54 replies to this topic

[RangerRon]

I am looking to buy my first ATV. Any suggestions as to lessons learned when you all bought yours?ThanksRon

[FIRST TIMER]

Ron,what are you going to do with it? Are you looking for a 4X4 or a sport quad? What price range are you looking at?

[RangerRon]

I am for sure wanting a 4x4. I plan to use it trail riding and to use when hunting. Have not settled on price yet as I am still looking and tring to evaluate the pros/cons of each brand. Ron

[RangerRon]

Steve, thanks for advice. Lots of options. Just started doing research and you have given good food for thought. Do you know anyone with experience with the Rhino? I was thinking of this because my son will not have an ATV and he could go with me. Also, I retire in a year and couls use it on the land we bought in Georgia. Ron

[FIRST TIMER]

Ron,I think Mr Mister is on the right track. Last summer I spent a weekend bombing around eastern oregon rabbit hunting on a brand new Polaris 700. The quad had some cool freatures but at speed (35+) it didnt haddle very well. It also takes a lot of troutle to get moving. I love the grizzly but they havent updated it lately to keep up with the new bikes. After all the research I did last year on buying a big bore quad, I liked the Suzuki kingquad. It was the atv of the year in all of the atv mags and it all the best things from other atvs. I didnt buy it because I went in a different direction. As soon as I sell my dirt bike Im buying a yamaha rhino. It is a side by side atv and has all the great features of the grizzly but with more room. With a back seat kit I have room for 4 people. This was a great selling point to my wife and daughter. We can go trail riding together without buying three quads and I can take my sixty three year old dad hunting with me. He doesnt like atvs. It is bigger but you can go 95% of the places a 4X4 quad can. I hope this is will help you. Let me know if you need anymore help, I bought my first atv back in 1990 so Im up on the lastest and greatest stuff. Good riding!Ron,P.S. Check out the sportmens show in Sac this weekend they will have more atvs there than you can believe and last year they had some really good deals. You can check them out all at one time instead of drive from dealer to dealer.

[RangerRon]

Thanks Ron. I think I have made up my mind. Where do you get the back seat option. I did not see it when I was building mine. Thanks AgainRon

[RangerRon]

Steve, nothing is firmed up. I will check. Just trying to get me and my son out there without having to buy 2 ATV's. I will look. Thanks Ron

[FIRST TIMER]

Ron,The back seat option is a after market product. I found it on ebay. They cost around $600 bucks plus shipping. I can send you the link if you need it. Also look at ridesidebyside.com they have helped a lot in my dession to buy the Rhino. They are linked with a outfit that sells some great upgrade parts. I also look buying a jeep or something like Steve suggested, but you have repair costs, insurance, and license fees. You can get either a 450 Rhino for around $7999 or you can get a 660 Rhino for around $9300 depending on options. As far as a trailer if you have a 8 foot bed in your truck they will fit. Good hunting.

[CoolWallnutz]

Mr Mister, I bought an 05 Grizzly in Dec of 04. I love it. I have used all of the 660CC's pulling and towing and yanking and dragging and going from neighbors house to neighbors almost every day. I even got to use it once for a search of that missing girl from the casino in Lincoln. I love the size of it and how much it will hold on all the racks. I have never had a problem with it. Like you, I did my research and I decided on the Yamaha. You can buy cheaper, but I'm glad I didn't. I know two people with the Rinos and they love them to death. John.

[RangerRon]

Thanks for all the input. Lots of info to sort through. Ron

[ForkedHorn]

Only thing I would add but it looks like it won't be an issue for you... If I had it to do over again, I would want 2WD - 4WD selectability. I got a great deal on a Honda Foreman 450 and love it but it is all time 4WD. makes it a bit grabby and hard to handle at high speed, a poor low end turning radius, and poor gas mileage for it's engine size. Not to mention excess tire wear. Warn sells a kit to add a front wheel disconnect That i am considering... but may just upgrade to a bigger, better quad? good luck

[RangerRon]

