Hunting with ATV

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bigbull

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I was in one of the local dealers recently to see some new ATV's, I couldn't believe how big and heavy they are getting.
I was always under the impression that they were a tool to get you back country when walking would take too long,
judging from their sizes now I wonder if they could even make it through some of our trails, they are so big and wide.
I have had to on occassion lift and winch out of some nasty spots, I don't think I could do that with some of these new models.
I rode a friends older 80's Honda and it seems like a toy compared to these new models.
What do you guys think?
BB
 
Yamaha Grizzly 450 4x4 is perfect for my needs, which by the sounds of things are similar to yours.

Small enough to winch and lift out of pretty much any situation, but gets the job done like a champ with little to no issues.
 
My yamaha Big Bear 350 was stolen a few years back and I replaced it this year with a new Polaris 400 (actually a 450 cc)...although the foot print is larger on the new machines and they are heavier, it is amazing where they will go and what they will get you threw. The ride on the new machines are superior to the older ones and they will pack a lot more weight than the manuals say without causing any damage. So far this year with my new Polaris 400 I've packed out solo, a mature bull moose, a 6 point bull elk, a whitetail deer, and a black bear... I was surprised at the ease with which this machine transversed the varying terrain bringing each animal back to camp. With the increased ground clearance and far superior suspension it will go places the old machine wouldn't. I'm really happy with my purchase and the price wasn't much more than what I paid for that Big Bear in the late 80's.
 
hawk, ian, I guess you guys like Polaris, I used a 800 Polaris Big Boss but never tried a smaller Polaris, the 400/500 Sportsmans
are something I am considering but the choices out there are bewildering.
I am considering used but wonder what the parts support is like for older models, should this be a concern?
BB
 
Try the Honda 420 or 500 cc with a straight axle and drive shaft. You won`t have to worry about slipping belts and they pull better than the independent suspension bikes. I ride with a lot of different bikes, Yamaha`s, Can Am`s, Polaris etc and my Honda will out perform them all. I have pulled everyone of them out of the bush and I have yet to be towed out. Winched out of mud .... yes ..... that I have. My 2005 400 4trax has 7200 kms and my 2004 500 Rubicon has 10300 plus kms on it. The 400 has just had regular oil changes and 1 set of tires to date. The 500 has had the same plus an axle bearing on the left rear and I finally replaced the original spark plug this month.
Don`t get me wrong, the other machines have good qualities also but I believe Honda got it right the first time and havn`t changed much since. The other guys keep trying to make things better or faster but are loosing the dependability. Honda is still a bit smaller frame wise and can get a lot of places the other bikes can`t. Plus from a mechanics point of view, they are easier to work on.
 
I have a 2007 Yamaha Grizzly/Kodiak 450. It's just the right size ( I don't like the bigger frames). It has pulled everything from hung up trees to loaded trailers through mud. I has 2WD, 4WD and 4WD lock. High and low gears as well. The brakes are kind of squeaky, but besides that, it's been a great bike.

The size really depend on your intention of use. If you want something nimble to get in and out of tight bush, stick with the smaller frames. The larger ones are more comfortable, but there just like the big sleds, nice until you get them stuck.
 
My is a 2008 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI. Great machine except for the wiring. Seems the wires are to thin a brittle and they crack and break from the motion of the handle bars turning. Some wires have cracked and broken 3 times. Dealer has repaired each time, added extra lengths of wire and relieved all stress points. Situation of course is far worse in the cold weather.

Over all ATV's are great aids to a hunting trip, if I had the money though I would have an Argo. Far better piece of equipment and it will go dam near anywhere.
 
Its the standard marketing direction. All the rich guys want the biggest, baddest most powerful quad every year. Theyre constantly tring to out do or at least keep up with the competition with their top models. Most mfr's still make smaller quads for guys with big enough dicks. Modern suspension and brakes are the best improvements over the old quads. Its nice being able to keep a 10 or 15 mph pace over rough terrain that an older quad would damn near buck you off of. Hell even faster than that is just fine. My brand preference has always been Yamaha. I've had such good luck with a bunch of different ones. Hondas always leave me wanting more. Usually in the power and suspension. Be sure to read up on user reviews of any models you're interested in. Put your BS filter on high and ignore the #### flop opinions, look for common failures and issues.
 
