Trying to decide on what to buy for Ketchikan. I haven't been around them in 5 years. I used a BIG Polaris last time there and I am thinking smaller is better.


Any suggestions, I will just be using it as a vehicle to get from point A to point B on the logging roads. Maybe carry a deer. No off road, mud, etc, etc.

For the "use" you are after. Take a look at the Kawasaki Mule, Yamaha Rhino, Arctic Cat has one also (which is new, and supposed to be the best). Basicly, they are "Golf Carts on steroids"... Side by side seating, Steering wheel, 4x4, a dump bed, winch, big wheel kits, a roof, etc.

They run a couple thousand more $, than a 4-wheeler.

Jay

I think most of the indepedent suspension 4X4's with automatic transmissions are all pretty good. My personal choice was the 660 Grizzly mostly due to a better price than Honda or Arctic Cat (the 650 Cat my cousin bought had a lot of power...it would stand straight up when you hit the gas and hang the tires in the air for quite a distance). The Grizzly is a power/work horse and will do close to 70 MPH should some young punk on a racing model challenge your camo 4X4!!! I don't think I would go smaller than a 500 but again that is my personal preference on having the power there in case you need it.
[img][image]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/375matt/moose-04.jpg[/img][/image]

Dang Matt, I would have never figured on tying that rope off to the rear rack, seems like tying it to the ball hitch would keep the center of gravity lower and be stouter for the pull.
Either way gotta love machinery when there's a moose to be processed, limited experience as most of mine have been shanks mare, and sharp blades. But there's definitely something to be said for chainsaws, 4 wheelers or a front end loader.

The polaris rangers are nice but with the cost aproaching a new car i'd go with a smaller atv. I've personally got the Yamaha Kodiak 400. It works well for what i use it for. Haven't ever had it lacking for power and it rides nice. I've carried a Caribou and a Black bear on mine (different times).
I'm assuming you'll be using your truck to transport the ATV in? if so then the Two seater jobs wont fit in the bed.

Paul

The group that I hunt with has used Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Polaris and Bombardier 4X4's. The ones with the 400 - 500cc engines have all been gas pigs, making it impossible to take extended trips without additional fuel.
For pulling moose out of the thick stuff I (Personal Choice) prefer the Suzuki 250's with the high and low range. The bikes are light enough to push around trees and logs while the moose is hooked up. The Suzuki also has good fuel economy. The down side of Suzuki is the parts seem to be more expensive than the other makes.
We had a 500 Polaris burn it's belt off while pulling out a good size bull and we didn't have a spare belt with us. That was not a good experience.
One more thing about the Polaris and the Bombardier models with the belts. They are noisier than bikes with gear type transmissions.

Mike D.

I'll agree that the smaller ones are nice for manuvering around/picking up, The 400cc yamaha i have is light enough for me to pick up by myself. That was one consideration in the purchase. Also, I'm a yamaha guy.

As for the gas thing, i've been on extended trips on mine (40 miles one way) with no problems. i did take extra fuel cause we were camping out for a week caribou hunting. Used less than a tank round trip pulling a trailer with camping gear on the way in and a recently deceased caribou on the way out.

They have gotten better in that regard. One thing that i would like to have is a LOW gear setting. I've got a newer Kodiak without the Low gear. I'm still able to go anywere i want, just go too dang fast some times.

Paul

Oh, The belt thing is a REAL issue! I've seen more polaris's on the side of the trail broke down with Belt problems than all other manufactures combined! only yamaha i've seen had a Rim break off, owners stupidity and have Never seen a honda broken!

Just my .05
Paul

One of my friends tied him off...he figured it would be easier to deal with when I snag him up. Yes, machinery is always a nice option!!! Some other items I would consider:
Secondary starting such as a pull start or kick start. Some of the Polaris models were coming with only electric start.
Warranty time, most used to be 6 months but they are starting to increase the periods now.
The only problems I have seen with the Grizzlies are snapping axles or bearing collars in full diff lock. Did mine trying to pull a large tree in full diff lock with reverse rev limiter bypassed WFO. You can fill the belt case with water if you get in too deep. This can be cured by pulling two drain plugs while you have a smoke!!!

