Choosing a new Ice fishing ATV - Feedback requested!

[greatwhite]

In terms of Reliability I would rank

Honda / Yamaha
Suzuki

I would not really consider anything else.

[Crabb's Camp]

Yamaha..something with bigger motor...tracks are the bomb..honda is over engineered imho..like a shaved nut sack. Gave Polaris a chance with a 2016 900 never again. Can Am nope..kawi no way to many elelectronics..Suzuki worth looking into

[dean.f]

Although I'm not a Polaris fan, I will say that my 1999 trail boss 250 as cheesy as its built has been $h!tkicked and neglected for its 20 year life of plowing, pulling a harrow, mudding and pulling trailers, as well as WFO lake running. The only parts it's ever received are a belt, a starter and a pair of rear tires. So I'd say just buy what you like, not everyone uses these machines the same so its hard to base your decision on advice. But history shows, Japanese makes are generally the most reliable with just about every powersports machine.

[Woodsman]

Basically a Ford Chevy question where responses will be based on personal preferences and what people own.
I have a 2016 Can Am 450 2-up.
I've had no problems with it but it seldom used for ice fishing as I also have a Skidoo Tundra.

[Species8472]

Make that a Polaris sled. lol.
Good Luck

You end up buying that rocket?

[oaknut]

The Honda should be a solid performer, I have been told the bugs have been worked out of the new generation of machines. Buddy bought one when they first released the 520 and it was a nightmare.

The only recommendation I can make if choosing the Honda is spend the extra money and bump up to the Rubicon. The Rubicon 520 comes with 10 inches of ground clearance. Don't let anyone tell you a machine with 7 inches of clearance will follow one with 10 or 12 inches of clearance in mud or snow, that won't ever happen. The three of us that ice fish back lakes together all run arctic scrap and do a lot of fixing because of it. The reason we're all running the same is the 13 to 15 inches of clearance, without major lift kits nothing else follows.

I'm still riding my old relic kitty cat with 14000 miles on it because there is nothing on the market that suits me perfectly at the moment. If I had to make a purchase tomorrow it would either be a 1000 Polaris which may need some wrenching at times due to the abuse it'll take or a grizzly which doesn't quite have the bally balls I want but won't leave you in the woods.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Tapatalk

[m1k3_88]

I have an 1990 honda fourtrax 350D absolute tank of a quad, but solid axle front and rear makes for low ground clearance. If I was going for a new quad tomorrow it would be a Yamaha Kodiak or Grizzly.

[Deer Hunter]

You end up buying that rocket?

Haha. Not yet. Maybe next year.

[rick_iles]

I have an Argo. Put a top, set of tracks and you’ll have the best ice fishing rig going. They also don’t sink if you go through the ice. I’ve done that twice !! They aren’t the best for trail riding, but great for pulling moose out of the bush. Mine is a 2003. The new models have lots of nice upgrades....

[Crabb's Camp]

One caveat..nothing is bullet proof as I went off the main trail with my argo I hit slush..it built up underneath. Had a grain shovel and dug it out more than a few times until I could get a good runway at it and got back on the main pack trail.