EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I'm looking to buy an atv or a side by side, and have a friend needing to part with a 2012 Kawasaki brute force 300 that is super clean for $4300 hows that sound?

What about side by sides, they are high as giraffe pu$$ ain't they? Anybody got one your needn to move?

Dont know if your a big guy or not but 6'0 230lbs and I dont think a 300 would make it with me and a pig strapped on the back through ANY kind of mud very far. I've rode A LOT of ATVs and UTVs and my family owns the dealership in Mt. Pleasant and we all agree that an average grown person would need to stick with a 500 or higher and at the least a 420. If you plan on pulling a trailer with that I would THINK (dont know for sure) that it would burn the belt up pretty quick.
THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION. DONT CHOP MY HEAD OFF

I have a 09 Polaris Ranger. Crew,browning edition,winch, rear lights , bumper rails all around. Built a nice dog rack on the bed that is removable if needed. I can't seem to post any pics on here but would be glad to email u some.

Man I am in the same boat as you! My fiance and I are looking at those mules. The polaris Rangers are just crazy expensive. There is a place in La Marque, I dunno where that is but they have decent prices. I see their stuff on craigslist.

I wouldn't dare buy a new ranger. I got this one used and have put it to good use. I have migrated to hunting grounds that have more accessible roads levees etc and think I'm going to the yota truck. Heat/ ac, no trailer to fool with. And my hunting grounds are a 10 minute drive from the house.

i dont know bro but get a honda you will pay for them but thay are the toughest and most dependable

HONDA. I have an 05 rancher. Manul shift. Doesn't pull a trailer well. I put a rack on the back. 25'' 589's. Goes anywhere I need to go and always gets me back.

I ride a honda forman , it will go anywhere , Ive upgraded the springs to 450lb springs so it will haul all the dogs without much problem , its 8 years old with hardly no mateniance , we hunt a lot of woody areas and it seems to be just the right size to fit threw the trees , we have had guys go with us with atvs bigger than the 500 and have a hard time navagating behind us , the 4 wheel drive seems to get around a lot better than the guys that come with other brands ,  the mules and rangers will not keep up in our areas , my cousin followed us around on one once and it went home with the front end 4 wheel drive tie rods hanging in the dirt so I guess it really depends on the terrain you hunt and what your willing to drive threw or over JMO

Exactly plp just got me a yota this weekend an I promise my fourwheeler will be taking a well needed break but I ride a Yamaha big bear 400 with no problems at all I've carried several dogs multiple people and big hogs out of the woods with absolutely no issues

 i bought a grizzly 550 in aug of last yr and it would barely climb out of my dry stock tank. the bank was around 25-30degs, and i weigh 220lbs. i took it back and got the grizz 700 and i aint had any issues with power, the only issue i had was a busted RF cv axle. i haul a 25gal sprayer on the back and dont hav any issues moving around with tht much water.

Idk I like smaller more maneuverable wheelers.  Had a ploaris 250 2stroke trail boss I think was the name and had a rack on it.  Road it for years and could go just about anywheres with good tires on the back.  That thing was a beast and I put it through heck.  That being said the newer smaller ones will not have the power of the 2 stroke.  Guess it also depends how you hunt if ur only going to carry the cd and kill most everything you don't need a big wheeler. Just seems to me there are so many variables for us to give you a good suggestion. Those little mule 550s or what ever the small 4x4 is, is pretty nice and will fit in the back of ur truck or on small trailer.

Did I see ur truck posted here..? Ur wife bought it for u? Good looking work truck.

Well crud! My quote didn't work out. That was meant for HWilson.

Yes sir thats it the little beige toyota

My hunting partner bought him a new Arctic Cat 700 TBX, he's a big fella, and hasn't put his other atv on the market yet.  It's a 2005 Arctic Cat 500, green, and he has taken excellent care of it.  Washes it after every hunt and puts in back in the garage.  I doubt she's every slept overnight outside.  He rides her about 2 - 4 times a month, just when he goes hunting with me.
I think he wants $3500 for her and he's got the new tires off of the TBX as part of the deal. 

Man personally I d be in the market for something that was a Honda, you can't tear em up

Grizzly  700 with power steering...  I've made plenty of trips with 3 people, 4 dogs on the racks, and a hog trailer full of hogs/dogs...

If I were to buy a new wheeler tomorrow, I'd get another...

You can find some good used ones on Craigslist for not an awful lot more than the 4300 kiddy wheeler...




But you do weigh about the same as me and the 4 dogs !!!  :laugh:   :D

Man I sure like my 500 Honda foremans they are tough as nails and plenty of power to get the job done. But still lite enough if you get them stuck you can push them out. I don't know where you are located but I am near Beaumont and I just drove to Mississippi for a brand new one. I saved about fifteen hundred dollars even after the fuel I burned. The bike was 5900 out the door. If I was you and going to hunt off of one I would try to stick to a straight axle bike. JMO

I am a bit husky.

I been Using my lil bros honda 250 and as lightweight and beat to hell and back as it
Is, it's always gotten the job done. I weigh around 230 and have a friend who's around 315 and my Carlos dog weighs 50 or so and we've all three been in it in a pinch. Other than some tires rubbing the fenders, it's never had any problems.

The wife and I talked it over and Im selling a portable building I own to luquidate some funds plus the stack I already have. Im gonna find a ranger or mule I like Nd go cash in hand talk somebody out of it.

I know uv country there where rogers dodge used to be in alvin has in house financing if your lookin at gettin a new a buddy of mine got a lil side by side from there a couple months back that'll go through more of this gumbo we have around here than a 4 wheeler and he can run all day on a tank of fuel don't think his payments are more than 100-200 a month on it brand new and he didn't put a downpayment on it that's with a little 2 in. lift and bigger tires and insurance and warranty and all that jazz

A couple of points to consider, especially if you are getting a regular side x side, instead of a crew.

Ranger vs Mule

Both are ~5' wide, however, the Mule has a much narrower seat. As in, it's okay for two grown men, but you won't be putting 3 across.   The Ranger has a much wider seating area, enough for three grown men.   Reason for this, is the Mule has wide fender flares that the Ranger doesn't. So while the Mule appears to be narrower, it won't go through any narrower path than a Ranger.

Storage.  The Mule wins here hands down.  large storage area under the hood, plus two very deep glove boxes. Deep enough to store 3 cell Maglites, and plenty of other stuff.  The Ranger is very limited in storage, some of which is underneath the seat, requiring all riders to get off the Ranger in order to access the storage.

Ride/ Clearance.  The Ranger wins in ride, speed, and ground clearance. Until you start loading it heavy. The Mule ground clearance will never be reduced by its payload, as it has straight rear axle.  This may not matter, but is something to give thought to.

Having said all of that, if I was to go buy another side x side today, it would be a real tough call between the Mule and Ranger and I would be happy with either.

Well how bout it Chris, why don't you go buy a new one and I'll buy your used one. ;)

I've thought about it several times, but just haven't talked myself into selling just yet.

I owned two Mule's prior to owning now my second Ranger.  Ride in the Mule first, then the Ranger and you will be sold.  Start crossing some rough terrain and that Mule will have you tinkleing blood for the day is over. Rough, rough, rough...