Yep, I am in the "lighter" camp. It will not be carried in my truck, just used as a vehicle on gravel roads.

I'd probably look for a foot shift model 400cc or less.. They tend to weigh less. My kodiak weighs 480+- dry, i can't dead lift the thing but i don't have any problems lifting one end at a time. If your going to use it where i think, i'd get a 250-350cc one. easier to get on and off the transport vehicle.. i've seen 250's that wieghed less than 350lbs.

Paul

Look for a Used Rokon, they are small and can ride into places nothing else would even think of. These are two wheel drive. The front wheel is driven with a chain drive just like the rear wheel is. Actually both wheels and chains are the same so they can be interchanged.



This was a 170 lb wild hog loaded up on mine. I have since replaced the spoke wheels with the hollow aluminum drum wheels. I can now carry 3 gallons of fuel in each wheel plus the 2.5 gallon tank. That gives it something like 600 miles range. The Marines just bought a whole lot of them for the search for bin laden in Afganistan. Also the Jordainian military has just purchased like 100 of them because of the range in the desert. With my little trailer to haul gear this is a clever machine.

The Rokon has a fully automatic transmission with three selectable ranges. The low range will slowly crawl up any hill you have the nerve to try. The high range has a top speed of about 28mph on mine with the 12 wheels. The Rokon's with the 15" wheels are a bit faster maybe 32mph. I prefer the torque so I wanted the 12 inch wheels.

They are hella expensive new but used they are probably just as good. Just be sure to buy one with a 4 stroke Kohler engine. Not the 2 stroke, the 2 stroke is LOUD! the 4 stroke is probably the quietest ATV engine used today, and very stingy with fuel too.

I have looked at the Rokon and actually toyed with the idea. But as I have grown older I seem to remember a broken leg or two because of me on 2 wheeled vehicles.

I am BETTER served with 4 wheels.

Yep Paul, it is going to be used where you think. I was thinking no more than 350 myself.

Paul,

You are mistaken. The two-seater jobs "DO" fit in the bed of a pick-up.

As for 4-wheelers.. I own a '05 Honda Rubicon and a '96 King Quad. Belt drive wheelers are "banned" where we go.. They're not worth the effort to get them in. Belt drives (Polaris) don't handle the deep river crossings very well. The Grizzlies don't do so well either. If you're set on just getting a light, utility machine, Get a Honda..

Jay

I'll have to check when i go back to work on monday. I've got three rangers and 3 mules that i maintain. I'll mesure them to see if i can get them in the back of a pickup. Never tried, they just looked too big to me.

Paul

I've been toying with the idea of bringing mine there too. We'll have to talk when you get here.

Paul

Jim,

How do you get the fuel from the wheels to the tank?

For the price, I would get a Honda with a motor no smaller than 400cc. I'm currently riding a '04 Arctic Cat 650 LE with 27" Outlaw tires and, to say the least, this four-wheeler has dominated any terrain that has been put infront it. The power is insane.

Now that I know you have quality equipment we may have to go for a ride sometime!!!

