Kodiak vs Rancher

[Angry Perch]

Considering an ATV just for working around the property. Looking at a Honda Rancher 420 and Yamaha Kodiak 450. Would just be used for pulling a small trailer, seed spreader, etc. and routine "farm" chores. Any thoughts/ experience?

[TeacherMan]

great little rigs, pretty bullet proof. WIth that said my dad had a CF Moto in the 600 and he paid about half of what a new Honda or Polaris would've cost at the time. He never had a single issue with it and lived on it.

[jrebel]

Both those rigs will be amazing, you really can't go wrong with either.  I've owned both Honda and yamaha and they would be my top two brands if I had to buy one today. 

I currently own a honda and it is bullet proof. 

[Sakko300wsm]

The Hondas are pretty amazing 4x4 quads - just sold my 06 Rubicon when I bought my 24 Ranger. Never ever had one single problem with it! Did everything I ever needed it to

[MADMAX]

Got a grizzly
Pretty much my all purpose property rig
Front basket
Winch
Does everything I need to do on acreage except dig holes and lift rocks

[2MANY]

Go Kodiak.
I love ours.
Yamaha has passed Honda.

[Angry Perch]

Go Kodiak.
I love ours.
Yamaha has passed Honda.

Is there a frame size difference between the Kodiak 700 and the 450? They only had a 700 at the local place.

[2MANY]

My family has a Honda 450, Kodiak 450, and a Grizzly 700.
All a couple years old.
The Grizz is a beast in a good way.
The Kodiak is just an awesome sized machine for my 5'-7" 185 lb frame.
The Honda just isn't as good as either.

[Angry Perch]

An important point is that it be as easy and comfortable for my wife to ride as possible. Because, you know, it's for her! 

[Buckmark]

An important point is that it be as easy and comfortable for my wife to ride as possible. Because, you know, it's for her! 

Have you looked at a UTV? Far more versatile in my opinion for property/farm chores and this is from someone who has 3 ATV,s 1 even has a dump bed but the UTV especially if the wife is gonna use it would be much better 
You can pickup one from right around the ATV price (depending on how fancy the ATV, grizzly with EPS is around 8k)
You can get a kawasaki Mule sx for 8299
My wife had been bucking me getting a UTV until she used one at my uncles place and that changed her mind real quick, easy in and out, easy operate, dump bed, easier on her arms (my wife only 5ft so that plays into it as even a 450 atv is big to her)
Depending on what manufacture and how much you want to spend you can get into cab models pretty reasonable so when it is raining your comfy.

[jrebel]

An important point is that it be as easy and comfortable for my wife to ride as possible. Because, you know, it's for her! 

Have you looked at a UTV? Far more versatile in my opinion for property/farm chores and this is from someone who has 3 ATV,s 1 even has a dump bed but the UTV especially if the wife is gonna use it would be much better 
You can pickup one from right around the ATV price (depending on how fancy the ATV, grizzly with EPS is around 8k)
You can get a kawasaki Mule sx for 8299
My wife had been bucking me getting a UTV until she used one at my uncles place and that changed her mind real quick, easy in and out, easy operate, dump bed, easier on her arms (my wife only 5ft so that plays into it as even a 450 atv is big to her)
Depending on what manufacture and how much you want to spend you can get into cab models pretty reasonable so when it is raining your comfy.

 

This is spot on!!  I have a honda pioneer and two quads (Can Am 1000 and Honda 500).  They all have their purpose, but the UTV / Pioneer is the one that gets used the most.  I would highly recommend the Honda pioneer 520 if you want to stay in the that 500cc class.  It is a great machine, reasonably priced and is right at the 50" mark....meaning you can take it to Idaho for the trails.  It is not a dunes, high speed, romping machine.....but it is a workhorse and would be great around the property and in the hills for cruising.     Obviously the larger machines have more power, more room and more capabilities......but they are also more expensive and well over the 50" mark if you ever plan on Idaho trails. 

My next machine will be a Pioneer 520 without a doubt. 

[Buckmark]

I will add that we are not getting any younger so looking ahead at using whatever i would take into consideration, my 84 yr old father can get into the UTV and drive to me, not a chance on an ATV.
I know your not 84 but something to think about. Another thing and it may not pertain to you but my wife has rheumatoid arthritis so gripping the handle bars and working the thumb throttle just gets to her pretty quickly compared to driving something using your feet and hands like a vehicle instead of riding something that takes arm, hand control. 

[Angry Perch]

UTV's are great, but we have plenty of things to "drive" and nothing to "ride" if that makes sense.

[2MANY]

Our quads sit in the garage the vast majority of the time.
The sxs never does.
If you don't have a sxs I would listen to what these guys are saying.
I understand the ride part but wheeling sxs's is every bit as fun and FAR more comfortable.

[jrebel]

I also think that if you want to "RIDE".....implying recreation, the Yamaha gets the nod.  The rancher is built to work and will have a stiffer ride / firmer suspension.  I believe they still have the solid rear axle which is not near as much "FUN" to "RIDE".  I love my honda 500 rubicon (2006) and would pick it over the 1000 can am.....unless I want to ride hard and fast, then the can am's independent front and reas suspension makes it way more comfortable and fun.