I am looking at buying a new Quad. I have looked at all of the new ones and narrowed it down to the Honda Rubicon, Bombardia Traxter, Yamaha Kodiak, or the Grizzly. Most of my ridding is done in the early morning going hunting or late evening coming out of the woods. The light on the handle bars gets in the way so that is not a plus factor for the Hondas (I own one now). My real concern is up and down hills (small mountains) and in off camber postions. I hunt in the mountains and use logging roads that 4 wheel drive trucks cant go up, we are talking rocks, wash outs rutts all the bad stuff except deep mud. My dad has a traxter and loves it. It seems to to do pretty good. I am looking for advice on which one you guys think would be the best in this terrain.

 

The Rubicon or traxter is good for that job but not the Kodiak because of it physical size.when we go fishing and there is no room for anything eles to be buggied on the racks or seat.You have to look out the side and to the front to see where your going because of the 3 foot pile on the front rack.The guy with the Kodiak just does not have the space and can,t load up like the full size quads can and still be stable enough for the goat trails that are ahead.

 

Man, I can specifically remember during the 4x4 of the year shootout about a year ago, the testers (either 4-Wheel ATV Action or DirtWheels mag.) were testing a Polaris Sportsman 500 and a Grizzly. They decided to just try on this mountain-side and see which bike could get farther. Well, they said they could not believe how far the Grizzly went up the mountain, and then they tried the Sportsman and said it some how got all the way to the top! They said it has an unbelievable way of "getting the power to the ground". Probably that fully independant rear suspension helps. I am a big Yamaha fan however, and think a machine with a two-wheel drive option would be my choice. Just incase I get that wild hair.

 

This guy did not mention any Polaris quads in his opening post,therefore I think he wont concider one.But I agree with you,I'd want the Sportsman HO model,
Bill

 

I had ruled out the polaris due to the plastic racks. May seem silly but they just dont seem to be as usable as the metal ones. Most bolt ons seem to require a adaptor or special model. It, also like the Honda has the head light mounted on the handle bar, not my favorite place for the main source of light. Other people I hunt with have Polaris machines and like them, so it really is just a personal thing about the racks and light.

 

Surprised you left out Arctic Cat. IMHO, anytime you consider the Grizzly you should also consider the Arctic Cat. Ride both and you'll see what I mean. AC has mean torque, excellent suspension, great hillclimbing and off-camber characteristics, and real racks (with possibly the highest load capacity of any manufacturer's racks).

 

I'm also looking at buying a new quad and here's few of my thoughts:
After burning too many belts, I'll never buy another belt drive machine. Even though the new ones have engine braking to some extent, the word I'm hearing is that they just can't compare when it comes to slowing you down on a steep descent. Also, if the braking is only on the back wheels, and you have single lever brakes, you will lock the back end and swap ends.
The Rubicon sounds like a great machine, but here in Canada they will be asking over $10,000 CAN for it (when it becomes available)!! That's way too much! And do I really want all those techno-gadgets (sensors,solenoids,hydraulics, switches etc.) on a machine that will see heavy duty mud and water use?
I'm seriously looking at the AC 500 manual, but want to know more about the front diff. I don't want to own a 3-wheel drive ATV. So far it sounds promising.
Anyway, these are just my opions. Hope it helps.

 

Does the AC do well in conditions where you might be sidways on a hill. We are talking angles 30 to 45 degrees and somtimes sharper if you happen to hit a rock you didnt see.

 

You might also check out the Polaris Xpedition 425. Manual shift and the HO cam fits in it if you need more gusto. Has the true 4wd and smooth ride Polaris machines are famous for. Don't get me wrong, the Cats are GREAT machines, just trying to give you another option.

 

dazed&confused,
You really should consider the AC 500, from everything I've heard and read about it, it a very well built nice performing machine. I test drove a SP500 HO a few days ago, just out of curiosity mostly. I was very impressed with it, and I think it would do the best at going up those over grown, root infested, rocky, rutted out, muddy, off camber, hilly roads the best. I ride in excatly the same kind of terrain. However, the fact that it has engine braking to only the rear wheels, and you can't operate the front brakes independent of the rear to compensate for that would rule it out for me. I ride the Grizzly, and I have been very happy with it! Strong, powerful, and reliable! Everytime I ride my Griz, I like it even more.
YukonRon,
I used to really not like the belt drive autos either, but after having one for awhile now my opinion is changing. I would still give the nod to a manual shift, but with time I'm beginning to see the advantages to the auto. The only riders that I have heard complain about belt burning has been Polaris riders. Is that what you used to have? I ride my Griz all day in high range, and have not had any problems with belt burning/slipping. The engine braking on my Griz is very tight. I can crawl down hills at an idle without sliding around at all. The engine braking is very effective!
Good luck guys on your ATV hunting. What ever you decide on, its a kick in the ***!

Rick