ATV Guys advice

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok this guy is selling a

 

1995 POLARIS 400 2 WHEEL DRIVE W/ RACKS TIRES IN GOOD SHAPE THIS IS A NICE BIKE RUNS VERY GOOD AND LOOKS GOOD.

 

It doesnt look half bad.  Just wondering what it is possibly worth?  

 

Also if i got something like this id like to add a plow.  Any prices on those offhand?

 

Thanks  

[CMNTMXR81]

Depending on shape, no more than $1,500.

 

My 95 Polaris Scrambler which was 4x4 had the same 400 (well technically 378cc) but had a performance pipe and a few other goodies from the factory on it was only worth around $1,500 a few months ago when I checked.  So a 2WD non-performance version would be less.

 

As to plows, I think I looked into it for mine and it was around $600-700.  But I'd only recommend it for a 4WD version.

 

A friend had a 400 sport (2wd) but his was useless unless we were trailriding.

[RyanbabZ71]

I ran it on KBB.com

 

Retail was like $2100 and trade in was like $14 or 1500

 

are you selling yours?  

 

Do you know of anyone selling one which isnt to expensive?  Id like a honda recon but all the dealers want a fortune for a used one (like $25-3000 for a 99 and it is only worth like $2200)

[RyanbabZ71]

Im not buying it just found out he is 300 miles away

[CMNTMXR81]

No, I sold mine to my sister and Brother-in law when they moved out to Maine.  I sold it to them cheap at $2k about 2.5 years ago.  They turned around and sold it out in Maine before they came back here this summer for what I sold it to them...$2k.

 

This is why price is dependant on where you are selling it.  Around here in Chicago metro, I can't get as much for it as if I were selling it out by you or out by JP or like the example above, my sister out in Maine.  They pay a premium for them out there.

 

I personally don't know anyone anymore with Polaris's as we've all sold ours.  There is nowhere to really ride them around here without pulling them 3hrs away.

 

A place I kept tabs on what mine would actually sell for was in Cycletrader.  The brother of Autotrader.  I'd get a value for it from KBB, but then go look at what similar year, equipment, and modeled Polaris's were actually going for in cycletrader.

[hogger999]

Just my opinion here, but you wouldn't have wanted a Polaris if you were going to do any trail riding anyway (Sorry CMNT)

If you get in a creek and get the belt wet it will slip like crazy and you will be left behind. I'm not a fan of the all wheel brake system either.

[CMNTMXR81]

I've had mine buried well past the belt case in water and mud and didn't have a problem!

 

As to trailriding, Polaris was light years ahead of everyone else with their "Demand4Drive" system which is essentially the equivalent of GM's SmarTrak system on an ATV.  

 

It was always amusing to hear all these 4x4 Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki guys that we'd ride with belittle our stupid little Polaris's (even though are motors were almost twice their size and our bikes weighed at least 250lbs more) that on the trails they were gonna "dust us" (in their words).

 

So my friend (another 4x4 Polaris) and I said, "how much you wanna put on that?"  Ended up being drinks and dinner.  To sum it up, my friend and I ordered the biggest steaks and the biggest glasses of beer that night.  Why?

 

None of those mighty Honda's/Yamaha's/Suzuki's/Kawasaki's could keep up!  It was sooo bad that he and I had to stop every 10-15 minutes, sit on our bikes with our feet up and wait for the rest of them to catch up!

 

The reason...Polaris's "Demand4Drive" system.  Set the button in AWD mode and forget it.  Put it in drive and mash the thumb throttle all the way and hang on.  In curves the AWD system took over.  All we did was point and steer.  No shifting, no braking (until we had to stop), no nothing.  Point and shoot is what we called it.

 

Needless to say, 4 of those 5 import bike riders now ride....POLARIS!!!

 

Before you say it can't off road for sh*t, I've had it buried up to the top of the wheels in mud and it pulled itself out.  I pulled a couple of those mighty import bikes out from their graves too!

 

The machine ran when it was 110 degrees out without a stutter and ran at 30 degree below zero when we'd ride the snowmobile trails.  It towed my 66 Pontiac up the alley (which is what finally did in the drive belt you mentioned) but it did it!

 

I'll post pictures when I find them of me riding the beast, climbing sand hills, climbing mud pits, slinging through mud pits, etc, etc.  It never let me down and at the same time converted many of those import bike owners in the process.  I guess that supplements why Polaris went from a nobody in the ATV business 10 years ago to the #2 position nipping on Honda's heels!

 

I put mine to the test and it delivered!  The only time it went back to the Polaris dealer was to have the mechanic there who races Polaris sleds, tune/jet my carb.  Otherwise, no mechanical failure whatsoever.  I topped it out at 62mph.  Which may be slow compared to other pure performance 2wd ATV's, but keep in mind, this thing weighed 500lbs standing still and was pulling around an AWD system.  None of those import 4x4 bikes at that time could muster the same.

 

Times have changed in the ATV world, funny how the Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's, and Kawasaki's have copied many of Polaris's "laughed at 10 years ago" features and caught up with them!!!!

[hogger999]

I'm Glad you have good luck with yours but I honestly have not seen anyone get that belt wet and not have a problem and I'm sure you didn't have any problem leaving a 4x4 four stroke in the dust with a AWD two stroke   Shame on you.

 

What I meant was about the four wheel BRAKING. I know to many riders who went down steep inclines and ended up on their helment after hitting a rock or tree root because the front brake was applied.

