Hunting ATV!!! Help Needed!

Thanks , thats on the tidal flats on Hudson's bay (salt water) hose down with fresh water at end of days work is important.It works great goes where we point it,and carries all the gear we need.Goes like snot on the beach.
pounder
 
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MillerTime said:
To the posters who talked about the frame cracking problems on the Can ams.......
Are these specific to the 800's or also 650's and lower cc machines?
Do you know if the new frame on the 2013 model 650 also has issues?
I have a couple friends with the 650's and neither have frame issues but "they may not know where to look" as one poster mentioned. they both have aftermarket skid plates which also may reduce the problem
Just curious as my next machine will be either a grizzly (again) or a Can Am 650
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The frame issue is all "g2" frames which includes the 2013 650. However, for 13 they have added a welded reinforcement from the factory, and any frames that don't have it from factory can get it done at dealer for free. Also I think can am said they would warranty dealer repaired frames for 7 years or something.
 
I took my time and read every post in this thread. I think the OP should keep his money in his pocket and carry his moose out of the bush on his back because according to the collective opinion of this thread they are ALL junk. Buy whatever fits your budget and your taste, take care of it and treat it good. That to me is the recipe for longevity and reliability. If you want something comfortable buy one with IRS (just about any on the market nowadays). If your ##### is small put a lift, big tires, chip, pipe, snorkel on it and it'll grow at least 4". If you want it to go in bad places all you need is a good set of tires and a winch.
 
I have purchased 5 new ATV's and 3 used since 2004 mine, wife's and kids machines. I have worked for Suzuki and Yamaha dealers in the past and I have had a lot of seat time on many different makes & models. My least favorite that I have owned is a 2007 Arctic Cat 650 H1 purchased new replaced axle seals, axles, blew the clutch x 2, ball joint fell off while riding, blown head gasket, hard starting POS.....never ever again. Any Japanese machines Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawi, Honda are all good and I wouldn't rule out Can-am i have several friends who like there's with no major issues. I have a preference to Suzuki and Kawasaki. I currently own a 2013 Kawi Brute Force 750 EPS and I have no complaints, they made a ton of improvements on 2012 and up BF's. I have not owned a Polaris but know people who do.....personally I wouldn't. Dealers will often let you test drive machines and ATV magazines usually give you unbiased opnions.
 
powder burner said:
fwiw go to local gas station and look for one of these books in the magazine rack:

http://atv.off-road.com/atv/feature/canadian-atv-guide-book-review-29513.html
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I actually found this book at a local Wal-Mart and picked it up. The editor had nothing but great things to say about the new Sportsman XP's. My father bought a Brute Force 750 which was #4 on the Top 5 list. Just so everyone knows, my wife bought me an ATV for my birthday. She ended up getting me a Polaris Sportsman XP 850 with the Camo body kit, Front and rear bumpers, 3500lbs winch with synthetic rope, hand and thumb warmers then my buddy just picked me up some 27" Swamp Lites. I hope this bike will serve me well. I have a feeling that dependability goes hand in hand with how it's ridden and how it's maintained.

Thanks for all you input guys!
 
Hunting ATV!!! Help Needed!

When hunting ATV's you must lede your aim as they a deceptively quick and use multiple rounds as they dont go down easy, larger calibers work best... :)
 
This has clearly turned into a favorite brand thread.

I hunt and trap and can be far from civilization so EFI scares me.
Quads used to be smaller and lighter and worked great for hunting back in the day, not sure what changed- moose and deer havent.

I would suggest making a list of things that are important to you and the area you hunt in, like weight, fuel economy, clearance, etc.
 
BigUglyMan said:
$28K including the track kit. I agree with you, but $28K is serious folding money.

Personally I think that the OP is overthinking this. 400cc machines have been doing yeoman service for years. I don't see any good reason to go bigger than a 500 or 550cc machine unless you like dealing with ultra heavy objects sunk in the mud.
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Quoted for truth.

In our hunt camp, many brands have come and gone, but the guy with the mid 80's light blue Suzuki Quad Runner 350 just keeps coming back every year. Manual shift, 2wd, 4wd, high, low, super low and differential lock. This thing is light and narrow and gets in places other can't. You can't get it stuck and if you do, it's light, just jump off and rock it back and forth while feathering the throttle and you're out. We have walked this thing across the top of a beaver damn to cross a wide deep stream. That's what you want for just hunting.
Sure, the big guys are great for trail riding; bigger and heavier mass, power steering, independent rear suspension etc. can sure smooth out the bumps and make riding long hours a pleasure in the saddle. But for hunting, save your money and get something under 500cc with a quality set of tires. It's not a horsepower issue, it's a traction issue
 
TonyMo said:
Quoted for truth.

