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Looking for my first atv, and hopefully only. I want it for ice fishing and dragging a couple deer out every year, maybe a moose every few years. Thats all it will be used for, will be garage kept and traillered to wherever its used,, no mudding or the like,, my back can not handle it(2 blown disks). So probably only 100 or so miles a year. Was out window shopping today, lots of different options to be had. What should I really be looking at and what should I stay away from?

Priced a few today,, this is in cdn funds,, plus tax 15%

03 Vinson 500 auto $7495
04 Eiger 400 auto camo $7200
04 Honda 400 auto $8000
04 sportsman 500 $8700
04 Sportsman 400 $8000

well those are all good atv's but if you want a great bang for your bucks...then go with arctic cat....i have a 400i, great machine for work...can pullover 1000lbs too...very ceap too....for the 400i automatic only 6100 brand new 2004 (includes slaes tax, shipping, ect...) i also could have gotten a 500 for only 600 more....shoulda got that...excellent machine...nice to have a winch though....will do you great


****in us funds****

since you have two blown disk you might want to find the smoothest riding quad that you can. im not sure which is the best out of the ones you listed but I can guarantee you its not the honda 400 with only 4.3" of suspension travel.

again go with the arctic cat...but like he said since you have 2 blown disk...go with the 650....10" suspension travel...very good

You will definitely want Independent Rear Suspension for a smooth ride. Arctic Cat, and any of the Polaris Sportsman's on your list will do.
Other good riding machines are the Honda Rincon, Yamaha Grizzly 660, and the Bombardier Outlander.

Try to sit on each (seat comfort varies between makes) and get a test ride on as many as possible. Although they all ride good some will feel smoother to you than others.

I too have a blown lower back and I ride the Sportsman 500HO. IRS, very comfortable seat, adjustable rear springs (set to the softest setting) and radial tires all combine for a really smooth ride. It also has a very high tow rating at 1225 lbs. If you need more towing power there's always the Sportsman 600 & 700 with a 1500lb. tow rating- the highest in the industry.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Sorry, I am partial to A/C! Not that others aren't very nice but the A/C has some things that the others don't. The IRS has 10 inches of travel and 12 inches of clearance and 5 way adjustable shocks. The seat is wide and cushy. You will love the ride! It also has all types of attachments to it from the MRP accessory catalog including a complete ice fishing package with even a ice shack that is carried on the ATV. Before you buy I would at least take a look at one and ride it. IRS is a big plus on any machine and as said before many others have it too. The Rincon and Grizzly are nice also but a little pricier. Bang for the buck it's hard to beat the A/C 400i or 500i. Both of these have Suzuki engines, the 500i is the same engine thats in the Vinson. The guy on ATV Television always rates them middle of the pack at best but the show is sponsored by Honda,Suzuki, and Kawasaki and not A/C. I found it interesting that on his last show they were in Utah for a weeklong ride and the ATV he was riding(probably his personal machine) was a A/C. Good Luck!

i bought my machine 6 months old from my wifes uncle(he wanted the 700).any way hes had nothing but kawi praries for years and he has a bad back. the machine has fully adjustable rear shocks. if price is a concern my buddy has the 360 and his will go any where mine will because hes got the same features. i just get there faster

atv virgin, what province are you in?

I am from NF but living in AB.

I bought a 04 Honda 400 auto for 7299 Plus GST only last week. Ask your east coast dealer to meet or beat that.

my man. ride is your trip. trust me, your not gonna beat the cra. out of your bike, some bikes have rides like a rock. all hondas except for the rincon hsve bone piercing bumpy rides. but the rincon's gonna cost you 7k$+or-..irs is a must. start your bike buying process by determining must haves, then must not haves. For you #1 is best ride is top of the line irs. I hope you know what that means. Now # 2; gotta to have 4x4? #3 How much power do you need? #4 Do you want a radiator cooler on your bike. #5 Do you care about fuel mileage? #6 Belt drive bike? Belts are fine. #7 Does the constant high rpm whine of a cvt type bike bother you(I cant stand it cause I go on 300 mile trips where i like low rpm mellow cruising.
My main goal when buying a 450s was , I wanted the most dependable bike out there. I dont need 700 cc's, no belts for me, I want zero worrys, low maintenance, aan engine that can do grunt work day in and day out, didn't worry about the ride, I can work on that later.
I could go on and on.
Do your research. go to a bunch of dealers and ride there bikes. if they dont let you testride or are prcks truckum, go somewhere else. Ride all the bikes out there.
In 2 months it will all gel and you'll be proud you did your homework.
Your on your own: my bike selection for you is meaningless to you.
So keep up the good work and keep asking question, Its a glorious RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The $8700 is probably canadain money.
I agree with the rest, you will want independant rear suspendsion. Its a world of difference, from a solid axle quad. You wont need a giant motor, even a 250 will drag deer out of the woods. I like hondas, but they ride stiff, not for someone with a bad back. I know the outlander 400 rides nice, and has plenty of power.If you arent doing your own maint, and repairs...you may want to search out a friendly dealer first, and then pick one of his machines.