I am 6'1" 275# and want to plow snow, trail ride and hunt with the atv. I like the yamaha big bear or kodiak. Do you think the dimenisions will fit my size? Also the pros and cons of the auto vs shift including your opinions and how you have based your opinions.

 

I would guess that either one would work. That size machine in all manufacturer's lines are pretty good for general riding.

 

Of the two mentioned, get the Kodiak. Liquid cooled.. automatic. For trail riding, snow plowing etc, it is superior to the other machine in every category. You are maxing out the machine's weight limits.. and will need the little extra grunt the Kodiak has. Also, look at Honda Rubicon if you are open to suggestion... but get the 2005 with disc brakes. Still would consider the Kodiak as the number one choice.. and I own a Rubicon.

 

Are you talking about the Kodiak 400 or 450? If you have the money get the 450, you will be much happier due to your size. Us larger folk shouldn't get anything smaller than a 450 but that's just my opinion.

 

Something a lot of us don't pay much attention to is the weight rating of each machine... You need to look at that... Now there is a fudge factor built in when looking at rack ratings etc.. but it is important to pay attention if you want things to last. Yes, I was talking about the Kodiak 450...the 400 is air cooled versus the liquid cooling on the 450... and the 450 has IRS, the 400 does not.

They are great machines.

 

I agree with Dragginbutt, the Kodiak is the better choice. I had a Kodiak 400, no problems with it. I did feel the front suspension was too soft and would cause the front to dive if ridden aggresively, but it is the more powerful of the two.

Dragginbutt, how do you like your rubicon?? Pros/cons??
I have a Brute force right now and were looking at a rubicon for my wife.

 

I am a big fan of it, however if you are considering it for your wife, make sure you get an 05 with the ability to choose between 2 and 4 wheel drive, disk brakes (finally), and new Rincon bodywork. The tranny is remarkable.. and the power is adequate... It is a work horse, capable of taking on just about any "Chore" you can throw at it... However, if this is a machine for the wife... I am not sure it is the best choice for her. I personally am leaning towards the Rancher AT for my wife... since it has the same features and tranny as the rubicon, and supposedly a diff lock.. but more importantly it is slightly smaller package so it fits her better, its lighter, and the steering feel is much lighter in 2 wheel drive mode as well.

The question I have back at you is what is your wife planning to do with it? If she is just puting around the trails, the the Rancher AT is my choice... if she needs more of a workhorse, then the Rubicon is Honda's mini tractor... I will say this though, in most cases, any 300 class machine is adequate for a putt in the woods. If you do not intend to pull a lot of weight around with it, or load it up with gear for a deer camp or something, they can work. Just remember with the bigger class machines, they start getting to be a hand full to steer on tight trails. Riding should be a joy, not a health club workout. Also, 4 wheel drive is nice..but I have extensive trail experience with 2 wheel drive machines and frankly haven't gone anywhere that my 2 wheel drive machine can't handle...except deep mud... I avoid that at all cost. Sport machines are a lot lighter, and have less things to go snap in the woods than 4x4 Utes. Just a thought...

Honda so far has resisted the IRS trend...Yamaha has converted the Kodiak 450 to it.... And I am on record as being a big fan of that machine. It would also make a good choice for your wife. Or you for that matter. That Grizzly and most of the 600 + class machines are just too much of a monster for me. I can't see doing any more work with them that I can't already do with my Rubicon. I am not into speed any more either, so the ability to go zoom zoom down a trail in my mind defeats the purpose you are trying to accomplish by being out there in the first place.

I have to admit that I am a traditionalist on the solid axle though. I understand the mechanics of the IRS, and people swear by them.. but I also have seen a lot of people swear at them too... mostly I believe it was caused by people who had been riding a solid axle machine, and jumped on the new IRS and tried to do the same things on them that they used to do with their solid axle machine.. Well that doesn't work all the time. The IRS has way more traction in some situations than the solid had, and it can bite you. DON"T try and slide an IRS in a corner until you have some experience on it.

So to answer your question. I love my Rubicon.. Wish I had waited for an 05 so I could get the updated brakes and bodywork, and the ability to go into 2 wheel drive to save on the steering effort.. but I am really amazed by the transmission and it's ability to do real "WORK". For pure trail riding, I think the Rancher AT or Kodiak 450 are better choices if you want a 4x4 Ute.

Lately though I have been also eyeing the Bombardier lineup... For ease in steering, they are very good. I see a lot of them on farms too.. that should tell you something. But as far as fit and finish, and pure flash.... I can't say they light any candles in my book.

Just about any new machine will work... the important thing is that she be comfortable on it. It is her butt and arms that will be taking the beating, so she needs to be happy with it's "feel"

 

I bought an 05 rancher. Low money, great realibility, I too am 270# and 6'1". You can even ride 2 if you want. I too plow snow with it. Great bike for the money and light weight comparitvly. I ride on logging roads in Alaska and have to transport the bike from a 46' boat to a 14' lund skiff to the beach. What a bike. And plenty of snoose to haul out deer.

 

Well I have you guys both beat.. 6'4" and 300.. at least that is what I claim my weight is.. Most doctor scales start screaming uncle and give up counting at 300.. and the springs on my wife's scale just goes "Boing" when I get on... so the weight issue is a big concern for me... I didn't notice having any issues when I rode my Warrior, although I am way over the stated rating on that. Ditto on my big boy Raptor... but you do notice it when you get in sticky mud I think... Hard to say, I don't know any different.. With most Utes though, they build in a lot of rating for your racks to carry stuff, so I don't think I am hurting the quad any... I don't usually haul anything on the quad... if I do have to haul something, I use a small dump trailer. And I can pretty much pull a hay trailer with it if needed on flat surfaces. Don't think I would want to come down a hill with that though.. as the brakes would be way undersized for all that weight.