Not a quad expert but have run a Polaris 550 two-up for the last four years and no problems. Very good on fuel, big range. When you are dealing insist on the tires you want from the dealer. They are an expensive fix later and pretty much dictate where you can go. I like the power steering as my shoulders are pretty much toast and the PS takes away the jarring. All the machines you mentioned have tons of power for what you need, pick the one you like and get the right rubber.
Hunting ATV!!! Help Needed!
- Thread starter NorthernPF
- Start date
canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
Yamaha
Kawi
Suzuki
Honda
Can am
Artic cat
Polaris
-you must look at power to weight ratio. Ie. a 800 lb machine with 75 hp is pretty much the same as a 700 lb machine with 60hp
-compare warranty claims and what brands are in the shop the most
-price usually dictates quality *cough*polaris*cough*
-tire upgrades are a must
-whoever tells you that all brands break are likely owners of one of the brands at the bottom of my list
Kawi
Suzuki
Honda
Can am
Artic cat
Polaris
-you must look at power to weight ratio. Ie. a 800 lb machine with 75 hp is pretty much the same as a 700 lb machine with 60hp
-compare warranty claims and what brands are in the shop the most
-price usually dictates quality *cough*polaris*cough*
-tire upgrades are a must
-whoever tells you that all brands break are likely owners of one of the brands at the bottom of my list
Yamaha
Kawi
Suzuki
Honda
Can am
Artic cat
Polaris
-you must look at power to weight ratio. Ie. a 800 lb machine with 75 hp is pretty much the same as a 700 lb machine with 60hp
-compare warranty claims and what brands are in the shop the most
-price usually dictates quality *cough*polaris*cough*
-tire upgrades are a must
-whoever tells you that all brands break are likely owners of one of the brands at the bottom of my list
SEE HIGHLIGHTED NAMES (by me, not poster).... AMEN!
While shopping, I found three dealers who said "we'll take anything on trade except Polaris". One deal, I'd say he had a grudge... two would be a coincidence... three is an omen.
I actually bought a 2002 Yamaha Grizzly 660, and I love it. If it ever dies beyond repair (unlikely, it seems), I'll buy another Yama, no question.
I actually bought a 2002 Yamaha Grizzly 660, and I love it. If it ever dies beyond repair (unlikely, it seems), I'll buy another Yama, no question.
Just go with the Can Am if you want to take riding seriously. I've taken mine more places than most people ever dream of without one hiccup, except for the hump to shift
You are going to get every opinion under the sun. Do some research on ATV forums (which will likely take you to Can Am).
Im taking my 800 Outty xt on a 3 week hiking/mountaineering trek this summer, and shes been out for a long time plenty before, rides hard, smooth, and without the need for maintenance that goes into popos or kittycats. In this case you really do get what you pay for, look at the DAKAR 2013 for PROOF!! All Can ams, most pros ride them. They are the best.
The Yamaha Grizzly would be my second choice, but ask anybody unbiased and in the know - Can Am. And also, for hunting purposes (not steep technical riding) , I might even just go with the 650 xt outty save some money, some gas, some weight, etc.
Source: A lifetime of riding with all different companies.
CS
EDIT: If you're also looking at tires I would recommend the Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 or Kenda Bearclaws. Just switched my old ontario mud executioners to BC rock crawlers and it made a world of difference.
You are going to get every opinion under the sun. Do some research on ATV forums (which will likely take you to Can Am).
Im taking my 800 Outty xt on a 3 week hiking/mountaineering trek this summer, and shes been out for a long time plenty before, rides hard, smooth, and without the need for maintenance that goes into popos or kittycats. In this case you really do get what you pay for, look at the DAKAR 2013 for PROOF!! All Can ams, most pros ride them. They are the best.
The Yamaha Grizzly would be my second choice, but ask anybody unbiased and in the know - Can Am. And also, for hunting purposes (not steep technical riding) , I might even just go with the 650 xt outty save some money, some gas, some weight, etc.
Source: A lifetime of riding with all different companies.
CS
EDIT: If you're also looking at tires I would recommend the Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 or Kenda Bearclaws. Just switched my old ontario mud executioners to BC rock crawlers and it made a world of difference.
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HA! come riding with me I'll teach ya a little respect!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35iBy09CPBM - ahaha @ 1:40
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ahaha yep, rare issue warranty covered and fixed for 2013 chassis, now tell me what you ride so I can find something just like that
I do feel like I came across as bit of a prick, TO THE OP - buy any non-chinese big boy quad and you'll have a blast!!
7 or 8000 kms is getting up there but in my mind its a lot more about how hard it was ridden. I've seen plenty of quads with over 15,000 kms on them that run beautifully.
Thats why its good to buy from a friend or local if you can, as you usually get a better idea of the history of the machine.
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Yup pretty rare...I know only know of a dozen or so...Not bad I guess....Some are indeed having issues with warranty on these cracks, and breaks...That and the 2012/13 frame the same Gen 2 frame with ''a'' new brace on the 13...
Problem with these spar frames is they aren't at all rigid like a tube frame...They flex ALOT...With the flex, comes stress, with stress comes cracks...What the spar benefitsin weight it loses in durability...There is reason tubes are used as role cages...Spar types were tried, but failed...
4300km on my Canam so far, 4 northern winters of plowing with a 60" plow kit, 4 summers of insane mud play, rollovers, swampings, towing arctic CRAPS and KawaSUKIS home, and so far aside from extra-normal wear and tear (my fault) and general maintenance, I'm ready for another summer of mud play!
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
$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.
I have a 2008 Polaris 500 EFI. Bought it for hunting and around the property. It has one major problem "ELECTRICAL ISSUES" the main wiring harness has thin brittle wire. No use putting in a new wiring harness in as it is made from the same gauge wire. Only happens in cold weather. A continuous on going issue with Polaris ATV's. DO NOT BUY A POLARIS YOU WILL REGRET IT" for this reason.
If you have the money buy an 8 wheel Argo. The very ultimate in an ATV type vehicle. I drove one for two years as a friend had one. There is nothing better for hunting,"nothing", but there very expensive.
If you have the money buy an 8 wheel Argo. The very ultimate in an ATV type vehicle. I drove one for two years as a friend had one. There is nothing better for hunting,"nothing", but there very expensive.
one thing to think about is the approch and departure angles of a quad my hunting buddys can am 800 2009 will always stuff the nose of his machine going through creeks and short cross ditches and where is the winch but stuffed in the dirt . so my grizzly always goes second to pull him out and the transmission always got wet so the belt would slip the visc lok front end dosent do a good job of putting all the power to the ground such as pulling logs for firewood. power it has but if i wanted to race i would get a sport quad in my opinion the can am is not worth the money yamaha kawasaki or honda these are the working models to buy and im not against bombardier i got one of there mountain sled and it works great
