New Member from WI. Need buying advice. Pics.

[Trihonda]

hi, I’m new. I’m from WI, and have been ATVing for a decent number of years, probably go about 5-8x per year. i‘ve been using a stable of ATVs and UTVs my uncle has at his cabin, from Polaris, Yamaha, and Cats. I’m essentially a newbie tho, and know enough to take the family on day long trips through the northwoods, but I probably don’t know what I don’t know... 

this past weekend, while working on the cabin (typical beginning of the season prep), my wife texts me to say that we should get our own ATV, so we aren’t always dependent on my uncles flock (sometimes one or more might be out of service... we have two kids, so we’d be wanting 2-person capable vehicles. Every shop I called said there’s very little if any new inventory (or it’s a 2-4mo wait). I checked online (marketplace) and looked hard at a couple ATV 2ups, but they sold within hours... my local motor shop up north JUST got this SxS in on consignment, and I’m seriously considering getting it. I have questions on price, reliability, etc. the shop that it’s at is the shop that has maintained the SxS, so ill get a fairly honest opinion of the condition (hopefully). If it’s torched, the shop owner knows I’ll just be in when it breaks and giving him the stink eye, lol... 

it’s a 2015 Cat Wildcat Sport XT. 4600 miles. 188 hrs (avg speed 25mph). Comes with the following extras: front & rear glass, roof, solid doors, LED bar, mirrors, winch (rope), heated seats, etc.. asking price is $8k. Shop owner seems to think it’s in good shape. It’s certainly seen it’s share of wet/muddy trails, but the trails in the area arent crazy rock crawling trails. Thoughts? I know the pics are really dirty, but it was ridden to the shop 30 mins prior to me stopping by, and it had just rained for 3 days straight. The trails were wet...  

we did take it for a test ride, it sounded good, no major rattles or engine issues from my untrained ear to detect (nothing glaring). We did get it up to 55mph with no prob, but that seemed the top with two guys weighting 450 total lbs inside,  

looking for some expert advice, but also looking for a great community to learn about SxS upgrades, mods, and general lifestyle! 

 

[Trihonda]

Did I post this in the wrong section?  I get zero responses?

[TapBoss]

The Artic Cat section may have been a better spot, but price-wise this appears to be a good deal.  2014 models are going for $10,000 and '16 for $12,000.   Are those radial tires?  If they are, a majority of those hrs/miles were most likely on pavement.  

[Trihonda]

49 minutes ago, TapBoss said:

The Artic Cat section may have been a better spot, but price-wise this appears to be a good deal.  2014 models are going for $10,000 and '16 for $12,000.   Are those radial tires?  If they are, a majority of those hrs/miles were most likely on pavement.  

Can you explain this more?  Is pavement riding good for the unit, but bad for tires?  Are the tires worn? 

[TapBoss]

Stock tires wear quickly on pavement, so if the owner did alot of that type of driving they would change over to radials which last longer.  Since you posted the hrs/mileage ave, it's not like they were out street racing, but that's another clue that it was ridden on fairly even terrain and possibly roads.  I would consider this a good thing as far as shocks and joints go but would check brakes and tranny.  As for tires, that close-up pic made it look like the tread was maybe half gone?