| 4 wheeler for ice fishing | |
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brittlab Blabber Mouth!!!!


  Age : 40 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 1048 Location : Gowrie, Iowa Job/hobbies : Boiler Operator fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with my dogs, family and friends
 | Subject: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:16 pm | |
| I'm going to be getting an ATV this fall for hard water pursuits. I will also probably get a blade for snow removal. I've looked at most of the different models/brands and have actually rode Todd's arctic cat and Al's suzuki and liked them both. they have a few dealers here and I was checking out the yamaha's and grizzly's and suzukis the other day. all seem like good rides. I'm still undecided as wether I'll get new or used but will probably go for new polaris seems to be a popular choice also. I'm looking at around a 450 or 500cc and would like to get most of the creature comforts. What are some features you guys really like and some you wish you had gotten as far as transmission/motor options? _________________ see you on the water. Mike |
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rellison8 Admin!


  Age : 31 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 2456 Location : West Point, Ia Job/hobbies : Manage Lumberyard/ Fishin & Wheelin
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:25 pm | |
| | brittlab wrote: | I'm going to be getting an ATV this fall for hard water pursuits. I will also probably get a blade for snow removal. I've looked at most of the different models/brands and have actually rode Todd's arctic cat and Al's suzuki and liked them both. they have a few dealers here and I was checking out the yamaha's and grizzly's and suzukis the other day. all seem like good rides. I'm still undecided as wether I'll get new or used but will probably go for new polaris seems to be a popular choice also. I'm looking at around a 450 or 500cc and would like to get most of the creature comforts. What are some features you guys really like and some you wish you had gotten as far as transmission/motor options? |
I have a LOT of opinions on this subject Mike and not time to type them all now. I will git back to you tonight.  |
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rellison8 Admin!


  Age : 31 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 2456 Location : West Point, Ia Job/hobbies : Manage Lumberyard/ Fishin & Wheelin
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:58 pm | |
| | brittlab wrote: | I'm going to be getting an ATV this fall for hard water pursuits. I will also probably get a blade for snow removal. I've looked at most of the different models/brands and have actually rode Todd's arctic cat and Al's suzuki and liked them both. they have a few dealers here and I was checking out the yamaha's and grizzly's and suzukis the other day. all seem like good rides. I'm still undecided as wether I'll get new or used but will probably go for new polaris seems to be a popular choice also. I'm looking at around a 450 or 500cc and would like to get most of the creature comforts. What are some features you guys really like and some you wish you had gotten as far as transmission/motor options? |
Ok Mike I am gonna try and fire away at this one as I have some free time.
First of all I have to say I am not a fan of Polaris at all! I would never say that on the neighbor site as they have toooo many Polaris fans over that way. I have never seen one yet that could out perform any other quad on the market. They are too big and heavy and the drive line sucks on them. IMO Granted opinions are like assholes.
If I was going to buy a quad right now it would be either a Yamaha or a Honda. Hondas are hondas and they will always be good proven machines that probably take the least repairs of any quad on the market today. (That's a big plus for a ton of buyers.) You want a machine you can beat the livin dogcrap out of and still get you home. You want a honda!!!!
Now that said I don't think that honda's are the best overall machine. This is where Yamaha moves right past the honda. Performance! (Not that this is a big issue for you or that you intend to use it in a manor that would ever put you in some positions that we put our quads in.) However if you do and if you want IMO the best overall machine. Buy a yamaha! Maybe not a grizzley either. For what you want to do you do not need a grizzley. A kodiak 450 automatic is what I would look for. Or even the kodiak 400 automatic which is what mine is.
The kodiak is more nimble, faster top speed, and has more low end torque than any other wheeler I have been around. (Not talking numbers either, I am talking about my in the field experiences, I have pulled out sooooo many honda's, polaris's and others wheelers and then turn right around and blasted right threw the rutts they got stuck in. People get so flippin pissed at me when I do it too that half the time they will blast off threw it again and have to pull them out again. I just sit and laugh.
Like I said that may not be what your lookin for and it's not a lot of technical mumbo jumbo about wheelers but it is real world experience and if I have to pic 1 wheeler to git me out of a spot and make sure I will be safe doing it, it will be a yamaha.  |
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brittlab Blabber Mouth!!!!


