It's funny, a couple of months ago I hardly knew the difference between a sport ATV and a Rubicon - as I sit here know I own 1.5 ATVs!!!

I bought a Rancher 4X4ES and am half thinking about a buddy's 2003 Kodiak so that my son and I can each have our own machine. The Rancher ES is everything I could ask for and suits all the recreational uses perfectly. For the utility quad I am still sold on the 2005 Rubicon.

This deal on the Kodiak complicates things. Do I skip it and get the '05 Rubicn or keep it as the utility quad (it already has a plow and winch) and then go with the Rincon instead of the Rubicon???

I am very partial towards Honda and would like the Rubicon very much but have so many friends who like the Rincon better for trail riding. I don't know how pulling a large mower or plowing snow will be without the low range, hence my negative concerns about the Rincon. But, if I keep the Kodiak for mowing, plowing and the like, then I'm thinking that I will not need the Rubicon and can get a Rincon.

WOW! I feel like a one-eyed dog in a butcher shop!!!

 

After researching more (actually all I could find) reviews on the Rincon and perusing what was said about the '03 Kodiak, I think the cureent Rincon is off my list. For the type of uses and riding I will be doing, I will not seriously consider the Rincon unless and until Honda either puts a fourth gear below the existing three or adds a low range.

With that said, I do not think I will go wrong keeping the '03 Kodiak for a while and then hoping the '06 Rincon has better gearing. Otherwise, I'll use the Kodiak until I work up the courage to spring for the '05 Rubicon which, by all I can tell - is really me!

 

If you havent already bought the Kodiak, take it for a trail ride before buying. Its not gonna feel as well planted as the Rancher. This may or may not be a problem if you are just doing chores, but if you want to do trail riding, find out how it feels before dropping the cash. For doing chores, its a good choice.....the auto, low range, and locking diff. So far I like the Kodiak, itll go thru some really bad stuff, and it seems to be built as well as the foreman,.. but it wont corner slide, or feel as stable, like the foreman does
Is it the 400 or the 450 Kodiak? The 400 doesnt have low range..

 

Well let Ol' dragginbutt weigh in here... first off the rubicon is a first class tank. there isn't anything you can throw at it that will phase it in any way period. It has large racks, can carry a bunch of weight, can pull even more... makes a rancher 400 look like a tonka toy.

As for two up riding, I am surprised nobody has suggested you look at the Rhino side by side 4x4. Absolutely the BEST CHOICE for the type of stuff you described... You both can ride side by side, it pulls tons of weight, can haul as much or more than an ATV, uses the drive train from the Grizzly, can be sporty etc.. What more could you ask for? It even has a roll cage.

My recommendation still would be go for the Rhino. And I dearly love my Rubicon....

 

yea belts take a hell of a beating, u say u ride harleys, were they a belt final drive, that should let ya kno how strong they are.

 

WTF, I agree with you, I am still paying on my 03 Rubicon... and that 05 with the updated brakes and bodywork is real tempting..but I have promised my wife that until I get everything paid off, I won't go and do something stupid again... (yeah right, she knows me). Besides, I really have an itch that needs to be scratched for a Rhino... but I have no more room in my shed for anything... so it will be a while. I just can't part with my old toys either.... we have been through so much together... I have been looking at an enclosed trailer too.. and that would have priority since I could store my toys in that.... (Yup, that is my story and I am sticking to it)