ATV recommendations

I’m tired of these no snow years and believe it may be time to get an ATV. I’ll keep the sled for deep snow (yeah right!) but for winters like this an ATV is a must.

I’m looking for one specifically for ice fishing and would like your comments on what to consider. Do you prefer metal racks or plastic racks? What about weight? I know what to look for in sleds, but there are a lot of options for ATVs. Thanks.

I’m personally biased towards the polaris….very dependable and many accessory options. I prefer the composite racks vs tubes….though I also like Artic Cats speed rack system as well.

Good all around wheelers are Yamaha’s Kodiak 400/450, or Arctic cats (2004 and up) 500’s. Both of these are good reliable machines and won’t break the bank. I current have A 2004 Kodiak(featured in IDO’s first TV show/commercial ) I have friends that have beat the living snot out of these machines,….Thats why I got one. Its also much lighter and easy to handle. This is actually one of the best times to buy too. I guess if you’re concerned about racks,…the steel racks make the most sense.

Loaded question since they all make good ones these days. I got an Arctic Cat 500 last year. So far, so good. Nice rack system and price was right. I made my decision based on price. I probably would have gotten a Honda if price was not a factor. They are bullit proof and Yamaha is not far behind from what I hear. Hopefully in 10 years I can say my Arctic Cat has been bullit proof! I think its rare for any of them to break unless you pound trails. The use most sportsman put on a quad are easy miles.

Suzuki… I thought for sure you would recommend a… well, ah… a suzuki.

What Matt Grow said..

I have an 03 Kodiak 450 that has done more than its fair share of work and play and it has been flawless. I didnt shop by best price, I shopped for the best machine in the class and got what I payed for. 2000 miles and I burned out a headlight, and its time to replace the brake pads. Selectable 2wd, 4wd, and differential lock 4wd.

If your going to fork out the cash.. you may as well be pleased with your purchase.

Kodiaks are now Grizzly’s even in the smaller model (450)

My concern for the rack was which is better for attaching extra stuff, storage boxes, auger, etc. I think the plastic will be just as durable if not better than metal but some look hard to modify or attach tie-downs. When we talk about weight, is there a big difference (I’m considering a 500 class give or take a size)? I’m going shopping tomorrow to get educated on the subject, but I appreciate the advice.

The only brand I haven’t heard any problems from is Honda. I Have a Polaris and a Honda. Honda never once has failed. Polaris, I’ve had some problems.

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When we talk about weight, is there a big difference (I’m considering a 500 class give or take a size

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Big difference. Its noticed when you drive them. Or when you have to maneuver them around. Something small and powerful is what you want. Go between the 400 and 500 and you’ll be happy.

There is nothing more dependable than the Yamaha with the auto tranny. I would be very suprised if anyone on this site has ever had a drive line problem on a Yamaha.(including broken belts, I have not seen one in 9 yrs.)
The Honda rubicon make a great ice fishing machine, it has an auto/manual transmission, plus a solid rear axle, which works better for hauling heavy loads and pulling fish houses. The independent rear suspensions ride nicer, but bottom out when you load up the rear end.
In my opinion the steel tube racks are more versatile than the plastic ones.
These are just my opinions but I have many years of experience, on this subject.

I’ve got a 1986 Yamaha 2wd and a 2001 Kodiak 4wd. They’ve been thru it all and just keep on going.

I purchases an Arctic Cat H1 650 this fall and love the racking system. I even made a couple of custom racks that fit right into the speed rack system and only take a couple of seconds to pull on and off. The 650 might be a bit big if your primary use will be hard water fishing, but the smaller Arctic Cats have the same racks.

It was a tough decision, but the rack is actually what made me go Cat over Honda.

01 polaris 400 my machine has been put through ice, rolled twice, used to pull start a dump truck with a brush chipper in tow up a hill of course (no lie)used for towing a 2800lb ice shack all over the lake, dragging a ridiculous amount of trees and wood, commercial snowplowing, and ghost ridden (don’t ask) if you get one just make sure to park sideways on a hill and set the parking brake. If you don’t, the horrible smashing noise from it careening down into a ravine is liable to wake you out of a deep sleep while in the tree stand….1000 problem free miles

Honda will WORK for you. Pull Off Lake And Repair In Summer. I wonder what those caps all spell!!

I have plastic racks on my wheeler and I absolutely hate them with a passion. I would go with tubing all the way. The first time you hook your winch cable to it and tighten it accidentally, you will know what I mean. I currently own a Kawasaki and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I can’t find anyone who will service it and it has a recall right now. Since I moved here, I contacted the local dealer and they said that since I didn’t buy it from them, it will probably take 6 months. They put their existing customers ahead of others. Is it my fault I moved here? I know I won’t be a customer of theirs in the future now.

