OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[dancrow23]

Hi I am considering buying a quad bike but not quite sure which one to buy as I am 6"4 and weigh approx 115kg.
I wont be going full on with it probably just hitting a medium pace on beaches & sand dunes with my son who will have a raptor 90.
just looking for some advice on what to buy & what to spend??
feel a little clueless????

[yogie]

welcome bloke, check out a grizzly 400 or 450 great quads and just enough power, and will tow the 90 out of the sand when its stuck.
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[fossil800R]

Don't be tempted to go cheap just because you are starting out. Nothing will ruin the experience of riding with the kids like breaking down everytime you go out. The Yamaha utility quads are a great suggestion. The Grizzly goes all the way up to a 700cc and are pretty much bullet proof. Lots of racking for fishing rods, cold drinks, or whatever.
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I'm not suffering from insanity, I'm enjoying it!!!

[Dino]

A 4wd quad upwards of 450cc, with IRS if you can get it.
You can spend well upwards of $7000 on a new one. As stated the Grizzly's are good, with a comfy seat. At the height you are, maybe sit in a few and see what feels comfortable sitting and standing and leaning forward etc.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[yogie]

even a second hand grizz or as they were called "kodiaks" are still rock solid and the best I feel on the market... and I ride a kwakka


disclaimer: My first quad was a solid axle 450 kodiak, what a great machine, I loved it.
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[fossil800R]

yogie wrote:

even a second hand grizz or as they were called "kodiaks" are still rock solid and the best I feel on the market... and I ride a kwakka disclaimer: My first quad was a solid axle 450 kodiak, what a great machine, I loved it.

Fixed it Yogie. Your computer must be playing up
_________________
I'm not suffering from insanity, I'm enjoying it!!!

[yogie]

fossil700R wrote:

yogie wrote: even a second hand grizz or as they were called "kodiaks" are still rock solid and the best I feel on the market... and I ride a kwakka disclaimer: My first quad was a solid axle 450 kodiak, what a great machine, I loved it. Fixed it Yogie. Your computer must be playing up

thank so much, no realy thank you....
_________________
2005 KFX700
With a few bells and whistles
and the twin yoshi's
American Star A-arms, tie rods
elka stickers
Shorty Shifter
I have a Waco
rossco gave me a flexx sticker
honda thumb
Great at climbing trees
durablue stickers

[noodles]

Are you looking at a sport quad or an ag quad , thats probably your first decision to make .
Are you the guy who rang about my outlaw if so, for good all round trail quad i would recomend an Outlaw, (IRS preferably ) raptor 700 would also be good , both bike suit a taller rider and are very capable as standard bikes and reliable.


Dave
_________________
say NO! to ball sports

[dancrow23]

noodles wrote:

Are you looking at a sport quad or an ag quad , thats probably your first decision to make . Are you the guy who rang about my outlaw if so, for good all round trail quad i would recomend an Outlaw, (IRS preferably ) raptor 700 would also be good , both bike suit a taller rider and are very capable as standard bikes and reliable. Dave

Thanks Dave I recently went for a spin on a mates brand new 2011 YFZ450R which I thought was quite powerful but a cool 13k. I keep hearing how dangerous quads are........are they really that unpredictable?

[JimmyO]

can am renegades are also a good option for general riding. they have irs, 4wd and are automatic so a lot easier to ride. great fun to hit the trails with and plenty of power

[wa5]

dancrow23 wrote:

Thanks Dave I recently went for a spin on a mates brand new 2011 YFZ450R which I thought was quite powerful but a cool 13k. I keep hearing how dangerous quads are........are they really that unpredictable?

Are Quads Dangerous?.. Yes, they can be. All of them can travel at a speed that can kill you.. As can a pushbike, Skateboard, rollerblades,... driving a car .. etc etc.

But in all of these cases, you can lessen the risk by riding/driving sensibly, within your limits/ comfort zone.. but accidents can still happen. same as any other activity that involves more than just sitting still.

If a high performance quad like the YFZ450 is not to your taste, try an Ag quad, they are a lot tamer by comparrison. they will require a lot less maintainence than the hi performance machines... and will still get you just about anywhere you want to go... and will certainly stay ahead of any 90 cc quad..

How much to spend? thats up to you, If you only plan on riding with the young bloke, you could get by with a second hand machine, something around 350cc would probably do you just fine... Not sure about bike prices in your area, but I reckon I could find a decent Agi around Newcastle for a lot less than three grand...

