OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[digger07]

Hi everybody

I need help please.
I want to study the geology of some remote areas in outback QLD/WA.
I dont know anything about bikes, are no good as a mechanic, and hence the question, what should one buy.
The sole purpose of owning a quad for me is, so I can leave my 4x4 at base camp and go exploring the surrounding country.
I do not intend to race or anything the like- simply potter along have a good look and my biggest concern is breaking down in the middle of nowhere.
So it has to be reliable, preferably not to heavy but needs to be able to go over some harsh country, by this I mean spinnefex, gibbers and sharp rocks like oyster banks. It should have a carrier so I can put in/on some basic tools, food, water, (maybe even carry a swag) if need be etc. and perhaps be able to carry a second person.
Budged-very limited- I don't think I can buy new but hope to be able to purchase a good second hand one.
So having said all that, I would really like some suggestions on what you recommend and what you think is the best solution. I would also welcome
a list of essentials (parts) to take with me in case something should go wrong and if possible a kind of price guide for a good second hand quad which you recommend.

Please remember that my live will depend on this bike and sometimes I will need to travel up to 60-80 kilometres from base camp.

Thanks to all in advance!

[PeteW]

if you are set on an ATV for remote work like that I would be looking at something like the Polaris Sportsman 550 X2 which is a 2 seater with a utility tray.

For any self supported work like that you would be best to make sure that your quad has the best protection it can have, like having good skid plates, a good winch and recovery gear and the best tyres you can get. Even then you need to have tyre repair gear and an air compresssor, also if you went for something like the X2 a spare drive belt for the transmission and probably spend some time with a rider or mechanic that has done isolated riding and can show you some tips and tricks about how to get by out in the bush.
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[digger07]

Appreciate the advise-will do as suggested

[Dino]

(1) Don't travel alone.
(2)Take a friend competant in the things you lack.
(3) Maybe get some experience behind you with smaller adventures and build up to what you want to do. ( Those rocks aren't going anywhere....)
(4) A two up quad, Pete suggested, is better as a passenger and load carrying platform, offering more stability in the process.
(5) You may be better off with a side by side or UTV. They have even better load carrying abilty, a roof, and are more, uhmm, easier to operate for novices. The price differential to a 2-up quad isn't much.
(6) That sort of country destroys tyres, so good heavy ply tyres, puncture repair equipment, including knowledge and or tyre balls or miltary goo would be on your list......along with a good handheld gps and epirb.
oh yeah, some decent bashplates.....
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[wa5]

If you have no experience on Bikes/ Quads, you shouldnt be considering taking a passenger, and travelling alone in remote areas probably isnt real sensible either... at the very least take a sat phone with you... as to value for money and reliability.. go for a Honda.

[t&l performance]

kawasaki bruteforce 750 only thing you will need to take for that is your oils,plugs and filters to keep up the servicing
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[digger07]

wa5 wrote:

If you have no experience on Bikes/ Quads, you shouldnt be considering taking a passenger, and travelling alone in remote areas probably isnt real sensible either... at the very least take a sat phone with you... as to value for money and reliability.. go for a Honda.

Note:
I should have mentioned that I am 100% self sufficient and used to traveling alone in the bush-got a handheld 5Watt UHF's, GPS EPIRP, handheld GPS 60, and got reasonable survival skill's.
However I concede it is not the most sensible solution being on my own, but sometimes there is just no one to take along.
I have ridden small Agri bikes in the past (very long time ago) it's just fixing the thing- where i would struggle a fair bit.
I kinda agree with you about passenger- even as we will not travel fast the risk of injury is there and that is something I am not willing to allow- safety first, cause help is a long way away!

RE: Honda:
Just went and had a yarn with a dealer and even though I like big and beefy, I think i will settle for the TRX 250TM- light, easy to maintain and should be plenty good enough for what I need it to do.
I will if fit some decent bash plates under the body as well as the front steering section. That should minimise or prevent any accidental damage

[digger07]

PeteW wrote:

if you are set on an ATV for remote work like that I would be looking at something like the Polaris Sportsman 550 X2 which is a 2 seater with a utility tray. For any self supported work like that you would be best to make sure that your quad has the best protection it can have, like having good skid plates, a good winch and recovery gear and the best tyres you can get. Even then you need to have tyre repair gear and an air compresssor, also if you went for something like the X2 a spare drive belt for the transmission and probably spend some time with a rider or mechanic that has done isolated riding and can show you some tips and tricks about how to get by out in the bush.

After reading some comments, I have to admit having a passenger on the quad is perhaps not such a great idea given I have no experience with quads- so hence I won't be needing such a big bike. I believe the Honda TRX 250 should suffice for just myself- and as far as I can tell not much can go wrong with that sort of quad as long as I do the regular maintenance and protect the quad with good skid (Bash) plates.
If I end up with the TRX 250 I don't think I will need the winch ( correct me if i'm wrong though!) it is very light and easy to lift out by myself if I get stuck that is. I will ned better tyres ( Any advise what would be the best ones to get-would be welcomed) 8ply rather than the stock 6ply and have a few spare items such as filters and oil etc.
Tyre puncture kit will be purchased as well and I intend to fit a 12Volt kit and get either a small compressor or some of those single use pressurised Air capsules which apparently inflate the tyre enough to get me back to camp.


Thanks for the input- keep em coming!

[slightlydodgy]

As a farmer I do alot of work/ riding on my own usually only for a few hours but still alone. Others might think I'm nuts but for this reason I won't buy a quad I can't tip over (by grabbing carrier, footpeg etc) on the shop floor on the grounds that if I cant shift it in a controlled environment then I sure wont be able to if I roll it and it lands on me. I've been riding for 20 years now and still manage to have the odd whoops - thankfully nothing serious yet but enough to make you think. The big thing is to buy a quad that suit s your purpose and that you feel in control of. If your experience is limited I would also take your chosen machine on a few group /social rides to get used to it and learn from others before your big adventure Good luck with it all
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[wa5]

My point on passengers was two fold, one lack of experience, two, most quads a not set up for more than one person IE the operator..