Anyway, back to the subject. I would suggest finding a very good dealer most importantly. Be careful with “chain stores”, because I don’t think you will get the extras down the road. I don’t know where you are from, but I would drive 2 hours out of my way to deal with Belle Plaine Motorsports and get a Yamaha or Honda. Personally, I agree with Matt, I think the Kodiak have to be the best wheeler out there right now because of the quality transmission, suspension, and durability. I’ll shut up now.

if you are in the buying market i have a 2004 polaris 700 sportsmen twin cyl and fuel injected.. bought it new and put 125 miles on it and it just sits..machine is in excellent cond..save big money from the price of new..$5000.00 firm 715-440-0302 thanks

I have a 03 Kodiak 450 and it has never had to go to the shop. The locking front end is a nice for pulling.

I would buy a polaris hands down. . We currently have a 1999 Polaris sportsman 500 and this thing is bullet proof. The only thing that people really complain about is that the belt slipping on the Polaris. Well two years ago They fixed that so now it can’t happen. We have 11000 yeah thats right 11000 miles on our 99 500 and it has been bullet proof. The only thing that we have had wrong is a bent rim. Woops- that one was due to a little jumping. Other then that the only thing I would really recommend is fuel injection- especially in the cold- makes starting a lot easier. The best machine in my eyes for you would be a 500 ho sportsman. Can go just as fast as any other wheeler out there- goes through the MUD like a S.O.B. and will do anything you command it to. Just my 5 cents.

After owning a polaris I would NEVER own one again. Problem after problem.Polaris and Arctic Can’t are the heaviest.And a 500 polaris is almost as heavy as the 800! You can’t go wrong with a Yamaha, Suzuki, or the old reliable (but expensive) Honda.

I’ve got a Honda rancher 350~ basic model you have to shift this thing but ill tell ya what! I don’t believe there was ever a 4 wheeler that has had a harder life than mine! Guess what! never had a problem with it! cant break this thing! believe me I have tried! I would say go Honda! if money is an issue do like i did just buy the smaller model!

I’ve owned Polaris and Honda…father in law has always owned Yamaha….I now own a Honda….probably enough said

Pretty much everyone makes a good ATV these days. So while most get into the “this VS that” debate I say this. Do your homework. Decide first off what your specific uses will be. Decide exactly how much your willing to spend. Honestly consider your ability to safely handle an ATV of a specific size/cc. Then the most important step, visit some dealerships. Get a feel for how the personell treat you. I don’t hang around the sales guys because they are paid to be nice to you in hopes of selling a machine. Instead I go to the service department and ask questions about various things to get a feel for the most important part of the dealer. If they are patient and willing to spend time with you your likely onto the most important part of finding a reliable ATV. Sloppy service will make the most reliable ATV look like a pile of crap. The opposite is also very true.

All that said I’ll stack the reputation and abilities of a Polaris Sportsman up to any other brand without any concern at all. After several of the machines and several thousand miles per machine I have yet to be towed home broke down much less ever have a warranty repair. Not to say other brands are junk but Polaris is simply that good. In my opinion the Sportsman 500 EFI is easily the best all around ATV made, period. Some are uncomfortable or put off by the boldness of that statement but they are the ones that have never owned a Sportsman, lol.

I hope it is not against the rules (if so please remove) but I have a website and have compiled some independant reviews of many ATVs. I’ll link directly to that portion of the site but feel free to look around. Again this is not meant to troll but to help share information about this topic. Remove link if it breaks the rules please.

ATV Reviews

I think I’m in the same boat, as you caster, I think a snomobile can’t be beat for ice fishing, if there is snow, I have my Father’s wheeler to use, I think in the future I’m going to buy a Honda, and tracks for it, best of both worlds, tracks seem to go for $3-4K, so it would be a more expesive option, but it would be year round, and be nearly as good as a sled (I think). That unless I can talk the wife into a hovercraft but that would be twice the price of a ATV with tracks.

I have a Polaris, but I think Honda is the way to go.

Thanks for all the good information. I appreciate the offer on the 700, but I don’t want one that big.

I agree about deciding on how this machine is going to be used before picking a model. Since I spend all my time in the boat during the open water season, I am specifically looking for just a vehicle to pull the portable during poor snow conditions like we have now. I have a suburban home and no cabin so I don’t need a work ATV (I’ll just be asked to help others then). I just want a very dependable ATV to be mobile on the ice.

I take the “this vs. that” with a grain of salt because I see the same thing on the snowmobile trail. After 25 years of snowmobiling, I have seen everything broke down on the trail. I feel it mainly comes down to how you service and maintain your stuff.

Again, great info. Thank you.

Well put. Good luck.

I do not own one but would like to have one some day for deer hunting and plowing my driveway. Anyone own or have any info on a Polaris Xpedition 425

I got one sitting in the garage You can check it out at the get together if you are going to be there. Don’t get me wrong as much as I say I’d buy a Honda, I’m very happy with the atv, I really like how it handles and it’s really got some grunt, you hardly notice the my 6×8 ice house back there even with two people and all there gear inside. That being said this is actually father’s wheeler, so having one for free is pretty sweet.

To date is only has one issue, the shifting is a little quirky at times, but this is probably a wheeler specefic problem, and could probably be fixed by adjusting something. A little over a thousand miles on it as it sit in the garage.