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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,290
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,290 |
We have gotten along well with Hondas. Don't forget a good service dealer.
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o "May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884 |
For reliability, any Honda without question. The 400 size is a sweetheart if you aren't a brute.
For big, rugged work when you can get it started, Grizzly 700. For smooth trail-riding and play, Can-Am.
Never, ever Arctic Cat. They are a maintenance money-pit.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,401
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,401 |
We have a new Rancher with power steering and independent rear, and 4 500 foreman's. Honda hands down for us!! Caption contest. "Dalai Lama and the his big brown beaver"
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,554
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,554 |
Thats interesting.
Several folks around here have had good luck with Artic Cat.
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884 |
The three Arctic Cats on the ranch go back to the dealer for necessary suspension and engine maintenance more often than all of the decades-old Hondas put together.
They go fast, have power, but suspension goes haywire, bearings go out, steering is always going out or going wrong, engines leak oil randomly, start hard when it's cold, brakes don't last at all, body panels can't take much contact, etc.
To the point, I won't ride one down the highway or use it to chase cows because I've seen them locked up or tipped over or loss of brakes too many times with other guys.
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,554
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,554 |
I will be damned. The neighbors and I have had good luck. You have a bunch of ex rig hands running them?
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,202
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,202 |
The close to geriatric group that posts here on the Fire would have good luck with any machine because their version of of off-roading is running up and down a trail and waving at the grand kids as they go by. So for them, any machine is going to be reliable ANY machine.
But -
If you plan on going where is gets rough, like dropping your machine into hidden sink holes multiple times in one day and having to winch yourself out, then a Honda isn't going to cut it. I know because I've done it on my Honda Rincon. At 3200 miles it took over $700 to fix all the problems. Reliable? Only if you wave at the grand kids - see above.
For riding in and through the rough stuff, there is only one machine that can really handle it. Polaris. I own a Sportsman 850 and I can tell you - from experience - that it can do what the others can't.
I encourage you to watch all the mud pit videos you like on YouTube and over and over again you'll see there is one brand that can make it through the pit. Polaris.
And since you want to buy American and keep your money working in America, a goal of the President YOU voted for, there is only one brand that has its headquarters in the USA and also has its stock listed on the NYSE. Polaris.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,726
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,726 |
For riding in and through the rough stuff, there is only one machine that can really handle it. Polaris. I own a Sportsman 850 and I can tell you - from experience - that it can do what the others can't.
If a 700 Grizz can't make it I wouldn't even want to try it.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,154
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,154 |
Finding a dealer that you trust (and that services their products) is probably more important than the brand.
Guys in my hunting club have used Honda, Yamaha, CanAm, Artic Cat, and Polaris. Don't remember any Kawasakis or Suzukis.
In general:
The Hondas and Yamahas were very reliable. The first machines that were used on our club were old 2WD Hondas and Yamahas. Still have a die-hard Yamaha user on a newer 4WD who's machine is pretty much bulletproof. No Hondas left - people wanted to update to automatic trans and Honda was too slow to the game.
The Can Am user switched from an old Honda and seems happy.
Artic Cats have had the most problems - frames, drive shafts, poor starting. One guy still uses one, but is about ready to get rid of it. The other Artic Cat user already switched to Polaris.
Most of us use Polaris now - 400, 500, 700 Sportsmans from late 90s vintage to just a few yrs old. A 550 and a 850 SP EPS, a 570 Ranger and a General. They work just fine, no particular problems, except with OEM Polaris batteries - get rid of those at first opportunity and replace with a good AGM powersport battery.
I have a 2003 Sportsman 400 and a 2009 Sportsman 550 SP EPS. The 400 is showing its age a little, having some trouble with the shift linkage getting out of adjustment and jamming - so no more skidding or winching hardwood logs out of the woods for firewood anymore with that one. The 550 EPS is spooky easy steering and great ride - no problems with it so far.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,055
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,055 |
For what you describe a Honda Foreman or Rancher would fit the bill. They hold their value if you ever decide you don’t like it.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,726
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,726 |
I was just snooping around Honda's website and the FourTrax Foreman Rubicon looks pretty good. But it's only a 520cc machine, be curious to climb a few hills with one. Same price range as a 700 Grizz though, so it had better be awesome. https://powersports.honda.com/atv/recutility/fourtrax-foreman-rubicon-4x4
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,629
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,629 |
What do you guys like for a new ATV these days? Looking for something no less than 400 cc
Uses would be pulling a small buggy full of firewood / gravel, hauling game, and my ass up the mountain with another rider at times.
No racing or obstacle climbing needed lol thank you all, I appreciate it. Been loving my 2008 Rancher since I bought it new. Replaced a battery since I had it and changed oil and filter regular. No issues at all just stupid reliable.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 797
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 797 |
I would think that with the popularity of the SxS’s that the used atv market would be ripe for picking up a good used machine. Honda Foreman here that just keeps on going but would eventually like to move up to a SxS someday. Good luck, Dave
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,726
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,726 |
95% of my ATV use is chasin' cows around. I prefer a 4-wheeler to a SxS for rougher country.
Put a few miles on checking irrigation water but nothing like the off-roading when gathering cattle.
Flat ground and no hurry a straight axle Honda can't be beat.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,526
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,526 |
I have a kawasaki '08 650 brute force. I haven't had to replace anything on it yet. I like it. My only complaint is, it is cold blooded in the winter.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,726
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,726 |
I have a kawasaki '08 650 brute force. I haven't had to replace anything on it yet. I like it. My only complaint is, it is cold blooded in the winter. I like their low center of gravity.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,112
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,112 |
I sold my original 1988 Foreman, that I bought new back in the day, earlier this summer: And bought a new 2019 Foreman FM1 on closeout, which is the base model with manual shift & solid rear axle: I was looking at a Rancher first with power steering & electronic shift, but then stepped up to the Foreman for the bigger motor, better bumpers, and locking front differential. I went with bare bones for the less chance of schitt to go wrong in the future. Would have gone carbureted if given the option.
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,554
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,554 |
The fuel injection of today is incredibly simple and reliable.
Maybe more so than the old carbs.
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,295
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,295 |
Honda's are the Stihl of atv's and Yamaha's are the .Husqvarna..Can't go wrong with either.Take your pick....I am a Yamaha guy.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,112
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,112 |
The fuel injection of today is incredibly simple and reliable. Maybe more so than the old carbs. Except you're schit-out-of luck when your battery is too low or dead with fuel injection. My old Honda had a kick start for those times.....
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