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Posted by: OffRder15
IMO, the Kawi Brute Force 650 SRA is a no brainer. I was in the market for a 500cc Ute but went for the BF650 for the same freaking price as all the other 500s.
My $.02
Posted by: Kawi650
The utilities that i would consider would be 500 vinnie, 400 Bomb and the 450 Kodie with straight axle hi/lo range I like how the vinnie handled, I liked how nibble the 450 was and alot of people really like their 400 outlander. Things to concerned with in my POV is the front brakes on the outie, the plastic on the vinnie and some people here find the kodie tippy after putting aftermarket bigger tires on it. I had no complaints with the kodie. If you get the vinnie all it needs is a good front bumper. I don't hear anyone complaining about the front brakes on the Bomb except me. I feel you can not go wrong with alot of bikes today and service should be more of a concern... people want to deal with people that are serviced driven.
Posted by: NLWarrior01
Been away from the ATV scene since last summer. Sold the old Warrior to move away, now I'm moving back and looking for a ute. I'm pretty keen on the Kodi 450 due to features and size, but polaris also has a great financing deal on at the mo. Ride free for a year .
Then there's the other brands which are attractive in features and such as well ... I'm lost and would like a bit of direction from your guy's and gal's experience ..
Thanks much!!
Posted by: NLWarrior01
Quote
Originally posted by: RedGoblin
NLwarrior, really need to know your riding style to accurately answer this.
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!
Posted by: NLWarrior01
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?
Posted by: RedGoblin
What features are you looking for and what terrain do you ride? My friend has a Kodiak and they're nice, but if I was getting a 500, it would probably the CTE Honda Rubicon if I could find one. Where is Newfoundland as it relates to Canada? If close or within it, go look at a Canadian Trail Edition Rubicon. If you don't like it, check out a Suzuki Vinson.
Posted by: RedGoblin
NLwarrior, really need to know your riding style to accurately answer this.
Posted by: RedGoblin
I say Vinson. Easy to use and fun and sporty when you want to ride it.
Posted by: enFORCER
Quote
Originally posted by: v2rider
AC 500, best ground clearance, best front and rear irs, speedrack, 2" receiver, diff lock, and i think everyone should own one! What else could you possibly need?
Yes, I agree. My Dad has an Arctic Cat 500 4x4 and it is one hell of a machine.
He has had it for 3 years and never had a problem. He uses it to pull a 900lb roller over his yard. He plows snow with it. And rides around with the grand kids on it.
Posted by: enFORCER
Quote
Originally posted by: Dirtydude
I think v2rider might have desolved some hash oil in the gas tank and has been sucking the exhaust fumes!
Hey I'll take a whiff of that!
Posted by: redmtn
Dirtydude, I'm not sure what you mean by not to combine the HO and the EFI on the Polaris SP500. Can you explain? I have a 500EFI and it says 500HO on my gas tank with EFI on the pod. You must mean not to combine the 500HO carb and the 500 EFI which is also HO. The HO just means High Output. A few years ago Polaris put I think a bigger carb and different cam on their 500 and called it an HO. Just a sticker...HO HO HO...
If I were to by another quad, I would do what I did before I bought my quad, jump on all the quads I was interested in and see which one I like better. Go to dealers that let you test ride them, and have an open mind.
Posted by: redmtn
I think if the BF650i had EFI it would be the perfect quad. I say that because I ride from sea level to about 9000 ft in a day. If you don't ride at altitude, then the BF650i would be the ticket. I would just ride as many as you can, then pick the one that you feel best on.
Posted by: 4wheelerfred
Polaris sportsman 500efi or carb , or vinson 500.
they both have a kick ass motor.
only3 diffs are that the vinson is SRA and the sportsman is IRS.
the sportsman has true 4x4 and the vinson has 3.5 wheel drive with out the option to lock it up.
and the vinson comes in auto or 5 speed. id pick the auto for my lazyness when riding utes.LOL
Posted by: 4wheelerfred
Quote
Originally posted by: spyder6
stop being a douche v2rider, we all know your point so if you dont have anything else to say please refrain from typeing.
YEAH!!! GET OUTA HERE KITTY KITTY!
