scotsgun Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Folks, i need your advice. I've recently moved up from roe stalking to red deer. I dropped my first large Galloway red deer recently on the hill and it took me 6hrs to drag it off. I was absolutely ****'d. So i need a quad but never having owning one, but i'm a bit confused: 1. I've been looking for decent un-knackered used example, but to me they all seem very, very expensive. How much do you think i'll have to pay to get something reliable, 4WD and that i can be confident in using for a couple of hours every fortnight or so? 2. Size - how large should i be looking at? If too large a bike and with a deer on the rack, will i be able to turn it back over if it overturns? I'm thinking something around the 350cc mark? 3. Make & model - everyone has an opinion, so what's yours? I just need something basic, 4WD and reliable - something that i can use to take off the occassional red deer; nothing fancy and nothing fast. Thanks for any advice offered Scotsgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 I you need something basic, forget electric shift, electric 2wd/4wd, tbh you dont really need a locking front diff unless your on some exteme terrian. I dont know how heavy a deer is but you might want a small trailer (in which case you dont want independant rear suspension) Im gonna say Honda because they seem to keep going and they work and they dont have too much electric crapola It might be an idea not to overturn it in the first place as a 200kg quad and a deer on top of you is going to hurt just a bit. You get what you pay for so dont buy anything chinese becasue its cheap and comes well spec'd because they are ****, end of. Honda 300 4x4 Honda 420 4x4 Honda 350 4x4 Honda Foreman S Honda Foreman 500 Kawasaki 400 4x4 Alternativly some thing like a Kawasaki mule might be better, more £££ but 2 seats and cargo box at the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badshot Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 I you need something basic, forget electric shift, electric 2wd/4wd, tbh you dont really need a locking front diff unless your on some exteme terrian. I dont know how heavy a deer is but you might want a small trailer (in which case you dont want independant rear suspension) Im gonna say Honda because they seem to keep going and they work and they dont have too much electric crapola It might be an idea not to overturn it in the first place as a 200kg quad and a deer on top of you is going to hurt just a bit. You get what you pay for so dont buy anything chinese becasue its cheap and comes well spec'd because they are ****, end of. Honda 300 4x4 Honda 420 4x4 Honda 350 4x4 Honda Foreman S Honda Foreman 500 Kawasaki 400 4x4 Alternativly some thing like a Kawasaki mule might be better, more £££ but 2 seats and cargo box at the back. some very good advice there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Honda Honda Honda! and if you turned one the least of your worries would be how you could right it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsgun Posted February 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Honda Honda Honda! and if you turned one the least of your worries would be how you could right it. I only mentioned overturning as i've seen it done a couple of times. Thanks for the advice....keep it coming..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Honda and I wouldn't go trying to get a red on top find yourself a small quad trailer far more suitable for moving carcasses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Honda foreman everytime. We run these up on my mates farm. Have 2 on the go and both have been excellent. Ones a 450 the others a 400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudu Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) You'll have to pay a little more but Honda every time, I currently use a forman 500 which is a great machine, but any Honda between 350 and 500 will be good enough for your requirements. As has already been said don't turn it over, it can kill you. They can go over quite easy, trust me I learnt the hard way!! Edited February 28, 2010 by Kudu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Honda all the way. Something around 350 with 4 wheel drive will move a red stag easy. I use a couple of short planks, which I carry on the back and a hand winch to pull the carcase onto the back with no problem. The 500's only come into their own if you tow heavy loads regularly. Don't go down the Mule route, the servicing, repairs and parts costs are horrendous, I nearly die every time we get a bill and they won't go where a quad will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 I did my training and test on a honda 950 (?)cc machine that had either 2/4wd manual or auto gears, was road legal, went like **** off a shovel and was a joy to ride, thats what you want, mind you they do about 70 mph at full chat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka tom Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 yamaha grizzly 660 all the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verminator69 Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 As above i think for hill work you cant go wrong with any of the 4x4 Honda range reliable as a Swiss watch if they've been looked after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poorwullie Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 If you're only using it a day every second week any scope for a hire or share in a machine?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Also you will need good security they get nicked a lot! My Aunt had a Kawasaki 4x4 400cc i think, pulled a horsebox off a muddy field with it before it got stolen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 Depending on the access, I would consider the Kawasaki Mule, you won't need a trailer with a mule. Just a thought.. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiho Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 get a honda with proper foot gears not the silly electric ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silhouette Posted March 2, 2010 Report Share Posted March 2, 2010 If their quad bikes are anyting like their motorbikes, you will not go wrong with a Honda. Build quality is simply superb and will last many british winters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotsgun Posted March 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 ermm..... i guess the answer is a Honda! Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conygree Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 With all the Honda votes - time to say Suzuki. I have heard that Honda are the best but if buying s/h then it condition. I brought a S/H Suzuki Eiger 4x4 2 yrs ago - totally reliable, I use a Halfords trailer brought 1/2 price as it was a bit damaged + fitted bigger wheels. Really works well with loadsa wood, plus it keeps the centre of gravity low on sloping ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincolnshire poacher Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Why a quad at between 2k and 5k, would'nt a pony be better at 250 quid, if you got a mare you could breed it, instead of blowing cash you would be making it, not to mention weddings and village fates and panto hire and at the end you could sell it or even eat it, deep fried pony is something of a treat over the boarder I believe ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12borejimbo Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 yamaha grizzly, or the kodiak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 you obviously dont own horses or ponys....for **** sake dont go down that route you will be skint i have 3 at the moment.cost a fortune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 yamaha grizzly, or the kodiak ive got 450 kodiak had a honda 500 electro gears kept knacking up,kodiak has been perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hy-flyer Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 yamaha 450 kodiak use it every other day on farm as well as stalking , lamping fox,s towing a trailer with feed logs ect ATB Hy- flyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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