ATV advice
- Thread starter AKaviator
- Start date
Know guys that run them, some love them, some not so much. I stayed away from them when I bought an ATV, because at the time, early 2000's, I heard of belt issues. Breaking due to wear etc. and not sealed well allowing moisture in. I'd guess most of those were pre-2001 models, as I bought my 2001? Honda in early 2002. Not sure about 2003's, but may be worth checking out.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
Polaris runs off a belt. I believe all issues have been fixed. They are a good machine.
I've owned Polaris, Honda, & Yamaha. Each serves a little different nitch. For the right money, I can make any one of them work.
I've owned Polaris, Honda, & Yamaha. Each serves a little different nitch. For the right money, I can make any one of them work.
JimP
Administrator
Polaris are usually good machines, but I would be skeptical of only 1600 miles on that old of a machine. I have been known to put that many miles on a ATV on a single hunting trip.
If you can I would take it into a Polaris shop and have them take a hard look at it. A lot of little things can hide if you don't know what you are looking for. If you don't have a local Polaris shop then see if there is a ATV mechanic in your area that can check it out.
I sold a 2000 Yamaha Kodiak a month ago and even after telling the buyer what I knew and what I thought was wrong with it he couldn't get the money out of his pocked fast enough. He never did actually check it out, he just went by what I said.
If you can I would take it into a Polaris shop and have them take a hard look at it. A lot of little things can hide if you don't know what you are looking for. If you don't have a local Polaris shop then see if there is a ATV mechanic in your area that can check it out.
I sold a 2000 Yamaha Kodiak a month ago and even after telling the buyer what I knew and what I thought was wrong with it he couldn't get the money out of his pocked fast enough. He never did actually check it out, he just went by what I said.
fackelberry
Active Member
I don't know where you hunt to put on 1600 miles in one hunting trip? Must be alot of roads! The 1600 miles doesn't seem to bad, some people don't use theirs often. I had a 2008 Polaris Razr used it a few times a year to bear bait and that was it. Sold it in 2014 with right at 1,000 miles on it. Nothing wrong with it, i just prefered to go places where a person needed to walk and hunt and get away from the crowd of other ATV riders. I never had a problem with my Polaris though, Just make sure the belt isn't worn out. I missed using it in some places i have to ride in 2 miles then walk, so i use my fathers Honda Rancher 4 wheeler. It is a 2002 with only 900 miles on it, nothing wrong with it, he bought it from his neighbor that didn't ride it much. Dad took it for a test drive around the block he lives, bought it and parked it in the garage for 5 years, never rode it. He likes to buy thing that are good deals no matter if he needs it or not. So i borrowed it because i will USE it. Had to put a carb kit in it and she runs like a champ. So just because they have low miles doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it, some people walk and hike more than others. Just check it over good and im sure it will be fine.
tim
Veteran member
I do not know this machine in particular. but a couple of things to look for. do you want indepent suspension? are you wanting a work machine or a rat racer? in most motorized worlds, bigger motor is better. not neccasarily with 4 wheelers. Do you want racks on it? does it have a winch? are there heated handgrips, does it have hand guards? what are the tires like? I have a story where my smaller motor, way more aggressive tires, was kicking the but off a bigger machine, but they had no traction and we where in lots of snow. Hope this helps, I am not a 4 wheeler guy at all, but they can be a great work tool or mountain transportation. do you want to put tracks on it? if you do want to put tracks on it, bigger motor is a must. good luck
JimP
Administrator
If you are going to keep looking look at Craigs List in as wide of a arc that you feel like driving to check one out. Find the make and model that you like and put that into the search and check out what is out there. I picked up a 1 year old machine last January for $2000 less than brand new. The owner was one step ahead of the repo man and wanted to get rid of it. It was a base model and I had to spend a few buck putting the equipment onto it that I wanted but I am still way under the price of a new one.
As to driving a lot during hunting seasons it all depends on where and how you hunt. I'll park my camper in one location 3 or 4 days before the hunt and get on the wheeler and ride it to other locations to check them out. I'll use the wheeler instead of a truck just for the reason that you can see a lot more and usually get there quicker and cheaper. I'll also go on fishing excursions while I am hunting during the middle of the day which also will add quite a few miles onto it. A lot of little trips add up real quick.
But I still doubt only 1600 miles on a 13-14 year old machine. That is less than 100 miles a year, and I put that on just plowing snow in the winter.
You want a winch, whether one that is on it now when you purchase it or afterwards. You might only use it once but that one time will pay for it.
As to driving a lot during hunting seasons it all depends on where and how you hunt. I'll park my camper in one location 3 or 4 days before the hunt and get on the wheeler and ride it to other locations to check them out. I'll use the wheeler instead of a truck just for the reason that you can see a lot more and usually get there quicker and cheaper. I'll also go on fishing excursions while I am hunting during the middle of the day which also will add quite a few miles onto it. A lot of little trips add up real quick.
But I still doubt only 1600 miles on a 13-14 year old machine. That is less than 100 miles a year, and I put that on just plowing snow in the winter.
You want a winch, whether one that is on it now when you purchase it or afterwards. You might only use it once but that one time will pay for it.
