ATV Help

[minowevie]

Hi guys, I know this is waaaay off thopic. but I wont to get a new ATV. 4x4. and I really dont know much about them. but the one i am looking at is a 400 honda. could someone tell me anything about quads. is the higher # cc's. stronger. or more powerfull. would a 400 take me up steep mountains ok , with a pasenger, behind me, also. what is the differans in the rear axale suspention. the seller was trying to tell me it had something to do with the changing back to 2 wheel drive. ??? couldn't understand, his spanish acsent.
is fuel injections better than a carb. I am also looking at a grizzly. do you have a prefferans in quads. and ccs. I sure need some advice. its alot of money to spend not understanding , and there is not to many dillers in my area. thanks for your help. If you wont to reply. also, is desil better than regular gass? electric start, or pull. etc.
I only wont to use it for camping, trail riding. and hunting. playing
your friend Evie
Ps. I have a husbond, and six full grown sons. and nobody can tell me zip.

[JohnB]

G'day Evie,
I am by no means an expert on the quads, but have repaired most of my vehicles and small machines myself over the years.
My thoughts are:
If you or hubby will be doing most of the maintenance on the machines yourselves then simple is best eg, Carby, Pull start, Petrol, assuming of course that neither is mechanic

Diesel has much more low down grunt than petrol, although usually a slower top end.

Just chucking my hat into the ring to give you something else to think about

your mate

[minowevie]

John that is alot of help. I didn't know that about desil, and gass. and I do most my own tune up work on my little datsun. have even did some carburator work on it. and lots of other stuff. but my big 4x4 Ford, no way. I kneed a latter just to change the oil. . I can figure alot of things out, with alittle help from my friends. the bike will be mine, so hubby doesnt' wont anything to do with it. for now, Ha Ha. we'll see. thanks again. your friend Evie

Edit. aaa John, maybe i should ask, low down grunt . just what does that meen. low geared type of a thing?? better or wors for climing?

[Cutting Cathy]

Evie, Is there anything you can't do??? You're a woman of many talents!!

Cathy in NE

[minowevie]

LOL, aww thanks Cathy, I lived alone for over 18 years, so I had to learn how to take cair of myself. now I am pretty independant. Oh, and yes there is something I can't do. SPELL. LOL.
Evie

[JohnB]

G'day again Evie,
Diesel tends to give more power at slower speeds, hence the reason most 4wd vehicles (in Oz) are diesel. I'd say It would be be better for hill climbing with a lot of pulling power. If you want to go like a bat out of hell go Petrol.

[SNAPPER]

Evie, I grew up with a 3-wheeler, all Honda currently have a 85' Honda Big Red ATC 250 3-wheeler, had loads of fun on it. Do not believe 3-wheelers have been made for a while, I guess they are to DANGEROUS. We did alot of crazy things on them, I have never had an accident. The machine was to blame for people getting hurt/killed. In my opinion it is the DRIVER that causes the accident NOT the machine. This is my opinion: higher cc more power, independent suspension all around, fuel injected, electric start for sure, with pull or kick start as a back up, liquid cooled wood also be a benefit but not necessary. We have an ATV show on our outdoors TV channel, not sure if U have one in your area. I wood go with a Honda they are a well made machine. I do not know of a diesel ATV around here. Diesel will have a bit more power, Gas will be quicker and faster, quieter. If U have anymore ?'s, I will try to help. Good luck.
Dean

[Rolf]

Hi Evie,
I e-mailed my wifes son, he is a member of this forum and his job is working on these things. He should be able to tell you what you need to know.

[Dragon]

I have one Evie but cannot tell you much about them except that I love it.
I have a Honda 400 that I bought from my mother when my father passed away. I live in the country and can get a lot of enjoyment from a 4wheeler. If you buy too big then it is harder to handle. I have been told that more than 400 is not recommended. Hubby has a Artic Cat 350 and can sit someone in the back although we rarely do.
Diane

[Rivari]

Four Wheelers are a must here in Alaska. I have one that I use for hunting purposes, it's a Polaris 400. By no means is this machine worth a nickle compared to the product Honda produces (I use to own Hondas). Some of the features worth thinking about would be water cooled, 4X4, a warn winch, and something of a size that you can push out of a mud hole when the winch fails. I'm just guessing Evie but you look like a tiny little thing so a 400 is probably more machine that you'll ever need. Don't fall for the salesman's pitch, they will try to sell you something bigger.

And if you doing any hill climbing or back country riding I highly suggest you get a machine that IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC.

Hope that helps,

Todd