There's been some good info on here for sure. I've been doing the 4 wheelers since they came out in the 80's starting with the Honda. I am pretty much a Yamaha guy. There 450 is very nice. As has already been stated Low Range is a very important feature, IMHO, some of the others are, having a good winch. I wouldn't own one with out that. Hot grips are GREAT when it gets cold or when you are trying to stay warm from the rain and get your gloves dried out. I like a rear rack extension for gear. Right now I have an older Grizzly and 2 Kawasaki 650's. They do have the power. the Kawasakies and the 450 Yamaha all have diff lock and is very nice if where you are going is MUDDY. I also have the more agressive 27" tires on all of mine. I just won't get a machine without them. One of the things I like about the Kawi's is the wet brake system in the back I have been using them for awhile and they still have breaks. If you ride in the mud one of the first things to go is your breaks then the break cables become an issue and you just get used to having little to no brakes.
I agree with what has already been said (no bashing) Polaris is one machine I just won't get. They just seem to be higher maintenance than all the others combined and we ride with a lot of different people. Belts burning up are FREQUENTLY driver related and how they run their machines as well as not using low range. Low range is your gearing. Just like with snowmachines they use belts. Two people can use the same model and one will go through the belts and the other won't even know there's a problem. I like the geared machines but I think over all the CVT is a better way to go esp, if you are climbing. If you get stuck DON'T try to power out get off and USE YOUR WINCH. YMMV

For my bear baiting and prospecting I bought a Honda Rancher. Great mileage, I can lift it with a bad back, plenty of power, super low first gear for pulling, I have a cart for hauling firewood. I love it. Great dependable macjhine.

A friend bought one of the BIG BOYS and he is getting 7 mpg on the rig........21 miles to the tank. Yuck!

Jhack:

Do you find that the lack of suspension on the Rokon is a problem? Also, is the fact that you have to stop to shift into another gear a performance stopper? I have been intrigued by the Rokon for years, I just with they would refine it a little [a little suspension] and a clutch system for shifting on the go.

Jordan

That was supposed to read "I wish they would refine it..."

Jordan

BW, you can remove the tank with a single bolt and then roll the wheel until the fuel pours into the tank. Or better you by a 7 dollar hand held pump from the marina and just drop the hose into both and pump it in.

Rob, the suspension is no issue for me as I don't drive fast. The seat has a motorcycle shock and it really works well. Combine that with the 2 pounds of air in my radial tires and it's just fine. Suspension causes other issues on a two wheel vehicle. For starters a lot more weight. then you have near impossible handling characteristics with weight on the carry rack. This is a fairly light machine at 200 pounds. It's easy to wrestle out of bad spots, at least for me.

There is no shifting when you drive. It's a fully automatic transmission Think of it like an automobile transmission with drive low 1, and Low 2. Pick the one you need and go with it. If the conditions change stop and adjust. I hardley ever use the low range it's a freakin tank in that gear. But it is sweet with your feet out for climbing steep hills and crossing boulder fields on a side hill. No 4 Wheeler ever made can cross those side hills! In the low range it just revs and slowly goes up and over what ever is in your way. In this gear if you pull the front tire to a tree it will roll right up the tree and flip over backward if you let it!

The mid range can climb a fairly steep hill with a top speed of about 22mph and is where I'm at much of the time. The third gear has very limited pulling or climbing power but will cruise nicely down logging roads to about 30mph. I have never really felt the need to shift while driving it. I know that my hunting partner has a 4X4 ATV and he is frequently in the worng gear and must shift after some obstical is hit or in the way. The rokon with the automatic never has that happen. The real disadvantage to the Rokon transmission is that the engine must be revved to have compression braking. If coasting down hill when the engine RPM drops and the clucth opens your effectively in neutral. You need the hit the throttle to engage the clutch which then slows you down. Kinda strange to hit the gas to slow down.

The one thing I wish all ATV's would copy from the rokon is the brake light. When trail riding behind another ATV you cannot tell when the driver hits the brakes. Rokons have brake lights for much safer riding in a group or with another rider.

The Rokon is not a motorcycle, it does not feel like a motorcycle, or operate like one. Its a 2wd moto-tractor. It takes a while to get the feel for it but once you travel the backcountry with one it's grows on you. Plus its really nice on game trails where it's only a single track wide.

I recently had my Seat rebuilt with top of the line really dense foam. That was the best investment. It's like a new suspended machine with that seat. The shock option is important too.

I was debating the same thing this spring. What I ended up with was a Honda 400 Rancher GPScape. It now has just over 2,000 miles of tundra time from the goose hunting this spring and fall. Will be changing out the 23" tires for some 27" just for the extra ground clearance needed for some places that I hunted this spring.