Another word on Safety/ handling.. The Ag bikes are less powerful than the sports machines, so they may make you feel more comfortable/ confident, BUT, they do not handle as well, as they have less sophisticated suspension and brakes, and usually they do not have as wide a footprint, so are less stable in corners...

There was another thread here recently asking much the same question as you are, think the person ended up with a new Honda agi..

[Dino]

Are quads dangerous? Used as designed..........No!
Would a specific riding course be of benifit?......Yes.
Do the general public or Government really know any more than what media headlines suggest?................Absolutely not!

PM sent.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Barney]

If a utility quad is what you are after i may suggest a Suzuki king quad 400 , there fuel injected good machines and great prices , check out similar thread
_________________
2012 Can am Outlander Xt 1000cc
Can Am Full set of Armour ,Grip and thumb warmer
Fox Podium Shocks and springs front and back
GME Tx 4600 UHF with Helmet Mic
Hema Gps

[JimmyO]

PM sent

[fossil800R]

Dino wrote:

Are quads dangerous? Used as designed..........No! Would a specific riding course be of benifit?......Yes. Do the general public or Government really know any more than what media headlines suggest?................Absolutely not! PM sent.

I'm confused. How are these machines not dangerous. Raptor 700 going 60 klm per hour hits hidden rock under grass on an approved enduro track. Handle bars cross up and the quad rolls causing injury. Bike is used as designed, and operation does not contravene any of the safety recommendations on either the warning plates or in the Yamaha operating handbook.
_________________
I'm not suffering from insanity, I'm enjoying it!!!

[Dino]

fossil700R wrote:

Dino wrote: Are quads dangerous? Used as designed..........No! Would a specific riding course be of benifit?......Yes. Do the general public or Government really know any more than what media headlines suggest?................Absolutely not! PM sent. I'm confused. How are these machines not dangerous. Raptor 700 going 60 klm per hour hits hidden rock under grass on an approved enduro track. Handle bars cross up and the quad rolls causing injury. Bike is used as designed, and operation does not contravene any of the safety recommendations on either the warning plates or in the Yamaha operating handbook.

I was referring to a novice riding a utility quad. He's actually stated beaches and sand at a "not full on pace."
No confusing enduro racing with that is there?
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[fossil800R]

Dino wrote:

fossil700R wrote: Dino wrote: Are quads dangerous? Used as designed..........No! Would a specific riding course be of benifit?......Yes. Do the general public or Government really know any more than what media headlines suggest?................Absolutely not! PM sent. I'm confused. How are these machines not dangerous. Raptor 700 going 60 klm per hour hits hidden rock under grass on an approved enduro track. Handle bars cross up and the quad rolls causing injury. Bike is used as designed, and operation does not contravene any of the safety recommendations on either the warning plates or in the Yamaha operating handbook. I was referring to a novice riding a utility quad. He's actually stated beaches and sand at a "not full on pace." No confusing enduro racing with that is there?

Dino, read dancrows last post. "I keep hearing how dangerous QUADS are...are they really that unpredictable?" This sounds like a general question to me which is answered correctly by wa5. They are dangerous..even when ridden correctly. The type of riding activity is irrelevant.
_________________
I'm not suffering from insanity, I'm enjoying it!!!

[Dino]

fossil700R wrote:

Dino, read dancrows last post. "I keep hearing how dangerous QUADS are...are they really that unpredictable?" This sounds like a general question to me which is answered correctly by wa5. They are dangerous..even when ridden correctly. The type of riding activity is irrelevant.

Your quite right foss in that was5 nailed it, they are just as dangerous as the other wheeled sports he mentioned.
Unpredictable? No I don't think so.
The type of riding activity is irrelevant? Dunno about that, but the "HOW" of riding activity can bring fairly predictable results.....

Without hijacking the thread anymore, I'd suggest that Dancrow ride whatever he gets as a learner and build up his skills, ride with others, and, if possible, get some training.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Earthmover]

for starters don't say you wont be going Full On " I said I'd never take them in water " HA! You definitely need one of the bigger ones. & yes people can DIE If thay have a crash on a ATV, But people can die from sitting on the couch to.
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If its got wheels I'll drive it!

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[GRIZZLES72]

Go the Grizzly! I ride a 660. Some people say oh thats overkill. But then.... they don't own one. Bloody good range from the tank and plenty of grunt to get you through the soft spots.