That is hard to define... What is optimal on one surface, may not be on another. Take mud and rocks for instance. One requires deep lugs, the other needs more rubber contact. Agreed that IRS works better in certain situations, but in others, it makes it harder to function. So anything you choose is going to end up being a compromise. There really isn't a best of the best comparison... The best one is the one you have full mastery of, and enjoy the most...

 

I would vote for the Rancher 4X4. I think for overall trail riding and technical type stuff, it is more capable than our Rubicon. I think the Rancher is a great all-around and versatile ATV. Like the magazine article put it, “Not the best at anything, but very good at everything”.

I don't believe the biggest and most powerful is the most capable all around. They all have the little glitches and niches.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Just last week on ATV Television they voted on the best atv fot the "Most Exterme Riding Condition" There choice was the 2005 Kodiak 450 with IRS. Said due to it's power to weight ratio it's unstoppable. I just happen to have one and let out a big yell and the wife and kid came running thinking something had happened.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I agree the Kodiak 450 is a very good machine, and was my personal pick for number one all around, but when it came time to shell out the green stuff, I chose a Rubicon... Because it met my needs better..

Although ATV TV does some great reporting, I have to question the accuracy of ATV TV's test results. They tend to lean heavily towards the IRS quads, then design a set of obsticles that will give IRS and advantage over a straight axle. I will agree that IRS has very distinct advantages in MOST environments, however there are two areas where IRS will work against you.

First, have you ever tried to slide an IRS in a corner? Hang on, you will probably be rolling sooner or later. This is not to say you can't slide one, but their traction characteristics tend to make you dig in and flip because they are so good. Not only do I ride a Ute, but I own and ride sport models too, and consistency in riding styles is more important to me than being a Billy goat on the trail...

Second area is when you are pulling or hauling heavy weight which puts the weight on the ATV via the hitch. Generally, all straight axle machines mount the hitch off the differential which connects to the swingarm. That means that the weight is transferred to the axle/wheel/tire, NOT the chassis. IRS machines on the other hand, transfer all the weight to the chassis, which then transfers to the suspension etc. There is a very important difference there. On an IRS machine, your handling, and stopping ability is adversly affected. Not so on the straight axles...

Any way, you be the judge. Choose a machine that best suits your needs, your environment where you spend your time riding, and match it to the work you are going to be doing. What is the best in one situation can be at best a compromise in someone elses back yard... So take these ramblings with a grain of salt.

 

in some cases though, IRS is better for working just due to the better traction.

as for best all around, id say the kodiak, i had an 02 400, no locker, and it went everywhere. i usually led the pack, and we went through some nasty stuff. theres still one hill climb that my old kodiak was the ONLY atv to go up, same with one mudpit. a prarie 650 just started and almost went over backwards, it was STEEP, i had to stand on the fender, not foot board.

 

I have a 300 arctic cat 4x4 and a 04 Grizzly. The little arctic cat doesn't have the Ground clearance of the griz, but it is so much lighter that it will go some places the Griz struggles to go. If the little AC 300 had a diff lock it would be unstoppable. In low range 4x4 it has plenty of power until you hook a load to it. Then the Grizzly rules. One thing I like about the AC is that it is much smaller and almost silent for sneaking into the woods without scaring all the wildlife.
If you are not going to need a big bore to pull heavy loads, I think a lighter quad would definately be good. But I always jump on the Griz when I want to go joy riding.

 

Agreed, unfortunately, when you introduce heavy loads, the world is turned upside down. It is hard to recommend anything without knowing the loads it needs to haul, the terrrain it will be used on etc. Naturally the heavier the loads, the better the big bores will perform. Then it comes down to the percentage of time the machine will operate under extreme conditions.

 

Fuel injected quads with disc brakes and IRS are the best!

Soon all quads will be built this way get used to it and embrace it. These features are superior to SRA, carburetors and drum brakes (no matter how many times the marketing guys say they're sealed [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]. I can make a case for Beta VCR's, 8 track tapes and carbureted V-8's, but lets face facts they are dated technology let it go. A 57 corvette is not superior to a 2005 Corvette. They look cute and I wouldn't cry if someone were to give me one, but this thread is about best.

Too much traction is like too much money, PLEASE... get serious and learn to ride.

 

Theres too many varibles to give a good anwser...

What type of terrian ~ If it is all hills and steep traversing.. you will want a bike with a good center of gravity (I personally thing the praire 3604x4 handles hills very well (Ive had it on some steep stuff)

Will you be trying to go over huge logs ? or fallen brush? Cause the praire aint gunna do too much ground clearance however the artic cat will but put it on some of the hills i been on and watch it roll over

Just my 2 cents... kenny