Looking for recommendations on a Utility ATV??

[Guest]

I'm looking for utility ATV that will be used mainly for ice fishing, but I'd like to use it around the yard, maybe plowing, and I want something fun to trail ride with... I will just be towing a portable, but I'd like something with decent towing capability for pulling a full size ice house on the lake. I'm a big guy, about 250, yet I don't want an atv any bigger than what I really need. Open road speed isn't a top priority..

Now, I am looking seriously at the 500 Vinson and Honda Rancher.. I'd like to keep the price near the 5k range. Any recommendations on models to look or your experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Gissert]

From the info you posted, any of the 500 cc models from any maker will more that meet your requirements.

I am a big guy myself, and I have been more than happy with my Sportsman 400. I nearly went with Honda, Yamaha, and Arctic Cat before I decided on Polaris.

All of the manufacturers make great units. The key is how good is the dealer you purchase from. That is an important item that is often overlooked in the quest for the best possible price.

If ride quality is important to you, you may wish to look at quads with independant rears.

[Guest]

the Polaris 400 looks like a sweet machine as well... I like the 4wd and independednt suspension on the polaris, but don't like the weight... I've heard a lot of reliability issues as well, although I'm not ruling out due to some minor issues from a relatively new atv program for polaris. I'm starting to lean more towards the 350-400 cc range now... I think 500 may be overkill for me, eventhough I am pretty big guy?? This will be my first atv also if that should be taken into consideration for recommended engine size... I want something that I can keep for awhile though, as I don't know how often my wife will allow me to purchase a new atv...

I realize none will go through 3' of snow, but I'd like something that does well in the snow so that it can be used for ice fishing. That is the main reason I'm looking to buy an atv (ice fishing pulling a portable and gear with a passenger sometimes most likely)...

[hunt4food]

For snow, ground clearance is the biggest problem. I would recommend buying the one with the most ground clearance. I have an older polaris 350 and I am 215#. I hang my 160# 8x8 portable on the back and then add my jiffy auger, bait, buckets etc..on it. I bet I carry over 500# of weight on it and it does fine. As I said though, when you bottom out in deep snow, you are going to get stuck with only ice as traction. I know that you can get lift kits and bigger tires for newer models. If I ever buy a new one, I will do that. Highlifter says they can get an extra 4" of ground clearance out of the kits. Polaris already has 12" of clearance so that would be a total of 16"! I think polaris has the best ground clearance. I am sure I will be corrected quickly here if I am wrong.

[Benny]

One more item to add to the ground clearance issue is true 4 wheel drive.
Many models including new ones are only three wheel drive.If that one tire that won't spin is the only one with traction your stuck.It also works like a plow in deep mud and snow if it is not turning.I think but not sure ,it is just Polaris and Yamaha that are true 4 wheel drive.
Benny

[Guest]

yea, ground clearance seems like something I should be putting high on the priority list for winter use..

Looking hard at the Polaris sportsman 400 and 500 H.O. Don't think I need a 500, but the xtra small difference may be worth it in the long run... I plan to look into these more...

I've heard that the Polaris machines require more maintenance.. can anyone elaborate on this? the Polaris doesn't have sealed bearings as the others do and require greasing?? What about belt slipage on a polaris when wet??

[Guest]

Can anyone fill me in on the models that do have true 4 whl drive, and what kind of locking differential they use?

I really like the Sportsman 500 so far(don't own one yet!) because of the ground clearance, independant suspension. I'm not worried about doing the maint. or getting the belt wet. I have heard they improved the belt cover, and also have less grease fittings now. Is this true? I havn't check them out lately.

My Dad just bought a Kawasaki 500. I don't know much about these. Any thoughts?

[Guest]

reading more on the differences between the 400 and 500 H.O... Price seems to be about 700 difference...

the only differences I see are: EBS and obviously the engine size.. 425cc vs. 499 cc... most seem to say the 400 is a better engine, so I'm leaning that direction...

What about the EBS? Is this a worthwhile option for MN riding conditions??

The only other benefit I see with the 500 is probably better resale..

[Benny]

The EBS is a BIG plus if you plan on going up and down hills, or pulling heavy loads on any incline.What this EBS does is use the Engine compresion for Braking as it's System thus the EBS abreveation.If you don't have this then all you have are your brakes, if they go out or slip on you your in for a ride down the hill very fast.
As for the belts slipping and sealed baerings, the new Polaris all have way better seals on them than thier older models.
I don't think there is any more reliability in the 400 vs the 500, if any thing the 500 would be a better motor.It has been a more popular seller so they tend to spend more money on R&D for this motor.The 400 got left behind when the GEN1V came out.Gen 1V is a fancey name for the new generation Polaris.
For the little extra you will pay I would go with the 500HO, it will totaly blow away the 400 in every catigory you could place it in.And the wieght the same also.
The Kawasaki's are a kickin machine, sure it was a 500 and not the 650?The 650 is THE fastest 4X4 machine out there stock to stock.The big Yamaha and Polaris are close but about a bike length or two behind the Kawi in a drag race to top speed.
If your intrested in just a 350 or 400 cc then look at the Honda's or the smaller Suzuki's and Kawi's.They all make fine and powerful small cc quads that are bullet proof.I lean toward the Honda for the smaller ones and as work horses.
Benny

[Ely Lake Expert]

fishn,

If you are looking at a utility machine without excessive speed, I would take a look at the new big bears and kodiaks. They are bulletproof and should fit your needs.

