Author Topic: Narrowed it down to two.... (Read 2376 times)

Dogshooter · « **on:** June 07, 2003, 12:32:36 PM »

I am about to buy a new ATV and have narrowed it down to two. Would really appreciate it if you guys could give me any insight or comments about the pro's or con's on the Polaris Sportsman 500 versus the Honda 500 Rincon. They are both my current "first" choice and I'm stuck.

markc · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2003, 05:14:18 PM »

with the Honda. I believe that the Honda will be more dedpendable, less maintanence and may cost a bit less to boot. I know folks are faithful to their brand, but if you can do a search of recalls, and customer satisfaction I would be willing to bet that the Honda will be the best choice.
markc

dbuz · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2003, 06:06:02 PM »

i have a suzuki vinson 500 and it is an awsome machine. it beats all the rest in performance. it is supposed to be the best 500 on the market. i would do some research on it before i bought a honda or especially a polaris.

markc · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2003, 03:59:03 AM »

reading the comparisons and reviews at
www.atvconection.com
markc

volshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2003, 04:04:50 PM »

I don't have any experience with Honda ATV's but we do own 3 new Polaris's (2-400 Sportsman and 1- 330 Trail boss) We love all 3 so far. My sportsman will climb places I cain't on foot and with the comfort of a Caddy-lak. I researched alot before our Feb (03) purchases and we choose the Polaris.
Rick

helobill · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2003, 10:05:06 AM »

markc,
that link brings up a search page, is that what it's supposed to do? I'd like to read some comparisons before I buy two ATVs this summer.
Helicopter Bill

Old Syko · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2003, 11:42:18 AM »

Helobill, check the forums @ atvconnection and you'll be able to read more than you ever wanted to learn about different atvs, just don't take it all to heart. Get out and ride a few and decide for yourself what you like. I'm a bigbore fan and ride a Kawasaki 650, but I ride with a lot of folks who have anything from 250CCs up. Hooking up with a group like this makes decisions easier.

markc · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2003, 02:33:23 AM »

when you go to the main page look to the left side and find the ATV Reviews link to click on. The main page also has some reviews from time to time, but if you want to check on which atv's have been reviewed from each manufacturer, try the link on the left side of the page.
markc

Dogshooter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2003, 09:04:45 AM »

we have a dealer nearby that carries Honda and Polaris so I got to drive and do side by side comapisons of both. In ride, the polaris won. In ground clearance, ditto. In power and handling, ditto. The polaris had engine braking, the Honda didn't. The Poaris had an aux starter, Not the honda. Guess I'll get the Polaris.

helobill · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2003, 03:47:56 AM »

The ATV Connection site helped (figured out my error, was only putting one N in connection). I ended up getting the Arctic Cat 400 4X4 Auto with FIS. Better ground clearance than the Polaris 500 Sportsman and a lot less money, plus AC is offering a 2 year warranty no extra charge. Now I know the best warranty is not having to use it, but it's nice to have. But definitely shop around for price, one AC dealer was selling at MSRP. $5800 with an available rebate of $400 for $5400 plus tax and title. I bought it for almost $1000 less than that at another dealer! Sometimes it pays to shop around.
Bill

lostone1413 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 15, 2003, 04:21:46 AM »

I have a 500 sportsman Polaris and a Yamaha Grizzly here in Arizona. Both are great ATV't The only thing i'd say is if you would be riding much were the ground is ruff or hill climbing get 1 with IRS the sportsman and grizzly both have it saves alot of wear and tear on your back

X-man · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2003, 11:59:41 AM »

Just bought a new 2004 Yamaha 660 Grizzly on Friday. Great bike, just finished the 20 hour break-in period. Already had a Yamaha 400 Kodiak and an old Honda Fourtrax 250. The IRS on the Grizzly creates a whole different ride from my Kodiak. Power and handling to burn. The factory Dunlop tires are better than the factory tires that came with the Kodiak back in 2001, but after the warranty period is up, I'm going to be putting a set of Mud-Bugs or Tri-Claws on her. Side by side, the Grizzly isn't that much bigger than my Kodiak. Only complaint is lack of color choice. Up here in Canada, the 2004 model is only available in red, blue and green. Would've preferred to get Black or Silver Tip configuration, but isn't available.