  Age : 40 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 1048 Location : Gowrie, Iowa Job/hobbies : Boiler Operator fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with my dogs, family and friends
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:58 pm | |
| I think yamaha had a big bear model that looked pretty good. thanks for the input Randy _________________ see you on the water. Mike |
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Ed Forum newbie!


  Age : 48 Joined : 11 Apr 2008 Posts : 81 Location : NE Iowa, Randalia Job/hobbies : Road construction worker
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:03 pm | |
| Lupe and I plan on getting one in the next year or two, but we want one like a Ranger where we can sit side by side, we won't be doing any hardcore riding just getting around on the ice and plowing snow.
Ed |
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rellison8 Admin!


  Age : 31 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 2456 Location : West Point, Ia Job/hobbies : Manage Lumberyard/ Fishin & Wheelin
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:11 pm | |
| | Big bear is an awesome machine too Mike! I had one of them before I got my kodiak! Can't go wrong with it in winter cause it is air cooled instead of liquid like the kodiak that takes forever to get warm! |
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quackjr Forum Rookie!


  Age : 28 Joined : 15 Apr 2008 Posts : 183 Location : Washington, IA 52353 Job/hobbies : Engineering
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:57 pm | |
| | You really can't get a bum product anymore, most of the name brands make good stuff. That said I would find the place with the best service track record, and that I like to deal with the most...If you spend that much on an atv, you want someone who can back it up! (oh yeah and did I mention close to home also?? it always sucks driving 100 miles to get your stuff serviced!!) |
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rellison8 Admin!


  Age : 31 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 2456 Location : West Point, Ia Job/hobbies : Manage Lumberyard/ Fishin & Wheelin
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:08 pm | |
| | quackjr wrote: | | You really can't get a bum product anymore, most of the name brands make good stuff. That said I would find the place with the best service track record, and that I like to deal with the most...If you spend that much on an atv, you want someone who can back it up! (oh yeah and did I mention close to home also?? it always sucks driving 100 miles to get your stuff serviced!!) |
Very good point John! I don't like taking mine 30 miles to get worked on, I wouldn't want to go any farther.
BTW! Welcome to the dark side!  _________________ Randy Ellison
www.fishn4fun.net www.iowaoutdoors.org www.ryanhale.net www.bassresource.com |
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brittlab Blabber Mouth!!!!


  Age : 40 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 1048 Location : Gowrie, Iowa Job/hobbies : Boiler Operator fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with my dogs, family and friends
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:42 pm | |
| I may have to head to Ames or Storm lake. we only have 1 dealer in Ft Dodge I think _________________ see you on the water. Mike |
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csp88
Joined : 20 Jul 2008 Posts : 4 Location : Ankeny
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:23 pm | |
| Mike, try to test drive as many brands as you can and go from there. Myself, I have a Kawaski Prairie and have no complaints what so ever. You are going to love it when the ice sets in.
Chad |
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rellison8 Admin!


  Age : 31 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 2456 Location : West Point, Ia Job/hobbies : Manage Lumberyard/ Fishin & Wheelin
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:38 pm | |
| | csp88 wrote: | Mike, try to test drive as many brands as you can and go from there. Myself, I have a Kawaski Prairie and have no complaints what so ever. You are going to love it when the ice sets in.
Chad |
I have to agree with Chad on this one! Every quad I have ever been on and it has been a lot, has a slightly different feel. When you sit on the one that has the feel you are looking for you will know it right away. (At least I did!) I had bought one 3 months before I got the one I have now. I thought it had the feel, then I went and say on the one I have now and realized that nope it didn't have the feel, but this one does. Have had it now for 8 seasons and still love it just the same.
BTW Welcome aboard chad! _________________ Randy Ellison
www.fishn4fun.net www.iowaoutdoors.org www.ryanhale.net www.bassresource.com |
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brittlab Blabber Mouth!!!!


