I'm new to Alaska and fairly new to ATVing. I'm buying very soon but need to know where I can ride. I live in Anchorage and heard that this is one of the best states to ride but since I'm new to the area I'm not sure where to start. If there's anyone out there from the area please let me know the hot spots. Thanks.

 

I used to live out int he bush of Alaska, and spent some time in Eagle River (right off Anchorage), all i could tell ya is drive out of town, unload your ride, and go, lol, lotsa open space in alaska, where i lived (small town off of Bristol Bay) there wasnt really limits on where to ride.

 

Outrage, do you check your posts that you write on other sites? You asked this same question and I asked where you are located to give you some ideas. Military? Did you decide on a wheeler? AlaskaBoy.

 

Sorry I haven't been on awhile and this is really the only site I really check on a regular basis. Yes I'm in the Air Force and live on the base. I think I've decided on getting the Suzuki Vinson 500 Auto. I was thinking about waiting until some of the snow melted off before buying though...what do you think?

 

what type of rider or you because if you like going fast their is no point of buying a vinson 500

 

That's the bad thing...I like both. I like to go fast but I'm not going to give up the ability to go anywhere. What do you think? Can you really go anywhere with your 4x2 here in AK?

By the way where's good riding trails here?

 

I have seen people ride 2x4 wheelers out on the trail but you will find that all the trails around Anchorage and Fairbanks to be realy muddy, Alaska is one big swamp you will find out. Jim creek is were you see most of your sporty quads but quite frankly it gets pretty boring going up to the glacier every weekend. With a 4x4 quad you can go up to Eureka and take the trails back into the hills and ride for as long as you want or head up to the Denali highway and take those trails as well, some of those go back 70 plus miles. Petersville also has alot of trail to play on, just don't caught riding on the mainroad, it is paved most of the way to the roadhouse and the troopers will ticket. As for the Suzuki, it seemed alittle pricey for what you get, go back and look at the ArticCat's or head over to Anchorage Yamaha and talk to Squeeks or Steve and tell them what you are looking for. I bet they will set you up with a Kodiak450 for a better price then Suzuki. I bought the 450 after talking to them. I was interested in the 400 but Squeeks new that I rode a King Quad and sold me on the other because after the King I was spoiled with the differential lock and super low gearing and the 450 gives me that with more power and ground clearance. Right now my hunting partner is selling is Quadrunner to get one of the 450's. I sent one of my co-workers down and he bought the 400 2003 as they were in his price range that he needed, at least he did opt for the winch you need one of those as well. Used mine aplenty, for me as well as other people. Also works good for pulling moose out of bogs when your finger gets to twitchy waiting for the bull to step out to were the dry land is, cleaning moose in mud is no fun. By the way do you hunt? Hope this helps, keep me posted. Like I said on the other site, always looking for another riding partner. AlaskaBoy.

 

Oh, one other thing. I agree on letting some of this snow to melt, it is just getting started and looks like we are finally getting a real winter. Come spring when this melts you will see why 4x4 is the way to go. AlaskBoy.

 

Thank you for the info. but why do you think the Kodiak is better than the Vinson? The price is somewhat higher but I don't mind spending a few extra dollars for a good product. I've read all the reviews and talked to just about everyone who owned the Vinson and it sounds like a great machine. I haven't been on either so I can't say much but I'm interested to hear your point of view.

 

It probaly has to do with the lack of customer service at the dealer, I went in there to actually buy a wheeler and waited 15 minutes for a sales rep to come over{only customer} to talk to me, luckily a old co-worker of mine came in to get parts for his quadrunner and we talked for another 10 minutes while waiting for the salesman. Finaly I grab him as he is walking by and asked him some questions about the Vinson as well as the Eiger, he told me the price and nothing else and walked off, not a good sign. Now the other thing, I had a King Quad and as usual I had to get brakes for it and front seals and bearings, this was in June, the start of riding season and they did not have all the parts for it. Had to come back several times to get all of them, luckily I was out in Eagle River and Todd at ATV Salvage stocks parts for it. It is a very common machine up here, great hunting rig, just needed more clearance and more power and the brakes wouldn't last the trip into hunting camp. You do have low gearing on it so going down hills you just shifted down and not worry about it. So what I am saying is if you buy a Vinson are you going to be able to get good answers or just price info and what about servicing the machine, down time sucks when you are waiting for parts to come in, I am no the only one this has had happenn too. I know I mentioned Artic Cat which is the same building but my freinds have no problems with them and so you won't have to go back for parts and service, I was too peed off to go back and talk about the Cats and after doing research on the Kodiak450 I feel I have made a good decision. I waited for week to buy it as I wanted to check out the the facts on it before, if you feel that you want the Vinson go for it as for the price, you still should figure in a winch and trade them the old tires for more aggressive set, get the 26 or 27 to get some more clearance, will not rob you of too much power and a inch or two more of ground clearance can go along way when you are riding in ruts that the trucks have left out there on the trails. Good luck. Parts and service has been great over the years, I go in there for my brother-n-law who lives out in Bristol Bay and picks up parts for the differnt Yamahas that he owns, do to salt water and not to crappy building either like some buddy will comment on this site. He uses his for setnetting on the beach as well as everybody else down that way and riding in the surf to pull fish reeks havoc on machines. But at least Yamaha keeps parts in stock when you need them. AlaskaBoy.