I am currently looking to purchase a ATV and need some help choosing which will suit me best.
At first I wanted a sport quad ( me being the type that likes lighter faster machines) but after looking over the terrain I will be riding I do not think that a sport would be a good idea so now I am looking at the utilitys...
I have experience with serveral ATVs ( the most powerful one I have drove was a 400cc but I had no problem handling it) I am mainly looking for a sporty ute that is atleast 350cc and a semi or manual shift ( no autos). I do not want to get into the 600-800cc utes since most of the trails I ride are pretty tight so I would like a lighter smaller ute.
So far I have been looking at the Wolverine ( pre-06), Eiger, Big Bear, and the Rancher 350
I had almost decided that I would get a Wolverine since it looked like the perfect ATV for me being sporty and light for a ute ...but after I talked to a few dealers who said that it was not very powerful and that they have had alot of complaints about them( I have not ridden one myself but thats what they said)
I am still looking into the wolverine but I am looking at other utes now too so any suggestions on other machines and from people who have ridden wolverines or own one....

 

I would check out the suzuki vinson 500 manual. its small enough to fit through tight trails and powerful enough to do anything you want and still kind of sporty with a solid rear axle and semi manual. its a nice high quality quad and not that expensive.

 

Small and nimble, with a little Go Go! The Yamaha kodiak 400 or 450 has your name on it. Both are IRS and about the most nimble bike in this cc class.

 

ppope's sugestion is a good choice to check out also the big difference between the two is IRS and power.

 

Does Yamaha make a non-auto Kodiak?

 

Sure do. The Big Bear for one. Also Suzuki has the Vinson 500 in auto or manual, and Artic Cat has a 500 auto or manual. The Vinson is going to be the smaller and more nimble of the two, as well better priced. If you're looking for a midsized manual 4x4, I'd have to recommend the vinson 500. Also Honda has the Foreman 4x4, and the Rancher in manual, but again I like the vinson for the diff lock.

 

I have the 05 500 manual arctic cat and its a great quad but its very big and wide especially after you go aftermarket tires. Its not sporty at all, very utility with a lot of great features but for what your looking for I would not suggest the cat. I beleive the suzuki vinson 500 would be a better choice for sportier riding for tighter trails. My friend has the vinson 500 and its a very nice quad. The yamaha wolverine or big bear arent bad choices either. Kind of depends if you want more sport than ute. If sport get the wolverine or vinson.

 

I don't know of any problems with the older Wolverine. I've had mine 3 years now and still like it as much as when I bought it. It does everything the Grizzly my bro-in-law has and my neighbor's Polaris 700 will do when it comes to mudding, hill climbing, and any of the other areas we ride together. It's the quickest of the 3 through the tight trails around here and the lighter weight doesn't have me worn out after a few hours from manuevering a heavier machine around. I like the 5 speed auto tranny more than the full auto on the new Wolverine and the Mud Lites (25", stock width) really hook up through the mud and snow. I plan on keeping mine for quite a few years to come.
Good luck with your search for a good all around quad! I'm very satisfied with my choice.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!