Ely lake expert

[Dave]

fishinAddict, try doing a search on this topic. Something like "Which ATV". You'll find plenty of "advice".

Power to pull even a full size fish house can be had from a little Suzuki 250 King Quad. This 250KQ has multiple gear ranges that offer very good pulling power. Isn't the fastest ATV but can do work chores pretty well. Although it'll get the job done, I'd saty with a 400-500cc machine like you're looking at. Much better resale value.

[jdm911]

I agree with one of the above posts. All of the manufactures make fine machines. It is, in my opinion, the dealer that makes the final difference. I was two hours away from buying a new Polaris Magnum this October and had good talks with one of the local dealers the weekend prior, however, on that morning when I called I was treated poorly and felt that my business was not wanted. Needless to say I stopped into the local Arctic Cat dealer and it was a good experience, nice people and very informative. Your money is important, make sure you feel good about a purchase...I am very happy with my 03 Arctic Cat 400i MRP, ind. suspension, engine braking, good clearance. It was the dealer that was the factor. (The MRP Rack is a very nice addition!)

[SPIN DRY]

I have two Vinson 500s. I think there the best riding machine out there. Plenty of power. I'm a big guy 6'3" 250lbs and when I put on all my ice fishing equipment, it doesn't miss a beat.Works great in the winter time,even better trail riding in the summer. They are also right around your price range. GOOD LUCK

[Guest]

Benny,
The EBS sounds great for hills, but do you think it is a good option for riding in Minnesota?? I'm just thinking that EBS might not be the greatest on ice.. when you let off the throttle you may slide around in the back on ice, rather than coasting without EBS??

[pulsar_nx]

EBS doesn't lockup the tires it only slows them down. As for quads with real four wheel drive the ones that come to mind are the polaris's, suzuki 250 quad runner, 300 king quad and the AC twins, bombardier's, newer kawasaki prairies, and the yamaha grizzly. For the money a used King quad might good machine it has 5 high range gears 5 low range and 5 super low range gears, independent rear suspension, you have the option of running in real 4x4 or 4x4 except when it slips for improved steering and I think 2x4. It's been around a while so their should be abunch of used ones out their. Its not very fast but should take you anywhare. And if you do get a used one it probibly wasn't used by a kid. My 2 cents

[Guest]

Fishnaddict,

I have a Polaris Sportsman 400 that is essentially ice fishing transportation. I have found it to be extremely reliable. Almost all my friends that own ATVs own a Polaris and none of us have had problems. So, I'm not sure where the reliability rap comes from. I frequently pull a trailer (if there's not too much snow) with 3 fishhouses, 2 people, and at least 2 augers without issue.

EBS is pretty worthless on the ice. I can't think of a reason where I'd want to lose momentum on the ice (especially if there's snow).

I don't think you'd go wrong buying the Sportsman 400. However, all the manufacturer's are making quality ATVs now, so I don't think you could go wrong with whatever you choose.

[This message has been edited by Bornofice (edited 01-13-2003).]

[Dakota Iceman]

Here is my pitch for the honda rancher. I have a 2002 rancher 350 es (electric shift) Its full time 4x4. top speed with myself and no equipment is 51 mph. The engine is a dry sump 339 cc's The reliabiltiy is a big plus with the honda. They were one of the pioneers of the atv industry and they pretty much have it down to science. I have the snowplow for the front and it works like a champ. pushed over 18" of snow at times last year and never put the chains on. The electric shift is very conveniant and without going back to the specs it came stock with 9" to 11" of ground clearance.....cant remember wich? Anyways...i have been very pleased with the performance of this machine and years down the road....i would buy another when the time came. Dakota Iceman

[fish4walleye]

