Choosing the best ATV for you is definitely a very important thing, especially when you are a beginner rider.
You must choose an ATV that is perfectly suited for you and because of this I have prepared this post for you to show you the best ATVs today for beginner riders.
So, let’s get started!
What are the best beginner ATVs?
| ATV Model | price |
| Honda TRX250 | $4,749 |
| Suzuki king quad 400 | $6,500 |
| Polaris Sportsman 450 | $5,999 |
| Honda Fourtrax Rancher | $6,399 |
| Can-Am Outlander 450 DPS | $6,899 |
| Textron Off-Road Alterra 500 | $4,999 |
| Kawasaki Brute Force 300 | $4,299 |
| Suzuki QuadSport Z90 | $2,949 |
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Honda TRX250
The Honda TRX250 is the best ATV that you can buy for beginner riders and, in my opinion, it is the best on this list because no other model has features like the TRX250.
Price
You might be surprised to hear that the Honda TRX250 is sold for $4,749, which is considered an amazingly cheap price for this kind of ATV, compared to most other models on this list that are more expensive.
However, the TRX250 is a little hard to find in stores because they have sold so quickly. Therefore, I encourage you to look for this model online because it is more available on there than in local stores.
Characteristics
If you already know about the features of this model then you will know that the Honda TRX250 offers very impressive performance.
It offers an engine power of 229cc which works with 5 transmission speeds. It is no surprise that the engine is amazing because Honda produces the highest quality engines on the market.
Also, the fuel capacity is very high of 2.5 Wave that makes it possible to drive long distances.
Excellent sealed mechanical drum-type brake system in size 174 mm on the rear.
The design of the TRX250 is, in my opinion, the most beautiful on this list and it is available in red, yellow, white, and black.
Disadvantages
Although I personally really like the TRX250, it unfortunately has some small drawbacks that I should mention.
The first thing is that the suspension is very difficult to operate while very rigid and it can be very uncomfortable for riders, but this is something that can be corrected by buying another suspension so it is not such a big problem.
Also, the engine is very noisy, which can be annoying, especially if you ride at night in populated areas. However, there are a few ways you can reduce the engine noise. In fact, I would highly recommend you read the post that boostatv wrote – click here to view.
The last thing I have to point out is that the TRX250 is simply not suitable for agricultural or farm work because it is not intended for these activities, it simply isn’t designed to be ridden on fields or similar environments.
Remember that the TRX250 was designed for riding trails only or anywhere else for fun and not for the purpose of service work.
My opinion
The Honda TRX250 is the best ATV on this list and in fact, it
was the best model 10 years ago and will continue to be the best model for
beginners in the years to come.
The best thing is that it’s great for both kids and adults because the
dimensions of the Honda TRX250 are length/width/ height 68/41/42 inches.
You won’t find another model with such a good price, all the features and the excellent value it provides. It simply wins against all its competitors despite its small drawbacks, which can be fixed.
Suzuki KingQuad 400
The Suzuki KingQuad 400 is a very strong and powerful ATV that offers great performance both on and off the road and has no doubt helped Suzuki enter the ATV market.
Price
The Suzuki KingQuad 400 sells for less than $6,500, which is very different to similar model types.
In fact, Suzuki has manufactured two types of Suzuki KingQuad 400 models since the beginning of 2019, one called the ASI and the second is called the FSi.
There is no significant difference between these two models except that the ASI comes with an automatic transmission and the FSi has manual transmissions that work with an automatic clutch.
Characteristics
Like I said before, the Suzuki KingQuad 400 is a very powerful ATV and provides very powerful performance. It’s important to know that the following specifications also applies to the FSi and ASI models.
The first thing you need to know is that the KingQuad 400 has a very powerful 376cc four-stroke engine that gives more than 40 horsepower.
Also, this ATV has a fuel consumption of 4.2 wave, that’s twice as much fuel volume as the Honda TRX250 starter which means it has a very long driving range.
Also, the fuel system is an EFI type that also has an electric start which is very efficient.
The KingQuad 400’s gearbox is very advanced. The ASI has an automatic gearbox and the FSi has a manual gearbox and both types come with 5 gears that work very smoothly and I think it has the best gear system on this list.
