What to look for when buying a used four wheeler?

lift the seat and make sure there's no oil/water in the air intake box is a good place to start.

this will tell you if it's been hot-rodded (oil) or sank in a creek somewhere (water).

quote:

---

If it has a snorkel, run don't walk away.

---

This

Also, every single person will say "like new" and "it was babied".

When you go to look at it the first time, feel the motor to see if its hot and if they started it before you came... may have a hard time starting and once it gets running its not so bad.

Don’t buy from anyone that has rice fields close by.

Honda. Honda. Honda.

Check the oil and make sure it's at appropriate level and not tar. Check the Air Box under the seat for water lines or excessive dirt/silt. Check for any clicking or clunking in the rear end. See if brakes work. IF the block is still cold, give it a start and look for excessive smoke up at start up, then listen for a knock or piston slap.

Require a title, unless you don't mind buying stolen stuff.

Say NO NO NO to snorkel, lift kit, and any mud tires that look like a 16 year old owned it.

Finally and most importantly, walk around and kick all 4 tires and offer them 500 less than asking.

Lots of good info already here, I’ll add a little bit myself.

Honda.

Ask the owner how often they change the oil. I’ve had some chuckle and say never, walk away.

Pull the rear diff check oil level bolt. If water or milky oil comes out you’re looking at costly repairs in the near future. Inspect the frame for rust, light spotted rust isn’t to bad. If it’s flaking and everywhere pass.

Look around the oil seal areas of the motor and diffs. If it’s moist in those areas attention is needed.

Shake the bike side to side and see if there’s slack anywhere. Pay attention to the a arms at the frame and the wheels when doing so. This will help to tell you if there’s bearings or bushings going out.

Title is nice to have but won’t deter me if the owner is willing to go to a notary and do a bill of sale. You will need to pull the VIN, make and model off the frame if doing this.

If it has an hour meter, you want an average speed above 10 mph.

The will eliminate most mud bikes and pure worked bikes.

After that, you want solid bearings, minimal rust, working brakes.

Brands, stick to Japanese unless it is an 800 Polaris sportsman. They were amazingly well built bikes.

Your price range will define what you should look for.

But any fuel injected Yamaha 450 or bigger (not a new 450), any Honda IRS pre 2015 Honda, or Suzuki 750 is a great place to start.

quote:

---

maybe I’m a dumbass but how would you figure average speed

---

Mileage divided by time

quote:

---

that was used by an older person on a deer lease.

---

this is the key

quote:

---

Inspect the frame for rust, light spotted rust isn’t to bad. If it’s flaking and everywhere pass.

---

Good point. Look for rust.