I'm looking to buy my first ATV and am looking for a little advice/input into my decision. I've sat down and did a little pro/con for each of the three bikes above, but I still can't decide which one would be best for me.

The quad will be used primarily for recreational riding on trails & playing in the mud. Aside from getting ready for hunting season, I don't forsee much work for the machine. 99% play.

I'm looking for a fairly sporty 4x4... probably a step 'down' (as in less sporty) than a Scrambler. I'm also fairly settled on getting a 400cc class machine vs a 500cc, due mainly to the fact that I think the 500s are a little to big (heavy) for ideal trail riding. There also a little more money than I'd like to spend.

Originally, I thought I wanted an Xplorer 400. A couple of my buddies have Xplorer 400s (a 1999 & 2000) which I've had the pleasure of riding. It's a fun, quick 4x4. My only hesitation about buying one is that they both have belt slippage problems when going through water. Don't get me wrong... it doesn't slip everytime; But I've been out three times on one of their 400s, and I had slippage problems each time. It's no fun when they're encircling me, covering me with mud (kicking mud up at me) because they know I can't move.

I'm not sure if it's a problem with just the Xplorer or what, but another buddy has a mid 90's Polaris 400cc 2x4 and never has belt slippage problems. Maybe it's just a bad design for the trans vent on the Xplorer, I don't know. But both the 99 and 2000 do it. The other 'issue' I have with the Xplorer is the inability to idle for more than 3-4 seconds. I realize that this isn't a Polaris or Xplorer problem... it's simply how 2-strokes are.. but I think I would prefer to have the ability to let the quad idle when I need to, and not have to worry about fouling out the plugs. Idling is esp handy when you're out in the middle of nowhere (say camping) and you need to power something. Having to punch the throttle every 5 seconds to keep the quad running, for 20 minutes, isn't ideal.

So, I started looking at the Xpedition 425. It's a 5 speed and a 4 stroke which seems to remedy my 'issues' with the Xplorer. The problem is I have never ridden one (how quick are they compared to say an Xplorer? I don't want a dog.) and I've never ridden a manual trans quad (believe it or not!!! Probably due to Polaris (PVT) being so big around here.) Can someone <briefly> explain how to upshift/downshift and kick it neutral for me? I know it's an auto clutch.. so it can't be that bad.

The other quad I was considering was the 2000 Yamaha Kodiak auto 4x4. All I've read so far have been good things... although my Polaris buddies will probably banish me forever if I buy one.

I'd love to hear any input you might have. Any other Xplorer owners have/had slippage problems and find a fix? Any Xpedition owners going riding w/ an Xplorer before? How do they compare? How does the Kodiak and Xplorer compare?

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

The Explorer is fast! If you want that kind of speed it is a good choice. However, the Xpedition being a manual shift actually feels faster and sportier due to the instant "hit" you feel the instant you gas it. First gear is real low so it feels like a semi at first, then shift up to second and it lunges forward. It really is a fun quad to ride in my opinion. That low gear comes in handy for pulling your buddies out of the mud and especially when you DONT need the tires to spin. Easter weekend I saw several of my friends on Sportsman 500 get pulled into deep ruts while I was able to ease along on top of the ruts with no wheelspin.
Im sure dusty, rangerchet, and others will also tell you how much they like their Xpedition 425. Whatever you buy, ride safe and have fun!

 

Killemall,

I think you have picked some of the best quads out there. I was recently in the same situation. I couldn't choose between the Kodiak, Sportsman, or Magnum. I went with the Kodiak for a variety of reasons. I am glad that I did pick the Kodiak. I think it is a very fun and hard working machine. I see you are planning to do a little bit of hunting with it. I wouldn't go for the Xplorer then, because the deer will smell you from a mile away. I had a Polaris two stroke, and you smell like gas pretty bad after a ride. The Expedition is a great machine also, and the shifting is real easy to get down. I think you can't go wrong with any of these choices, because they are all fun machines. Make your choice for your needs, not because someone is ranting and raving about what they have....

 

I'd say monk01 has made an excellent point, 2 strokes aren't the greatest for hunting, or utility use in my mind(plus the explorer is chain versus the more reliable shaft of the expedition or kodiak). If your worried about belts, I think the expedition would be a great choice, not nearly as quick as an explorer however. The Kodiak may be a little more sporty than the expedition but it probably isn't a big difference. Difficult choice.