Also, the KingQuad 400 is relatively lighy weight compared to its competitors weighing only 628 pounds and it can carry up to 992 pounds of equipment, which can be very effective for farming or to move loads of equipment from one place to another.
Furthermore, the KingQuad 400 has a very beautiful design that comes in green, flame red, and white.
Disadvantages
In general, the KingQuad 400 only has a few drawbacks.
The suspension is very hard and the seat is, in my opinion, uncomfortable. I am
not saying that the comfort of the seat is so bad but it can be quite
uncomfortable to sit on after a few hours of riding.
Opinion
In my opinion, the KingQuad 400 really is an excellent ATV that has very powerful performance and I think its most notable features are the very high speeds it can reach, the gear system that as I said is the best on this list, and also that it is excellent for riding anywhere, whether it is off-road, on-road, or farm work.
If you think the ATV is too fast and therefore not suitable for beginner riders, that is not the case at all because it has an amazing transmission system which helps to control the speed.
Polaris Sportsman 450
The Polaris Sportsman 450 is an excellent ATV that can suit riders who want loads of advanced features and technologies on their ATV and that’s exactly what the Polaris Sportsman 450 offers.
This ATV offers more cool features than most of the models on this list.
Price
The price of the Polaris Sportsman 450 starts at $5,999, which is a great price in my opinion considering all the amazing features it offers.
Characteristics
And now to the interesting part…
The first thing is that the Polaris Sportsman 450 has 567cc 4-stroke engine featuring more than 30 horsepower that runs through 4 valves that work on a 4.5-wave engine capacity, making it much more durable and stronger than many models on this list.
Also, it works on an automatic transmission system and not manual, which I think is a huge advantage because you do not have to constantly tune the transmission and waste time while the ATV is powered by a power system.
Furthermore, the ATV weighs about 702 pounds which is considered an excellent weight for an ATV like this because is neither too heavy nor too light. It can weigh up to 1,200 pounds, which is considered to be a very large towing weight relative to the weight of the vehicle.
The dimensions of the Polaris Sportsman 450 are excellent for any average rider and that includes both children and adults. It is 46 inches long, 48 inches wide and 83 inches high.
Its braking system is excellent with its hydraulic disc type and the brake handle is on the left hand side, which can be a little confusing to a lot of people because usually the brakes are found on the right. It is not a huge problem because you get used to the handle very quickly.
In addition, the design of the Polaris Sportsman 450 is very high quality and looks simply beautiful and is available in blue and green.
Disadvantages
The most significant downside with the Polaris Sportsman is that it just can’t reach high speeds, it is more geared for fun and medium speeds. I know that high speeds are not suitable for beginners but face it, after you become a better rider and you want to ride at higher speeds on your ATV you won’t have the option with this model.
However, low speeds can be great for small children who are riding an ATV so the parents don’t have to be constantly worried and stressed that the child will be driving at high speeds.
Opinion
In my opinion, the Polaris Sportsman 450 is undoubtedly one of the most interesting ATVs on this list and it can be great for beginners and especially for riders who want lots of features on their ATV.
Honda Fourtrax Rancher
The Honda Fourtrax Rancher is, in my opinion, the best ATV for long-distance riding because of the comfort it offers while riding and also its excellent engine that handles perfectly even after riding for several hours straight.
Price
The starting price of the Honda Fourtrax Rancher is about $6,399 which can be considered a bit expensive for a lot of people but believe me, this is a very good price for this kind of ATV because it is made of very high-quality parts and materials. Also, it has an engine that makes no noise and the seat is very comfortable.
Being manufactured by Honda means that it is very reliable and a strong contender in the market.
Characteristics
The first thing that I think is the most notable advantage of the Honda Fourtrax Rancher is the comfort it provides while riding and this is thanks to its rubber seat and very comfortable durable leather, which makes the ride very comfortable even on long trips. Believe me, after a few hours of riding you will not feel any pain from the seat or the ATV.
Also, the ATV has a very powerful and high-quality 4-stroke engine 420cc that works on a 3.9-wave engine capacity making the engine excellent.
In addition, the Honda Fourtrax Rancher has 5 different transmissions that work by manual and non-automatic transfer but the clutch is automatic.
It has an excellent brake system chich includes dual hydraulic disc front brake and sealed from drum-type rear brakes.
