Need a quad - questions

[beaver hunter]

Looking for an atv simply for hunting, bear baiting and trapping. I won't be going on any long journeys with it. What brand would be my best bet for longevity and the least amount of breakdowns? Looking to spend around 3-4K.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Yamaha Kodiak 450

LC

[Jerry D]

Honda foreman 420

[Moo Snukkle]

Yamaha and Honda as mentioned

[beaver hunter]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Yamaha Kodiak 450

LC

Noticed a few kodiaks on kijiji, pretty hard to find I think.

[Lefty]

Yamaha and Honda would be my two picks as well.

[yoteblaster]

Have had 5 different Suzukis over the years (3 currently). Have never had an issue or breakdown. Hear the Yamaha Kodiak 450 are awesome as well. Neighbour uses them for work and swears by them.

[Sooner]

I think you got your answers, you want a work horse, Yammy and Honda.

[Bushmaster]

OK, I've got a question....maybe a stupid one! I own 2 Polaris quads, bought them used and have had no problems, owned the oldest one for 12 years now. I don't/haven't work them hard. But I go out, push the starter, they start and I drive away. This summer at work they have a Honda, gotta put it in neutral, start it and then put it in drive and go. WHAT A PAIN !! Are they still like this, the newer models?

[hunterdan44]

Suzuki has served me well for many years. Have a 1994 and a 2017 750, both are very good.


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[Positrac]

I have a 2003 Honda Rancher TRX 350 with the electric shift transmission. I bought it last year with low Kms and it was like new. I paid $3,000 as it didn’t have a scratch on it and was like new.

Since then I’ve added 26x12” tires on the back and 26x10” on the front. I also added a Kolpin silent exhaust that hangs off the rear rack and mounts to the outlet of the original exhaust.

I can put around all day on a tank of fuel. No low range but first is ultra-low. It is pretty quiet with the Kolpin on. Pick your gear and go. No reving the crap out of it to get it to move like a belt driven quad low cc quad. I do circles around the heavier quads up here in the Muskeg. I can still get stuck but it takes less to get it going again. The back up recoil starter is also nice.

For putting around on the soft ground around here it works awesome. If I wanted to go some distance or was always on hard ground I’d get something different.

[beaver hunter]

I definitely want a quad to putz around on, but will need enough power to haul in bear bait and pull out moose.

[takeiteasybird]

I got a honda 500fm and wouldn't trade it for anything. I went with the most simple "bare bores" model. I find anything with a lot of electronics will eventually let you down in the worst times / locations.

[J_Impact]

How about a Yamaha Grizzly to have the opportunity for diff locks for those steep inclines or deep thick mud crossings?

[pikeman06]

Grizzly 700. Hands down. Owned them all pretty much. That's my final answer...

[spoiledsaskhunter]

I've helped out on two different ranches that ran the 420's........I am NOT kidding when I tell you I've ridden several of them with over 30,000 kms on them and they're still running like champs! plastic wasn't so good anymore tho

[58thecat]

Honda, got two 2004/05 fourtrax 350 fm models....bought new, 13/12 years later push button go....mine has long hard hours on it, wifes not so

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[sharp_85]

Add another vote for Honda from me. Either the Foreman or FourTrax models, any I have used have been simply bulletproof.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by J_Impact

How about a Yamaha Grizzly to have the opportunity for diff locks for those steep inclines or deep thick mud crossings?

Kodiak 450 has diff locks and a pull start, two must haves IMHO.

LC

[J_Impact]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Kodiak 450 has diff locks and a pull start, two must haves IMHO.

LC

Totally agree on the diff locks and the pull cords!! Didn't realize the Kodiaks had diff locks... all years or trim level specific?

[operator john]

I have a 2011 Yamaha Rhino SXS and really enjoy it.
I see a 2012 for sale on the site here for a reasonable price.

[ronkaren]

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

OK, I've got a question....maybe a stupid one! I own 2 Polaris quads, bought them used and have had no problems, owned the oldest one for 12 years now. I don't/haven't work them hard. But I go out, push the starter, they start and I drive away. This summer at work they have a Honda, gotta put it in neutral, start it and then put it in drive and go. WHAT A PAIN !! Are they still like this, the newer models?

i've got a '16 honda 420 and a '17 honda 420, auto clutch, 5 speed manual. both have to start in neutral, not a problem for me. great machines.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by J_Impact

Totally agree on the diff locks and the pull cords!! Didn't realize the Kodiaks had diff locks... all years or trim level specific?

Pretty sure all the 450 Kodiaks had the diff lock, all the ones I have seen do. It's the largest engine offering that has a pull start too (at least when I bought mine).

LC

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

OK, I've got a question....maybe a stupid one! I own 2 Polaris quads, bought them used and have had no problems, owned the oldest one for 12 years now. I don't/haven't work them hard. But I go out, push the starter, they start and I drive away. This summer at work they have a Honda, gotta put it in neutral, start it and then put it in drive and go. WHAT A PAIN !! Are they still like this, the newer models?

Yamaha will start when in gear if the brake is activated.

LC

[Night hawk]

Another vote for Honda.

[J_Impact]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Pretty sure all the 450 Kodiaks had the diff lock, all the ones I have seen do. It's the largest engine offering that has a pull start too (at least when I bought mine).

LC

Thanks for the info I'll keep my eyes open. I've been watching for the right Grizzly to come but maybe I should widen my search to also include Kodiaks! Fa

[KBF]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Yamaha will start when in gear if the brake is activated.

LC

Same with 420 Honda, our 2012 at least does that.

[58thecat]

OP you say for hunting, so just think about this, someplaces might get you bogged down in some crappy wet swampy slow going areas where the machine is wet...belts slip, your revving but nothing is moving...was out with fellas who had this problem, pain in the butt...for me as I waited for them to dry belts etc...I sat on my Honda and ate a sandwhich

[Dozer Pete]

450 Kodiak

High and Low Range, Diff lock, good fuel economy, no issues dragging an elk or moose out. Starts when you sqeeze the brake. Have used this unit for wildfire fighting for 5 years. No problems.

Have bypassed the safety power bypass which is in effect when you have diff lock on or if in reverse. When you need the power, it is there (finding the button is a pain when you need it) Have also eliminated the requirement to have the rear brake engaged to shift from forward to reverse and back again. Hate filling my boot when the water is above the running boards.

[Bearbreath]

Originally Posted by ronkaren

i've got a '16 honda 420 and a '17 honda 420, auto clutch, 5 speed manual. both have to start in neutral, not a problem for me. great machines.

I have a 2017 foreman, manual shift that starts in gear when you hold the brake lever....weird the 420's don't.