Honda, IMO still builds the more reliable bikes. A geared tranny trumps a belt drive everytime for long term reliability. If you want to play in the deep #### however, I'd consider a Yamaha Grizz. We've been having great, low maintenance results with the old man's Rhino for the last few years. That diff lock does help drag it through just a little bit deeper mud/snow/whatever. Mixed results on the Can Ams, reliable for a few, other guys seem to toss belts left and right. They're probably flogging them though. My experiences with several Polaris machines ensure that one will never darken my garage...
Buying a new quad! need help desciding.
- Thread starter 168bergersapper
- Start date
my dad has 2 can ams, 400 and 650, much better ride than Honda.
I have an 86 Honda 350 with home made tracks on it made from sled tracks, I use it to haul my wood for the year, it really rides like sht, but does the job and starts every time, even at -25c. I do haul my deer as well with it but that's just peanut work...
I used it this past week-end hauling 2- 16 feet at least 12'' diameter red birch logs with my ''skidder trailer'' with 12v 2500 lbs winch and deep cylcle bat -on wet snow but firm base...it does pull. a 500 with the the new tracks would do it better for sure, but it does work for my what I use it for.
I have an 86 Honda 350 with home made tracks on it made from sled tracks, I use it to haul my wood for the year, it really rides like sht, but does the job and starts every time, even at -25c. I do haul my deer as well with it but that's just peanut work...
I used it this past week-end hauling 2- 16 feet at least 12'' diameter red birch logs with my ''skidder trailer'' with 12v 2500 lbs winch and deep cylcle bat -on wet snow but firm base...it does pull. a 500 with the the new tracks would do it better for sure, but it does work for my what I use it for.
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168bergersapper
Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
You guys aren't making this easy haha. I was hoping to hear better things about the Can Am as I really like the 2 up riding option. I guess also being my first quad and not really knowing what to expect in terms of riding style i might end up enjoying the most.
austkwills
New member
- Location
- Southwestern Ontario
Do it right the first time and buy an Arctic Cat! You will not be disappointed. The 500 or 550 is a perfect bike for hunting and romping around in the bush.
My buddie has one of these little critters and it astonishes me where it will go.
Nimble little buggie for sure.
i have grown up in the power sports industry and honda has gone down hill since 2000. they are a giant peace of shat. the can-am is hands down got the most power but the frames are a peace of shat, made like tin foil (saw one wright off from brushing against a garage wall).
my personal opinion would be the grizzly i have ridden them in all terrain, see guys beat the living shat out of them and they keep going. they do like to eat break pads. i have yet to see any issue with the clutch setup on them (if serviced properly).
my personal opinion would be the grizzly i have ridden them in all terrain, see guys beat the living shat out of them and they keep going. they do like to eat break pads. i have yet to see any issue with the clutch setup on them (if serviced properly).
Lol.
I'm glad yours has been good to you, but all the cats I've ridden with end up getting towed home, or limping home.
- Location
- Burlington
Honda foreman 500 is all you need for trail riding and hunting. No need for a ####ty Kitty or a Poolaris, eventually you will end up being towed home by a Honda. The Grizzlies are great bikes but eat more fuel than necessary IMO.
Flame on ####ty Kitty and Poolaris fans.
Flame on ####ty Kitty and Poolaris fans.
The Honda is a tough product. I had several atv's,Honda's and Polaris.For the money I think a Polaris Sportsman 400 or 500 is the the best bang for the buck.If you look after it, it will last and is a handy product.
In the last 10 years I have not had to change a belt on a polaris, and my machines are used for utility-snowplowing and pushing.
I have a 550 sportsman and it is smooth and much better built chassis then the older ones,but the price goes up.
In the last 10 years I have not had to change a belt on a polaris, and my machines are used for utility-snowplowing and pushing.
I have a 550 sportsman and it is smooth and much better built chassis then the older ones,but the price goes up.
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I have a Arctic Cat 2004 400 FIS manual transmission. Lots of power, great ground clearance (10") minimum and fully independant suspension. Very reliable never any issues and comfortable to ride. suzuki is also another to look at.
I also own a rzr-s and my experiences have been the exact opposite. That thing was a giant POS until I dropped the original price into it again. A good friend of mine also owns a polaris sportsman 550 and it's also been a headache though not nearly as bad as the Rzr used to be. All the Polaris machines I've seen eat through normal wear parts faster than the other brands.
Honda gets my vote for being abusable while being reliable.
Ditchdogger
CGN frequent flyer
I am still running my 89 big bear , wanted a new one this year and found out they no longer make them. I guess I will have to see if I can get antique plates for it soon
NorthernPF
Regular
- Location
- Ramore, Ontario
I have a 2013 Polaris Sportsman 850 XP and I have litterally ZERO REGRETS!! I asked the same question on this forum last year and many people bashed the Polaris but I love it. Honda has a good engine but ground clearance is brutal. Clearance on the Foreman is 7.5 inches and their biggest model the Rincon is 9.2 inches. Polaris XP comes standard at 12". That's before you upgrade tires if you choose to do so.
On the Polaris price is right too. I got my brand new 2013 850XP with front and rear bumpers, hand and thumb warmers and a 3500lbs winch with the synthetic line for $10,600 taxes in and out the door.
On the Polaris price is right too. I got my brand new 2013 850XP with front and rear bumpers, hand and thumb warmers and a 3500lbs winch with the synthetic line for $10,600 taxes in and out the door.
- Location
- Burlington
You are absolutely right, the Hondas ground clearance is brutal. But for trail riding and hunting clearance isn't really a factor.
If I were going to get another machine other than my Foreman 500 I think it would be a Grizzly, based solely on the fact that my friends Grizzly can almost clear my Honda lol.
I don't have a lot of riding experience on the Polaris but I do have a lot of experience towing them after they go through water and the belt slips off, unless you want to stop and drain your belt housing every time you go through a puddle.
For trail and hunting just get a Honda, if you want to drive over buckets and do catwalks, a Honda probably isn't the best choice lol.
Granted I haven't rode woth any of the aforementioned brands newer than 2011 so for all I know I may be living in the past.
If I were going to get another machine other than my Foreman 500 I think it would be a Grizzly, based solely on the fact that my friends Grizzly can almost clear my Honda lol.
I don't have a lot of riding experience on the Polaris but I do have a lot of experience towing them after they go through water and the belt slips off, unless you want to stop and drain your belt housing every time you go through a puddle.
For trail and hunting just get a Honda, if you want to drive over buckets and do catwalks, a Honda probably isn't the best choice lol.
Granted I haven't rode woth any of the aforementioned brands newer than 2011 so for all I know I may be living in the past.
