Im posting this on a couple of sites. Is there any non-biased reviews, or comparison sites I can check out? I am looking for a machine that I can duck hunt with-mud,water,dog,gun,dekes,etc. Deer hunt- long fire roads,steep rocky terain,trees etc. And of corse it needs to be FUN! I don't think I would need anything bigger than a 500cc.I have looked at the polaris 500ho,its pretty heavy though. I also like the suzuki eiger,and the vinson. The bombardier outlander 400 is cool,and the kawi prarie seems to be a good one. Any,and all suggestions and comments will be appreciated. Thanks, Ron

 

From what you have listed I would go with the Suzuki Vinson, also have you looked at the Kodiak 450. I have heard its a good quad. I think it comes with a Diff. Locker also.

 

I think the honda rincon won best utitily quad by atv action but that is a 650 but there foreman rubicon is a 500

 

Unlike a lot of the folks in these forums, I am not going to tell you to buy what I own.
I am not going to tell you what quad to buy. I am only going to telll you what I think you will
need in a quad.

high ground clearance with IRS for rocky terrain (which leaves out most the Hondas, and all Suzukis, and Kawis)
a heavy load capacity for all your hunting gear
at least 400 cc

Using these criteria, you have 4 choices I can see:
Polaris SP400 (11 inch ground clearance, IRS) 700# 180# rear rack capacity
Bombardier Outlander 400 (9.5 inch ground clearance, IRS) 600# 175# rear rack capacity
Honda Rincon (10 inch ground clearance, IRS) 600# don't know the rack capacity
Yamaha Grizzly (11.8 inch groud clearance, IRS) 600# 187# rear rack capacity.

THe Rini and the Griz would be the funest, based on weight vs power.

Since I am a Honda fan, I would get a Rini, and will have one someday.

 

You forgot an ATV that has better specs than any of those you listed. Arctic cat 500 has better rack capacity, 12 inches clearance,10 inches travel front and rear on 5 way adjustable shocks, proven Suzuki motor(same as Vinson), IRS, big tank, receiver hitch, and MRP racks. I still think you should ride one tham all and make a descusion. We wanted a 2 up ATV so bought the TRV. They also have a 2 year warranty and $69 Warn winch, you won't find that too many other places.

 

Whoops! I left it out. I don't think of AC often for ATVs, sorry. Don't even know of a local dealer.

 

I've had an Arctic Cat 500i for two years, it's hauled me over some pretty rough terrain - my farm - so far, in 700 miles of riding, hauling firewood, moving fencing equipment, it's only problem was a fouled spark plug. The AC 500i is pretty much a Vinson with a rough ground suspension. Engine/trans are identical. And they can be had with a manual trans, one of the few that still offer this.

If you're crossing rough ground, definitely get IRS. They also ride a lot smoother - my Cat is a cadillac compared to my old Big Bear.

 

A 400cc machine offers plenty of power and then some. Normally I wouldn't recommend 4WD, however duck hunting might require it. Despite what some might say, Honda doesn't own the market in terms of reliabilty. I own both a Honda and Kawasaki and consider the Bayou the better value. Yamaha, Artic Cat (thanks to Suzuki engines), Suzuki and Kawasaki all make very reliable machines.

Automatics are easier to drive, however the auto-clutch can't be beat in terms of durability and longivity. The hydraulic auto in the Honda is nice if you don't mind spending a lot more.

 

springdrl, I too own a Honda and a Kawasaki. Prior to this fall, I owned 2 Kawasakis, both Bayous, a 300 and
my daughters 220. I never had a reliability problem with either. However, if you look closely, you will see
where Kawi takes some cheaper routes than Honda does. Which is why Kawis appear to be a better value
for the dollar.

A perfect example is tie rods. Take a look at the tie rods on both your quads. Honda uses a solid galvanized steel bar, threaded with the adjusting flat machined in. Kawi uses a piece of steel tubing with nuts welded to the ID and a stamped adjusting flat. While this will give the average rider no problems, an extreme situation can result in bent tierods. I took my 300 to Tellico NC the year I bought it, and the rocks there bent one about 10 degrees. A cousin bought a V-Force last summer, and had one fold up on him at 45 mph in a beanfield, resulting in a 12 week hospital stay. While there is no problem with the way my daughter rides her 220, I replaced my 300 with a Rancher this fall, partly because the Kawis are built slightly cheaper than the Hondas. Don't get me wrong, I really liked my Bayou. Had it for four years of dependable service. But the Rancher is built better, there is no doubt.

 

I have ridden many different quads and own a honda rincon and a bomber outlander. I am a die hard honda fan, but I recommend the outlander to you. Its an awesome machine. The suspension is the best of any machine hands down. Its a 400cc but has the power of a 500cc. 3 year warranty. ATV of the year in many magazines. Go to atvtv.com to read some accurate reviews in my opinion.