Im looking to buy a quad this summer. I want somethin i can use for hunting and work that has 4x4 but somethin i can also get crazy with doin some off roadin? What machine do you reccomend?

 

What kind of work and hunting do you plan on doing with it?

 

The Kodiak 450 or Sprtsman will fill your needs. They both are great machines, the Kodiak is lighter and more nimble in the woods, however the Sportsman feels burly and strongwich is nice and is fully capable of work and play. The Kodiak is cheaper than the Polaris and still offers IRS, auto, floor boards and locking front differential, but you have to stop to engage, where the Sportsman will do it automatically when it senses its need, like all wheel drive. I had a hard choice with the same needs and I went with the Kodiak, due to price and I didn't like where the foot brake was located on the Polaris vs the Kodiak ( I have Large feet!). Hope this helps, I do not think you can go wrong with either one of these as both are reliable. Good Luck and let us know what you end up with.

 

There are more questions here than answers.

These are not large machines - the wolverine and kodiak - but ......

If your 400 pounds (wet or dry) you want to look at the larger 650-800cc machines.

IMO I think anything less than 500 cc is a good girls quad or a good match if you have back problems or a difficulty in loading/unloading the machine. With where I ride and all the gear I carry I kind of wish there was a 650 or 700 TRV in the future. My cousin thinks his 500 is perfectly matched to his deer hunting needs as its hilly and tough going where he hunts. He also carrys a ton and half of hunting equipment into the bluffs.

There is nothing wrong with any of these brands. I picked Polaris for my first 3 quads because there are 3 dealers within 20 miles of my house. I now have added Honda and Arctic Cat to the barn. And I've bought a lot of parts and add-ons from those dealers and have been glad they are so convienent when needed.

Opinions - Arctic Cat has most likely the best of the best for utility and aggressive technical riding. There new 2005 quads are more sporty in looks but retain their superiority with the proven engineering in the chassis - but they are not as fast as the other brands. The Arctic Cat line features the MRP accessory racks and I have to admit that one buy one I've bought just about every option. Having that plug in rack system is great for re-purposing your setup.

Polaris - Also a first class quad. They hold thier value and will last 20 years if taken care of. The Sportsman is also a great utility machine but it does kick up the mph and can hang with the best of the breeds.

Honda is first class top of the line. If you can afford one - they are the best bang for the buck for a all-around quad.

 

So Whodat, you calling all those Kodiak owners girlie boys?

 

Did I say that?

Thanks - thanks a lot.

 

.

These are not large machines - the wolverine and kodiak - but ......

If your 400 pounds (wet or dry) you want to look at the larger 650-800cc machines.

IMO I think anything less than 500 cc is a good girls quad or a good match if you have back problems or a difficulty in loading/unloading the machine. With where I ride and all the gear I carry I kind of wish there was a 650 or 700 TRV in the future. My cousin thinks his 500 is perfectly matched to his deer hunting needs as its hilly and tough going where he hunts. He also carrys a ton and half of hunting equipment into the bluffs.



Whodat,

Seeing that you are from minnesota I am curoius where you ride that is so tough that you need a big bore quad. I ride alot up here and I get around perfectly fine with my 350cc that is over 400 lbs [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] I ride anywhere anyone else can without a problem.




Bmwilson,

As long as you don't plan on doing excessively heavy hauling or towing you would be fine with a wolverine. When you decide to play you would really like the wolverine. It is plenty powerful with nimble handling

Ryan

 

I'm not to sure about the resale value on them polaris's either!Why are there so many at auctions going for so cheap?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Its a refreshing change to have someone ask what they mean rather then blasting out remarks about ones mental capacity along with comments on reproduction.

My opinion is based on my expereince - and so is yours. I beleive both are valid. Why would anyone make up a lie to a question such as was posted here. Not much value in doing that. I think its great the posters get to here all of the opinions. Knowledge is power.

To answer your question - we ride mostly in the Biwabik and Gilbert areas but we carry more mountain riding type equipment as every ride is a oppertunity to test here what we want with us when we ride in the Rockys. Sometimes I tow a plastic boat with trolling motor into those mines up their on the Iron Range eh. My comments are based on the machines that get stuck or need to be towed over obstacles or pushed up a slippery hill. The two pieces of equipment that get used the most is the tow strap and winch. Their are two different paths most of the time, the well travelled and the less traveled. We usaully opt for the less traveled and that is where the more aggresive ability of machine is established. Its all a matter of perspective. My daughters 90cc went to 9800 feet in the Beartooth Rocky Mountains, and one could say that she went everywhere we went, but the truth is we took the longer and less aggresive trail that day and at 9800 feet it was all over. On the more aggresive trail at 8000 feet I had to tow the 325 up some inclines . My 500's went strong and had plenty of power. The Polaris gets loaded with nearly 200 pounds of gear for hunting. Yes thats to much stuff but I can't get the boy scout out of me. I started with a bare naked ATV just like everyone else. I added all the trunks, boxes, bags, windshields doodads and whistles and now my TRV weighs 996 pounds before we get on it. Thank God its a 500 and not a 350. We'd never make it. And, for some reason I have about 7 trailers in the yard and without the weight of my 500's I dont think I'd be able to move the bass boat for example. I'm sure the front wheels would be off the ground if I tried doing that with my Recon.

Different strokes for different folks. And thanks for asking.

 

I'm not sure what you mean about the Polaris machines selling cheap at auctions
It appears from looking at the completed ebay auctions that a 2001 Sportsman 500 is
selling around the $4,000 plus mark - and more with accessories. I beleive I paid
$5600 in the fall of 2000 for my 2001. This is its 5th season. Thats about 300 ish per
year depreciation. My neighbors Grizzly sold for $2000 less than cost 3 years old or
nearly twice that annual depreciation cost.