This is my first post which is similar to the other post asking for opinions on the kodiak, Rancher and Vincent, however my question is more specific to the Outlander. I am considering either the Kodiak 450 or the Bombardier 400 Outlander and am actually leaning towards the Outlander but I am nervous that it is never mentioned in comparisons. Is it too new or just not up to par in the real world? The specs and features seem impressive but I have seen very lilttle first hand endorsements. I haven't had the opportunity to drive either one yet so I am only familiar with the spec sheets and can be swayed either way.

Both the Kodiak and the Outlander would be purchased by trusted dealers who I have had business with in the past. The dealer with the Outlander also has Sportsman's and Ranchers to choose from. The Kodiak dealer also sells Artic Cats.

What do you think?

 

The best thing to do is go see your dealer and tell him to let you ride one. I checked out the Outlander and beside being what I thought was uglier than sin. I found to vibrate a bit and the steering rather on the heavy/stiff side. It has all kinds of power and real good suspension. I didn't find it as comforable as some machines. It's rated as the best 400cc machine but the tests they put it through like drag racing and jumping are not what I do with my untility 4x4. If the dealer has Honda check out the new Racnher AT. I rode one the other day and really liked it. The only thing I've heard anyone really bitch'n about with the Outlander was a couple of guys saying that the gas mileage really sucked for a 400cc machine.

 

I agree that the Outlander would win first prize in an ugly contest. I'm also not sold on the plastic rack the thing has. I looked at the Rancher and it was also recommended by the dealer. I agree that I need to ride them. I've ridden the Sportman 500 HO and the Suzuki Vincent. Liked them both as well. I was leaning towards the Outlander only based on what I have read so I appreciate you mentioning some other issues to consider. Reliability is very important too. Nothing would bug me more than to spend 5-6 K on a toy and not have it available when I want to play because it is in the shop.

The utility issue is less of a concern (have a garden tractor for yard duties) but I would like the ability to drag a deer out of the woods as well as haul a trailer with building materials for a deer stand from time to time. That is why I prefer the utility models vs the performance models. Mostly I want a good riding ATV for wooded trails and swamps How well does the Rancher play compared to the others? Whatever I buy needs to be able to play on a frozen snow covered river in the winter, not racing just able to keep up and not pound me to death.

One last thing, how important is the feature, that some models offer, that allow you to lock all 4 wheels as opposed to a limited slip transmission? Will a true locking 4 wheel drive make enough of a difference that I could get by without a winch? Not having to buy a winch would play into the decision if a transmission made that much of a traction difference.

 

If your biggest concern is a smooth ride over rough terrain then I would look at bikes with IRS. I have not ridden a Rancher but all of my riding experience prior to my Cat was with Hondas. The IRS of my cat makes even the roughest terrain smooth(low speeds or high speeds). And when you get into some technical terrain(like you may encounter at some of your favorite hunting spots) the IRS will keep all four on the ground and feel more stable than a solid axle bike, ground clearance is also a big help here. However Honda does make a great machine, I had no problems with my Hondas. I have not been around any Bombardier machines and the few Polaris machines I was around were older and had alot of problems(I don't know how well they were maintained). I think the best thing to do is ride them all, even bikes that you haven't been looking at, you may find something you like even better. The posts I've read recently say Polaris has cleared up their reliability issues and of course I'll recommend Arctic Cat[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]. I hope this can help in some way. Let us know what you decide and good luck.

 

I have had no problems with my Outlander, they are a very sporty utility bike quite capable of working. My only complaint is some excessive drivetrain slop, it doesn't affect anything it's just anoying to me. As for the fuel mileage, it's great, almost as good as my 300 Cat. The ride makes for a pleasant day on the trails, something you won't get on a Honda! Also the front diff WORKS, the only guys I have ever heard saying that true 4 wd is not neccessary are guys who either don't go off trail or have never had true 4wd.

 

From what I've seen with the guys I hunt with is that the IRS (which the Outlander has) machines is that once you load them up with the a deer or quater moose is that they loose alot of there ground clearance and end up with less than a SRA machine (in the rear anyway). That's not a problem if your draging a deer out but where I hunt if you dragged your deer you'd have alot of vension burger by the time you got back to camp. Also as you increase the tounge weight on any trailer with an IRS machine you will loose ground clearance as the rear end goes down. A SRA machine will not change height with a trailer except for the tires squatting. An IRS machine will give you a better ride when just out for a "cruise" though. As far as a locking front end or true 4wd. It does help a hole lot. Especaily when climbing over trees and rocks. You never get that "one wheel spinout". As far as not needing a winch.......I've got my 300 done right up. Locked, lifted the hole 9 yards and if I ride hard I do get stuck. I've seen a few guys with machines that have locking front ends figure that they could go anywhere......Wrong!!!!! Like I said it helps but there's no subsitute for a winch.

 

You must hunt in level country Honda, When I or anyone from our camp carrys a deer on the bike it's always on the front rack. The extra weight on rear does cause endo's on steep hills around here! Plus IRS biles always have a couple extra "s of clearance to lose when you add weight to rear.

 

I love my outlander. Smooth ride, 3 year warranty, lots of power, smooth ride. I was a Honda man until the outlander. Did I mention the smooth ride?

 

The Outlander has the BEST - rear suspension-locking front diff.-the fastest - best ride Compairsion tests Dirt wheels mag. Never before has one machine won so over all. I rode it and it even rode better than a Polaris [one thing polaris does good]. As far as trouble free; time will tell. But if it does, it will be the one for other co.s have to try to beat. It is a new standerd. You can get a Hum-V or a tank stuck. Common sense should tell you were not to go. 4 wheel drives with a limited slip front diff. when you get one front wheel in the air guess what you now have a 2 wheel drive not even 3 as the one front wheel on the ground is now doing nothing. Like the other guy said I put my deer on the front rack. tie downs that you use for trailering your bike works great for tieing deer to rack. So doe's ugly out way performance your choice on that one. 400 class sport utility. And IRS suspensions only ride better over extreme [large-Rocks] Other than that they ride worse. They have to have stiffer suspensions & or sway bars to keep from body roll on inside curves. A strait rear axel is also stronger than IRS. the Bomi has a totaly differant rear IRS than the others, as well as frame. Two of the strongest forms of construction known to man is the I-beam and the triangle. Bomi's frame is triangle. I could go on and on. It all boils down to how few problems it has if any. Good luck on your choice. One of the things I do is a lot of research.

 

Well I rode abunch of the 400's and 500's and ordered a green Outlander (dealer did not have any green ones). I will be riding with two SP 500's, a Vincent and an Eiger as well as two Kodiaks and 1 Rancher, so the Outlander decision was based on having something different as well as the true 4 wheel drive mode and IRS that the Outlander offers. I will have the only Bombardier in the group so maybe the Honda guy and I can team up against the Polaris and Suzuki camp when the "who's ATV is best talk comes up". It should be fun doing real world comparisons between the manucturers. Thanks for all the replies.