 

By the way did anyone see that Jeremy McGrath is going to be riding KTM

[CMNTMXR81]

I never used my brakes, so I couldn't tell ya.   :thumb:  

 

"Brakes, we don't need no stinkin brakes!"

 

I didn't see he went KTM.  That's a huge coup for them.

[hogger999]

I never used my brakes, so I couldn't tell ya.   :thumb:  

 

"Brakes, we don't need no stinkin brakes!"

 

I didn't see he went KTM.  That's a huge coup for them.

The Bud Light logo was bigger than the KTM Logo.

[Z71GUY]

Well, here is my $0.02.

 

As for pricing ATV's using KBB...you cannot do that.  In order to get a good idea of what a bike costs, you have to check the entire market out in your area...see what they are going for.  Then go look at the quad in person...a quad that has a market value of $3000, could be worth $1000 if its beat to heck and back.  Also, DO NOT believe what the ad says (ie "Great shape, mint condition..blah blah blah)...sure the plastic might look shiny with a coat of Formula 2001 on it, but has the owner maintained it...(ie changed oil, brake pads, tune ups, bearings...etc).  These are just a few items you have to go over if you are in the used quad market.

 

CMT's statement about Polaris...sure they are decent quads, but like he has stated (it weighted 250lbs more than the others)  IMO, i dont want extra weight on an ATV.  When you are flying around trails or doing hill climbs, I prefer to have LESS weight for handling purposes & incase of a roll over.  I also have to put in my honest $0.02 about people that have owned Polaris's in the past.  I've seen what hogger was saying about the belt slipping under water for a period of time.  As mentioned above, you DO want separate front & rear brakes.  When you are doing some serious hill climbs, decents & climbs...you WILL use front & rear brakes separately.  Not to tear Polaris up, but the ones that I have ridden with had more reliablity issues than everyone else (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki...)  

 

You need to purchase a quad for the style of riding your will want to do.  If you are into mud boggin, easy trail riding, go anywhere type of quad...I'd recommend a 4x4 Utility.  If you want to plow snow...dont even bother with a 4x2 quad...it wont work.  You NEED 4 wheels spinning on a quad when plowing snow.  If you would be into a more spirited ride (ie jumps, high speed trail riding, sports car type of handling), I'd look for a sport quad.  Keep in mind sport quads weight in around 400lbs (depending on model) and utilities (big 4x4) can weight in around 600lbs.  Big difference if you are riding all day at a fast pace.

 

If you need any help or have any questions about any quad, let me know.  I ride with a group of friends that have had or have every variation of quads on the market now (around 30 guys).  Honda's, Yamahas, Suzuki's, Kaw, Polaris, Canondale... sport & 4x4 types.  We do ALL types of riding, high speed trails, tight technical trails, hill climbs, creek crossings, mud bogg'in.... so we have a very good idea using REAL WORLD data as for which quad excels in certain areas. 

 

Since you are looking for a good ATV around $1000-$2000, its going to be hard to find (keeping in mind you want a decent sized quad and a good sized engine to lug you around all day).  In that range, you will be buying something that will need a few bucks put into it to make it good & reliable.  The last thing you want to do is break down on a trail in the middle of nowhere.   The big ATV companies have just released a bunch of new 4x4 & sport ATV's in the past 3 years, so the used market should be full.  I know everyone & their brother near me is trading in for the "new" model quad's being released...

 

 

Oh BTW, my ride is a 2000 Honda 400EX (with a crapload of mod's)

 

Eric

[hogger999]

Oh BTW, my ride is a 2000 Honda 400EX (with a crapload of mod's)

Sure do miss my '99 400EX  sniff sniff tear

[HillHound]

Ryan,

 

There's nothing wrong with Polaris machines in general but in my experience their older machines will require slightly more maintenance than other brands.  No big deal.  The belt slipping is not a big issue IMO.  My Yamaha has a belt and it's never slipped or worn out after 3000miles, several times in water up to it's headlights.

 

But I don't recommend a 2wd for you for a few reasons.  For plain old dry trails it's light and easy to steer, but sooner or later you will get into some mud and wish you had 4x4.  

 

Also, a steep/muddy hill can be tricky and dangerous if you lose traction halfway up, which can happen alot with a heavy (utility) 2wd ATV.   You can't turn around and it can be hairy backing up and working the brakes, especially for a "newbie" rider.   Just my 2c.  Let us know what you decide to do. :thumb:

[RyanbabZ71]

Main reason i want one is to plow and mow (lake property since I blew our rider mowers engine this past yr)

 

Its a tight race between a snowmobile/Atv/Boat

 

Only thing with a snowmobile is it depends on how much snow we get.  Last yr we didnt get much.  

 

Decisions  

[SilveradoWV]

I currently have a 2 wheel drive and have had it buried up and still come out of it!! Probably not as easy as a 4x4 but still better than some 4x4s I have seen especially when you get one front wheel in the air! Also to address CMNTMXR81 Polaris isnt so far above all the competition IMO I have had ATVs from Kawasaki and Honda that have had no Maintenance probs and havent had any trouble keeping up with a few polarises! You can have many variables when dealing with speed and not getting stuck! I would put my prairie 300 with a very light rider up against a lot of ATV with with an average rider! I just did that a few weeks ago and it surprised me and I have been riding it for a couple years! Dont wanna ruffle any feathers but just saying its hard to compare one ATV to another unless uder perfect circumstances!