In our hunt camp, many brands have come and gone, but the guy with the mid 80's light blue Suzuki Quad Runner 350 just keeps coming back every year. Manual shift, 2wd, 4wd, high, low, super low and differential lock. This thing is light and narrow and gets in places other can't. You can't get it stuck and if you do, it's light, just jump off and rock it back and forth while feathering the throttle and you're out. We have walked this thing across the top of a beaver damn to cross a wide deep stream. That's what you want for just hunting.
Sure, the big guys are great for trail riding; bigger and heavier mass, power steering, independent rear suspension etc. can sure smooth out the bumps and make riding long hours a pleasure in the saddle. But for hunting, save your money and get something under 500cc with a quality set of tires. It's not a horsepower issue, it's a traction issue
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Yes and no, most hunting tasks can be accomplished with the smaller machines.

some of the places i hunt the smaller machines will not even get a deer out without multiple trips let alone a moose or elk. There is also no shortage of opportunistic scavengers (bear, coyote, occasional wolf) that would love to look after your game for you.

Depends on type of hunting and such what kind of atv will serve best.
 
MillerTime said:
My old quad was also a 98 grizzly 600
I ended up going with a 2007 grizzly 700 a few years back. My only regret was getting the first model year.It did have some teething problems such as a stall issue,power steering motor was vented etc.
I will be in the market in a year or 2 for a new quad and unless things change dramatically I will go with either the can am 650xt or another grizzly. To me reliability is the most important factor as i sometimes get 20+ miles from my hunting buddies. The grizzly is a reliable machine and probably has the best CVT system out there. My wife has a Polaris and although I like the AWD on it, it is not in the running for my next one. I'm not sure if you are buying new or used but if buying used in any case the previous owners maintenance and the way he treated the quad will have a greater impact than brand IMHO.
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your grizzly is likely stalling because they're known for running lean from the factory. luckily on the 07's you can use the pod (speedometer) to adjust the fuel to compensate for this. what does your spark plug look like? cleaned the air filter lately?

as for the power steering being vented, the only difference between new and old style is the old had a vent hose while the new ones have a rubber balloon in place of the hose. simply order a replacement balloon to replace the hose that's currently on your grizzly. or spend $1 on some hose and run it from the EPS motor up to your handlebars. might as well run a longer hose for the fan (yes, there is a vent hose for the fan!) at the same time...

BlairW said:
These threads are pretty much useless. Brand loyalty with atv's is pretty crazy. How many POPO haters in this thread? Seems to be the current trend. My 3 POPO's have been trouble free and never to the shop. My rzr has 3000 km running huge mud tires on stock axlesand clutching with zero issues. ( Still original belt even) I also own a can am outlander 1000. Go ride a few and buy what you like the best. You'll find lovers and haters of every brand on the Internet, and in the REAL WORLD, you're just as likely to have a good machine, or a lemon with ALL BRANDS.
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spoken like a true polaris owner ;)

it's a fact that polaris are lower quality machines and aren't very reliable. it's not brand loyalty when people who own yamaha, kawi, artic cat, can am, etc all share the same opinion that polaris sucks. it's not brand loyalty when a bunch of guys can place bets that the polaris in their group will likely be the one who breaks down. :D while all brands have lemons, polaris' are all lemons and you're lucky if you get a good one.
 
helpful grizzly 700 tips...

-removing reverse limiter is as easy as grounding a single wire
-want to shift without holding the brake? easy as bending a small piece of metal
-$9 kawi teryx wheel bearings are the same (exact same part number on actual bearing, different numbers on packaging) as $40 yamaha replacements!
-race driven brake pads are cheaper and last far longer than any other
-ordering parts from cheapcycleparts or ronayers in the US will save you tons of cash (ex. belt here is $130, $80 from the US)
-remove the sway bar for better articulation and traction
 
canadian hunter312 said:
helpful grizzly 700 tips...

-removing reverse limiter is as easy as grounding a single wire
-want to shift without holding the brake? easy as bending a small piece of metal
-$9 kawi teryx wheel bearings are the same (exact same part number on actual bearing, different numbers on packaging) as $40 yamaha replacements!
-race driven brake pads are cheaper and last far longer than any other
-ordering parts from cheapcycleparts or ronayers in the US will save you tons of cash (ex. belt here is $130, $80 from the US)
-remove the sway bar for better articulation and traction
Click to expand...

Good info!!
I think Ill be in the market for some pads around mid summer this year on the Grizz, original pads on it 2900 km later.
 
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