stirred the sh!t pile in the honda cult

ThE bUcK kiLlEr

February 13, 2006 at 8:55pm

i have a 250 honda recon and it works just fine for me. i dont get stuck or nothing.

TheNextBooneandCrockett

February 13, 2006 at 9:05pm

Dont worry long gun.... allen will be the one shtn when a honda isnt there to pull him out or bring him home when his bike breaks down

swamper 01

February 14, 2006 at 5:42am

Man just research the info on the manufactures sites, I ride a honda 350 rancher 4x4. I love it for what I use it for, never got it stuck, pulls a light set of disk good, carries what I need to, rides well and handles good. I had a honda three wheeler for years so when I went to a 4x4 I stayed with what I knew.

If your looking for a good deal on a Honda check out
GREAT RIVER HONDA in Natches Miss. I saved around 900.00 by going there.

ThE bUcK kiLlEr

February 14, 2006 at 6:32am

i agree great river honda is a good place to buy a bike it saved me money to

LONG GUN

February 14, 2006 at 7:55am

HERE KITTY..KITTY..KITTY LMFAO

Allen Smith

February 14, 2006 at 6:25pm

Long gun you never have any facts backing what you say, thus making it here say or as you would understand it your opinion. Instead of talking trash and getting away from the question at hand why don't you put up or shut up. The man asked a simple question ; not a war. By the way I would take the big bad putty cat over a rice rat any day .

LSU fan

February 14, 2006 at 9:55pm

just my 2 cents i have a kodiak 400 auto.2002 i've never had any problems.i've ridden the bruin 350 4x4 auto and was impressed and not very expensive.if i were to buy another 4 wheeler it would be the 450 kodiak IRS auto it has the most ground clearance same as the artic 500 and the bombardier 800.i think i'am going to be in the market or a side by side rhino.

LONG GUN

February 15, 2006 at 7:37am

dont let the rice rats get your goat ! ( or your kitty ) .if you happy , i'm happy. riding any one of these bikes beats walking

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