OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[ando1340]

Hi all. I've been on the lookout for a good secondhand quad for a few months now. I've ridden bikes all my life but never owned a quad, therefore I'm asking for a bit of advice here.

$5-6000 is the budget......
Basically I'm looking for something around 500cc in a 4 x 4.
We have a 100 acre block and would be using the quad for trail riding and maintenance work (fencing etc) around the place. There is a fair bit of clay soil around here so 4 x 4 would be a must (+ adding a winch) during the wet.


I started off with my mind set on a Honda, as one of my mates has had a TRX500FM for years and is happy with it. I've now looked at a couple of TRX's and a secondhand Polaris Sportsman 550. A CanAM 400 just popped up on ebay as well. (200k's from me)
Having read a few threads here, the Honda is looking less attractive (solid rear axle, no diff lock)
The Polaris' electricals sound a bit scary (wheel spin sensors etc) and the 550 I looked at was heavily corroded.
The CanAm....I know nothing about....although I see quite a few of the forum members are owners.


Any advice welcome.....

[Monkeynut]

Hi ando,
I have a 2008 Suzuki Kingquad 450 and don't think, for the money I paid ($6700 18 months ago) that I could find anything that suits me better. Smooth, comfortable, climbs and descends like a goat (with low range and diff lock) and will still pull 90-100 km/h out in the open which for me is plenty fast enough (I'm not 20 anymore!!).

[Dino]

Ando, have a chat to any of the members in Far North Quad Riders, they should be able help answer many of your questions.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ando1340]

Thanks MN, I've checked out a couple of Kingquads that fitted the bill but were way over budget. They seem like a good unit.

Hey Dino, does FNQR have a forum or members list?

[Dino]

ando1340 wrote:

Hey Dino, does FNQR have a forum or members list?

A members list, yes. A forum? Mate, they are too busy riding to spend much time near a keyboard
Here's the website:
http://fnquadriders.com.au/index.html
@ the end of September, a good proportion of the club will be down your way for the Quad Muster. I'll be up there for that, too.
maybe hook up out there?
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Seelsy]

ive got two Yamaha quads for sale at the moment around your price range

2009 grizzly 350 with IRS suspension looks new in green $6,900
2010 Bugbear 400 IRS looks new in green $6,900 (not on website yet)
http://austraco.com/products/atvs-for-sale

if your interested pm email or call me.
im a little negotiable and could also consider fitting some accessories to it in the deal (winch).

cheers,
Andrew
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www.austraco.com

[Barney]

Well Well Andrew is alive , must have something to sell as it is not very often you pipe up on here Andrew, unless you got something to sell , maybe tell the guy the the advantage of buying either of your quads, and what is there good and bad points
_________________
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

[ando1340]

[quote="Dino"]

ando1340 wrote:

A members list, yes. A forum? Mate, they are too busy riding to spend much time near a keyboard Here's the website: http://fnquadriders.com.au/index.html @ the end of September, a good proportion of the club will be down your way for the Quad Muster. I'll be up there for that, too. maybe hook up out there?

Hey Dino, hopefully I will have a ride by September. There's an auction on in town this week with a few repossessed quads on offer.

[ando1340]

AUSTRACO.com wrote:

ive got two Yamaha quads for sale at the moment around your price range 2009 grizzly 350 with IRS suspension looks new in green $6,900 2010 Bugbear 400 IRS looks new in green $6,900 (not on website yet) http://austraco.com/products/atvs-for-sale if your interested pm email or call me. im a little negotiable and could also consider fitting some accessories to it in the deal (winch). cheers, Andrew

Thanks Andrew. To be honest, I'd want to eyeball anything I'd drop $5-6K on and Victoria is a bit of a drive....

+ freight would kill the deal too...

[Dino]

Hey Dino, hopefully I will have a ride by September. There's an auction on in town this week with a few repossessed quads on offer.[/quote]

Hopefully so. And hopefully you can get out to the muster and hook up with some like minded locals.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ando1340]

Just to update...
I picked up a 07' Can Am Outlander 400 on the weekend. It's pretty much stock.
I gave it a burl around the property on Sunday; did 8 k's before the rear tyre got a puncture
Took it back to the house and gave it a good wash. I notice now, a small oil weep from the rocker cover gasket and the muffler heat shield is rattling, so there's two jobs to do (besides the tyre) already.

Currently searching the net for ideas on skid plates and side bars....

[slightlydodgy]

Just a thought on side bars I as going to fit them to our grizz for farm work until someone on an American atv forum I belong to pointed out that in a roll over they can actually be dangerous I you go underneath Just my 5 cents worth
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[Dino]

Hi Ando, congrats on the purchase.
For skid plates send Graham from ATV OFF ROAD a pm.
(He's on the forum and Qld based.)
And have a chat to him about the brush bars as well.

Uh, don't worry too much about the os forums, they'd whinge if the ashtray was full.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ando1340]

Thanks Dino. I'll start a thread to track progress on the 400 and post some pics.

As far as the side rails go; they probably have a point but then again, you've got handle bars/racks etc to dodge if you're rolling as well.