Also, this ATV comes with a 12 month warranty.
Disadvantages
The only downside I found on this ATV is that it is inefficient for equipment transfer purposes. It greatly affects the weight of the ATV as soon as heavy equipment is put on it and you feel the difference while riding.
Another drawback is that the seat height is only about 33.7 inches, which is considered a relatively low seat. This can be a good fit for short or average height riders and less so for tall people. It can also be perfect for kids.
Opinion
In my opinion, the Honda Fourtrax Rancher is very similar to the TRX, which is not a bad thing, it’s just that there aren’t many differences between them. However, the TRX Costs more than the Honda Fourtrax Rancher by more than $1,000.
If you ask me, I would choose the TRX and not the Fourtrax Rancher however, if you know you are going to ride long distances and spend a lot of time on ATV, the Honda Fourtrax Rancher will be your best option for you because it is mainly designed for long-distance rides.
Can-Am Outlander 450 DPS
The Outlander 450 DPS is a simple ATV that is perfect for beginner riders because it is very easy to operate and to ride on, unlike all the other ATVs on the list that are more difficult to operate.
Price
The price of the Can-Am Outlander 450 DPS is $6,899 which is a bit more expensive than the rest of the models on this list but believe me, it is worth it because this model is a veteran in the market and is just perfectly designed for beginner riders.
Characteristics
The engine of the Can-Am Outlander 450 is a 4-stroke powered by a Rotax with a 428cc engine and outputs 42 horsepower, which makes it perfect for beginner riders because the engine doesn’t allow for too fast speeds or too low
Also, the ATV’s weight is only 678kg, which is considered very low relative to most ATVs in the market that usually exceed 1,000kg.
The seat height is 33.8 inches and is perfectly suitable for any rider of average height and I must note that the seat is very comfortable.
The brake system is simply excellent and very easy to use. The front brake is a double hydraulic disc type and the rear brake is also a hydraulic disc type.
In addition, I must note that the ride on the Can-AM Outlander 450 is very comfortable and fun and you won’t hear any unnecessary noise from the engine or feel any tremors from the seat.
Furthermore, the gearbox is a kind CVT, which is simple to use and in my opinion, the transmission system is one of the simplest and easiest to use in the market today.
Also, you get a 6 month warranty when you buy the ATV and it comes in a multitude of colors you can choose from.
Disadvantages
The only disadvantage I found with the Can-AM Outlander 450 is that it’s a little hard to get to high speeds.
I’m not saying it can’t reach high speeds, simply that it is not meant for it and you will feel it as soon as you start riding, but it undoubtedly does a great job and can give you fun at about 60 miles per hour.
Opinion
In my opinion, the Can-AM Outlander 450 is the perfect ATV because it is easy to operate and it gives quite an impressive performance relative to the price it costs. It can certainly be an excellent ATV to start with.
Also, there are other Can-AM Outlander models that offer great performance and much higher speeds than the Outlander 450 so check them out if you love the company.
If you want to see more details about the Can-AM Outlander 450 I highly recommend you watch the video below.
Textron Off-Road Alterra 500
The Textron Off-Road Alterra 500 is another ATV that is very compact compared to the other ATVs on this list and that’s what makes it great for beginner riders.
The Textron Off-Road Alterra 500 is very similar to the Honda TRX250 and is undeniably its main competitor.
Price
The Textron Off-Road Alterra 500 costs a very cheap price of $4,999 and it provides great performance.
Characteristics
It is very important to know that the Textron Off-Road Alterra 500 has good performance relative to its cheap price, but don’t expect it to be too amazing because it is compact and designed especially for beginner riders.
Firstly, the Textron Off-Road Alterra 500 has a 4-stroke 443cc engine that works together with a very good and simple CVT gearbox.
Also, the ATV has a very good braking system and I personally was very surprised at the braking power. The front and the rear brakes are hydraulic disc types.
Furthermore, the ATV only weighs 613 pounds which makes the it very light, compact and comfortable.
Also, one of my favorite things and I think one of the biggest benefits of this ATV, is that it has an electric start which makes it easier to start the ATV.
Disadvantages
The only downside I found on this ATV is that it’s a little difficult to ride it in more difficult conditions such as mud, deep sand, and snow. I am not saying that it cannot ride in these areas, just that it is very difficult.
