Home Forums Gear Horses and ATV's which pioneer for my purposes

I am managing my family's part of the farm and I am looking to get a SXS .
I have always had good luck with Honda Products from 3 wheelers to 4 wheel drive 4 wheelers so think I will stick to Honda .
My uses will be to ride around approx 400 acres of flat ground( fields mostly)in Central AR)often very muddy.
Checking flooded rice fields and bean crops occasionally turning wells on and off.
Mostly will be by myself . I want a hard top

Which Honda would be best for my purpose ,the 500,700 or 1000 ?

Would I be best to get a discounted 2019 or a 2020 ?

Any known issues with any of the year models or sizes ?

Thanks
Craig

I have no experience with the 500, but have had the 700 and now have a 1000. On all my SXS's, I've upgraded the tires for muddy conditions (Georgia clay) and I've found that despite the additional weight, my 1000 is the best performer in muddy conditions. Best ground clearance, and lots of torque to keep the tires cleaned out. The 700 was ok, the 1000 is better. I also like the turf mode on the 1000 so you can ride on hard surfaces or on grass without tearing up the tires or the grass, and the front and rear diff locks are very handy in the sloppy stuff.

The mechanic who works on my ATV's answer was the Honda Pioneer 500. He said it is a great engine and if you are not using it on the street as a licensed vehicle the 500 is plenty.

Thanks guys
I think if I buy one I will get a 1000 for the better ground clearance although If I found a great deal on any of them I might buy it.
What time of the year is the best for getting a deal on one of them ?

Usually after hunting season.

The 500 will be under powered in muddy rice fields, even with no load or passengers. No way I'd buy that one.
I have a 700 and it has been a great machine. Honda's bullet proof reputation is well earned.
I'd get the 1000 if your budget allows for it, but no complaints on my 700.

If you're going to have to tow anything heavy i'd go with the 1000, as long as it's in your budget.

Yep, plus the 1000 can spin some bigger mud tires that the smaller machines struggle with. Only downside is if you do get bogged down, it's going to take a little work to get it out. It's heavier than the others.

I was at our local dealer a few months back and they just put a 1000 together for a guy up in Northern CA. that gets a lot of rain. It had tracks, winch etc. Cost was about $30,000 for the whole thing but he said its no good if he can't get around. It did draw a lot of attention when it was going down the highway on the trailer

Last year a friend bought a used Arctic Cat from an old lady who was downsizing. It had belonged to her husband and had very low mileage. He bought it and when he went to pick it up, she said there were some other parts for it in the barn...including a never mounted set of tracks. My friend hasn't mounted them yet either.

I've got quite a few friends that have sxs's with tracks, you have to be very careful where you go as you can bust those anti-rotation rods pretty easily. I have one buddy that carries spares because he knows he's going to need them.

I have a 2019 700-4 deluxe, Great for my needs. On a 700 pioneer fb group and they are seen doing some impressing things. The 1000 is nice, but for that kind of money...and even 700-4 money, you could by a decent used jeep. The 1000 is wider, can be an issue if you don't have a trailer to fit it or if you will be riding tight trails. Should be able to get away with 27in tires on the 700 without any modifications. It comes with 25s. The deluxe comes with power steering and a manual with paddle shifters option. Since only 3 gears, it comes in handy to have the manual option. That the biggest complaint about the 700s, but the low gear does just fine. They just aren't fast....about 42 mph max.

I doubt you will find anything much discounted right now, I'm hearing backorders on all about all honda utvs right now, people paying premiums just to get their hands on one.

Buy the biggest you can afford.

I also have a 700 Deluxe with paddle shifters and EPS. I really would not want a machine without power steering. I chose the 700 over the 1000 because I have some tight spots to get into and the 1000 was just too wide and heavy. The 700 has been perfect for my needs. It is very comfortable to ride in, easy to get in and out, and has all the clearance and power I believe I will ever need. The 1000 was just too big for my narrow trails.