I'll agree with most of the guys above. 350- 500

I'll even go as far as to say that unless your going for moose, even a 250 will do if your an experienced rider. My sons 250 has made it anywhere my 4wd has gone
 
supernova said:
Its the standard marketing direction. All the rich guys want the biggest, baddest most powerful quad every year. Theyre constantly tring to out do or at least keep upwith the competition with their top models. Most mfr's still make smaller quads for guys with big enough dicks. Modern suspension and brakes are the best improvements over the old quads. Its nice being able to keep a 10 or 15 mph pace over rough terrain that an older quad would damn near buck you off of. Hell even faster than that is just fine. My brand preference has always been Yamaha. I've had such good luck with a bunch of different ones. Hondas always leave me wanting more. Usually in the power and suspension. Be sure to read up on user reviews of any models you're interested in. Put your BS filter on high and ignore the #### flop opinions, look for common failures and issues.
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I agree, it's just like the side by sides. They were so simple when the first came out and now it seems you can get them with air conditioning and seat warmers ;-). Just drives the price up. Companies know that there is a ton of money sitting in the banks of the boomers so I don't blame them. Power steering and comfort is what they want so they will deliver. As long as they keep offering all the models.
 
Stay away from Polaris if you want a small and light machine. Here's a couple comparisons for the 2014 models...

Polaris 500 - wheelbase 50.5" and 702 lbs dry or 750 lbs + wet
Polaris 800 - wheelbase 50.5" and 741 lbs dry or around 800 lbs wet

Yamaha 450 - wheelbase 48" and 620 lbs wet or around 570 lbs dry
Yamaha 700 - wheelbase 49" and 648 lbs wet or around 600lbs dry.

Small bore difference around 130 lbs and big bore around 140 lbs which is an enormous difference when talking such small machines. The reason for Polaris having a smoother ride is because of their greater weight, much like you see when riding in a pickup. Add 140 lbs evenly to a lighter machine and it will ride the same.
 
I wouldn't trade my yamaha grizzly 550 (2012) for anything. She's a work horse. From snow plowing to pulling moose , to knarly trails , I'm so glad I bought this machine.

I have nothing bad to say about hondas. Wouldn't touch a polaris... And I think side by sides are a waste of money for hunting. Unless you live in the prairies or something.
 
I have the 2013 Sportsman 500 camo. Great machine. Lots of power. Did 500KMS a few weeks ago. Only problem is my hand/thumb just hasn't recovered yet from the vibration and constant holding on tight to the handlebar. But that's my fault. Now for deer week.
 
I've had most of them(Brands) at one time or another. I have a Polaris Sportsman 500 and it's the best so far, for me.

Any mainstream brand in that size seems to be better IMO than the bigger.

We have club members with big and smaller ATVs. We have WAY more trouble with the bigger than 500 size crowd. Too wide to navigate between trees, especially when turning sharply, to heavy and difficult to get unstuck(once you convince the guy he is only making it worse and you can overcome the "I got money and my bike is the biggest, baddest in the valley, because the salesman said so" mindset).
 
400-500cc is all most folks would need. We run a 400 and a 366 and go everywhere we need. Frankly I don't see what 500cc would get me. We bought the 366 when my son was young, now he's 6'1" and the far side of 200 and he's still riding it, no problems. I've considered getting a new bike, but can't justify it - and if I did, 500 would be the max I would get. Anything more would be a waste of money for what I do.

And I wouldn't stereotype the 1000cc people as 'rich people'. It's not rich people. It's more likely broke people with financing. Dumb and broke.
 
I still have my Yamaha 350 Big Bear. A '95 model if I remember correctly but very few miles on it. It's been used on a few occasions to bring Moose out of the weeds. Some quartered and hauled out on the front & rear racks or a couple of smaller ones, dragged out whole.



I've since acquired a small, John Deere, trailer to tow behind and a plow attachment to 'play' cleaning the snow from street side sidewalks. The 350 Big Bear seems to meet my needs.
 
yomomma, it is exactly the problem I am finding. The manufacturers are responding to market demand, the market
is saturated with 450 and up machines with the average being 500cc and up, I am finding it very difficult to find a new 350-400 class
machine of any kind, they are simply not there, it seems that LIGHT- SIMPLE-BASIC is not important any more, it is what has made me look at
older used machines although in truth I would like to buy a new rig if possible.
I cut my teeth on a Yamaha BigBear Pro 350, Yamaha BigBear Pro 400, Grizzly 660, Polaris 800 6x6 except for the 800 I could muscle around all
of those bikes but not the new ones and it isn't always the weight but a combination of weight and height, the new bikes are so high with their indipendant
suspensions that the racks are now almost waist height, even getting a deer on them is a chore without winching him up. I guess this increase in center of gravity height is what neccesitates their wider stance. A friend of mine rolled a new 750 he bought on familiar terrain, he understood that he was alot higher off the ground than his old rig.
BB
 
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