reelinrolly Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Just wondering if anyone has a 350 Bruin. I am looking at atvs right now, and was wondering if this machine would be adequate to use to go ice fishing on Lake St. Clair Main concern is about getting stuck. How good are these things in snow?? Gears getting way to heavy to drag out lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 How much snow do you get there? I figure you will be OK up to about a foot with chains but any deeper and you'll want tracks or a snowmobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 get a snowmobile. a nice old, used one. get a 4 wheeler too, just not for ice fishing lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Caster Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Yep, any snow over a foot and you'll be walking again. Get an old used sled for under $1000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Or a plow for the ATV. As long as you don't get it hung up you can go just about anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reelinrolly Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 lol....thanks guys!! Im leaning towards an atv because I can use it year round. Still having a hard time making up my mind lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkpie Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 (edited) I have a bruin 350 4x4. It's an excellent machine, and it's never failed to start even after sitting for hours in -30 weather last winter. Rated to tow 1100lbs, but I've gone over that before for sure and it's done well. The yamaha auto transmission is as close to bulletproof as you can get in a belt drive. It does pretty well in up to a foot with a set of chains on the rear. If you hit slush your going to get hooped, but that is universal for almost any 350 class machine. Put a good warn winch on the front and chains on the back and you will get through a lot! Mine is an 05 and I'm very satisfied overall. Good luck! Edited November 17, 2014 by porkpie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallyboss Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Just make sure you have good tires on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch312 Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 IMO you'd be far better off spending the few extra bucks on a Kodiak 450 to get a much more capable machine. The MSRP is $800 more for the Kodiak, but when you consider how much better the Kodiak is it's easy to see that the Kodiak is definitely worth the extra investment. -Bruin only has forward and reverse, Kodiak offers high and low gearing (I'd choose Kodiak for this reason alone!) -Bruin does not have differential lock like the Kodiak does. Diff lock = game changer in deep mud or slush -Kodiak is liquid cooled while the Bruin is air cooled. Air cooled is fine in winter, totally sucks in the summer heat -Kodiak offers 1" more ground clearance -Kodiak has the option of power steering, which is likely the best thing that has ever happened to ATV's. -Far more aftermarket parts and accessories for the Kodiak -Easier resale on the Kodiak Power steering is simply amazing and I have yet to meet a single rider with EPS on their machine who dislikes it as it makes it far easier to control the machine, especially when in 4x4. It also greatly reduces kick back when your front tires strike a rock, log, etc meaning you have far better control of the machine. Better control, less fatigue, and a safer ride. What type of terrain will you be riding most? I can't really recommend a tire without knowing this first... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 IMO you'd be far better off spending the few extra bucks on a Kodiak 450 to get a much more capable machine. The MSRP is $800 more for the Kodiak, but when you consider how much better the Kodiak is it's easy to see that the Kodiak is definitely worth the extra investment. -Bruin only has forward and reverse, Kodiak offers high and low gearing (I'd choose Kodiak for this reason alone!) -Bruin does not have differential lock like the Kodiak does. Diff lock = game changer in deep mud or slush -Kodiak is liquid cooled while the Bruin is air cooled. Air cooled is fine in winter, totally sucks in the summer heat -Kodiak offers 1" more ground clearance -Kodiak has the option of power steering, which is likely the best thing that has ever happened to ATV's. -Far more aftermarket parts and accessories for the Kodiak -Easier resale on the Kodiak Power steering is simply amazing and I have yet to meet a single rider with EPS on their machine who dislikes it as it makes it far easier to control the machine, especially when in 4x4. It also greatly reduces kick back when your front tires strike a rock, log, etc meaning you have far better control of the machine. Better control, less fatigue, and a safer ride. What type of terrain will you be riding most? I can't really recommend a tire without knowing this first... X2! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reelinrolly Posted November 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Thanks for the comparison, I don't know much about these machines, Mainly be using it for ice fishing and bombing around in the bush around the cottage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 I can give you a real life experience. We have a couple of 2007 450s at work, excellent machines, one has 10,000km, the other is just behind that. Neither has had any major work, only the annual, grease and oil and a couple batteries. All winter they are both used to plow our parking lot. Summer time used for tearing around the woods. I have my own 2009 550 Grizzly with electric power steering. That alone is work every penny, no effort when riding through the tough stuff, no kickbacks at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now