Thought I'd throw in my .02 here,,Just a few short years back if you had a 300 or 350 you were the big boy on the block and got around great,,today only 2 manufactures put out a true stock 4wd,aftermarket lockers are available for others,I live on the outer reaches of Catskill mtns here in NY,,In Oct.I purchased a 400 Sportsman,,one reason for the purchase was that the seat is larger,,even though most all machines are 1 person I knew that for hunting 2 riders would be the norm. The 400 pulled 2 of us & a deer on the front rack(total weight over 600#)over mountains & trails with no laboring whatsoever,,even going down the mountain without ebs was no problem as you soon learn how to feather throttle to keep clutch engaged,,,On Christmas night we had 16" of new snow & were pulling a sled with 2 riders around the field with no problem after make 1 pass to cut a trail,,with that said my brother has a 2002 Arctic Cat 250 4wd & has no problem keeping up with me & others on trails or mountain but his is in 4wd (actually 3wd,,,limited slip front) all the time & I can swith to 2 wheel to make handling easier when 4wd is not needed,,,surprisingly I do not use 4wd as much as thought I would need it,,,sorry for being so long,I'll summerize this mess,,,,Unless you plan on some super mudding true 4wd is not really a must,,,auto is nice but manual will have advantages at time,,,most all machines are geared for optimum performance for the engine size,,,solid axle vs.IRS,11" of clearance is 11",remember added weight loses clearance,, Be sure you know what your dealer will do for you once you have taken the machine home,,Now that I've got you all screwed up ,,Good Luck,,,Flagup,,Mark

[Guest]

wow, lot's of information to consider here... thanks everyone for the information.

I started out looking at the 330 - 400 range (330 being the Honda). I started talking to some guys after considering the Polaris 400 and they tell me you may as well go for the 500 for a few hundred bucks more...

Then I start asking around about the 500 H.O. and I get the recommendation to look into the 600 for $400 more. Now, it does make sense to get a machine that I can grow into and that will hold it's resale, but where do you draw the line? Not to mention the money and weight difference, I'm not sure I will be able to safely handle a 600 for my first atv...

I'm heavily leaning towards the Polaris now, most likely either 400 or 500 H.O. thinking the 500 would be a sweet machine, but the 400 would probably do me just fine... Not convinced I want the engine braking system for ice fishing though... It sounds real nice for trail riding though..

[Walleye_Guy]

I would take a arctic-cat 400i ne time over ne polaris the independent suspension is awsome and nice for a smooth ride and very sharp looking machine. I rode one earlier this year and it was the most fun ive had in a long time. My relatives have had some problems with polaris sportmans they have 2 of them that are never running and there 2000 and 2001 with like 300 miles. Yes they are nice when there working but they dont have the power of a cat and if i was looking for a really powerfull fourwheeler the 2001 300 manual is a beast with the super low range nothing gets in your way. just my opinion.

[Guest]

I have a 96 500 Sportsman very happy

[Benny]

The Polaris EBS does NOT LOCK up and send you flying all around on the ice.As for loosing momentum?You loose momentum as soon as you let off the gas even if you had a clutch model that free wheeled .Tires act just like a snowplow when not being driven.
All the EBS does is SLOW the machine down by using the motors compretion or back presure if you want to call it that.It absolutly does not lock up the tires.Your every day car or truck all incorperate this same therory.When you let off the gas with your truck does the wheels lock up?If your on ice you may want to let off the gas slow so as not to allow the machine to dive front wards to much, which can make it seem like your going to spin around.
It is always best to keep an even gradualy slowing speed even if you had a free wheeling machine while slowing on ice.What would happen if you had a none EBS machine , let off the gas, then hit the bracks to stop?Puff, your through the neighbors ice house before your done sliding because the brakes locked up with out the resistance normaly found on dry land.EBS would not have locked up, just allowed the machine to slow in a controled tire turning slower motion, not an out of control slide because the brakes were aplied and locked up on glare ice with no resistance to keep the tires from doing this.
Don't believe this, go out and find a sportsman with EBS, and a quad with out.Compare what happens as each try to stop on glare ice.
There simply is nothing wrong with EBS in Minnesota winters,Polaris has many years experiance with ice in Minnesota.
Benny

[pikechaser]

hey guys--my cousin repairs atv's/sleds/motorcycles for a living and has seen them all...while polaris does seem to be improving their machines every year, he says by far they break down more frequently than any other brand especially if ridden hard...pretty much all the machines built today have a pretty smooth ride...and if you pulling out large house's and weighing down the atv on machines with fully independent suspension you loose clearance cause the machine squats...I know polaris's machines are popular but you may want to shop around before going that route I have too many friends who are dissapointed in them after alot of breakdowns..as far as true 4wd suzuk made the first, then polaris,kawasaki,yamaha..good luck

[Dave]

EBS works on the same principal as a gear driven machine, as far as, letting off the gas and using the engine compression to slow you down. Works great. Even here in MN there are hills that it helps out a lot on. And, it reduces the time you apply the brake lever.

For the squatting rear end of a fully-independent suspension machine, that is true it does squat. You have to consider thnigs like how much the rider weighs and how stiff the suspension is set.

[Guest]

Benny,

Why were you driving at your neighbor's ice house anyways? I guess I should have said the EBS is not essential on ice. Sorry for getting you worked up.