Hunting ATV!!! Help Needed!

owned every make stoped buying anything but Can Am nuff said. (800 XMR and Commander 1000ltd in the stable just booted the last drowned pussy cat last fall)
 
I have a 02 Arctic cat 500. I got it with hunting in mind. Ground clearance, draggin animals out. Its not a racing quad thats forsure but a great hunting atv. I put good mud tires on it and also have 2 winches, both front n rear. Hand warmers as well.


My buddy has a honda 350 and it works good as well.



If your a solo hunter and use a quad its a good idea to beef it up for reliability and be very keen on maintiance. Just incase as a break down as far back as you can get would suck huge. All your ele connections, some silicone goes a long way. If its brand new, dont be afraid to check a few random bolts to make sure they are tight. it happens.
 
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My vote would be the Can Am followed by the Kawi. Both are awesome machines. Having said that, I ride two-up a lot so here's my rig:
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My vote goes to the Grizzly, have an 09 700 eps and love it. Its light (I find it is) very well built, will run forever much like a Honda and havnt broke anything yet. The only complaint I would have about it is the engine power. Not saying it doesnt have power by any means but the others your comparing it to have more hp. Would I trade my Griz for something with more hp... hell no... Thats just my opinion though!
 
Out of those choices, I would be going with the Can Am. They do have their gremlins as do all machines. I personally drive a Suzuki King Quad 700 and if I was to shell out the bucks for another brand right now it would probably be an Arctic Cat or Can Am in the 700-800cc range.
 
You want a hunting atv? Argo all the way. Not fast or fancy. And you have to keep up on the maintenance schedule. But if you want to get further in the bush than the other guys and pull out bigger animals, an 8x8 Argo will be the best. And it floats!
 
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Polaris Ranger, I think an 850? (it's my buddy's), with 1 large bull moose. We skinned and gutted the moose, then loaded all 4 quarters plus the head on the Ranger. Drove out through one awful trail.

The Ranger is impressive (I am no Polaris fan).
 
Test drive a Honda Rincon and see what you think. Best, overall, I've tried so far, and I've tried a lot of different bikes.
 
I run a 2009 Brute Force 750. Mind you it is modified a little to bullet proof it but I haven't had a minutes trouble with it. I had a Honda Rubicon 500 before that, liked the bike just wanted more HP so that the reason to go with the Kawi. I did test ride the 700 Griz and Kawi side by side at the dealer and found the Brute had alot more fun factor in it. Power is quite impressive. I can run with the 800 can am's until 30-40 MPH before they can start to pass me.
 
I have a 2006 brute force 750 and its never let me down, my dad has an 07 yam kodiak 350 and its never had a problem. If I was to upgrade I'd either go kawi or yam again. Can-am are great but expensive.
 
If you have the money, can am's are great bikes, nicest riding out of all of them and they hold up pretty good over time. I''ve rode with them all and I own a 07 brute 750 lifted, snorkeled, and a long list of other things for mud racing. I can honestly tell you that bike doesnt have one easy mile of riding on it, I have absolutly rode that thing like i stole it and haven't had any problems. They are one of the toughest bikes out there, I move the horse trailers around the yard and have pulled ALOT of broken cats and polaris's back, and it hasn't ate any belts like all the honda die hards promised me it would... I would steer well clear of the polaris's, I don't even like riding with them because they're nothing but a headache, and with all that plastic jutting out everywhere I'd thing twice about bush wacking with them. The Yami's are very good bikes to, not the biggest power houses, but they are reliable and you can count on em to get you and your game back to the truck. In my opinion I would pick a canned ham or a brute over one if I were to buy another brand new machine but they're deffinently worth checking out. The Honda rin con 680 is also another bike you should have a look at, not the best riding and fastest but the hondas are one of the most bullet proof bikes out there. They are built for pulling and work more so than any other quad. Having the solid rear axle and solid drive terrain instead of being belt driven is a HUGE factor in reliablity when pulling heavy loads. The only thing that keeps me away from them is the open front diff with no option for a locker, in some places its the difference between being able to pull a moose out or asking your buddy to pull it out for you because the brand new quad you just spent 12,000 on can't (ouch). What ever you go with, the biggest thing I cant stress enough is leave enough room in your budget for a GOOD set of tires, not cheap ones. Most people will tell you to go with mud lites but the carcass is to light and they puncture easily in the bush, people will tell you different and there one of the most common tires out there but there is MUCH better availble out there so why not get something thats not going to leave you stranded. Outlaw radials are great but theres tons of other great rubber out there too..
 
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i have grown up in the industry and would never buy can-am cuz the frames are way to light weight (seen/herd of two with control arms ripped out from rim rubbing against a wall) the polaris will always be in the shop. now grizzly is my person chose, its the best belt drive on the market. brute force not alot i have to talk down on.
 
Here is an idea, buy what you like and fits you and take care of it!

They will ALL pull a moose out of the bush, how many Honda 400's do you think were used before all these "you need an 800/1000cc machine" people are buying came out. ;)
 
Whats wrong with your Grizzly?
Why go out and buy a 750cc or 900cc atv ?
All you are going to do is fatten the wallet of the dealership and spend more money on fuel and insurance.
But, if your machine is in need of some serious overhauling then it would be a no brainer to buy something new.
Have you looked at the Honda line?
Because after all "You meet the nicest people when ride a Honda."
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
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I've had nothing but good times with my 2008 BruteForce 650. Never felt the need for more power, the Kawi twin has plenty of balls. Pick a model with power steering, well worth the extra cash.

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