Can't comment on how dependable the Grizzly is yet, but haven't had any problems with the Kodiak yet. Have used it hauling wood, all terrain/weather conditions. Used it to cross rivers, to retrieve three moose. Worked like a charm. Only complaint is the rear brakes. Have to be careful installing and adjusting rear brake pads, otherwise they'll wear.

As for the old Honda Fourtrax 250. You can't kill it. Bought it new in April of 1986 and you can still grab the kick start with your hand and kick her over. Have used, abused and carried way too much cargo with her and she came through every time. Don't use her much anymore, but haven't had the heart to sell. It'll probably still be working when all these new-fangled LCD displayed super-ATVs are sitting in the dealer's garage waiting to have their electronics looked at.

My pic right now would be the Grizzly, but second would have to be either the 700 Polaris Sportsman and/or 500 H.O. Sportsman. I have a lot of buddies with both models and they regularly use them hauling firewood in winter and moose hunting in the Fall. No complaints and overall good reliability. X-man

markc · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2003, 03:53:15 AM »

My bro-n-law's Grizzley now has a good number of hard hours on it and it is a tough quad. If you do the regular maintanence in the owners manual it will last you many years. He did put Titan 589's on his and they are an awsome tire!!!! I have put a few miles on it myself and that thing will go about anywhere. In 2WD, don't hit the throttle thumb button too hard or it will wheelie over on top of you. It has power to spare for sure. Never spent time on the Polaris except for the 500 4X4, and I would not pay money for one. Nice when new, but haven't found one to last like the Honda's or Yamaha's do. Sorry Polaris guys, not trying to offend anyone, JMHO.
markc

ringo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2003, 01:39:12 PM »

If Polaris is still driven by a rubber belt don't buy it, buy the Honda, they have excellent motors and reputation.

Pot-Bellied Stallion · « **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2003, 01:36:31 PM »

I'm with markc on this. I ride an old 1989 Honda 350 Fourtrax and my hunting buddies all ride equally old Yamaha Big Bears. We have all put those machines through hell in the Idaho mountains and they answer the call every time. I know Polaris riders who have their machines in the shop every other year with some problem. I guess everyone is most comfortable with the brands they are most familiar with, so I'll stick with Honda or Yamaha if I ever need to buy another ATV.

Omega · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2003, 02:26:59 PM »

It all depends on where you ride and what you want an ATV for. I use mine for hunting and fishing with my family and buds so the best choice didn't have 4 wheels it has 8! For hauling gear, kids and moose nothing compares to a Argo Conquest. It doesn't go very fast so there isn't any joy riding with the guys on a Sunday but when the meats on the ground I get lots of calls!
Rich
:-D

X-man · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2003, 04:26:25 PM »

Hey Rich,

What part of Alberta are you checking in from? I'm guessing it isn't in the mountains. Down here on the Rock, Argos are of limited value. They can't handle most of our broken, barrens and scrub spruce pockets. My buddy Bill has one and he regrets not opting for a 4WD ATV instead. Probably the only place where they really shine is in central Newfoundland where you have 10-15-20km bogs or "mashes" with small ponds and bog holes interspersed. We trailered his Argo out around the Glenwood area (along with three ATVs) during a Caribou/Bear hunt last year. One animal was taken at long range in the middle of a large "mash" that would've been a bitch to try to drive our Kodiaks and Grizzlies though. (Bog holes there so deep we couldn't find bottom with a thirty foot weighted rope!) It took a while to get the Argo that far in. (we were about 30km from our camp), but it was worth it. I didn't relish trying to carry 100lb quarters on my back over that bog. We had a boil up and told some lies while Bill headed back to camp to pick up the Argo. It did come in handy that trip, but still.... I guess it all depends on what kind of terrain your hunting. For the most part, those side-by-side 4 and 6 wheel ATVs like the Polaris Ranger, etc... suffer many of the same drawback of the Argo. They simpley can't go where a good four wheel drive ATV can, at least here on The Rock. Sean

patw · « **Reply #17 on:** September 19, 2003, 12:15:37 AM »

FWIW, I have a 91 Polaris, and my hunting buddies also have four wheelers by Polaris. They are awesome machines. Mine is the old 350 two stroke 4wd. We have had three people on it going through rice fields. It is showing its age now, still runs good but it strains too much through the rice fields, so it stays on hard ground. My buds also love their Polaris machines. That said, if we were to get new 4wheelers, we would go with the Honda for the simple reason that maintenance is easier and cheaper. The Polaris dealer was expensive, his service was soso, and anyway he left town about a year ago. I have to beg a mechanic to work on mine now, he says is too hard to work on.

