As much as I love my Wolverine I've finally had to admit that I spend too much time hauling a trailer to have a quad that doesn't have a low gear. The first gear on the Wolverine is equivilent to 2nd on a 450ES, and that's just not low enough when you're in a difficult situation with a heavy trailer.
So, time for a new quad. What to get? I don't want to spend more than I can afford, so no Grizz, Kawi 650, or Rubicon.
I do want to try an auto, and it has to be liquid cooled, so I think I've got it narrowed down to a Kodiak, an Arctic Cat, or one of those new Suzuki's, which I haven't gone to look at yet.
The draw back with the Kodiak is that there's alot of plastic stuff to break off when the going gets rough.
With the Arctic Cat, I don't like that it's heavy and underpowered.
With the Suzuki's, I'm not sure, though if they haven't made changes to their motors, they'll be underpowered too.

I'm really going to miss the Wolverine. The light weight and performance are hard things to give up. But it's starting to complain about being forced to work when it would rather just go and play.

 

I think you must be talking about the Eigers for suzuki they are new motors so they are not underpowered but the Shift model is the hardest to shift so you need the auto. They are good quads with plenty of power and they have some nice accesiories you can get and they come standerd with a Winch Ready front bumper.
Another choice to consider is polaris.

 

So you like the Wolverine but just not for hard work. I'm trading my Sportsman 400 in for a Wolverine this week. I want it for play. The Sportsman is nice but I do alot of trail riding and playing on hills so I think I will be happy with a new Wolverine.

 

Yes, I think you'll love it. I've had mine for two years, and I still get suprised at what it will do. Even for work, it can always get the job done, it's just not the happiest at work, so I need something that will cooperate a little more. But I think that compared to your Sportsman 400 you'll be very happy with the Wolverine.

 

I just got back from quad shopping. The new Vinson has been crossed off of my list, for the simple reason that there is too much plastic that will surely break off. For 95% of the atvers out there it probably won't be a problem, so I'm not slagging it, but I know that with what I do with a quad, I don't want a Vinson.
The AC Auto ('01) looks very good for work. I love the ruggedness, lots of metal in the right places, and I'm sure for work it would be the best choice. But for play? I think it'll be too heavy and sluggish. Still, it hasn't been crossed off the list. If I can find a dealer who wants to give a reasonable price I might still get one.

But, it's looking more and more like I'll be getting a Kodiak. Just went and test drove one. It'll take some getting used to, but it seemed pretty peppy.

As for Polaris; they are both overweight and fragile. I don't know how that's possible, but I wouldn't seriously consider a Polaris.

 

I've been looking at the Wolverine and was wondering how you compare it to the Kodiak that you test drive? handling? power? agility? speed? acceleration?

 

Hey Mr. Bullet,

Where are you from in NFLD?? I am from a lil town about 40 mintes from St. John's called South River. Been away a long time though.

4WheelinFool.

 

Newf, If you decide against a Kodiak, have you looked at the Kawasaki Prairie 400? It is one of the faster 400s out there if you want a utility quad that can really move too, and at a decent price. It is definitely faster than a Kodiak. It's plastic has never been a problem either.

 

What about a Big Bear?

 

I've ridden a Kodiak, and I own an AC400. Both have engines in the 400cc range (Kodiak = 401cc, AC = 371cc). The Kodiak is definately the "sportier" of the two. It's faster and seems more nimble. The AC, however, feels like I could drive over a house with it. I even knocked down a few 3-4" trees by driving up them on the AC...something I'd not have considered trying on the Kodiak. Also, the ride is nicer on my AC (with the ACT suspension).

Now you want the Auto, and Liquid cooled, so you'd need to be looking at the AC 500. Frankly, I think you are missing something by not considering the AC 375 (376cc's, and Auto, but air and oil cooled). From what I hear, overheating does not seem to be an issue on these machines no matter what the load, and they are about a grand cheaper.

On the flip side, the styling and sportiness of the Kodiak is tempting. And the push button switch from 2 to 4 wheel drive and back is a little more convenient then the handle on my AC. To be honest, I would suspect the step from a Wolverine to a AC would be too much of a leap for you and you would only be dissappointed with the Cat. Not because of it's power, I assure you, but because of it's speed.

My AC tops out at 50mph, BTW. The 500's reportedly do about 55-60mph. The Kodiak is probably in the same range as the 500. It's definately faster than my 400 (though not by much). According to it's speedometer, it says I had it going 70mph...but it also said the max speed on my son's Sportsman 90 was 45 mph and my AC clocks the sp 90 at 35. Frankly, I don't trust the speedometers on any ATV that much. Regardless, the top end is plenty fast for most of the riding I do (which tends to occur at speeds under 20mph).