2020 ATV BUYER’S GUIDE: 2X4

On Apr 21, 2020

By the staff of Dirt Wheels

ARCTIC CAT ALTERRA 300

The Alterra 300 shares the DNA of its bigger relatives but in a more compact form. This two-wheel-drive offering has independent dual-A-arm front suspension with a solid rear axle and swingarm suspension system. It is capable enough to tow up to 500 pounds when you are done playing on the trails and need to get work done.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-stroke, Displacement: 270cc, Transmission: CVT w/ reverse, Final drive: Shaft, Fuel capacity: 4.3 gal., Wheelbase: 46.4”, Length/width/height: 73.6”/41.4”/44”, Ground clearance: 8.25”, Claimed wet weight: 477 lb., Suspension/wheel travel: Front: Dual A-arm/5.0”, Rear: Swingarm/5.0”, Tires: f/r 22×7-10/22×10-10, Retail price: NA.

HISUN FORGE 250

Hisun’s smallest ATV offering comes in the form of the fun Forge 250. It utilizes a 229cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine to power around. An automatic CV-style transmission has forward, neutral and reverse gearing. A 2500-pound winch, aluminum wheels and cargo racks are standard features for this mid-size ATV.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, SOHC 4-stroke, Displacement: 229cc, Transmission: CVT w/ reverse, Final drive: Chain Fuel capacity: 2.9 gal., Wheelbase: 51.0”, Length/width/height: 82.5”/42.0”/46.0”, Ground clearance: 8.0”, Claimed wet weight: 639 lb., Suspension/wheel travel: Front: Dual A-arm/N/A, Rear: Dual A-arm/N/A, Tires: f/r 25×8-12/25×10-12, Retail price: $4,299.

HONDA FOURTRAX RECON

We have had plenty of fun roaming around on Honda’s two-wheel-drive Recon. It is small and agile with a capable carbureted 229cc engine. A push-button shifting system controls the 5-speed transmission with reverse. A front bumper and cargo racks are standard. Dual-A-arm front suspension and a swingarm rear are on the Recon.

Engine type: Air-cooled, OHV 4-stroke, Displacement: 229cc, Transmission: Push-button, 5-speed auto clutch w/ reverse, Final drive: Shaft, Fuel capacity: 2.4 gal., Wheelbase: 44.5”, Length/width/height: 75.0”/40.7”/42.1”, Ground clearance: 6.0”, Claimed wet weight: 434 lb., Suspension/wheel travel: Front: Dual A-arm/5.1”, Rear: Single shock/4.9”, Tires: f/r 22×7-11/22×10-9, Retail price: $4,299.

HONDA FOURTRAX RANCHER

Honda offers a very wide range of ATV models that includes a two-wheel-drive Rancher. It sports a liquid-cooled 420cc EFI engine, which is the biggest in its class. The base model comes with an auto clutch and geared transmission, or the ES version has handlebar-mounted push-button shifting.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, OHV, 4-stroke, Displacement: 420cc, Transmission: 5-speed auto-clutch w/ reverse, Final drive: Shaft, Fuel capacity: 3.9 gal. Wheelbase: 50.0”, Length/width/height: 82.8”/47.4”/46.2”, Ground clearance: 7.2”, Claimed wet weight: 573 lb., Suspension/wheel travel: Front: Dual A-arm/6.69”, Rear: Swingarm/6.69”, Tires: f/r 24×8-12/24×10-11, Retail price: $5,499/$5,799.

KAWASAKI BRUTE FORCE 300

Kawasaki’s Brute Force 300 may not have the sheer power of its bigger sibling, but it can hold its own out on the trail. It is powered by a 271cc engine paired to a CV transmission. Steel cargo racks that are easy to tie items down on, and a towing capacity of 500 pounds will help you take care of tasks at the ranch or job site.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, OHC 4-stroke, Displacement: 271cc, Transmission: CVT w/ reverse, Final drive: Shaft, Fuel capacity: 3.2 gal., Wheelbase: 45.8”, Length/width/height: 75.4”/42.5”/46.1”, Ground clearance: 6.1”, Claimed wet weight: 535.8 lb., Suspension/wheel travel: Front: Dual A-arm/5.2”, Rear: Single shock/5.6”, Tires: f/r 22×7-10/22×10-10, Retail price: $4,299.

KYMCO MXU 150X/270

The MXU 150X and 270 are both great transitional machines for riders that are growing into more power and capability. The two-wheel-drive offerings have independent front suspension with a solid-axle, swingarm rear suspension. The shocks are spring-preload-adjustable, and they have drum braking front and rear.

Engine type: Air-cooled, SOHC 4-stroke, Displacement: 149cc/270cc, Transmission: CVT w/ reverse, Final drive: Chain, Fuel capacity: 2.1 gal., Wheelbase: 43.9”, Length/width/height: 70.0”/37.4”/40.9”, Ground clearance: 7.8”, Claimed wet weight: 349 lb./478 lb., Suspension/wheel travel:,Front: Single A-arm/3.5”, Rear: Swingarm/3.5”, Tires: f/r 22×7-10/22×10-10, Retail price: $3,099/$3,899.

POLARIS PHOENIX 200

Aggressive styling and a grey color scheme will make your buddies jealous when you roll up on the Phoenix 200. It is a transitional ATV meant for riders 14-and-up. It offers 7 inches of travel out of the dual-A-arm front suspension, while the rear single-shock swingarm suspension provides 6.5 inches of rear travel. Perfect for a smooth ride.

Engine type: Air-cooled, OHV, 4-stroke, Displacement: 196cc, Transmission: CVT w/ reverse, Final drive: Shaft, Fuel capacity: 2.5 gal., Wheelbase: 45.0”, Length/width/height: 65.0”/42.0”/42.0”, Ground clearance: 5.7”, Claimed wet weight: 420 lb., Suspension/wheel travel: Front: Dual A-arm/7.0”, Rear: Single shock/6.5”, Tires: f/r 21×7-10/20×10-9, Retail price: $4,199.

TRACKER 300

Tracker’s 300 is new to ATV and off-road industry. It can tackle a tough job on the ranch with impact resistant cargo racks, a low-range in the continuously variable Transmission and a healthy 500-pound towing capacity. Twenty-two-inch-tall Kenda Pathfinder tires let the rear tires grab traction, and the fronts direct you down the trail.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-stroke, Displacement: 270cc, Transmission: CVT w/ reverse, Final drive: Shaft, Fuel capacity: 4.3 gal., Wheelbase: 46.4”, Length/width/height: 73.6”/41.4”/44.0”, Ground clearance: 8.25”, Claimed wet weight: 477 lb., Suspension/wheel travel: Front: Dual A-arm/5.0”, Rear: Swingarm/5.0”, Tires: f/r 22×7-10/22×10-10, Retail price: $3,699.

CONTACTS

Apex: www.apexatv.com, (480) 507-5050

Arctic Cat: www.arcticcat.com

Argo: www.argoxtv.com

Can-Am: www.can-am.brp.com, (715) 848-4957

CFMoto: www.cfmotousa.com, (888) 823-6686

Hisun: www.hisunmotors.com, (972) 446-0760

Honda: www.powersports.honda.com, (310) 783-2000

Kawasaki: www.kawasaki.com, (949) 770-0400

Kymco: www.kymcousa.com, (864) 327-4744

Odes: www.odesindustries.com

Polaris: www.polarisindustries.com, (888) 704-5290