Posted by: Dirtydude
Kodiak 450 is damm hard to beat
It would get my vote.
The Polaris is like 715 pounds! for a 500HO
The AC is a better option the the Polaris IMHO it's a bit shy of 700 pounds but better set up than the Polaris..
The Yammy though is like 591 pounds and has a great engine, it'll out preform the others in every catagory I could think of.
I've already seen it out preform in a sled pull competition. It'll power thru mud better and will definatly be more nimble and responsive in the sand!
I suppose if you threw about four 40# sacks of dog food on the racks then it'll be about where the polaris and AC are
Posted by: Dirtydude
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?
Posted by: Dirtydude
I think v2rider might have desolved some hash oil in the gas tank and has been sucking the exhaust fumes!
hahah
no wonder he loves that cat so much! It's like his cat-nip!
Posted by: spyder6
my votes go to the Suzuki Vinson 500 with the manual tranny, the Honda Rubicon, and the Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI.
if i had my pick between them i would take the sportsman 500 EFI because of the very stout bulletproof motor, along with its recent addition of Electronic Fuel Injection. not to mention the quads them selfs are built very sturdy, and have the best 4x4 of the 3.
my 2 cents
Posted by: spyder6
Quote
Originally posted by: enFORCER
Quote
Originally posted by: Dirtydude
I think v2rider might have desolved some hash oil in the gas tank and has been sucking the exhaust fumes!
Hey I'll take a whiff of that!hr>
hey pass it down this way!
i have to say, if your going to get a Sportsman 500, get the EFI version, there were a few problems with the fan not coming on and the motor rattleing and the engine dieing. but i havent seen any complains on the forum yet or heard any. not to mention it'll make starting up in the winter alot easier on your wife
Posted by: spyder6
stop being a douche v2rider, we all know your point so if you dont have anything else to say please refrain from typeing.
Posted by: WindmillAtWork
Well I'm 6'2" and the Kodiak fits perfectly. It works best for me because I ride tight trails and need the smaller footprint. It has plently of power and the locker has saved me more than a few times. In 2 wheel drive it is very easy to turn which I would think would make it easier for a girl to ride a longer time.
Now if they would just put EFI on it..it would be perfect!
Posted by: propnut
I was looking in the same size range. kodiak has got all the 'features' but it's too small for me and I prefer shifting gears. the vinson was nice and sporty, but I didn't like the hard plastic body or the manual shifter with heavy boots (plus you only get one chance to chose the right gear before a water x-ing with a dry foot and that sucks if it's really cold out!). Cats and Polaris were just to tall, wide, and heavy for most of my riding. Outlander 400 was nice, but just buzzed to much. Plus all the last 3 had single lever brakes, not to my liking. Kawasaki just doesn't have anything in that range. Foreman 500 wasn't out yet. I ended up riding a Rubicon and fell for the engine/tranny, ergonomics, fit and finish, and good luck with every Honda I've ever had - $5500 new was a great price too.
It was a tough decision, but it would be easier now. I'd get the Rubicon (even better a CTE) if I was looking again in that size range.
Posted by: propnut
Quote
Thats a first. I havnt heard the rubicon be anybodys first choice over anything!
My first choice was an Arctic Cat 500 manual, but I'm no Walmart shopper. I was just being nice about why I didn't get one, and they are just too fat to keep up to a Kodiak in tight woods. But after owning an Arctic Cat quad and a few ZRs, I was really more concerned with buying a well thought out and dependable machine from a reputable MV manufacturer. My buddy's 03 really hasn't held up either. The last thing I wanted was a second rate belt drive (as opposed to the ultramatic) in a quad made of mismatched components. Just got tired of the half-a$$ed builds, poor fit and finish, cheap components, design flaws, and poor reliability. Arctic Cat = recall, or at least it should. They look good on paper though!!
Posted by: JJonJon
AC has alot of things going for them, my friend's '06 AC 500 Manual is excellent in the mud. It pretty much hangs with me everywhere i go, but its a little underpowered. I dont really like the handling of them, and their ride isint really near Polaris's. But if your wanting alot of ground clearance AC is the way to go. I personally have been looking for another machine ever since i sold my Rancher. My opinion changes almost every week but right now im looking at the '06 Rubicon. Anyway please state what you want to do with your ATV. If im not mistaken, there is a rumor out that the '07 Rubicon's will have IRS!! BR>----------------------------
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
Posted by: JJonJon
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".
