atv recommendations

need some in-put into which atv to to but for arizona gold prospecting. getting off the beaton path into the boonies. most reliable and versatile.  thanks much for any and all in-put.    ron

a recomendation for a ATV is difficult to decide for you. for me i needed a ATV with a winch and 4x4 to make sure i get back out of where i went. cargo capacity is another important need for all of my tools i carry. and ATV size and engine displacement. when i bought mine 9 years ago i watched ATVtv with Doug Meyers. its no long on tv. but they reveiwed each atv in its catagory and i decided from there and then the prices of what was ava. in my area. they are all good machines. and im assuming you dont need 4x4 option. so i guess it boils down to dealer location,$$$,and what does your friends have. dont forget to get your AZ permit....

thanks much for your in-put i appreciate it very much. thinking a 4x4 will be the best option and also as you said, room to carry all needed supplies. also, yes a winch would be a must. once again, thanks for your expert advice.  take care.   ron

 I use mine in the mtns a lot I bought a Polaris and have owned several of them. I like automatic transmissions. You can haul a lot with one of these. They do not get good gas milage though but are very comfortable to ride with independent suspension.
 All that being said when I buy again I will get one that is small enough  to have a pull start in case of a dead battery.  4 wheel drive is a must and one that you can change from 4 to 2 wheel drive is important.
 I may consider one of the new Hondas if they get their suspension close to the polaris. The 700 I have now is a little heavy.
Good luck

4x4 is desirable because you can crawl over, up, and through rough terrain without hitting it so hard that you'll fly over the handlebars. The 4x4 also requires less body english to make turns, and with 4x4 you normally get the low range gear selection that's not available on most 2wd models.

If you ever get a heavy 4x4 stuck in the mud, you'll be glad you have the winch.

I raced quads when they first came out, but now my pace is a bit slower and more suited to a 4x4. I'm without one at the moment, but looking. My last one was a 500 Polaris and it was very reliable for me.

There are so many features, sizes, and configurations out there, you really have to decide what you need for yourself. Be aware that if you plan to have a passenger fairly often, not all seats are large enough. For instance, the Honda Rancher has a seat that's really suited for only one rider, same with a Wolverine. I know riding double isn't recommended, but that's one of the requirements for my next quad. (the Mrs. likes to go too)

Polaris is the brand I see most in the Arizona gold fields.

even though I'm in CA my wifes family is all spread out in AZ and I have been all over the south with her on the back and the dog on the rear rack, hunting all kinds of things
I have a 2007 KQ 700, I've own about 10 others in the last 10 years and I have to say I hit the jack pot with this thing, for the 3 of us to run 100 plus miles a day sometimes and not be broke ass sore the next day is a believe relief, I added on board air system so I have no worries about flat tires, I got a nice little GPS mount that runs a Rino 530 GPS, heavy duty skid plates, modified front and rear shocks that came off a YZR, gun rack that also acts as a MD rack, 5 gals of fresh water in the rear, front cooler with saddle bag set up, holster left side that carries my Glock 40 or my Kimber CDP PRO CARRY II warn winch in the front tow hitch in the rear and of course a dog blanket for the healer, I can still mount my bed roll, and enough food for me and the dog for 4 days solid, if the wife goes food for 2 days, and still have room to add 10 gals of fuel, the best part is that this KQ will get 110 miles per tank fuel so I can say I'm vary happy with my KQ

norcalrockhunter, sure would like to see a picture of your rig, it sounds really cool and can carry what you need. thanks in advance for posting a picture.          ron

 I have a Polaris UTV (seats 3) and I love it. Great on the beach and also in the desert. Its a 700
and has all the power you will ever need. I had a winch (4000lb.) installed and larger wheels (14")
goes anywhere and will climb walls. Not to bad on gas, about a gallon per hour.

After owning my atv for several yrs now,if I was to get another it would be a 4-wheeler,like a gator.I'm always wishing I had more cargo room and the gator types will go anywhere the others will.Our biggest problem here in MO now is with the gas!It is so dirty that you have to continually be cleaning the system.The guys with all the boats are having fits on Truman Resevoir and Lake of Ozarks.Is the gas cleaner out there?

After owning my atv for several yrs now,if I was to get another it would be a 4-wheeler,like a gator.I'm always wishing I had more cargo room and the gator types will go anywhere the others will.Our biggest problem here in MO now is with the gas!It is so dirty that you have to continually be cleaning the system.The guys with all the boats are having fits on Truman Resevoir and Lake of Ozarks.Is the gas cleaner out there?

 Noooo My boat is having a hard time of the gas is runs like crud. I have been buying the no ethanol and its ok. The 4 wheeler is not as sensitive it seems