ATV/UTV

I've got an older Arctic Cat 300, reliable, and does everything I need down here in the flatlands, but riding it back to my hunting spot is a waste of time. Guarantee you won't see anything but squirrel and little birdies, maybe an occaisional possum. Giving some thought to one of those jacked-up golf carts maybe with 4 wheel drive, maybe not. At least it would be quiet. Got too old and stove up to walk back there. GW
 

JonB

Halcyon member
My 2¢
I have had several ATV's (in Minnesota for use in the woods and snow removal).
Most ATV's have a belt drive with variable clutches (like snowmobiles). They are great for trail riding and checking fences. I've owned a couple, and have found the units with a belt are less desirable for my needs, which is plowing snow and cutting/hauling firewood out of the woods. I now have a Honda Foreman 450 (4x4). It has a quiet 4 stroke engine and wet-clutch manual transmission, like all the older smaller Honda ATV's and most Honda Motorcycles. I believe Yamaha do that on most of their smaller ATV's as well? I like a real transmission for a workhorse, instead of a Belt/clutches, Belts heat up and wear fast at slow speeds and high torque conditions.
 

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
Saw a friend's new country place, and he showed me his 4 place Polaris Ranger. Never saw
the four place version before. He likes his.

Bill
 

Tony

Active Member
Right now I'm looking at a Polaris Ranger 500 and a Yamaha Wolverine EPS (700 cc). Both are 2 place machines. Base price on the Polaris is about $9k and $11k for the Yamaha. Add about 1 grand to either to accessorize to my liking.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
I'd go with the 700. Ime more power is never a problem, but....
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
don't let the engine size fool you, look at the real numbers. [torque and HP]
Polaris is pretty bad about calling a 480cc engine a 450 and then tacking HO on the back of the number.
my 450 ATV has about 31 horsepower [even with all the california emissions and tune on it]
about the same as the older carbureted 700's.
I have towed my full size Bronco around with the 450 and it didn't even have to try hard.
that 500 engine would move a 2 seat wheeler around no problem.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
Guys are running the 500s out here 50 mph and hauling elk halves out sometimes over 8,000 ft on quads . Of course they are base tuned with most of the state being 3,500 plus .

The 500 S×S are just as spirited . The 750s cross over the line between all the power you could want and that's plenty to get hurt .

The Kawasaki Mule is or was available out here in a 2 cyl diesel . In case making milage is on the table .

The last 500 I was on weighed 600# and had a rated tow capacity of 1100# but I never looked close enough to see if that was towed load or combined gross . The SxS have an 1100# towing capacity and many have as much as a 500# bed load capacity .
 

Tony

Active Member
I'm now leaning toward the Polaris Ranger 500. Right now it comes with a $500 factory rebate. Based on the comments here it would have all the power and capability I would ever need. 700 cc might be enough to get an inexperienced rider like me in trouble. Why is it that so many of us who have a .30-06 think we need a .300 Winchester/Weatherby/Whatever Mag?
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
just cause every now and then it would come in handy.
sometimes I wish I had a super charger on my pickup.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
just cause every now and then it would come in handy.
sometimes I wish I had a super charger on my pickup.

LOL..thats why I said 700.

Not that a 500 isn't more than you might need. Is it better to idle around with a big motor or constantly rev a small one? I prefer more... but not so much with rifles. Gimmie a 308 & I'm set.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
Because long ago I learned that I'd kill myself if I kept driving V8s , I'm now happy pretty happy knowing I have an 06' that's happy running like a heavy 30-30 knowing I can make a switch and near double that throttle authority.

I drove Dad's chipped 7.3 01' F250 . His Towncar had taken him to town and left him sitting there . I dropped the gooseneck flatbed on it and headed out ......... neglected information here ..... appearently they had it turned up for empty cruise mileage not towing . Holy push and rocket take off ! That would be why I don't drive go fast stuff . If I have it I want to use it . :( That leads to tickets .

I saw a shirt/coffee cup that applies to me and horse power . " Don't follow me , I'm about to do something stupid " .
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Don't be mislead by the V6's, nowadays. Wifey's Z71 Colorado has a (305 HP) V6........drives and handles, more like, like a sports car. Impressed.... this 72 Chevelle SS owner.
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
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BTW, this is the first 6 cylinder, this household has ever owned. We always were a V8 family.
 
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RBHarter

West Central AR
Did you know you can defeat the ABS and traction control of the Subaru SVX with the 240 cid , 240 ftlb , 240 HP all wheel drive in a slushy parking lot ? You really have to work at it and as soon as it either gets close to steering out of the slide or the throttle is let up or the brakes backed off it self settles ....... Loved those cars .......hated that they took away the driving .