Thread: Kodiak

One for all the Polaris haters ........

My Polaris Ute - model selected due to the slightly wider and longer wheelbase and the considerably higher factory rated load capacity.

It has a hinged lid front box as part of the front wheel arch moulding which is flat topped (enough room for some gloves, hat, couple of tow ropes, toilet paper, game hoist and gimble hook, puncher repair kit, first aid kit, etc). I fitted a ply deck to the top of the lid and then used Rail Blazer mounts and gun racks to carry 4x rifles (helps keep weigh forward and makes for quick access when spotlighting). Fitted a bungy cord setup in the middle for a raincoat and leggings for quick access (utilises the space but keeps the headlight usable), and have a Bacho knife screwed to the top of easy access.

On the rear tray, I made up a lightweight frame that engages into a Polaris mounting system. The frame incorporates extra seating for two and can carry two standard fish bins while still giving usable access to the back tray via the rear tail gate. Bins are used to keep light weight stuff dry like lunch, clothing etc, and makes it easy to throw the day pack in. A lid goes on top to keep the rain out.
The rear tray is reserved for meat recovery.

The extra seating is really useful for getting other shooters out into the field or home after the hunt. I have fitted a couple of squabs to the wooden base for rider comfort. These squabs are the ones designed to fit on the lids of icy-teck chilly bins for use in boats as extra seating - they work very well and are water proof.
I have gradient limits whereby passengers have to get off and walk while I ride through for safety.

Has winch fitted, and I have also fitted LED spot lights since this photo where the lights shine 45-60deg out to the sides for better driving line assessment at night in rough terrain, plus one wide beam under the deck at the back for reversing and to make it easy for closing gates behind you without a torch.
Tires are often one of the biggest performance (and safety) improvements you can make. Fortunately the Polaris Ute comes out with Bear Claw's as standard and I have had no reason to complain.


If you are new to riding a quad, or you are riding a new quad, I strongly suggest that you test and understand the stability limits of your particular machine in a controlled environment, before you go onto the hills. Good way to do this is to find an appropriate water course on the edge of a farm track where you can get the bike crossed up and off balance. Get a good strong mate(s), tie a rope to the quad appropriate for the stability angle being tested, and use them to catch the quad if you exceed the stability limit and keep it on all 4 wheels. Try different angles of approach and practice using your body weight to shift the centre of gravity to your advantage. Strap a couple of full 20L canisters of water to the bike and see what differences it makes to its performance. You will be surprised at how much stability is lost if loads are incorrectly positioned. In the real world once you hit the hills you also have to factor in dynamic loads, and the 'unexpected' like a pothole or a hump in the wrong place, and loss of traction.