Hi there. My husband and I are in the process of buying our first ATV - hopefully a Honda Rancher, if we can find one at a good price.

We're from SW PA, about 20 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. Any advice about choosing a dealer, Hondas in general (my husband really wants a Honda) and places to ride would be appreciated.

I think we'll be going to West Hills Honda next SAturday, since they're having an off-road sale with demo rides. We've had such a hard time finding anyone to let us try out a quad before we buy it!

Thanks for any advice you experienced folks can offer!

OH, I thought you were talking about suzuki, first on four wheels. Buy what seems best to you, that all i'll say, couse everyone is going to give you there opinions why there's is best anyway

You should probably get something built for 2, if both of you are riding together

Welcome to the forums

As for places to ride, keep checking the events threads, and calender, Many places around here, and also a few pay to ride clubs.

Good place for you to start is ANF on the timberline trails, begginer type trails, about 40 miles long, still open the next 2 sundays. keep watching for the ANF winter ride which will be end of january/ first weekeng of feb.

This sunday is a benefit ride in penn hills

And there are alot of riders from your area on here, i'm one of them.

First,welcome to the site. Look around, there is a lot of great info on PA riding spots on here.

I have heard that Track and Trail in State College wheels and deals if you are up to traveling for a deal. I'm from the east side of PA and my buddy just drove to them for a King Quad. He said they were the best price he found.

Thanks, Jim, so much for your response. Sounds like the trails at ANF would be a great place to start.

Thanks so much for the input. I think with the price of gas - and just to support our local dealers - we'll try to find a dealer in Beaver or Allegheny County. I'd like to give our service business to the people we buy from.

Thanks again for responding.

Hi Ranchergal, and Welcome to the site!!!! . Buying a quad is all about what kind of riding you plan on doing. They are all designed to be used in similar ways but if you plan on being aggressive and fast, there is a better choice than others. If you plan on riding at a comfortable pace and just enjoying the scenery then a Rancher is a great choice. If you are going to be riding 2 at a time then its a bad choice. Hondas have a great reputation for many things, and brand loyalty is huge among Honda fans. I have found Kawasaki to be my favorite, with the exception of three wheelers. If you plan on doing this as a couple with only one machine there are manufactureres that build machines built specifically for dual riders, and though they are more expensive, this is definitely the better route to take. The machines are designed longer and the center of gravity is shifted, these changes along with passenger handles and the seat being specifically designed to make riding 2 as comfortable and safe as possible.

If you have more specific questions there are many people on this site who would be glad to help. If this post gets lost among the new ones feel free to pm me and Ill do my best to get you as much info on what your looking for.

RancherGal just be careful if you are buying a used Quad. I know what I have put mine through.lol Just get what you are comfortable on and what you can afford.

Thanks for the info Irish. We're looking at riding separately - hey, I wanna ride my own! - and we're definitely "stop n smell the roses" kind of folks. Of course, won't I feel silly choosing this screen name if I don't end up with a Rancher! LOL!

to atvingpa.com !

We can always change your screen name :wink:

Good luck in your buying adventures and keep us posted.

hello there Ranchergal and welcome. test drive a polaris RZR and you will be glad you did. if you are in the manheim/harrisburg area you can test out mine. my back kills me when I ride a quad all day. the back support and pocket book storage cant be beat on the RZR.