id go with the honda, thats what most people have around here and dont have much problems with them, i had a friend that had a yamaha 250 4x4 and that thing was junk he was always fixing, ive had a honda 350 4x4 sense 1987 and the only thing we have done was a recent ring and piston job due to me overheating it, otherwise it has has no troubles in 10 years, id stick with the honda, just my thought.

-fordman

 

I skipped over 1/2 of the replies to post this. So Sorry if I repeat myself
1) I prefer Yamaha. I have driven/owned both.

2) I'd much rather have a belt operation over a electric shifter (button push on the handle bars) because sure maybe a belt will slip, but the electronics involved on the shifter... they get wet also, and that COULD be bad.

3) As for the "True 4x4" that was when they first came out. Others offer true 4x4

4) I own a 2002 Yamaha Beartracker 250 2x4. I'm 6'2 260 lbs. It pulls my fat self all over the place, and quite well. I put bigger 25x11.50 tires on it and it has all the ground clearance it will ever need, and it rides a lot smoother (not bad stock) It did mess with the gearing a bit, but it had a lower 1st gear than other 4 wheelers also.

5) Personally, I'd go with something with an automatic clutch, but manual gears, as they are tried and true. I don't prefer belt drives, or electric shift. My mother does have a Belt Driver Kawasaki Prairie 300 and it runs great, but just not my type of 4 wheeler. Never had a belt put on it and it runs great. Its a 2000 Model

6) Buy a winch, as stated above... I just put one on my Beartracker, and the first weekend I had to use it twice. To pull out my buddy in his 95 Suzuki 250 2x4 with low range. Just wouldn't pull the big drop off thing he drove down. They come in very handy and you never know what you can use them for.
I've used them to hold down tree stands on the 4 wheeler, hold down fire wood, etc on short trips to and from camp.

Sorry for the long post here, just expressing my 2 cents on the subject

 

Nothing can beat a Honda


Rich

 

Here's my point,

Ford started it all in the truck world, and look at us now, STILL buying the best trucks ever made.

Honda came out with the first ATC 90 before anyone ever knew what to call it. If honda built a two-seat quad out of the Rubicon, I'd buy one, but they don't.
(That being said, I hate the Rincon and the 3 speed tranny)


My dad owns a rancher 2X4, my brother has an '03 400 EX, and I used to have an '01 400 EX. Nothing wrong with any of these quads, solid, reliable performers. If you build the 400EX up the right way, it's just as reliable as stock, whereas some other sport machines run into durability issues.

In short, get the Honda.

 

polaris sucks!

 

I have the top Honda and the top Polaris. The honda is fun but when you need muscle . . . it just a ricer. Check the tow limits hoss on the top honda and Polaris. Have you ever owned a Polaris ATV fordeverpower?

Polaris only sucks if the operator does!!!!

 

rlh you caught me. I have never owned a polaris but i have heard some good things and some bad things. all the manufacturs are good as long as you take care of the atvs and don't put them thru extreme punishment.

 

Hey RLH, what can you tell me about youre polaris. What model? My father is looking at one (with my gentle nudging ). We currently have two 01 TRX 450 ES. I would really like a bike with a big motor (I just saw polaris introduced an EFI 700 twin), and IRS.


Rich

 

WheelMA1,

I have a Sportsman Twin 700, 2003 model purchased it in Nov 2002. I don't know what the differences in the 03 & 04s are mine is carburated. In 04 they have EFI and a carburated version. Like fordeverpower said, maintenance and taking care of an atv has a lot to do with longevity. It is liquid cooled. I don't have any experience with it in extemely cold weather. I suspect the EFI would be better in cold climates. You would think a Canadian built machine would do well . . .

They are always pushing the envelope. True on demand 4x4 and now EFI.

http://atv.polarisindustries.com/ATV...D-26A3D2FDD609

 

My dad had a 2002 Polaris Sportmas 500, and then got a Scrambler 500 I hated both of them
The scrambler was ok to ride on a open trail. field but it sucked in the woods
The Sportsman was nice but it wasnt a trail riding 4 wheeler, atleast not at higher speeds, and I just didnt like the "tank"

 

The Twin 600 and 700s are a little different beasts. My Twin 700 has 60 on the speedometer and it WILL. But low range is very loooow. I've tackled some serious hills with loose soil, sand and gravel using in place my Bronco won't go. Its and 800 pound beast but can carry some field gear and tow something if nec. Just for scouting we use the Honda. I just sent the big Honda up state and got a Recon with 5 speed electric shift to replace it with.

 

Well, I have never even ridden a 4 wheeler so my opinion may not be worth much. I did put about 15000 miles on a Honda XL500R, mainly off-road, so I am familiar with Honda quality and performance.

The one thing I wanted to mention is that there is a track set-up made now that incorporates one track per wheel. It makes top speed about 45 mph, but its width and ground clearance is totally awesome. Here us a link to the site where they are sold if anyone is interested. www.mattracks.com or www.litefootatv.com .

If anyone has used a set of these, Id like to know how they performed in different conditions and terrains.
*edit - I went and checked the sites out and they have some really AWESOME videos to watch!!* I may have to make a separate post for those who don't ride ATVs.

 

Hey, I voted for the Honda Rancher on the Poll. I justed mentioned the Polaris to stir the pot since they are Canadian made.

 

EFI from Polaris, EEEEEK! Remember their stab at it in the snowmachine division. What a disaster.

For me reliabilty is the #1 reason behind what brand I buy. Hence Honda. Power being the reason Polaris gets the nod. But when I want speed and power in a light nimble package I'm not riding a 4 wheeler. My Honda CR 250r is my play toy.

The Rancher I have it for the better half and to rove around the woods looking for things.

 

The Honda Rancher will be the most reliable of the two. I own an '02 Honda Foreman and plan to keep it for many years to come. As someone has posted "Can't go wrong with a Honda".