Atv

[Inseine]

I've done a lot of Ice Fishing but it has always been in the Harbors along the west side of Lk. St. Clair. Last year I went with my Brother-in-law to Mitchell Bay. We took his ATV and went about 6 miles off shore. I had so much fun doing this I decided I was buying an ATV for this year. I will be getting my Vacation money in a week, I want to buy a used ATV because it will only be used for Ice fishing and I have a hard time justifying 4 to 5 G's on something I will use a dozen times a year. I know nothing about ATV's. Can I buy one that's not junk for $1000.00? And where is the best place to look? Newspaper? ATV dealers?
Your input will be appreciated. Thanks.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[shadow7663]

Inseine,

I am sure you can find one to buy for a grand or so but remember that you get what you pay for. I am not saying there isnt any good "used" atv's out there just do your homework before you buy a used one.

Somethings to look for is the age of the atv, condition, comprression, has it been abused by aggresive riding, are parts readily available providing you can fix it yourself if something should go wrong. Remember if you have to wait for parts you wont be able to use it for ice fishing. Will your new parts and your time for labor add up to justify a new machine?

Last week I purchased a brand new polaris 330 "atp" it is a basic quad but 10 inches longer and has a pickup bed that dumps (atp=all terain pickup). my sole purpose is for ice fishing but I will use it for other things as well.

I bought this because I got sick of having to order parts all the time for used machines and reapiring them constantly. The wife finally twisted my arm and said honey go buy a new one. So i thought about it for a while (a second or 2...lol)

Polaris has some good deals right now might be worth checking in to.

good luck with your decision
Smiley

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I got a Honda 3-wheeler a few years back for $500. Usually starts right up and purrs like a kitten. Did however have to put a coil in a couple of years ago.

[bolodunn]

for a grand you might get a 1980's beat up something. atv's hold there value pretty good. but then again you can find that"deal" out there. you might have a hard time finding one this time of year, "the sell it after the ice is gone" kinda thing.

goo luck though i have seen alot of good atv deals come around here!

[salmonslammer]

Anybody know anything about these???? http://www.detroitredcat.com/


That KMZ 150 looks pretty sweet for the price(1600)..... Good enough for IF anyway....Just wondered about availability of parts and such. :confused:

[Houghton laker]

try www.snowmobileauction.com good place to get a used or sometimes new one for cheaper $$....they have ATV's , snowmobiles , you can look and see past auctions and what the atv's or snowmachines went for!! click on auction price reports

[FishinJoe]

If you are looking for a cheaper ATV for mostly ice fishing. I would consider looking for a older 3 wheeler. I had a 86 I belive Honda Big Red and that thing ran awsome. Just put chains on the rear tires and you can go almost anywhere. I have seen many in the papers for 500 to 800 in good running order. Just my 2 cents.

[Houghton laker]

I have the good 4-wheeler up at the cottage but for down here I use a 85' honda 125 3-wheeler

[Tin Can]

Seems to me that you will more likely find a reliable 3-wheeler, than 4-wheeler for $1000.00. I don't have either but it makes sense.



Tin Can

[Ed Michrina]

I was looking at the Argos but got scared off the used ones and was informed by the higher power a new one would have to wait until next year :( I did get a 1000 budget to buy a nice 3 wheel to use this winter. Still looking.

that $1600 4x4 looked cool. I'm sure I could sell it next year for 1200. hmmm I wish I knew more about them?

[MiketheElder]

I don't know much about ATV's but I did notice that these are all 2-wheel drive. Is that normal or is that why they're so cheap?

Big Mike

[Ed Michrina]

prob. I'm going to check one out at 3 pm today I'll let ya know how it is.

[Houghton laker]

for down here 2 wheel drive is all you need!! 3-wheeler or 4-wheeler.....if only using on ice...save some money and get a 3 wheeler...if you ant to use it on land also get the 4-wheeler

[Ed Michrina]

The 3 wheelers are hard to find this time of year.

[Inseine]

Thanks for your help. I've done some research. I will be buying used but from a dealer, I will buy brand name so I can get parts. You can wait for parts for 1 to 5 weeks on the off brand. I'm going to have to spend about twice of what I planned on spending, But what the heck it's only money (my wifes) LOL...
I have been to a few dealers around here and I'm going to be on the west side of the state next week and I'll check over there. All I know is I'll have something to ride before Ice.
Thanks Again!

[Steve]

If you buy a Honda you can't go wrong. Parts are still available for my 85' both new and used at ebaymotors.com You'd be amazed at what you can still find. Many people when they are ready to get rid of their machine sell it parted out and probably make a lot more money that way.

[Ed Michrina]

Anybody know anything about these???? http://www.detroitredcat.com/


That KMZ 150 looks pretty sweet for the price(1600)..... Good enough for IF anyway....Just wondered about availability of parts and such. :confused:

Ok I checked out these. They look ok. but cheep. Chain driven and doesn't look like they would hold up. the handle bars looked thin? the guy attempted to start 2 of them and they wouldn't start, even after one ran for 30 seconds. It wouldn't restart 6 mo. warrenty. cheep tires. and a big thing power start and no back up or pull start or kick start. also no choke?

The wife made me buy a 05 Honda recon ES, Darn her. She also made me get Chains/back seat,storage/hitch/and ramps to get it into my truck ;) Then I got home and She had a protable Cd player (work, car , home , boat) and that picture picture thing by HP. God I must make a lot of money..... Opps almost forgot no kids and we are borke ;)

What a shame it would be to die healthy and rich :confused: I'll thake broke and in the wood box with a beer in one hand and a cheese burger in the other looking down saying WHAT A HOOT. -----Let Ice fish :D

Ps A little used Honda might be for sale next year or at most the next, to get me an ATV that will Keep my butt out of the water. IE: Argo or equiv. SOOON :evil:

[salmonslammer]

Thanks for the info on the redcats, Ed.... Figures its too good to be true.

Sounds like something that I'll pass on. If they can't get them started in the showroom, what good are they going to be on the ice????? No backup kickstart? NO CHOKE?? Sounds like they need to rethink a few things.....

I guess I'll bo back to the honda big red search.....Crappy time of the year to be looking for one though... I have a 600 Artic cat that I keep up in Cadilliac for riding the trails, doesnt do me a bit of good down here on LSC!!! Wish I had the room to park in down here!!

[Houghton laker]

You'll love the Recon Ed....That was my first 4-wheeler....still sorry I sold it...should have kept it for down here instead of the 3-wheeler...it was a 1999 recon 250....sold it and ugraded to a 2003 Hond Foreman 400

[Fishfoote]

I got an 01 2WD Recon last year from a dealer for $2K. It is worth every penny. I use it almost everyday. I put chains on it last year when the slush on the ice got so rediculous and it was unstoppable....it would dog a bit, but always make it through. Best sporting good investment I've ever made.