1300$ and they'll get you any where you need to go down there... so we're told <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For $1500 you can get a Honda 70 and 3 bottles (local price) of Smirnoff's if you dicker....if you don't, she might get pissed and it could cost you some stitches......

'Scuse me guys but other than the Kawasaki Mule I haven't seen any meniton of the Kawasaki ATVs. What does the gallery think of them?

Both my boys have ATVs and I like the Kawa a lot better than the Yamaha.

You all probably use them a lot more severly than we would.

BCR

Steelhead,

Given the parameters of your needs, any small machine will do. The restof the guys are talking about river crossings, and bogg and pulling huge moose. That is not what you stated. If you are mostly driving on gravel roads, you don't even NEED a 4X4. Yes, stay small, and go used. You don't even need independent suspension on roads.

I have a 2000 500 Sportsman that has seen its share of pulling moose across the clear cuts in Northern Ontario, as well as pushing snow with a 5 foot blade. I have the same belt on it it came with. If the belt is getting wet, the water is as deep as the gas tank, or you need to replace the gasket around the belt cover.

And the guy pulling the cow moose, what I do is go around the neck like that, and then wrap a turn around the nose with a half hitch, and tie off to the ball hitch about 2 feet from the moose's nose. It has the effect of controlling the head, and it "lifts the nose to get it out of the way. Antlers are a waste of time on a head. Cut 'em off and carry 'em out if you just have to have them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like a good way to tie one off...It was a fork horn but you gotta look close to seem them. I didn't know until I had it in the cross hairs!!! Don't pull off the front bumper either...went over to brother Dave's to plow his drive way and burried it as well as shredded his new lawn after a lap around the house to wake him up at noon. He returned the favor and ripped my bumper off with the Dodge. Now I have the Warn Bumper!!!

Boggy Creek Ranger, Reread my response. I've got Kawis as well. and they are great. Most of them are good. Anyone that knows 4 wheelers can criticize something on them all so it's alot taking into consideration what you want and need. Brakes are something most people don't talk about because after the first ones wear out you won't have the same performance again, and some are better and some are worse but thats the issue, ESPECIALLY if you are in the mud alot.

Isn't that the truth!

I've got an older Polaris and like many things about it but if I were buying this year the Yamaha Kodiak 450 would be the first one I would look at. When I bought mine 7 yrs. ago it was a chioce between a 300 4x4 and a 400 and if I had to do it over again I would have picked the 300. It was lighter, lower, had adequate power, and reasonable ground clearance. I've become convinced after riding mine for the last 8 hunting seasons that you don't need a big machine to get the job done and in really nasty places a smaller machine is easier to manage. Not to mention they also cost less then the bigger machines.

I've talked with 3 people who have machines 700cc and over and 2 of them wished now that they had purchased smaller machines for various reasons: too heavy, high fuel consumption, small fuel capacity, too tall, too much power, etc....

Good luck in your hunt!
2Seventy

I believe that could be a real possibility. 4-wheelin' is addicting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

We had 2 Polaris 300 4x4's when we lived in Kodiak. They were quirky for sure. The belt only slipped on me once in a water crossing. I got out, and it started working again. The 3 chains were a pain to keep lubed and tightened.

But the combo of 2 stroke power, lightweight, and 4wd was hard to beat. We'd hit snow that was hard packed on top, and soft on bottom, and that Polaris would fly across, while my buddies Big Bear would break through and bog down.

My other buddies Honda didn't have the same ground clearance either. I borrowed it once, and kept hitting things in the middle of the trail. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That said, I'd probably not buy another Polaris.

