Hello from Alberta - newb here looking to purchase my first quad - need advice

[bigmikeystylez]

Hello

I am from Edmonton Alberta Canada and am looking to purchase my first quad (will be looking at something used). Looking for something in the 500 cc range...just wondering what things i should consider when looking at various years/brands/models???

i know i want something with 4x4.....selectable between 2wd/4wd. I borrowed a friends quad this summer and it was a polaris model - i think about 6-7 years old....550 cc engine, had power steering (which i have been told is a very nice option to have)

Honestly i know very little about quads......i just want something i can take trail riding and hit them deep mud holes with haha


Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[arff]

Welcome to the site

 

[the_real_wild1]

What is your price range. I have an outlander max I am selling with a snow plow. I have had and rode a lot of quads and this one has been the best. If I was buying another with an unlimited budget I'd get them same one. Pm me if interested.

 

[bigmikeystylez]

looking under 5k .....im selling my offroad truck or looking to trade for a quad. Got the truck for sale for $5000

 

[SHREK1]

Welcome, what kind of truck?

 

[bigmikeystylez]

1979 chev k30.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-car...ck/1310048345?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[Ballzdeep]

that's a bad ass truck

 

[bigmikeystylez]

that's a bad ass truck

thank you....it sure is.

 

[HOTLAP]

Welcome to the site, for me the top considerations on a quad are:
1- ground clearance (most of the time I get stuck is because I am high centered and the tires are just freewheeling)
2- locking front diff (very handy in the mud)
3- power steering (I am old)
4- independent rear suspension (better ride, better ground clearance)
You will get lots of opinions on brands, for me it's Honda, I like to have a real transmission that I can select the gears with a switch on the handlebar, I do not care for the belt style transmission used on other brands, also I have found that although the Honda is not the most powerful or fancy they are awesome for reliability.

 

[Joholio]

Welcome. 2018 Yamaha Kodiak. Yup.

 

[Trashy]

Welcome to snow and mud

 

[bigmikeystylez]

Welcome to snow and mud

Thanks for the advice everyone!

the one i drove this summer was a polaris i believe (i think a 550 cc motor....it was prob 6=7 years old). it has a shift lever for 2H, 4L , 4H , R, N ..... is this whats considered a manual transmission?

it def had power stering and yes that was nice.

 

[HOTLAP]

No that's just the high/low range/2x4/4x4 selector.
All brands except for Honda use the belt drive as a transmission (like a snowmobile), most use the belt also as the clutch with the exception of Yamaha which has a belt that always has tension and continually spins on both pullys and uses a clutch to engage engine power to the driveline, I do like that better because the belt never has to slip to engage the engine to the driveline (that's when most belt wear happens especially if the tires are sitting in deep mud).
The Honda is more like a vehicle where the clutch engages power to the transmission which in turn transfers power to the drive line, it's more of a positive connection between the motor and driveline and I especially like that I can travel on smooth trails at higher speeds with a low engine RPM, the belt system always seems to have the engine reving so high at higher speeds.

 

[whoDEANie]

For someone who's not power hungry, the Grizzlies are really nice. Awesome ground clearance, great belt drive, decent power, easy to work on, air intake / belt intake / belt exhaust all mounted fairly high, and they take one hell of a beating. If you can get yourself an 08 or newer with low milage, you'd probably be very happy. Regardless of the make, once you start hitting past 2000km on the odo, how the machine has been treated and maintained really starts to come into play - so be careful.

 

[bigmikeystylez]

thx for the advice guys

I love learning this stuff as it will definitely help me when looking at various used machines out there

 

[Mach1]

Well if belt drive are no good we all would own a Honda, lol

 

[HOTLAP]

Well if belt drive are no good we all would own a Honda, lol

lol, yeah that's why I said there are lots of opinions, everyone has their preferences.