Opinion
In my opinion, the Textron Off-Road Alterra 500 can be a great ATV for beginners because of its compact size and it is by far one of the best ATVs you can buy today for beginners.
Kawasaki Brute Force 300
The Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is one of the cheapest ATVs on this list and it does provide a little less of a powerful performance, however, it is a great ATV for beginner riders and gives them enough performance to make them enjoy it.
Price
The price of the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is only $4,299, which is a simply amazing price considering the performance it offers, and I have to admit that I have personally never seen an ATV that gives great performance at such a cheap price like that.
Characteristics
The Kawasaki Brute Force 300 will perhaps not give you crazy performance but it can certainly give you enough performance so that you still enjoy it, especially when you’re a beginner.
The first thing you need to know is that the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 has a 4-stroke engine that works with a single cylinder that provides a 271cc volume and gives 20 horsepower output. This might not provide you crazy speeds but can still provide you with pretty good speeds for you to enjoy while riding.
In addition, the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 features an excellent brake system. The front brakes are 180mm double discs and the rear brakes are a single disc type 180mm.
Furthermore, the ATV has quite a high engine with a capacity of a 3.2-wave ratio which surprised me a lot.
The dimensions of the ATV are quite average and can fit any rider of average height. The seat height is 33.3 inches and the overall height is 46.1 inches.
The ATV weighs a very light weight of 535.8 pounds which makes it very small and suitable for beginner riders.
Also, the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 has a very beautiful design and is available in black and white. In addition, when you buy the ATV you get 12 months warranty and the most surprising thing is that Kawasaki gives extra warranty time if you need to pay over a 24, 36, or 48 month period.
Disadvantages
One of the most notable drawbacks of the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is that the seat is not very wide which makes for very unstable riding, especially when riding on rocks or stones where it is very noticeable.
Another disadvantage is that the frame gets dirty very quickly and will require you to clean your ATV more often.
Opinion
The Kawasaki Brute Force 300 may not have the most amazing and powerful features, but this is definitely an excellent ATV that can be a perfect fit for beginner riders and I personally recommend it to kids.
Suzuki QuadSport Z90
The Suzuki QuadSport Z90 is an excellent ATV that is sold at a very cheap price and it it has great performance and is very reminiscent of the Suzuki King Quad 400. In my personal opinion, the QuadSport Z90 is very suitable for youths and kids.
Price
The price of the Suzuki QuadSport Z90 is only $2,949, which makes it the cheapest ATV on this list, however, you must remember that when you buy the ATV online you will need to add between $100 and $300 for the commission, which varies between the different companies.
Characteristics
Despite the cheap price, the QuadSport Z90 offers really great performance.
The QuadSport Z90 engine is a 4-stroke with a volume of 90 cc. I know it’s quite a small engine volume, but believe me, in the field it works just great and maybe it doesn’t give crazy speeds but it does give pretty good speeds which I’m sure you’ll enjoy. The best thing is that this engine doesn’t require a lot of maintenance due to its small volume so you can save a lot of money on engine maintenance.
In addition, the QuadSport Z90 weighs in at a very small weight of 280 Pounds and in case you don’t know, I’ll just remind you that most ATVs pass the 1000 pound mark, which makes the QuadSport Z90 very suitable for kids and youths.
Furthermore, the ATV has very small dimensions – it is only 36 inches high, the width is 34 inches, and its length is 50 inches. The seat height is only 25 inches, making it very small and compact.
It has an excellent brake system, both the front and rear brakes are a drum type that are very easy to brake with due to the light weight of the ATV. I personally would be happier if it had disc brakes that are higher quality and better than drum brakes.
In addition, the ATV has an automatic CVT transmission system that helps to control the transmission and speeds of the ATV without too much trouble, which is important for new riders.
The QuadSport Z90 has a very classic design in my opinion, it is available in black and yellow and it comes with a 12 month warranty.
Disadvantages
The only downside is that the QuadSport Z90 doesn’t fit taller riders because it is intended more for kids and youths than for older people.
Opinion
In my opinion, the QuadSport Z90 is definitely a great ATV for kids or youths and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap ATV for beginner riders between the age of 7 and 16.
