ATV Question...
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Harry Crabtree
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:58 pm
- Location: Savannah, GA
I bought the Honda 350 Rancher (without electric shift...just plain ole shifting type we all grew up with) and this thing is great, powerful, comfortable ride and I don't need anything larger myself. I'm about 240 plus I'll throw on a climber, sometimes another person, a deer, guns, etc. and it's runs like a champ. I owned a Honda Big Red for probably a dozen years until it was stolen on Christmas Day a few years back and come to really enjoy the dependability of the Honda line. Just my 2 cents worth.
I always get the last words at my house, "Yes Dear"
Hi Kuff's, hope maybe I may be able to help. Your choice of machine will rely on riding conditions and style. If you like riding railbeds/flat sections and running at high speed, especially cornering, then the SRA (straight rear axle) is for you.
If you like the technical trail riding and riding comfort/long all day rides then IRA (independant rear axle) is for you. Also, the IRS gets the nod in mudding situations as it gives you more centre ground clearance for going over mud/obstacles instead of pushing through them.
Both the Bombardier 400 and the Kodiaks are IRA machines. I have known several persons with Bombardiers and lots of electrical prob's when they first come out, but they seem to have that ironed out now. It is a powerhouse for a 400cc machine and is the best in corners for an IRS, bar none. It is a two wheel drive until you start to spin then four wheel drive kicks in on its own.
The Kodiak's are also IRS, they ride very nicely and have ample power for pretty much anything. Another nice feature of the Kodiak is the push button four wheel drive/two wheel drive, plus differential lock that locks front axle into a true four wheel drive configuration for sticky mud /snow situations.
I personally have owned/ridden/repaired, three & four wheelers for some 25 years now. I have owned pretty much all brands and am not brand loyal in any way. I will say that the Honda's do seem as a whole to last forever, but they do have a lot of shortcomings in such as drum brakes and only three wheel drive/no diff lock, and only one machine offering IRS.
The Yamaha's have proven themselves to hold up very well in all situations also.
I would say to go out and try all you are interested in and the one that you like best is the right one for you. Close proximity to dealer and dealer support are always big selling points also.
Mike
If you like the technical trail riding and riding comfort/long all day rides then IRA (independant rear axle) is for you. Also, the IRS gets the nod in mudding situations as it gives you more centre ground clearance for going over mud/obstacles instead of pushing through them.
Both the Bombardier 400 and the Kodiaks are IRA machines. I have known several persons with Bombardiers and lots of electrical prob's when they first come out, but they seem to have that ironed out now. It is a powerhouse for a 400cc machine and is the best in corners for an IRS, bar none. It is a two wheel drive until you start to spin then four wheel drive kicks in on its own.
The Kodiak's are also IRS, they ride very nicely and have ample power for pretty much anything. Another nice feature of the Kodiak is the push button four wheel drive/two wheel drive, plus differential lock that locks front axle into a true four wheel drive configuration for sticky mud /snow situations.
I personally have owned/ridden/repaired, three & four wheelers for some 25 years now. I have owned pretty much all brands and am not brand loyal in any way. I will say that the Honda's do seem as a whole to last forever, but they do have a lot of shortcomings in such as drum brakes and only three wheel drive/no diff lock, and only one machine offering IRS.
The Yamaha's have proven themselves to hold up very well in all situations also.
I would say to go out and try all you are interested in and the one that you like best is the right one for you. Close proximity to dealer and dealer support are always big selling points also.
Mike