Buying a quad?

[HossNZ]

Im looking at getting a quad, my nephews are taking up trail riding and the like on two wheels, im keen to get out and about with them, hence the quad, looking around 6-7k, whats the best models? what to look out for? expensive servicing etc...., manual or auto? ive been looking at 450's etc, im a big fella 110kgs, 6ft1, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[unstuck]

I know one I wouldnt be touching, a Polaris, with electrical everything.Piece of fuckin shyte. Unless you want to get super fit by pushing the bastard back to the road. I really liked the GRIZZLY.

[NZsarge]

When on the farm we've always had Yamaha's, been pretty reliable, first had Big Bear's then Kodiak's Big Bear's are stable as and fun to ride on metal roads, Kodiak's have good motors and excellent transmissions (cvt's) but are much less stable due to poor front end suspension geometry which is a real pity because they are a likable machine in most other areas. If I were buying a new one these days i'd be looking real hard at the new Can-Am's, been hearing good things and they have the Japanese beat on value and I think their suspension is better than the Japanese stuff too unless you want to get into the two wheel drive sports quads..

[NZsarge]

I know one I wouldnt be touching, a Polaris, with electrical everything.Piece of fuckin shyte. Unless you want to get super fit by pushing the bastard back to the road. I really liked the GRIZZLY.

Back in the day we had a Polaris 350 two stroke but only for a month or so, it drank more fuel than the dirty old 6 cylinder Land Cruiser we had. On the upside it went like a shower of shit and the suspension was freakin' awesome compared two the Yamaha Big Bear's we had.

[Mungatoke Mad]

Back in the day we had a Polaris 350 two stroke but only for a month or so, it drank more fuel than the dirty old 6 cylinder Land Cruiser we had. On the upside it went like a shower of shit and the suspension was freakin' awesome compared two the Yamaha Big Bear's we had.I had 1 of those pieces of shit top speed on the beach 50km :no:

[Taz]

LTZ400 is a good un.

[HossNZ]

I was thinking more of a racing quad, bit more fun, are they durable enough to use on shingle roads etc or are they mainly for dirt and sand?

[NZsarge]

I had 1 of those pieces of shit top speed on the beach 50km :no:

Ours went really well while we had it which admittedly wasn't long (about a month) as it was just horrendous to run with the fuel consumption..

[NZsarge]

I was thinking more of a racing quad, bit more fun, are they durable enough to use on shingle roads etc or are they mainly for dirt and sand?

Yamaha 450 (YFM I think). Look mean, go like a m_____f____r!

[unstuck]

I was thinking more of a racing quad, bit more fun, are they durable enough to use on shingle roads etc or are they mainly for dirt and sand?

We have had heaps of fun on some local forestry roads with the 2wd racing quads, but they do not like anything too rugged cos they seem to like breaking steering linkages and bending wheel rims and stuff,but for sand and gravel, heaps of fun.:Punk:

[CRF119]

2WD racing Quads are the most fun. If you start to push them to the limit it will get expensive! The like to eat Rear axles and axele bearings. Along with the odd dented or bent rim. The yami and the hondas are the best engine wise i know a lot of the suzuki quads have broken gear boxes.

Basicly if you are the average rider you wont damage anything. But if you start to jump it or slide it into ruts and stumps you will start spending coin real fast.

[sxyrx7]

cant go wrong with a raptor 700

["D" FZ1]

The YFM700R Raptors are awesome bikes. You might find an older one in your price range (They came out in 2006) or its predecessor the YFM660R Raptor.

[ktm84mxc]

A full on race Quad will need a service history if buying second hand, models like the LTZ 400, YFM 660/700 less so as they're in softer state of tune. The one major advantage these models have over a full on race quad is a reverse gear, being able to back out can be a blessing on a trail ride.

[HossNZ]

theres a couple of these Kwakas on here for around 5k, no service history or hours, but cheap none the less. Anyone know of this model, cheers.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=437936720

[HossNZ]

or maybe this on a trailer!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=438368374

[TrentNz]

the raptor looks nice and ive heard quite alot of good things about them. best thing you could do is ring up the seller and ask if you can get it checked out by a mechanic.
and you know what happens when your the one with the quad... you carry the extra fuel :nya:

[ktm84mxc]

Yes the Raptors have a good rep, parts are plentiful and accessories easily purchased through Ebay or Rockymountain ATV in the states.
The only thing it needs is nerf bars, as running up your own leg if you slip off a foot peg is something you'll want to do only once.
Check the A arms, lower frame rails & steering shaft for damage as these suffer when hitting stumps & rocks. Have seen A arms & steering shafts bent out of shape by hitting stumps at even moderate speeds. They tend to act as a pivoting point on contact.

[F5 Dave]

So I see that you have a bike so you can ride yeah? Why the quad? Why not buy a real bike? Quads are the cars of the dirt. if you go on organised rides you will hold up bikes in the tight sections & then speed up in the flat gravely sections so they can't get past.

[Jay GTI]

So I see that you have a bike so you can ride yeah? Why the quad? Why not buy a real bike? Quads are the cars of the dirt. if you go on organised rides you will hold up bikes in the tight sections & then speed up in the flat gravely sections so they can't get past.

...and in other news, 4 strokes are better than 2 strokes...

[TrentNz]

...and in other news, 4 strokes are better than 2 strokes...

...yes, yes they are :woohoo::scooter:

[F5 Dave]

Now you're just being silly.

[TrentNz]

If your mixing gas you aint hauling ass :wings:

[Jay GTI]

Now you're just being silly.

Well spotted, but this doesn't need to become another quad-bashing thread, the OP is after advice on what to look out for with the various quads currently on the market, he's not asking if buying one is a good idea.

[F5 Dave]

Sorry, I thought this was a motorcycle forum. My bad as I believe the kids say.

[socialites]

or maybe this on a trailer!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=438368374

I would in all honesty go with that one, the buy now price is 6.5K, a steal, as to build that trailer alone would cost in the region of 2K

[pete-blen]

...and in other news, 4 strokes are better than 2 strokes...


:Oi: :argue:

[browny]

raptor, awsum machines with good suspension.that would be a sweet deal with trailor . dont kno what theyre worth second hand, pretty pricey new, but the can-am are weapons as well (rotax engines). the farm style 4 wheelers on trail rides are a pain in the aarse,as was already pointed out.

[B0000M]

a banshee, with a 500cc or more cheetah kit on it.

suspension would need work, but you'd have the most fun quad there is

[F5 Dave]

Now you're being silly. My 496 Cheetah kit is on my RZ engine in a RGV chassis.

Remember animal farm; Two wheels good- Four wheels bad.

Same goes for engines as well as it turns out.

[HossNZ]

Well I ended up going with the utility quad, for a few tracks and the river, should be great, pick up end of the week, awesome value as well. A Suzuki LT -A750 k8.