Omega · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2003, 02:40:48 AM »

Quote from: X-man

Hey Rich,

What part of Alberta are you checking in from? I'm guessing it isn't in the mountains. Sean

I hunt sheep all the time with my Argo. I live 40 minutes from the Rockies and I have plenty of invites for open week of sheep hunting. Around here the closest staging area is 5 miles from the Front Range and you don't get into sheep for another dozen miles after that. Travel in the Rocks is up creeks and rivers for the most part and over passes to the next drainage. I do go at a much slower speed than the guys in the quads but with not losing my trailers in the river crossings (often dozens a day depending on destination) and rolling trailers and quads on the hills I get there way ahead of everybody. Argo's climb by sheer traction and you never get into trouble spinning out part way up something. Argos are not play toys for racing up and down roads and cutlines splashing mud on your buddy, they are more a work machine and when it looks real bad is the best spot for them. Like I said they are definetely not for everyone.
Rich

Hawghead · « **Reply #19 on:** September 22, 2003, 07:54:39 AM »

Id go with the honda. I personally like shifting gears. If I recall right, polaris are auto. I have a '84 honda ATC 70 that still runs and I have a 91 honda fourtrax 200. I have never had to do anything to either one. I just put new back tires on the fourtrax. I would not buy anything but a honda. Iknow people that have bought others and have been disasppoited.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #20 on:** October 03, 2003, 02:04:28 PM »

I had a 95 Honda and the shaft drive went out about once a year. The first one was under warranty. The last three, before I sold it, cost me around 1200 each. I didn't hold that against Honda when I was shopping around this time and I did drive both. The ride and ground clearance is where Honda lost me this time. I realize the Polaris is run on a Belt, but when it breaks, it will be a lot cheaper than what the Honda I cost me.

Old Syko · « **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2003, 03:37:42 PM »

Dogshooter, take a closer look at the belt drive. What I'm getting at is it does not take the place of a drive shaft. The belt merely transfers power by way of a vsr clutch to the transmission, and from there by way of driveshafts to the front and rear diffs. Belts aren't expensive just as you have said but you still have all the other drive parts as before.

Most newer sport-utilities are belt drive in this fashon other than the Honda automatics and a handfull of manual trans rides. All the newer quads are much more dependable now than just a few years ago.

22savage · « **Reply #22 on:** November 14, 2003, 06:07:19 AM »

omega:
i couldn't agree more. i have a argo and have never had any problems. i live on the southwest coast of newfoundland where it is nothing but bogs, low spruce pockets and rocks and have never had any difficulty getting around. I would say that my 6x6 probably handles the spruce better than any four wheeler so i don't know what X-man was talking about.
if you want something that you can sport around on and whiz around the roads on, this is definitely not the rig for you. but if you want something to haul you and your gear to your hunting grounds, this is the rig

travis

Dogshooter · « **Reply #23 on:** November 20, 2003, 04:46:24 PM »

You can't use an Argo on a lot of the trails where I live. The trails that allow 4 wheelers have a couple of steel posts in the ground at the trail head and they are 48" apart. If you can't get thru them, you can't use that trail.

markc · « **Reply #24 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:18:48 AM »

There is a new side by side that will go everywhere a 4X4 ATV will. Take a look at the new Yamaha Rhino 660. A bit expensive maybe, but so far every review I've read says it is not a Mule, Ranger or other side by side, but a 4X4 atv that seats two. Hope to trade in my Mule on one some day soon.
markc

Old Syko · « **Reply #25 on:** November 21, 2003, 02:19:45 PM »

The Rhino is a more capable utility but it is still a utility. Will go where a 4x4 atv will go? No way in the world!! Not even the dealers will make such a statement.

Besides, Dogshooter has to be able to go between 2 posts 48 inches apart. That even rules out some of the bigbore atvs. That is unless he gets 1 wild running start at those posts.

1 other thing to consider is your local laws that determine where you can and can't ride and how your machine is to be registered. Where I live the atvs fall into a different catagory from the utilities.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #26 on:** November 25, 2003, 03:33:45 PM »

Old Syko,
Not absolutely sure about that clearance on those posts. I have a 500 Sportsman and can get thru them but just barely.