 

3 good choices...I am a bit biased so here goes. I always prefered the looks and feel of Polaris. As for the chain reliability, do not even worry. Mine has 3 chains and they are doing fine. Now the Xplorer has only one, concentric-drive. It is definately the snapiest of the three but I hear the Xpedition is a great quad too. I have never been a Kodiak fan so I have no info to give on it's behalf.
Test ride all three and choose the one that feels and rides the best for you! It's like choosing a wife...better be sure she's the right one!!!!!

Good luck!

 

I ditto what pfelect said about the xpedition. I have not ridden side by side with the xplorer or kodiak so I cannot add any info to that. I think I
agree with monk01 about the gas smell. I just made
a post yesterday about what I think about 2-stroke
stink. The xpedition 5-speed is from netural. The atv will only start in neutral. IF you push in the
yellow button on the left handle bar and down shift 1 gear you will go into reverse, the orange light. Neutral is green light. To shift up, and out of reverse you do not need to use the yellow light again. just up shift the gear lever back to neutral. Then its 5 up after that. 5th. gear is overdrive. then down 5 back to neutral. I also feel like the xpedition is sporty as well as being a very tough atv. 2nd. 3rd. and 4th. gears have allot of get-up-and-go. My atv has gone 57 mph. so
far. I just bought 26 inch mudbug super mud tires by maxxis and itp magnum billet alluminum rims. This is a very very light tire set up. My atv has now increased its get-up-and-go. It also has very good mudding ability. I like my xpedition for hunting. I grouse hunted all last fall with my xpedition and it was my most enjoyable grouse season ever. I play all summer with my atv and use it fishing even. I haul my canoe to remote lakes with my atv. I believe that my atv will go faster then 57 mph. now but i am chicken to try because of the aggressive lugs its shakey when going over 40 mph. now. However this past saturday, I started to get gutsy and maybe just maybe. We shall see. Also, take note. The xpedition 425 is a very attractive looking atv to go along with its performance...

rangerchet, polaris xpedition 425 cc 5-speed.

 

Well here is my opion on what you said I think your best bet would be the Xpedition not because I own one I have a 500 Scrambler And I love it.
But the Xpedition will put to rest your fear of belt slippage (I have not had belt slippage on my bike and I have been deep)But like you said it is a concern you have.
The 5 speed is nice and very smooth shifting and nice for the down hills.
And it is still pretty quick too not the fastest but still pretty quick I think around 55mph.
And you still get the switchable 2wd to 4wd which is nce and still get the nice polarise ride another bonus.
But Again take all 3 for a drive and you decide
because in the end you are the one that is payin for it not me and you are the one who has to pleased with the purchase.
Have fun and Good luck whatever you choose

 

The belt on the Xplorer should not be slipping,unless you guys are riding over the PVT snorkle.It should also idle for you.It not idling for you is NOT a 2 stroke thing.The oil injection needs to be checked and so does the spark plug.My 00 Xplorer idles perfectly and I have NEVER had a belt slip yet,and I been in some pretty good water/mud.My choice was the Xplorer,and im not looking back.Best of luck===BILL

 

I would have to vote for the Xplorer. I have had mine for almost 2 years now and it is a awsome machine. I have been in in water over the front rack and I have never had belt slippage and if I did it was so minor that I never noticed it. My explorer idles just fine. I have left it idling for 45 minutes with the headlights on to set up camp before and it has never fouled a plug or faltered one but.
I think you would be very happy witht he Xplorer,I know I am.
Andy G

 

Bill,

I see you're also from lower Michigan. Have you ever been out to the Mounds, just north of Flint? That's where I've ridden the Xplorers. Thick mud has never been a problem... it's the riding ~7-10 MPH through 4-6 inch deep water (relatively clean water)for say 20-30 yards @ quarter throttle. Or taking on a much shorter, but deeper water hole. Honestly, I think the problem is I'm splashing enough water up into the PVT vent to make the belt slip. Maybe I'm asking for too much, I honestly don't know.

I appreciate the input from everyone. I think I've narrowed the decision down to be between the Xplorer and Xpedition... Just a matter of the pros (and cons) of a 2 stroke auto vs a 4 stroke manual. I'm going to have to see if I can find a dealer that'll let me test drive an Xpedition.

Thanks again for the input!!!