ATV opinion needed

loyaleddie · #1 11-29-2015, 01:10 PM

Yes folks, it's that time again, when your valued outdoor opinion is needed.

This was my last year hunting with out the option of having an ATV at my disposal. Was hunting "big country" in wmu's 304/305. At various points of time during my hike it crossed my mind "oh crap, it's last light and if I drop something who the hell am I going to get the thing out"

Sooo I decided this is the last year that I am going to have this conundrum...

I communicated this to my wife and you can imagine the response...

"Yak, yak,yak, too much money, whine, whine, whine, it's just for you, ?itch,
?itch, selfish @ss"

So given that response I have to find the most versatile unit that I can. I am thinking Argo, but they are slow and a pain to transport...

But what do you all think? What unit should you go with and why..

Thanks in advance

deerguy · #2 11-29-2015, 01:13 PM

I wanted a Can am, still do, i know they are the best machines out there. However, I recently evaluated the type of terrain I hunt in and where I find myself wandering, and in no way shape or form do I need a Can am for the area. So I wil pick up a cheap Honda this year and it should do everything I need it to.

That would be my suggestion, get a used Honda.

deerguy · #3 11-29-2015, 01:15 PM

An Argo will cost an arm and leg lol

JRuel · #4 11-29-2015, 01:37 PM

I'm not familiar with the area you hunt (I'm up in the 500s) but I currently have both a 2014 can am 800 and an old big bear that get about equal use depending on whether one is in the truck and one is unloaded and whether I'm hunting from home or need to drive haha.

My next machine will no doubt be a side by side. I've had a few in the past and they have their place. Not sure if it's something you'd consider, but then you and wifey can use it in the off season as well. They're great for that. Comfortable, will go through quite a bit, and can haul a ton of gear. Plus you two can visit.

I'll be buying either a Yamaha Viking, Polaris ranger, or can am defender when we buy die mostly to the third seat for the little guy. Have to crawl around all 3 real close. Our Yamaha dealer in town is hard to beat, and is owned by a good friend, but the can am dealer is owned by a buddy and a friend of mine also manages the Polaris dealer so that makes the choice tough. I've also heard great things about the Honda Pioneer 1000-5.

If you're stuck on a quad, I like my Can Am a LOT, and it has been trouble free. That being said if I was buying a bike strictly for hunting it'd be a Yamaha grizzly or Kodiak, or something along those lines. That 800 has a ton of power I don't NEED but I'm a speed freak and use that bike for other purposes so it works well.

What sort of terrain is it?

JRuel · #5 11-29-2015, 01:38 PM

Forgot to mention that I have no first hand experience with Argos other than hearing that guys that have them LOVE them. For my uses it would be overkill for 99 percent of the terrain.

Domestique · #6 11-29-2015, 02:00 PM

Use the quads that god gave you.

304 & 305 is mostly private and lease.

loyaleddie · #7 11-29-2015, 02:00 PM

Not my picture...but this is the type of walking you are doing all day...

curtz · #8 11-29-2015, 02:03 PM

Depends what you are using for, if its for hunting and your just riding yourself a quad is the way to go. If want to take the wife or haul stuff, a side by side is nice. I have a side by side and a quad so its what every I'm doing to witch I use.

loyaleddie · #9 11-29-2015, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domestique

Use the quads that god gave you.

I do use the quads " I am atheists so there is no God" I have. Looking to just get an animal out, plus have an ATV for the family..

Redneck Tommy · #10 11-29-2015, 02:05 PM

The big advantage of an quad is it fits on the back of a truck and get one with a cvt transmission never going back to a manual again. Lots of people say manual transmissions work better for pulling but I found out thats where the cvt really starts to shine

Talking moose · #11 11-29-2015, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loyaleddie

Not my picture...but this is the type of walking you are doing all day...

Not an Argo. I would though get an Argo if it was slot of sloughs, swamps and muskeg.

BlackHeart · #12 11-29-2015, 02:11 PM

Road legal side by side with heat.
And much cheaper.
And parts are 1/4 the cost.
And no OHV till noon restrictions.
No trailer needed. But you can weld a tow hitch attachment on it if you want the big truck to get there.
Can be driven at 100km......on any highway.
Not going to go everywhere, but if it's built up, it will go where any side by side will and further.

Positrac · #13 11-29-2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loyaleddie

Not my picture...but this is the type of walking you are doing all day...

I have owned three Argos and that is not Argo country. If you can get to where you need to go on a quad or sxs then I wouldn't consider buying an Argo. If you need to float somewhere or go through muskeg then get an Argo with good tracks. If you are swimming it across deep water then get a small outboard also because they don't swim well with tracks on but they don't go that well through wet muskeg without the tracks.

Positrac · #14 11-29-2015, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackHeart

Road legal side by side with heat.
And much cheaper.
And parts are 1/4 the cost.
And no OHV till noon restrictions.
No trailer needed. But you can weld a tow hitch attachment on it if you want the big truck to get there.
Can be driven at 100km......on any highway.
Not going to go everywhere, but if it's built up, it will go where any side by side will and further.

That's the way I'd go if I could get there on a sxs. Nice rig but you need to bump up the arse a few inches.

mudbug · #15 11-29-2015, 02:56 PM

Depends on your budget and if other people are coming with you. A quad is great for one person but a side by side is great if you have a hunting partner. Plus a side my side is nice fr storage and carrying things etc. What ever you decide put a winch on either one, it can reall save you a lot of grief at times