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WapitiBob
Veteran member
JimP
Administrator
It is hard for me to believe that as much as I use mine year round that there are 12 year old machines out there with only 1000 miles.
Perhaps there is truth to the story that it was only ridden by a little old lady to church on Sundays.
Perhaps there is truth to the story that it was only ridden by a little old lady to church on Sundays.
fackelberry
Active Member
Not hard for me to believe. Like i said, the 4 wheeler i got from my dad is a 2002 and i just went into the shop and looked on the electronic odometer. It says 1024 miles. When i got it last summer from him it had like 950 miles on it, so i put roughly 75 miles on it in summer and a little winter use and thats it. My dad bought it from his neighbor with probably 948 miles on it. He rode it around the block a few times and parked it in his garage for at least 5-6 years til i got it. My dad takes care of his stuff, he has worked hard all his life and paid cash for most everything he has, he hated to get loans and borrow money. He wasn't the guy who NEEDED the first newest thing out on the market, he waited a year or two and saved money and paid cash for it and got it a little cheaper cause it was 2 years old now. Here is another one for you! He bought a brand new 1992 Chevy Silverado ext. cab 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup in 1992. It's ONLY the 2nd brand new vehicle he has ever owned, the other was a 1972 International Scout. That thing was cool when i was a kid in the early 80's. He has always kept his 92 Chevy truck in a garage and only took it on long trips if he may need 4 wheel drive. I looked at the odometer last fall when i went deer hunting with him, odometer says 84,000 miles! So his truck is 25 years old, that is less than 3,500 miles a year. Basically an oil change a year is all he drove it. You should see the paint on it, looks brand new since it lived in a shaded garage it's whole life. And the seats are immaculate, he always has them covered with a blanket. I tell him i'm buying his truck from him when he sells it, bet it's one of the nicest, cleanest ones around. Be awesome to put it in a car show! It's that nice. He always has had a hunting truck so thats what saved the miles on his good truck. Oh ya, he just upgraded his hunting truck this last fall, he bougt a used 2004 Chevy 1/2 ton 4-door with 80,000 miles on it. People think he is funny cause his hunting truck and every day truck is way newer than his good tuck. So now you can see how the 4 wheeler didn't get miles put on it!
wa-hunter
Active Member
- Apr 24, 2014
- 235
- 7
i can believe that few of mile an a 4 wheel drive atv i only use mine every once and a while to do work around the property and once and a while i take it out of state hunting to get me places to hike from. but for the most part the bike stays parked and the boots do the work...
JimP
Administrator
Most people purchase a 4 wheeler to ride and not sit in a garage, that is what I did. I bought mine to ride, if I didn't and didn't need it to get me into areas that I don't want to drive my truck into I wouldn't of bought it. Why have X amount of money just sitting in the garage.
I can understand the truck. Odds are he had another vehicle to get him around town didn't he? I also have a nice old truck that I use when I need a truck. Other than that I drive a second vehicle that gets better mileage and is more comfortable. But comparing a truck to a 4 wheeler is quite different. It sounds like he just bought the wheeler as a I might like it someday type of purchase.
I can understand the truck. Odds are he had another vehicle to get him around town didn't he? I also have a nice old truck that I use when I need a truck. Other than that I drive a second vehicle that gets better mileage and is more comfortable. But comparing a truck to a 4 wheeler is quite different. It sounds like he just bought the wheeler as a I might like it someday type of purchase.
fackelberry
Active Member
Ya, my dad always used his hunting truck as his every day truck so he put miles on that not his good truck. He has another 4 wheeler also, but he never used it much either. I think he got a good deal on this 4 wheeler i got from him so he bought it from the guy across the street. My dad has a problem with buying stuff he really doesn't need! You should see his reloading room! It doesn't bother me though as i usually end up with his overstocked stuff and it's almost brand new.
JimP
Administrator
I guess that I am a exception to the new rules out there. I buy my equipment to use and not just sit and rot.
My old 2000 ATV went through 3 sets of tires and was on it's fourth set when I sold it.
My first ATV went through 2 sets and was on it's third in 10 years of riding it.
I use things until they break and then fix them and use them some more. The only reason that I got rid of my 2000 Kodiak is that it developed a engine problem a year ago that would cost more to fix than it was worth, but it was still running strong when I sold it.
My old 2000 ATV went through 3 sets of tires and was on it's fourth set when I sold it.
My first ATV went through 2 sets and was on it's third in 10 years of riding it.
I use things until they break and then fix them and use them some more. The only reason that I got rid of my 2000 Kodiak is that it developed a engine problem a year ago that would cost more to fix than it was worth, but it was still running strong when I sold it.
fackelberry
Active Member
I will use the 4 wheeler more than my dad will for sure. I use my equipment also, but i WON'T ride my 4 wheeler on every county road in the mountains or every 4 wheeler trail in the mountains during hunting season like 90% of the hunters that have them do. Thats not hunting and the animals aren't stupid when they hear them riding all over making noise. I prefer to get off the beaten path and walk, it's alot better hunting and i don't have to put up with the weekend warriors. It's amazing what you see when your not on one!