Hi, quad selection advice please?

**altair** · 9th June 2013, 09:37

Hi all, new here. Want to buy a quad for beach riding/trail rides occasionally.

But would like your experience and advice please on a good type of quad.

Had a Suzuki LT500 farm quad a few years back, nice quad but my big question is, if I don't "need" a farm quad, is the chain driven sport quad a much better option? I'm happy with chain drive and to me the sports quads look much easier to maintain, not to mention lighter and maybe safer on trail rides? Plus throwing the LT500 around and sliding it was a worry in case it rolled on me.

My size is maybe an issue, I'm a heavier bloke at around 130kg. Plus my wife (50kg) will pillion on the quieter beach rides occasionally.

So. What are the Honda TRX400es, Suzuki LTZ400 etc like? Polaris Predator is also out there, but I worry they are like European cars and unreliable.

I'm on the wrong side of 40 so a mature rider, and pretty careful.

So whats the most reliable quad? Reliability is my number one "want" in a quad. I'm happy with 2 or 4 stroke, water cooled motors worry me a little in case they leak, but maybe I'm paranoid!! I'm a maintenance and clean freak also...so whatever I get will be looked after. Will have to buy secondhand so hopefully get a good bike to start with.

Thanks people for any advice!

**Akzle** · 9th June 2013, 11:36

can am, polaris or honda should all put you right. Of those, canam and polly have better 'sport' quads, imo.
Chain + sand = fucking hilarity.
I would def point you away from live beam rear axle. Independant susp is more shit to go wrong, but heaps better tracking.
Water cooled isnt a problem as long as you got bash plates etc.
Keep your weight on your feet, not the seat, and you'll have a much harder time flipping the cunt.

**ktm84mxc** · 10th June 2013, 13:57

Should also consider Yamaha's 660/700 raptor sport quad, she's a big beast with plenty of torque and grunt and a comfortable seat big enough for 2. It is chain drive but does have reverse , the yanks love em with heaps of add ons etc. The only thing a quad needs is nerf bars as running over your own leg is not fun.

**altair** · 10th June 2013, 18:35

Yep I'd love a big Raptor etc, but they really would be wasted on my small riding talent...lol... have taken a liking to the Honda TRX400EX and Suzuki LTZ400, both 4 strokes which would have enough grunt for me. Seem to be direct competition for each other.

There is a YZF450 Yammie on Trademe but too far away. But I reckon that would be the perfect bike...but its scary not knowing the history.

Also would love a wee Yamaha Blaster, but I feel this may be too small for me...but I do love 2 strokes.

Have just bought a wee TRX250 2WD to teach the wife to ride, but its a little old and small for me...perfect for her 50kg.

Thanks guys for advice, keep it coming if you wish, I'm new to "sports quads" to any info on the TRX and LTZ would be great!