Steve, whats the details on that trailer you have? Ron

If you are going in the direction of the Rhino or Ranger I would like to offer one more thought.Those things are what, anywhere from $8-$10K? I'm guessing so if I'm wrong forgive me.Ever look into a Samurai? You know those little Jeep looking things? I bet you could find a super clean one for approx $4K and those little things can wheel.After the expense of the Rhino or Ranger, buying a trailer to haul it (I have one for sale by the way), and all the extras you'd be money ahead going with the Samuari!Plus they can hold up to 4 people, have heaters, A/C, music, hard and soft tops, and you can drive it to where your going.Just an idea.If your looking for a trailer let me know, I have one that would be perfect for a rig like the one your looking at.Steve

[FIRST TIMER]

forkedhorn,ckeck out Warn (the winch guys) I think I saw a thing you can intall that gives you both 2X4 and 4x4. It was like a cable switch or something.

[RangerRon]

John, can you provide me with the web site for the back seat add on?ThanksRon

[ForkedHorn]

forkedhorn,ckeck out Warn (the winch guys) I think I saw a thing you can intall that gives you both 2X4 and 4x4. It was like a cable switch or something.

Yup, Ive seen them and am considering one of those, Thanks.

[RangerRon]

Okay, I am getting the Rhino. I need advice (no disrespect to Steve) on toy haulers. Need something for Donna the rafle queen. Need to keep grandma warm.Ron

[Cranky Farmer]

Have you looked at Bombardier?http://www.bombardie...en-US/Index.htm

[RangerRon]

Steve, excellent!! I don't know that I am ready to step into your league as of yet. I think I will have to step down a notch. Still looking....Ron

[RangerRon]

www.rvtrader.com

Thanks Steve. You are good. I sent inquiry for the Reno Desert Fox. We will see. Ron

[RangerRon]

Pulled the trigger on the truck tonite. Whew!!!Ron

[Cranky Farmer]

Pulled the trigger on the truck tonite. Whew!!!Ron

??????

[RangerRon]

Bought a new truck.SorryRon

[RangerRon]

Let me guess...A three-quarter-ton Dodge HD with the Cummins diesel...Oh yeah-it's white.Swami Steve

Actually blue. But yes otherwise you are correct. Except it sucks up fords, chevys and GMC's as I go down the road. LOL

[Braz]

Except it sucks up fords, chevys and GMC's as I go down the road. LOL

Don't you wish!

[FIRST TIMER]

RON,LOOK ON EBAY MOTORS. SEARCH FOR: ROLL BARS & REAR SEATS FOR YAMAHA RHINOS. THE GUYS NAME IS JEFF J JONES AND HERE IS HIS NUMBER: 616-866-3434 OR CELL 616-490-5964. FOR A HAULER I AM LOOKING AT A FLEETWOOD SCORPION S1. IT A LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION TO A IN CLOSED TOY HOUSE. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT TOY HAULERS ALWAY SMELL LIKE GAS INSIDE AFTER HAULING YOUR ATV. PM ME AND I'LL GO OVER THE UPGRADES IM GOING TO DO TO MY RHINO.

[FIRST TIMER]

EVERY MOTORCYCLE OR ATV I HAVE OWNED HAS HAD VENT TUBES COMMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND CARB. IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH. I RATHER NOT LISTEN TO MY WIFE COMPLAIN MORE THAN SHE ALREADY DOES NOW. LOL

[usahunter]

Good advice so far, let me add that if you do any riding on forest service land some agencys don't allow Rhino's and similar vehicles because they are have side by side seating and their version of an atv the seat must be straddled. I have a modified GEO Tracker that will run circles around many "off road 4x4's" and it didn't cost anymore than a new atv, that being said I also have a Honda Rancher with full time 4x4 that's o.k. on gas and power but it would be nice to take it out of 4-wheel for cruizing.

[RangerRon]

Guys, thanks for all the advice. I am pretty set on Rhino as I can use it on my land. I also need to consider I will have my son with me and do not want to buy two ATV's. Ron

[RangerRon]

Pick up Rhino on Saturday. They even said they would deliver. Toy Hauler on hold. Mrs. Rhino said not until after taxes. Oh well one out of two is not bad. Should I tell her about new rifle?

[ShooterJohn]

Should I tell her about new rifle?

No! What she doen't know can't hurt you!