I posted a few topics back in January, but now I'm ready to buy an ATV. I will mostly use it to play, but will use it a little for work. Around here where I live, it is mostly revine, hills, and rocks. I not interested in any of the new V-Twin ATV's. I feel that is more machine than anybody needs. I ruled out the Rubicon because of its full time 4 wheel drive or 3 wheel drive as I have read. I also ruled out the Grizzly because of it rear drum brakes and air cooled motor. I'm left with the AC 500 auto, Polaris Sportsman, and the Yamaha Kodiak. I have heard and read good things about the AC. I have heard and read many problems about the Polaris models. What should I know about these 3 models? What could I expect to pay for these models? And with out a doubt, which would you pick? I am leaning hard towards the AC but I just want to make sure. I think that I have a small doubt in my mind because they haven't been producing ATV's for a long time. But I think that I also already know which model to choose. I just need some re-assurance. Thanks gang!

 

The three finalists which you have chosen are all excellent. This is a very difficult decision to make. Good luck

 

If you don't like the 3 wheel drive thing then you may want to stay away from the yahmaha's and even the arctic cat for that matter. Although the cats are not a true 4 wheel drive hub system like the polaris it is much better than than many others out there. Texascat(AC500 auto) and his nephew, bushwacker(polaris magnum 500), and I(500 and 400 manuals) went out riding in some serious mud and none of use noticed the two cats getting stuck due to 3 wheel drive. All four wheels turn with the new front diffs. I've never had a traction problem just way to deep of a hole or mud. Someone on here did a little review of the diff operation a while back that was awesome( think it was cowboy). If you want absolute top speed then go get the polaris. Nothing touches it in that department. I think you can get a better deal on an arctic cat over the polaris if that is a concern. I'm not going to touch the durability issue because I don't own anything but arctic cats so that is all I know. Mine runs great. Master cylinder was bad and replaced by the dealer under warranty no questions asked. I'm still under the belief that if you take care of your machine it will take care of you. Lok at the dealer you might buy fromand ask around. A good dealer can make a big problem a painless experience while a poor dealer can turn a small problem into a nightmare. Ask around. I don't think you will go wrong with any of those choices. Enjoy the new ride.

Dakota R/T
http://lonestar.texas.net/~eeyore/atvhomepage.html

 

Well as you can see I like the Kodiak. As far as belt driven atvs IMO the Kodiak is clearly the best. I also think the Kodiak is one of the best of any atv made. Im not downing the other two but you should ride the Kodiak and take note on how well its built. I looked at other two and did not like the designs at all. The Kodiak is easy to snorkel if you wanted to go deep in the water too. Kodiaks have plenty of power to turn the large mud tires you may want to run. As far as the 3 wheel drive think goes take a look at my pics and see if 4 wheels are pulling or 3. Check out "Swamp Hole" pics. I have no locker either. Yeah its true if you get one front wheel off the ground like in rocky terrain you have 2 wheel drive but I either have 4wd or 2wd, never have I had 3 wheel drive. Before you buy please try to test drive a Kodiak. You will be suprised. Also of note Im pretty sure the water pump on the Kodiak has been updated. The water pump on the Kodiak is their only weak point. Everything else is pretty solid.

 

The A.C. is my fifth bike that I have owned so far.I had 3 hondas and 1 polaris.If you want speed,best ride over rough terrain,go polaris but be aware of high long term maintance.The yamaha is also fast and seems very reliable so far but the ride is not as plush as the AC or POL.If you have alot of rock and over-all hard going I would go AC but be aware of 1.hard on gas 2.and may require spring adjusters.As for me ,I am very pleased so far and I do not ride the easy.I expect the machine to work and play hard and so far 1550 miles and going strong.
What ever you choose, it is YOUR DECISION just remember
KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN
OUT

 

