what is the best ATV to buy. - LawnSite.com™

instyle · #1 09-15-2007, 11:31 PM

I want to buy two quads for snow plowing and personal use. i want to buy used but not garbage. What quads would you reccomend? So far i have been looking at the Poloaris sportsman.
Also, what is the smallest engine should have if i want to plow? (not that i want small, but i want to make sure i have enough powerr)

Restrorob · #2 09-15-2007, 11:39 PM

I don't believe any other can beat the ride quality of the Sportsman and I'm sure the 500 would do what your looking for.

You guessed it, I work for a Polaris Dealership......

Rons Rightway Lawncare · #3 09-15-2007, 11:43 PM

I would look at Kawasaki Prarie 650's, or probably even better if you are going to do some hard pushing, a older Suzuki King Quad.... Stay away from Polaris, they have a good ride and some nice features, but they are the least reliable units you could buy, especially the older ones.

mower&more1986 · #4 09-16-2007, 12:49 AM

Ive been happy with my sportsman 500 but never use to plow because my area is way too small and the city takes care of it for me as for sidewalk and driveway i have a lawnboy snowblower that does a good job.

Restrorob · #5 09-16-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rons Rightway Lawncare

but they are the least reliable units you could buy, especially the older ones.

Just wondering Ron, To what do you base this claim on ?

The only problem units we see are the ones that kids and drunken rednecks beat the he11 out of doing stupid things that NO brand unit could withstand.

deere615 · #6 09-16-2007, 12:53 PM

I got a kawasaki praire 360 but I heard the Artic cats are pretty good.

desii · #7 09-16-2007, 01:05 PM

Here's a pic of my Brute Force 750 with a plow and spreader. I changed out the straight plow for a V last year (sorry, no pics). This thing is unstoppable and makes it a quick job of clearing sidewalks.

Also, you may want to ask over at Plowsite.com.

Rons Rightway Lawncare · #8 09-16-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restrorob

Just wondering Ron, To what do you base this claim on ?

The only problem units we see are the ones that kids and drunken rednecks beat the he11 out of doing stupid things that NO brand unit could withstand.

I just base it on what I have seen with my own eyes as I am out trailriding and at the shops getting parts or service or a new atv, and what I have been told over the last 10 years or so that I have been riding fourwheelers. I owned a polaris once, it never gave me any trouble.... it was one of their most simple ones built though, a Trailblazer 250. Their larger units are overly complicated and just not as well engineered as the units from Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda or Suzuki.

As far as which one of those last four I listed is best, well really they all are fairly equal. Personally, if you are going to be REALLY WORKING the snot out of the thing, I would look for a model with a all gears transmission, not a Belt CVT type as most of the " Automatics " use.

I have owned and ridden ATV's by almost all the major brands. My favorite was the Vtwin Kawasaki Prarie, but that was back in 2000 or maybe 2001 and I know the newer ATVS are even nicer. At the prices these things go for these days, maybe you should look at getting a Yamaha Rhino, you would probably get more use out of it, and you could enclose it for warmth in the winter while your plowing.

dcondon · #9 09-16-2007, 10:49 PM

Here is a couple that would work just fine!!!

deere615 · #10 09-17-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desii

Here's a pic of my Brute Force 750 with a plow and spreader. I changed out the straight plow for a V last year (sorry, no pics). This thing is unstoppable and makes it a quick job of clearing sidewalks.

Also, you may want to ask over at Plowsite.com.

Thats a nice quad you got there!