At one time it was a pretty easy sell when it came to popularity and longevity . . . there was Honda and then there were other ATVs. Nowadays most all the manufacturers (other than some off brand Chinese brand clones) have come a long ways and I would wager that most are pretty decent in terms of being tough . . . although Honda still has a reputation for being built Honda tough.
However, while I am an unabashed Honda lover I will also say their reputation for being tough in terms of not breaking comes at a price -- most models are not particularly cutting edge. Honda ATVs tend to adapt new tech long after other companies have adopted the new tech . . . and I would even go as far as to say Honda ATVs are often not the best ATV for trail riding as they started out as working machines on the farms and ranches . . . and in many ways they haven't strayed far from those routes with solid axles (not such a cushy ride), lower center of gravity, transmissions that shy away from belt driven, etc.
Again . . . for what you described though . . . I think most any make would work. If I was to buy an ATV today I would personally look at Honda, Yamaha and maybe CanAm . . . but again . . . I am also biased.
4WD: Most manufacturers have this . . . selectable 4WD is nice if you are planning on doing some trail riding. Many folks get hung up on true 4WD . . . my own experience is that unless you are really working it or doing some serious mud bogging most 4WD systems are good . . . I have personally seen ATVs of all ilk with all sorts of transmissions and 4WD systems get stuck . . . and/or break.
Used: This can be a hit or miss proposition. It really depends on the past user and what they did with their machine. Some quads are beat up pretty badly . . . and sometimes they may look nice. Other times you can get a steal of a deal when someone buys an ATV and then only uses it for ice fishing or hunting a few times each year.
Parts: Prices for parts can be pretty pricey sometimes . . . I would guess more so for the Japanese models . . . but honestly I don't know what the costs of Polaris or Can Am parts are these days.
Dealer: Having a local dealer is handy . . . but not always completely necessary. I drive 45 minutes to one dealer when another brand dealer is 5 minutes from me.
What I do . . . plow snow, trail ride, haul wood, etc.
However, while I am an unabashed Honda lover I will also say their reputation for being tough in terms of not breaking comes at a price -- most models are not particularly cutting edge. Honda ATVs tend to adapt new tech long after other companies have adopted the new tech . . . and I would even go as far as to say Honda ATVs are often not the best ATV for trail riding as they started out as working machines on the farms and ranches . . . and in many ways they haven't strayed far from those routes with solid axles (not such a cushy ride), lower center of gravity, transmissions that shy away from belt driven, etc.
Again . . . for what you described though . . . I think most any make would work. If I was to buy an ATV today I would personally look at Honda, Yamaha and maybe CanAm . . . but again . . . I am also biased.
4WD: Most manufacturers have this . . . selectable 4WD is nice if you are planning on doing some trail riding. Many folks get hung up on true 4WD . . . my own experience is that unless you are really working it or doing some serious mud bogging most 4WD systems are good . . . I have personally seen ATVs of all ilk with all sorts of transmissions and 4WD systems get stuck . . . and/or break.
Used: This can be a hit or miss proposition. It really depends on the past user and what they did with their machine. Some quads are beat up pretty badly . . . and sometimes they may look nice. Other times you can get a steal of a deal when someone buys an ATV and then only uses it for ice fishing or hunting a few times each year.
Parts: Prices for parts can be pretty pricey sometimes . . . I would guess more so for the Japanese models . . . but honestly I don't know what the costs of Polaris or Can Am parts are these days.
Dealer: Having a local dealer is handy . . . but not always completely necessary. I drive 45 minutes to one dealer when another brand dealer is 5 minutes from me.
What I do . . . plow snow, trail ride, haul wood, etc.