I went with the honda 300 4wd 8 years ago and have no regrets. my has seen some very hard use and I have not broken anything yet. once I replaced the factory tires, it became a different machine. I only went one size bigger but it made all of the difference in the world. just hit the starter and she goes. what impresses me with the hondas as compared to all of the others is the size of the tubing on the frame and racks. it is heavy duty and meant to last. after 8 years, mine is as good as new, faded a bit but that's it. I use it to hunt and maintain the farm and it does a little bit of everything. as far as size, I like the 300 but if I were pulling a really big trailer or plow, I would go bigger.

2seventy, You're right that 450 has got to be the best in it's class. Several of my friends have that one.

Even though I got the 400 Rancher I also bought a 2,500 lb. winch. If the machine does not have the power, at least the winch will. If I am stuck and need the winch, I probably should not have been there in the first place.

I also carry a 2 foot axe, bowsaw, 100' of 1/2" rope and a small 6' logging chain.

I have a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 400. It is shaft drive to front and back so no belt problems.
There is a built in design flaw that other new machines probably have too. The ignition is electronic, the battery charging system uses an alternator and a rectifier. It will not run without a battery because the electronic ignition cannot function with the ripple out of the rectifier. I discovered this when my first battery failed at about 4 years of age. My first reacation was "oh, well I'll use the pull starter". It would start but would only idle It wouldn't move. Luckily I was in my own drive way when this happened.

Nowadays I carry a 40,000 micro farad 50 volt capacitor with me. If the battery fails I can jury rig the capacitor in parallel with the battery to provide a ripple filter. The machine will then start and run well with a failed battery.
Since all batteries fail sooner or later it might be a good idea to test your machine by disconnnecting the battery and using the manual starter and see if it'll run.

Honda Rubicon
500cc automatic with low range and electric shift select, drive shaft full time fwd, rated at 600lbs tow, warn winch, upgraded to 589 tires (tractor tread type), goes through mud, snow, climbs, not bad fuel consumption. Has spark plug heater for cold weather starts. Plenty of rack space.

Well built.

I really like the Prairies. I have the 700 and I'm quite pleased. I prefer the soild rear axle over the new stuff. Personally I lean towards having power on tap even if I don't think I'll use it but I'm a HP junkie. If I were looking at less motor I'd look at the 360. I don't care for the Brute at all. It has plenty of power but handles poorly and is tippy unless you get some wider wheels. When I buy my next atv fuel injection will be a must, I hope Kawasaki comes out with it in a prairie model, hopefully something like a 800 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For the past ten years I have been using a Yamaha Big Bear 4x4, and haven't had any problems with it. During the winter months i use it to plow the driveway, and during moose season I use it to take all my camping gear from the truck to a remote location. I load all my gear in a meat trailer, and use the same trailer to haul a moose (moose meat) each year.

However, unlike the new ATV's out there, this one has a manual transmission, so I have nothing to worry about belts like those found on new ATV's. I believe that Suzuki still makes an ATV with a manual transmission, and at least the Yamaha wolverine is manual too. However, the Wolverine is more of a sports machine that can be used for racing, and not the best idea as a "work" machine.

My choices would be:

-A manual transmission ATV
-Or a Honda automatic or manual. Honda ATV's are not belt driven, so even the automatic ones are better than those with belts. A fully automatic transmission such as the Honda one (gears, no belts) provide you with a smoother engine braking on steep hills.

Boggy..as to Kawasaki and now Suzuki, they are the same machine, i really like their motors, Suzuki, but their frames and suspension are a little weak when compared to the likes of Polaris which is built like a tank, Polaris must have been designed by some Russian very heavy no power. i have a Polaris and do really like it. i had to mod the clutches to make it perform but now it will climb with the bigger machines, sips fuel and a miserly rate, and handles fast logging roads with ease. polaris will not pull the front wheel off the ground but it will slide through tight corners in side of Hondas and Yamahas of the same size. Artic cat uses Suzuki motors a lot. My buddy has a 400 AC and it is huge, my Polaris is big next to a 250 Honda but that AC imakes my POl. look tiny. but with my clutch tune up I now out run him simply because I out accelerate him and turn much faster mine is a 330. never had problems with stream crossing, Just make sure the seals seal. next quad is gonna be a Honda if they make the seat softer. My back don't like hard seats.

