what ATV to buy??

I am very new to ATV's and just wanted to get someones opinion that wasnt trying to sell me something.

what are the main brands of ATV's that i should consider?
what should i be looking for in an ATV?
and finally what engine size should i be looking at?
(p.s.- i like to go vary fast in short amounts of time   )

my family and I have just purchased a lakehouse with a 14 mile trail around the lake that is used for ATV's and snomobiles and was just wondering what would be best for me.

THANKS  

i know i want to get a sport atv and i am considering either 400cc or 450cc models... (although i am open to suggestions)

the atv i purchase will most likely only be used for the trail around my lakehouse. (from what i have seen the trail is fairly hilly and depending on the weather there can be a decent amount of mud in my future)

(i dount this atv will ever see the sights of sand)  

YFZ450 has a lot of power, imo Yamaha is the best.
If you can't or don't want to shift polaris makes a nice all round machine. Those are the two brands I own.
I have had mine for 4 years and have found that the sports bike are great but I would like to play in the water and mud. With that in mind my next bike will be a 4x4, prob a Grizzly.  
Heres my toys
YFZ450 "06" jet kit, zip tie mod, cam mod, sold
Raptor 350 "06" stock, sold
Predator 90 "06" stock, sold

the yfz450 i all around the best quad out there. in every division its nearly flawless. in the yfz you have speed, handling, riadability, comfort, looks, power, ect... everything. you wont find a better stock quad. but if you are keeping it just for the cabin then i wouldnt suggest a huge, expensive 450. i would look into something more simple but yet fun and powerfull. you find that most people with cabins have things like sportsmans 300, or scramblers. look into the lt230, they are cheap and fun. they also come in manual or semi automatic clutch. so if your not confident with your clutching abilities get a semi auto. also what might be a good idea for you would be the honda bigred. a three wheeler is just as much fun as a wheeler and will go all the same places. not to mention you can pick a three wheeler up for around 500. look at it this way, pay 1200 and get 2 three wheelers that run great but dont look so hot. or spend 3000+ on a 450 that looks bad ass and should be on a track, but its stuck in a shed at the cabin. bigger doesnt neccesarily mean better.

oh also check out the 250r and the yamaha blaster. cheap 2 strokes work great for weekend rides.  
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2005 honda trx450 golden west graphics, hot cam, high compression piston, hmf exhaust, nerf bars,works shocks, golden west seat cover, one industries bars, and more