I'm in the process of trying to figure out what type of ATV to buy. I have never owned one. This will probally be, my one and only for awhile. My head is spinning from the amount of choices. I have been to all the major players websites and read all I could. I am not brand loyal either. Now I'm asking for advice here. I will be using the bike mainly for hunting/light utility work. I'm a duck hunter and will be using it around rice fields and flooded timber trails. I'm not sure if I want an auto or manual. I know the auto is barney proof, but I would think that the manual would be better in low end torq situations. I am sticking to the 400 class due to price. Don't care about speed, just torq. I have looked at the 05' Arctic Cat 400. I can get a 5 speed manual w/winch for $5499. It comes with a 2 year warranty, which I like not having to pay for. I also like the front locker on it. Seems like that would come in handy for pulling yourself out of some sticky situations. My other choice is the Yam 450 Kodiak. It also comes with a front locker. However, the Kodiak is a much more pricey bike ($6200), no winch (well, for $69 extra you get one) and you have purchase an extended warranty. So I'm looking at about a $1000-$1200 difference, which I really don't want to spend, not mention taxes on both bikes. I also, looked at the Kawi Prairie 360. The dealer wanted $4999. It has the front locker, but I wasn't impressed with bike. The AC had more bells and whistles for the value. I guess I'm almost sold on the AC for my money. Two questions for you old timers and gearheads out there:

Is the manual the right choice for me and what is the Arctic Cats reputation on reliability? I know every brand will breakdown if you abuse it and don't perform scheduled maintanence.

Thanks for any advice.

 

This is from a guy that has been riding for 75% of his life (4-16 so far) and has no end in sight, I have learned that in most all cases cheep is not always best, I know every one is trying to save a buck or two but in most cases quality is king. I have had quite a bit of experiance with Artic Cat because my brother has an Artic Cat 250. As you probably know there are diffrent quads designed for diffrent things, most Artic Cat are designed for slow very utility work, such as on a farm or such, this might be what you had in mind but now let me share a little personal experiance w/ you, as I mentioned my brother has an Artic Cat and all he does with it is fairly fast paced rough trail riding, not what it is designed for,

so the first thing to go wrong with it about 6 months after we got it was that he had to replace the entire head on it ($850)
also multaple valve adjustments ($500)

next thing that went wrong with it multaple times was torn boots ($200) something that was fixed with a set of $35 boot guards, something that sould have been done to begin with,

next thing we have very grity and sandy mud around here so the disc breaks have not lasted over 6 months in the times when we rode all the time ($150).

Next thing with the breaks since everything is hydrolic and the pads were lo quite a bit this has caused some break fluid to leak out there for leading to bleading the breaks which has led to the bleader bolts geting striped out making them useless now.

Next thing on the agenda was the bearings on the wheels wore out making everything loose and needing to be replaced ($150)

The last and latest thing that has worn out was the bushings on the rear swingarms have worn out and was replaced by us ($70)

this all adds up to close to $2000 spent on just repairs not counting mantinance. but one things I have to mention is that this was a first year model so I am sure this adds to the problems and I have no idea if these are icolated cases or widespread, but this is our experiance with it.

I know this has been way too long but the purpose has been that what ever choice you make be informed and buy knowing how you are going to use it to make sure it fits your needs. An example is you don't buy a utility to sport ride or you don't buy a sport quad to go hunting with, so you have to find the right blend sport and utility that is right for you for the price you want to pay.

I realy hope this helps however it might help and thank you for letting me have a chance to vent a little.

Happy trails!!!

 

I have a friend with a Kodiak, not sure what year but doesn't have IRS(2002 or 2003). He likes it ok but the body panels already don't fit like they should an it has been to the shop a few times. I know polaris has some good deals going we just got a 2004.5 sportsman 500HO for $5799.00 out the door. No winch but it does have true four wheel drive. This sound to be in the middle of your price range, the 400 should be less. The sportsman IMO would be better in the rice fields and timber than others.

 

i agree there are very good deals on the polaris sportsmans, and they're very good machines (look at how well they sell) with awesome features. between what you've listed i'd definitely go with the kodiac. I would recommend an auto tranny, they're better than manual. you can put an auto in low and have all the power you want.

 

Yeah, if your new to ATV's, i would go with the automatic. Just put it in low and you have all the low end torque you will ever need. I have a Kodiak..the 400 model...and its a really awesome wheeler. The 450 has ALOT more features than mine does though..and with the irs being added for 05' ....it should return to the top of the 400 class. It was a close second to the Bombardier Outlander. In this case i would say that it is worth the extra money.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Hi the kawi 360 is a good all round wheeler. My riding buddy has one and we ride together at least twice a week. The 360 is a good medium utility quad so towing and plowing would not be a problem especially since it has a low range and diff lock. The selectable 2x4 to 4x4 is a nice option which allows you to slide the rear end around and do some more aggressive trail riding. He rides his 360 hard in the muddy stuff , water and trails. The suspension and size of the 360 make it nimble to play around on. If you look at my photos you will see his 360 in some very harsh terrain. It jumps and whelies alight too ( for a small sport ute ). AROUND here you get a 3 year warranty with them. Which is very nice. He has had some minor problems which were all covered under warranty . If I were considering a 400 and under wheeler....and wanted a good value I would go with the 360. IF I had a little more $ I would go to a Honda rancher.

 

Thanks for everyones input. This has been an agonizing choice. It's not like I can afford to go out every year and buy the latest and greatest. I'd like to go with the kodiak...but the budget just can't take it. My limit is $6K to spend.The Kodiak is $6200 plus $550 for a two year warranty, for a total of $6750...thats a grand more than the AC and $1200 more than the Prairie 360 with a two year warranty tacked on.

I'd look at other brands...but I REALLY want one with a locker in the front. The only two that I could find with this feature is the Kawi 360 and AC 400 (in the 400cc class range). The AC has the IRS and a few more bells and whistles than the Kawi. I have settled on the automatic though. I figured I don't want to have to be worrying about shifting gears while riding in the dark, plus it will be easier for the wife to drive, if she ever does ride it.

I'm not sure of the advantages or disadvantages of having a IRS over a conventional rear straight axle. Other than the obvious brochure reasons. I was reading on another board that the IRS tends to make cleaning harder after being in mud. I don't know if that is the case or should even be an issue.

This bike is ONLY gonna be used for hunting, occasional light trail and work around the house. The main thing is, it will be driven in muddy rice fields or which is why I want the front locker feature. It's getting down to the wire..either the AC 400 or Kawi 360. If I went with the 360 I could add a few upgrades with my left over $600..like maybe more aggresive tires and a drop basket.

I guess now the real issue is IRS vs. straight axle. Any advice on this issue? I am only interested in which one is better for rice field gumbo mud.

Thanks for everyone that has answered my questions...it's REALLY appreciated.

 

Hi again. If you take a look at my photo's in the link in my signature you will se the 360 in some nasty stuff. The left over money would go well towards a winch and a storage box..or whatever. I have not had the chance to drive an AC 400 and I am sure it would be a strong wheeler as well. Does the Kawi come standard with the three year warranty in your area ? Good luck with your purchase this thread and let us know what you end up with.


PINKMOON

 

i think the 360 would be a great choice

 

JUst don't over look the fact that the IRS gives you more ground clearance. Could be very benificial in the rice fields and logs.