Eaaicf,
I will add my two cents... I have ridden both the Polaris and Kodiaks. I own an AC 400 4X4. Here is my opinion.
Polaris: Great machines with a ton of power. They are a great smooth ride with the IRS!!! I like the 4wheel drive feature of just the push of a button. They also can get up and move out when you want to. Another nice feature is stainless steel braided brake lines. These will give you a lot more stopping power. Because they don't expand like the rubber hose brake lines. They also have the widest stance giving you the most stable ride. My dad owns two of them. We have ridden in all sorts of terrain with them. Even hauled out elk on the back rack. The down side with the IRS is that when we put that elk on the rear end dropped to about 4" of ground clearance. Maintenance is a pain with 24 grease zerks. The Oil resivoir, and Coolant resivoirs, are not in a very convient place. My only other complaint is the seat is to wide. It's like being on a horse!!! Those long rides can really get to you. As I said before great machine great ride!!!
Kodiak... My dads friend owns a 2000 model. This is a nice machine to ride with quick steering response and a very light steering.
It has a very nimble sporty feel to it. You can go in and out of 4 wheel drive without stopping.
Downsides. Solid rear axle with swing arm. In rough situations is tended to bounce around a little more. In those off camber situations your going to be three wheeling. I think the exhaust is too close to the seat. On a long ride my butt got really hot and uncomfortable. That heat shield tape will take care of the problem. What makes the light steering is because the Kodiak is only 43" wide. This also makes it the most tipsy feeling quad when the terrain becomes difficult. This machine can get up and go like the polaris. I did like the machine and it is a nice ride other than my previous complaints. For me it would be my last choice simply because of the lack of IRS.
Arctic Cat... I have only ridden around the dealers parking lot. I just bought my 400 4X4. I can tell you that its independent suspensions system really works and works good. I love the power of my 400 so the 500 can only be better.
The Arctic Cat is a well laid out machine for maintenance. Maintenance is pretty much just change the oil and keep an eye on the fluids. Everything is easy to access. I also like the feature that Arctic Cat has narrowed the seat down by the legs so it is more comfortable on long rides. It is the plushest seat I have ever ridden on. Its so soft that its like having a +2" after market desert racing seat. I just feel that with the AC you get more for your money. The only thing I didn't like about the auto cat was the vent hose coming out of the belt drive housing. I just feel it could be routed a little different to make it more comfortable and less in the way. The Arctic Cats run the Suzuki motors so they are tried and true motors that are going to last a long time. The AC don't get up and go like the other two but when it comes to stump pulling power the AC is by far better.

Overall I don't think you would be dissapointed with any of the machines you are looking for. Just find the one the suits your needs the best.

Right now you can find the 01 models for around $5,500 to $6,000. Plus there are great deals with some accessories being included in the price.

Good Luck with your choice.

 

Eaaicf:
Sorry, just wrote another long post for you, but decided to delete it. Affraid I'm going to have to side with Thor on this one. I did write a long post over under NewF's topic, you might want to look at that. As for the diff. comments Dakotart referred to, yeah, you might scan back a month or maybe two, I posted a "front diff review" explaining how it works in the real world, on the trails.

Best of luck in the decision, while I don't think it's a tough one myself they are all great machines-it's your call.

Happy Trails,

Mike

 

get the AC500 I like the manual but your choice, I have over 4000 mil. on it the only thing I have had replaced was the uper balljoints, for the price 5500 bucks for a AC Auto 500, 5800 for the Yamha, 6100 for the pol.sp.

 

eaaicf
the 3 quads you are contemplating are all good choices. three different machines though.
POLARIS-fast, great ride at speed, heavy, does not have 4 wheel engine braking(could be a problem when going down steep hills), irs not as good for real heavy loads, "true" 4wd(after the rear wheels slip a 1/5th of a turn), feels a little top heavy for my taste.
KODIAC-smallest of the 3, light, nimble, quick, great bike on tight trails, i don't like the suspension all that much(a litle choppy for me), seems to be a real good "compromise" bike. kind of expensive imo.
ARCTIC CAT AUTO-i own one. heavy, not very fast, imo it's definitly not a bike for fast, tight trails(most of that can be fixed though). it can climb anything i have the b@lls to try(heavier up front), steers a little hard(better in 2wd), rides like a dream, has the best seat, can carry a ton, has more torque than you'll ever need, best winch location, great brakes(2 front calipers, 2 rear calipers-3 work off the hand brake lever, 1 rear off the foot lever) best articulating suspension(it takes a lot to get one wheel in the air), fantastic front differential(for a limited slip). did i mention it has more power than you will ever need? imo the most utility quad for the $. i can't wait till the '02s come out.......might have to trade it in if there are some major improvements(very few things need improving though). some spring spacers ala cowboy will fix most of the body roll at speed and help with loads that would wreck some other bikes........that's enough out of me. good luck with your choice. you really can't go wrong. it just depends what you really want/need in a machine.

 

pol. is top heavy

yam. can get hot at long climes

cat. dosent have speed but has tourq

but for the cost of your bike make it what YOU want