Bullwnkl.

A lot of good comments here- For what was originally asked, you can get by with a 250 or 300 2WD machine and they are quite inexpensive. Most of the guys that I was going to be hunting with have 500 cc machines so I wanted something that would do at least 50 mph down the road. I settled on a Kodiak 450 and found that I could buy a Prairie 650 for the same money- this has been an excellent machine. Once you get over 400 cc, they are all the same size- 604# there is a tarrif agreement in place that limits all the jap bike (even though they are made here) to 604#. The American and Canadian bikes are MUCH heavier- the bigger Polaris bikes are over 800#. I will never own a Polaris- they are way too maintainence intensive and prone to breakage compared to the jap bikes. My 650 blows away the 700 Sportsman bike with ease. I can go 100 miles on a tank of fuel with ease. top speed is governed at 59 mph- oh well.

For the type of riding I do, I much prefer the solid rear axle to the IRS type a la Grizzly, Polaris et al. I didn't get a Honda because they can't be switched out of 4WD and a couple of other quirks. They are well make though.

I got a new 650 this year and have a 2002 also, also have a 600 Grizzly (solid axle) older but still very nice. I think the 2006 650's will have IRS. THe 2005 700 even had straight axle. Which I prefer too. Oh well these will last for quite a while I'm with you on the Polaris several people I know have them hate to go out as someones is always having problems. Mining and Diving here used to sell the Polaris 4 wheelers and The owner told me if he had somebody that wanted one in a hurry they may have to take 4 or 5 out of the box to find a good one. Now they just do Bombardier. That's another good machine.

I've had yamaha, polaris and now bombardier. The outalander 400 is awesome. I've got stock size mud lites, rack extenders and front brush gaurd. Never had a problem with the belt in seat deep water and the power and ride are great. 1200 trouble free miles. Keeps up with by buddy's 660 grizzly just fine. The only thing I would change is to have the front completly lock up. Visco lock is nice, but it's not the same as the polaris that locked the front end completly. Just my thoughts.

Do you guys have any experience with Argo's 6x6 or 8x8 ATV's? I always thought they were interesting. I often heard that they were somewhat popular in Alaska. They look like they would make an awesome hunting rig.

BCSteve,

I went hunting in an Argo one time, bout '94 if memory serves. 3 guys each had their own Argo, we started off on the pipeline, finally hit a cattrail (no big deal I'm thinking) but when we turned off the trail and started going uphill over head high willows I became mightily impressed. One guy got high centered on the brush, but another guy hooked up to him and pulled him over it.

Shot a 41" meat bull that year, while I was butchering one of the guys went to fetch his argo, we loaded the whole moose in the argo and I slipped my fanny pack back on, slung my rifle over my shoulder and headed back up hill. I had no idea moose hunting could be so easy.

One guy carried a flat bottom boat on the top of his, and one guy carried track on the top of his (case of snow I guess)

They are an impressive piece of machinery, looks like a golf cart on steroids, but man will they do some stuff. Kinda spendy though.

I've owned a Suzuki 250 and currently have an Arctic Cat 400. The Suzuki was stolen outside Denver, CO enroute to an elk hunt and I replaced it with the Cat when I got back. Our Colorado group has a mix of ATVs. 3 Arctic Cat 400s, Suzuki 500, 2 Yamaha 350s(?) and a Polaris Sportman 500. The Polaris is the trouble child of the group. All the rest, you just gas and go. The biggest issue we have is high altitude and the fuel/air mixture. We didn't re-jet any of the ATVs so we all ran rich for the week. The Suzuki 500 seemed less effected. I installed a "Dial-a-Jet" for next year to compensate. Out of our group, I'd say pick anything except a Polaris. I have no experience with Honda or Bombardier. I also would not go higher than a 500 for size and maneuverablity but that is your call.

RH