Well dirtydude i dont want to come across as being mean, but i can only see 1 or 2 things in your post that could be considered true. The part of about the Kodiak being light and more nimble in the sand. The Polaris and the AC weigh pretty much the same, and weight is not necessarily a bad thing. If it was, why would so many people be being Polaris. It helps in many ways. Now as far as that sled pull goes, you have GOT to be kidding, the Polaris rules in this area and everyone knows it, and the AC shouldnt be far behind at all, the both have a much larger towing capacity than the Kodiak. The kodiak would just simply be underpowered in this area. Another thing, about the mud, the Kodiak would be a good choice, but you compared it to the wrong machine. The Polaris has MUCH better (the best) stock tires out there. A High Output engine, Electronic Fuel Injection, 499cc vs. 421cc, and the most important factor in the mud, its got a decent amount of more ground clearance. And the Arctic Cat has even has a lil more ground clearance than the Polaris. As i said, The Polaris has TONS of more storage, MUCH more comfortable ride, more ground clearance, better tires, H.O. Engine, EFI, and a much larger towing capacity, and its built with stronger compenents, so if you upgrade to larger tires you wont have to worry near as much as breaking a CV axle like you would on a Kodiak. The only bad thing i see about Polaris is the weight, which is not a good thing, except it keeps the wheels on the ground in the goo. The Kodiak has its own merrits and attracts different riders. Its got a nice ride, cool 4x4 system, very light, and much better for trail riding, and its snappy for a 421cc but it certainly does not "outperform the other 2 in every area".
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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 (Green)
'27 ITP 589 M/S Tires
3000 lb. Warn Winch
3-Way Headlight Mod
High Lifter Lift Kit

2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Mossy Oak - STOLEN
2001 Honda Rancher ES 350
Winch
Sold

 

NLwarrior, really need to know your riding style to accurately answer this.

 

I does better for pulling a sled than the Polaris for several reasons, the biggest is power to weight ratio. The Polaris is a sled in of itself, so that doesn't leave much for pulling yet another sled behind it. If your arguing that the Polaris has more weight which = more traction then that is a possible arguement but meritless because all of the midrange ATV's have much more traction than power. They will all power out way before they dig a hole when pulling a sled in a drag competition. If you argue that the polaris might pull more in icy conditions then I might consent to that if weight were to play a factor with studded tires or chained up. The Kodiak does better because it launches harder and starts creates more ground speed right off the line due to it's superior transmission and has much less mass to get moving. You are wrong to combine HO with EFI as they are two different machines. I do agree the Polaris has better tires stock, but however I don't concider tires as a factor in compairing machines as all stock tires are going to wear out and they are junk to begin with. If stock tires never wore out and couldn't be replaced then perhaps that might be a factor. The Polaris has a higher towing capacity because it weighs more, not because it can handle more. It is a formula devised by ATV safty commities where ATV weights decides how much it can safely handle. As we all know these ATV's can tow much much more than the manufacturers tow ratings. Ground clearence isn't the biggest factor in mudding, it can be but it depends on the mud and the rider and the machine. The Polaris' ground clearence of 11 inches vrs the Yamaha's 10.8 is only a .2 inch difference, the added weight of the Polaris is going to push the machine down in the mud much more than this. The Yammy would do better in any mud condition you could devise. No one is going to enter a mud competition on stocker tires, even Polaris stock tires. Tires are a mute point, given equal tires the Yamaha will out preform the Polaris in the mud. The Polaris may have a softer ride, at the sacrafice of poor trailability. I have never heard of a Kodiak breaking a CV axle due to increased tire size. The rumor you refer too was a Grizz problem for the 04 model where yamaha went to a different CV axle but the problem was corrected for 05, and I beleive the 04 models were recalled? I am not sure about that.


So which area is left to contest?

 

First of all, guys n gals, thanks very much for the responses.

Now, to add clarity to this topic.

I ride mostly trails, some tight and turny, some wide open and straight. I love to play in the sand (see gallery) but I guess to add the final detail on my decision for a ute over a sport, and that is: I'm basically buying the UTE as my wife's quad. She likes something comfortable and easy to operate. Once we've got the UTE, which I can enjoy as well, I'll begin looking for another sport ...

I like the prospect of the polaris 500efi, but have heard they are having some troubles with that unit. I'm not interested in a 600/700/800 Machine primarily because I don't need the extra power for my wife and those quads are a good bit more expensive, and burn more gas to boot!! I've only rode one polaris quad and that was a 400 5spd SRA model. Coming off my Warrior it felt positively massive, and fairly gutless, but I suspect that was more to do with the application of the power.

In regards of the polaris towing/dragging power I have this to say from an event I watched between a few buds in a sand pit. One bud has an 89 Big Bear, the others were two Honda 350ES's, and the Polaris 400. They basically tied the quads back to back and had a tug-of-war against the big bear .. NONE of the other machines could budge the big bear. Granted the bear never dragged them off either, but for a machine that was 15 years old at the time, it held it's own against newer and supposedly more powerful machines!! I was impressed. Having said that .. a Big Bear is not my speed either .. LOL ..

I'm thinking on the Polaris 500HO I guess as it will be a nice comfy machine for the wife, will be more than capable of plowing the driveway in the winter, decent trail machine and something the whole fam damily can enjoy.

One final .. mudding is not crucial for me, but nice to know I can get through some thick stuff if I have to.

Thanks again for all the replies ... and most of all for not starting a flame war on which quad is best .. I remember now why I like this site so much!!

Cheers!

 

For a sand quad for your wife get the auto Vinson. Sand = need light & sporty.

Also the AC suspension is not considered the "best IFS & IRS" by everyone.

 

Sand running is mainly my area .. she will ride sand when in the area, but she just wants something to get on and go .. Which models have independent front/rear brake levers? I know the Polaris has the all-in-one lever ... I think the Kodi has indpendent levers . any input?

 

For a wifes quad i would suggest either the brp 400. It has as much power as the 500's and is light and nimble with a great easy to use 4wd system. or if you want a little more sporty ride with good power another option is the polaris scrambler 500 4x4. the awd works great and its a very easy quad to drive everywhere. in the nicest way possible, i dont know what size your wife is (weight, height) but most smaller women dont look the big utility quads so i would go with a smaller framed utility or sport quad. The Wolverine 450 or Kodiak 450, BRP 400, and Scrambler 500 are all smaller framed.

 

Get the kodiak

 

Not by opinion, but by fact, for the Arctic Cat has the only TRUE front and rear irs.

 

Of all the bikes mentioned, I would ONLY go w/ the SP 500 Or the Vinny (either tranny will do). My dad has a Sp 500 and its a great bike! Great power and awesome 4wd system! VERY plush ride also! I have an 05 Vinson auto and love it as well. It has a straight axle but still has a good ride. Much more "sporty" than the Polaris in my opinion. Straight line drag I'm sure I could take him (stock for both). ( He doesn't ride like that though) After my mild mods ( HMF pipe, Dyno-Jet kit, Moose air filter)-- NO doubt I could absolutely smoke him! But either way you go, w/ these two bikes you COULDN'T lose! LOL!