What is the better ATV?

Not yet Tim,heck I have less than 500miles on it,don't trail ride just hunt/fish and some yard work.

When I bought this machine I did'nt know a thing about them but knew one day it was going to happen,what put me over the edge was we almost lost my pickup on mille laces in the middle of January,Dang lake started to break up 3 miles out,some knot head was driving down our road at least 40mph and opened a crack,that was it,man had to drive over the crack floating up and down,water shooting up as we crossed after I replaced the driver seat on my truck and kissed the ground once back on shore I went to work looking for the most bang for my buck,I looked at Honda,Yamaha,Artic cat and Polaris.

For my intended use I wanted a solid rear axel and gear driven and minimal repairs(honda and yamaha) and air cooled for cold weather starting,seem's the water cool rig's are to dang cold blooded no matter what make.That solid rear axel can really handle the 3500lb axel trailer just fine,even with 3 guys and 2 dog's tagging along,my buddy has the polaris 500 and when he pulls the same trailer that belt really get's hot(smell smoke) and the independant suspenion squashes down,rides nice on the trail but that's what its made for.

The only thing bad really is the gas tank,to small.I put these 28"mud tire's on it for more ground cleance and traction,does a good job.

Tim,I'm looking at the rhino 4x4 to upgrade to something that can carry extra people and gear,just sniffing so far... I'll let you know when I go on point :^)

Hey Tim,

My buddy Boyd,(you met him on Audubon) Boyd and I had two 4 wheelers out there on Douglas Bay on Sakakawea last Spring, and we decided we would see which of the two 4wheelers was better for flying across the lake going full speed. The Polaris he was riding was a 400 with independant suspension, and mine is a 400 Honda Foreman with a fixed axle in back for more towing capabilities. We raced across the lake jumping 2 and 3 foot snow drifts, and he flat out left me in the bushes. By the time he made it to the other side of the bay, I was only 1/2 to 2/3 of the way across. His machine could fly over the drifts much more gracefully than mine because of the smooth independant suspension. I took it for a ride shortly after that, and I was very impressed.

But, like you say, it has less towing capability. It still does the job, but it wouldn't do what Snow would ask it to do. A big Honda straight axle is what you need to do the mule work, and still be able to go riding. I do wish I had a Polaris for when I go riding down the river here in Minot though, but my ice fishing and work horse needs must be met first. Oh, and buy new. I tried to find a used one. They are hard to find, and when you do they are worn out or in need of some tlc. Unless you buy Snow's go for a new one. Stizo : )

Good advice sitzo! indeed my rig is a cream puff,maybe Tony could post the picture I sent? My rig has never seen 30 mph...lol All I know is it beats walking the miles we go on early and late ice and makes life easier bringing your decoy trailer out in the plowed field(spring snows)

Wonder why the polais was so much faster? Some of these rig's(4x4's) can run 60+ not me though,I'll poke along and smell the flower's along the way...:+)

Hey "T" what ya doing home? Thought you would be spanking the fish...

You must of lost the pic of the wheeler/Buck I sent with the Snowgoose hunt last spring.Speaking of Snowgeese,I'm hereing chatter already! Season start's Feb 15th in MO,Hmmmm.Might have to start shooting(pratice)soon!Had the e-caller out this morning taking out some crow's,good fun!

Later,

Oh yeah! I know the crow season is closed but as stated in the hunting reg's,"spring crow season open's on march 1st/05 UNLESS(keyword here) doing or about to do damage.;^) They were about too Raid my bird feeder...

Tim and Snow,

I have been out riding 4 wheeler on the river here in Minot. I have put on 120 Miles since Sunday 12:00. I have driven downstream on the Souris River as far as 21.3 miles one way on one tank of feul. I was out the other night after 10:00 PM and saw some coons as big as black labs. I also saw a skunk...actually smelled him a good 1/4 to a 1/2 mile before I saw him. I have to watch out for the deer because they have been coming down to drink. They go to the slushy spots, scrape out a hole in the slush/ice and wait for it to fill with water so they can drink. I just wish they would strap some taillights on their butts or something, cause they scare the crap out of me when I am flying around the bends. I have had my Honda up to 47 mph on the straightaways that have smoother ice. That is with chains on. Those chains sure make a difference when it comes to get up and go, and climbing the river bank when avoiding the coffer dams. I am having a blast running the river. I always see something new each time I make a run. I have not seen any sheds yet. Still not time. This warm weather is making the river run more and more exciting each passing day. Old man winter needs to stick around a little longer. Stizo : )

sitzo,
Sounds like fun! maybe bring a pistol or a .22rifle for them critter's.We have skunk's here out already,dang dog found it,whew!as luck would have it only a near miss...lol He still had to spend the night on the porach,even after shunk off...lol