  Age : 40 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 1048 Location : Gowrie, Iowa Job/hobbies : Boiler Operator fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with my dogs, family and friends
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:17 pm | |
| yeah with ice just around the corner, I need to refocus on this task  _________________ see you on the water. Mike |
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Ryan Hale Forum newbie!

  Age : 41 Joined : 08 May 2008 Posts : 83 Location : Nw Iowa Job/hobbies : Fishing guide,Resort operator
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:51 am | |
| Mike,to me it's like what boat type to buy.The guys that have Lunds think there the best,the guys that have Rangers think there the best,and so on.....
I don't ride a lot like most guys but have had a 4 wheeler going on 3 years now.I use mine for pushing snow and ice fishing.Never been trail riding or any of that type of stuff.
I would look for something you like which includes looks,features,how close the dealer is,etc.
I have a Kawasaki Prairie 360 and couldn't be happier.Always starts,rides great for what I use it for,and I have the camo model so it looks nice.
Best of luck in your search,lots of awesome rides out there.Also one thing to look at is some companies are running like 2.9% percent programs for 2-3 years right now.
Ryan Hale |
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hookemhard Forum Rookie!


  Age : 42 Joined : 18 Apr 2008 Posts : 167 Location : Fairfield, Ia. Job/hobbies : Hunting and Fishing are my hobbies. In my spare time I work as a Product Manager.
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:27 am | |
| I have the same quad, Ryan. A Kawasaki Prairie 360 4X4. I love it. Bought it new in 2003 and it has never let me down. And I do trail ride from time to time, but mine gets used most pushing snow and during deer season hauling treestands and dead deer. My only regret is that I wish I would have gotten the 650. My next one will be bigger. But I will keep this 360 since my wife really likes it.
This was my first quad, but I have always owned either Kawasaki or Honda motorcycles. Our local dealer carries Polaris, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. A good friend of mine runs their service department. When I asked him which one I should buy, he wouldn't recommend one over another since they sold all 3 brands. He said he owned Yamaha everything (cycles and quads). But what he did tell me was that Polaris machines come in for warranty service 3 to 1 over Yamaha or Kawasaki. That was all I needed to hear. Since I have always had good luck with the Kawasaki brand, that is the direction I went. I would have no problem getting a Yamaha though. I think they are great machines as well. |
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rellison8 Admin!


  Age : 31 Joined : 09 Apr 2008 Posts : 2456 Location : West Point, Ia Job/hobbies : Manage Lumberyard/ Fishin & Wheelin
 | Subject: Re: 4 wheeler for ice fishing Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:25 am | |
| | hookemhard wrote: | I have the same quad, Ryan. A Kawasaki Prairie 360 4X4. I love it. Bought it new in 2003 and it has never let me down. And I do trail ride from time to time, but mine gets used most pushing snow and during deer season hauling treestands and dead deer. My only regret is that I wish I would have gotten the 650. My next one will be bigger. But I will keep this 360 since my wife really likes it.
This was my first quad, but I have always owned either Kawasaki or Honda motorcycles. Our local dealer carries Polaris, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. A good friend of mine runs their service department. When I asked him which one I should buy, he wouldn't recommend one over another since they sold all 3 brands. He said he owned Yamaha everything (cycles and quads). But what he did tell me was that Polaris machines come in for warranty service 3 to 1 over Yamaha or Kawasaki. That was all I needed to hear. Since I have always had good luck with the Kawasaki brand, that is the direction I went. I would have no problem getting a Yamaha though. I think they are great machines as well. |
Sorry Kent I just found a new best friend! Given my Yamaha love and not so much on the Polaris.
I don't blame you for wanting a 650 though Brian. Them things are just a fun machine to ride. When the 650 came out as the first V-Twin one of my buddies got one and that thing would ride wheelies like a sport quad. Right then I knew I should have got one but I was sitting on mine that was less than a year old and the second one I had bought in 6 months.  _________________ Randy Ellison
www.fishn4fun.net www.iowaoutdoors.org www.ryanhale.net www.bassresource.com |
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