Quads for hunting

KDX

KDX

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Do you use a quad, and if so what kind is it? I'm thinking (hoping) to buy a quad this year and was wondering what everyone uses. I'm kind of partial to the Honda brand and would probably buy one, but a buddy of mine has a Suzuki Vinson and it seems pretty good.
 
I have a Suzuki Vinson. It has been great. I have 8000 Km on it, and have only done regular maintence on it. The Sask. Wildlife Fed. is coming up with some B.S. to try and ban quads out of prov. parks and out of diffrent wildlife zones. I will try and find a link.
 
savage17hmr said:
I've used my polaris 500 with good results. The honda would be my choice out of those 2. I just don't care for the drum brakes on the honda.
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After a spring bear season, fall moose hunting and trail riding on a Polaris with IRS I don't think I'll go back to a Honda swingarm anytime soon.

Between the wicked high maintenace brakes and the ####ty clearance, Polaris and Yammy's are all getting the nod over the Honda's.

But, things change from one year to the next I suppose:cool:
 
I bought a honda 350 last year and am totally satisfied other than the seat is too narrow.I am buying a 420 honda and giving the 350 to my son this spring.You dont need the big cc bikes just for hunting use.

Polaris,s higher ground clearance means squat with a load on the back rack.I saw my partner bottom out alot more with his 500 polaris than I did while keeping 14 active bear baits baited.While empty he does have a much nicer ride that makes me jealous,but so much to go out and get one.
 
captonion said:
I bought a honda 350 last year and am totally satisfied other than the seat is too narrow.I am buying a 420 honda and giving the 350 to my son this spring.You dont need the big cc bikes just for hunting use.

Polaris,s higher ground clearance means squat with a load on the back rack.I saw my partner bottom out alot more with his 500 polaris than I did while keeping 14 active bear baits baited.While empty he does have a much nicer ride that makes me jealous,but so much to go out and get one.
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Sounds like your buddy needs to set his suspension up or get new shocks.

My Sportsman pulled a full tandem trailer out with moose on top and the suspension held true down the trail.

That said, you are right. If the IRS isn't set up properly bottoming out will happen.

Having extra clearance for me means not getting stuck in the mud holes on the willow stumps;)
Since having so much more clearance the rides have been far less hectic.:)
 
Yamaha Grizzly 660. Use it for moose and a whole variety of work and fun related applications. Very pleased with it.

They allll make some pretty good bikes though. Depends on personal preference, budget and what you're going to do with it.
 
We got the 03 Vinson w/5spd. It also has a low range which makes it pull like a skidder in the bush. Not too sure why but the shifting is quite stiff, especially if it is worked hard in the muck or snow.
Fuel consumption is the best I've seen in a quad this size. On one ride, I pulled two Polaris' back for 8 miles or so, having run out of petrol.

I can get over 120k plus from a tank, and I have yet to use the reserve!
 
The polaris that I have carried 3/4 of a moose out with no suspension issues, sat lower then usual, but the honda could only handle 1/4 of the moose.
I would really sit down and think what you want to do. Each quad will be better in a certian situation. I've stayed well away from Hondas ONLY because of the brakes. Any drum brake will let water in and when the temp drops past -15c, don't plan on a quad with drums to move.
 
Good point on the drums, but I was reading that they are sealed drums on the rear of the new Hondas. I'm not sure about the older ones though.
 
They are all "sealed" drums even the older ones. I had a 2000 kawaski with a rear drum, couldn't rely on it come hunting season since the back wheels would lock up. We broke one guys drive shaft trying to break the ice build up...well... we were a little hard on it.
 
I ride a 2006 Honda ForemanFE with a 2'' lift and 27'' Mudbugs. Very good quad, but as was already mentioned, the drum brakes really do suck. But as long as you use the front disc brakes instead you'll never notice it.
 
I have a Honda 2006 foreman es 500, and it's a bombproof, I ride really hard, most of the time hunting is just putting along but if something does break you are screwed!
My First Choice would be a Yamaha grizly(660/700) kodiak(450 not 400-no locker or low range) or a Honda but not a hydrostatic model(rubicon they slip under hard load or big tires) Second would be a Can-Am any model
You couldnt pay me to own a Polaris! they are the fastest depreciating machine on the market, plus in their cvt tranny the belt tension releases at an idle and tightens when the clutches engage. This chaffs the belt causing a glased belt. plus they break. I have towed four DIFFERENT polaris models back on many different occasions for broken belt. Four friends of mine all bought the same polaris model they all had the same failures....bad design, one even had a broken frame-try and fix that on the trail. I have never towed any other machine back.
 
GameMaster18 said:
I ride a 2006 Honda ForemanFE with a 2'' lift and 27'' Mudbugs. Very good quad, but as was already mentioned, the drum brakes really do suck. But as long as you use the front disc brakes instead you'll never notice it.
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How do you find the 27's? how much do you loose the low end?
 
Hey Zeddy, the tires are awesome,i definetly notice a bit of power loss in 3rd gear which is where i spent most of my time with the stock tires,( lots of hill climbing), but i just shift down to second and away i go.
 
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