----------------------------
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
Posted by: JJonJon
I agree with Spyder.. Get the Sportsman EFI, by far the best 500 Class machine. It offers the most features and is greatly priced, been around forever, go for it, you wont regret it.
----------------------------
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
Posted by: Hoopie
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.
Posted by: newbomber
If you are from Canada and you want a good mid size utility quad for your wife, why not try the Bombardier Outlander 400, 650 or 800. They all have TRUE IRS and they have the trailing arm IRS that keeps the tires going up and down and not in and out. If you want something sporty that she can ride but don't need IRS and won't be hauling anything or using it for work, and if she wants to not have to shift why not try the Polaris Scrambler 4x4 500 HO, or the new 2006 Yamaha Wolverine 450 4x4.
Posted by: shugduff
Kodiak or the Vinson would get my vote, the AC 500 uses the same motor as the Vinson but is alot
heavier, and the Vinson is alot more nimble then the, AC 500 and it costs le$$
Posted by: shugduff
well if it's for your wife, then an Artic Cat is the perfect machine for a woman.
Posted by: shugduff
nice comeback, I couldn't have predicted that response
Posted by: CBF2
A Kodiak or a Vinson. If you want sporty get the Vinson. If you want true lock 4x4 and more utility get the Kodiak.
Posted by: CBF2
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.
Posted by: CBF2
Quote
Originally posted by: v2rider
Quote
Originally posted by: CBF2
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.
Not by opinion, but by fact, for the Arctic Cat has the only TRUE front and rear irs.
Look up the difference between "fact" and "opinion". Disconnect the rear sway bar of any IRS ATV and it is as "TRUE" as any Artic Cat plus it will actually handle.
Posted by: CBF2
You are so high on your Cat you won't listen. The most travel and lack of a sway bar does not by fact make it the "best".
Posted by: CBF2
Quote
Originally posted by: v2rider
I said best imo, fact is it is the only TRUE TRUE TRUE Irs that comes stock, listen better next time
Your first post said it was the best with no mention of it being "true", not to mention this from another topic---"AC has the best front and rear irs you can get. Also, 10" travel"
Could of fooled me...
Posted by: BillyMack
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!
Posted by: squeege
Get the kodiak
Posted by: squeege
Takin my buddy to the artic cat dealer to have his 03 ' 400 cat fixed. won't run once warmed up....
Posted by: v2rider
AC 500, best ground clearance, best front and rear irs, speedrack, 2" receiver, diff lock, and i think everyone should own one! What else could you possibly need?
Posted by: v2rider
Quote
Originally posted by: CBF2
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.
Not by opinion, but by fact, for the Arctic Cat has the only TRUE front and rear irs.
Posted by: v2rider
Thats a first. I havnt heard the rubicon be anybodys first choice over anything!
Posted by: v2rider
Quote
Originally posted by: CBF2
Quote
Originally posted by: v2rider
Quote
Originally posted by: CBF2
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.
Not by opinion, but by fact, for the Arctic Cat has the only TRUE front and rear irs.
Look up the difference between "fact" and "opinion". Disconnect the rear sway bar of any IRS ATV and it is as "TRUE" as any Artic Cat plus it will actually handle.
Rephrase: Arctic Cat comes from the factory, as the only true irs quad, unless you modify yours, inwhich i still dont think you will have 10" of travel in the front and rear. And AC handles fine. My statement is a fact, so you better check the definition
Posted by: v2rider
I said best imo, fact is it is the only TRUE TRUE TRUE Irs that comes stock, listen better next time
Posted by: v2rider
Yeah, yours it at my house riding mine all the time.
Posted by: v2rider
Ok "fred" i think this cooled off like a day ago, so chill
Posted by: Ductape
500 HO Sportsman. Best ride, power as good as any in the class -a little heavy- bulletproof drive train.
DT
Posted by: mclach
Guys Polaris gets a real bad name here in Canada. Alot of dealers won;t even take one on trade. KOdiak 450 is a great machine.