Yamaha Kodiak 450
The Yamaha Kodiak 450 is another excellent ATV that provides great performance and fits perfectly for beginners riders. It has all the features and things that every rider needs and I think it can even suit advanced riders.
Price
The price of the Yamaha Kodiak 450 is $5,999, which might make it a bit more expensive than most ATVs on this list however, it’s still considered a pretty cheap price, especially for the value it offers.
Characteristics
The Yamaha Kodiak 450 features an excellent 4-stroke engine with a total of 421cc, which is considered quite a large engine capacity, especially for the price it is sold at. From my personal experience its engine is simply excellent and capable of reaching high speeds, which gives it an advantage over the other ATVs on this list.
In addition, the fuel system is EFI type featuring a 3.7-gallon fuel capacity that works amazingly with the CVT automatic transmission.
The ATV weighs 650 pounds, which is considered a medium weight that can suit most riders. What most surprised me is that the ATV can carry equipment weighing more than 1,322 pounds, making it perfect for jobs that require moving equipment from one place to another.
In addition, the dimensions of the Yamaha Kodiak 450 are both average and compact. Its length is 80 inches, it is 46 inches wide and only 45 inches high.
The thing I love most about the Yamaha Kodiak 450 is that it has excellent electrical components that are extremely weather-resistant, which gives me lots of confidence when riding in the rain that the parts will not be destroyed.
In my opinion, the great advantage of the Yamaha Kodiak 450 is that it is very convenient and very stable for riding, even when riding on rocks or snow.
In addition, the design of the Yamaha Kodiak 450 is very reminiscent of most of Yamaha’s leading ATV designs and is available in many different colors. It also comes with a 6 month warranty.
Opinion
In my opinion, the Yamaha Kodiak 450 is an excellent ATV that is suitable for beginner riders and I highly recommend it to you as a Yamaha fan.
In addition, Yamaha has several other Kodiak models that have better performance if you don’t like the Yamaha Kodiak 450.
How to choose an ATV for beginners
Choosing the right ATV is definitely a very important thing but it becomes twice as important if you are a beginner rider because you must pay attention to several different factors before anything else. Here are 5 important factors that beginner riders must pay attention to before choosing an ATV:
Budget – Perhaps the most important factor you will have to consider is your budget. Most of the ATVs on this list cost between $4,000 to $6,000.
I personally don’t recommend that you have an ATV that costs more than these prices because the expensive ATVs are very fast and too intense for your level, You will have a harder time controlling the speed of the ATV.
Engine Volume – Another thing you will need to consider is engine volume. I personally recommend for beginner riders to make sure their ATV has an engine volume of between 100cc to 600cc. Engine volumes larger than this can be very difficult to control and even dangerous because of the high speeds.
Dimensions of the ATV – Choosing the dimensions of the ATV that are right for your height is a very important thing. Riding on ATV that is unsuitable for your size can be dangerous and because of this you have to make sure the ATV fits your height by being able to get your feet to the ground while sitting on the ATV.
New or used ATV – When it comes to choosing a new or used ATV it is quite different from person to person and depends on your priorities. and if you want to see my full guide about new or used ATV I worth feel free to click here to view
I would personally recommend that new riders buy a used ATV because most ATVs suitable for novice riders will have pretty mediocre performance that you can enjoy in the beginning but after you get better, you will want better ATV performance and so you will need more money to buy one.
In my opinion, as a beginner rider, you need a very cheap ATV that will be suitable for a few months of riding and after you become a better rider you can buy a an ATV that has better performance.
However, if it is important for you that your ATV look like new and you have the money, buying a new ATV may be a better option for you.
Design – The design of the ATV is very important to me personally and the design is especially important for children, therefore, I recommend that if you’re a parent you go and pick the color and design with your child.
Brakes – It’s super important to make sure that the ATV has a good braking system that has a fast enough braking speed, which is especially important for beginners.
I personally prefer that the ATV has a disc type system and not a drum but everyone is different. I recommend that you try to ride on the two types of brakes and only then choose what is convenient for you.
If you want to read more about choosing the perfect ATV for you, I highly recommend you go and check out the complete guide I wrote for you. Click here to view.
Need ATV safety gear? Click here to buy safety gear for dirt bike riding on amazon , or go check my sales pages of recommended safety gear page click here to view.
Thanks for your riding. Until next time.
