I am looking at a used 2012 Yamaha Kodiak 450 with low kms, a 2013 New 2 up Polaris 500. Last yr model decent price. A new Polaris 570 ..without eps do to price.
Opinions welcome. Note. This is for some trial riding , Ice fishing, small amount of snow plowing and general driving around property.

Appreciate any feedback.

 

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Yamaha Kodiak is a solid rear axle if I remember right. More uncomfortable ride than an independent rear suspension (IRS) machine like the Polaris quads you mentioned. Polaris has about the most comfortable ride out there. The Kodiak would be a little easier to power slide through a corner due to the solid rear axle (SRA) and a slightly better quad for towing. But, the Polaris machines have better towing and toting numbers from what I've seen. I had a couple Polaris' and they were both good quads.

The Polaris with the IRS have better ground clearance if you anticipate mud, and snow to go through, or large rocks to go over. If you plan on having a passenger the dedicated 2-up machine is a better way to go. Typically, with a 2-up the passenger sits over or in front of the rear axle. On a single rider machine where a passenger would end up sitting on the rack the weight is behind the axle and can cause the front to lighten a lot. Tougher to steer, in other words. The 570 is a good strong engine in the 500 cc class. It has really good low and mid-range torque. My son and a buddy's on rented RZR's with the 570 and they did well even at 10,000 ft. elevations on the Paiute Trail in Utah.