Mrs Walter offered to buy me one for Father’s Day.

Not sure which I want for hunting and riding off road on BLM lands in n WA, OR and ID.

Suggestions on what to get and what to avoid?

When I lived in AK I pretty much lived out of my ATV for hunting each year, but that was a while back.

I like Honda's. They last and last.

That’s why we have Honda motorcycles.

Which Honda ATV?

Or which other brands and models?

'90s Honda manuals were good. New buy Yamaha. If you're hauling on a trailer and don't need something for narrow trails, look at utvs.

Rubicon. The independent suspension makes a big difference. 3500# winch.

Nice bike!

I looked at one, and really wanted it, but my 2006 Rancher keeps going and going...

Yamaha Grizzly here. Been trouble free for 13 years.

Honda-----Yamaha or Kawasaki

I'd bet SxS machines out sell the quads

Inventory.....if its like every thing else.....

UR selection may be limited

My '18 Teryx bought new 3 yrs ago......flawless & not one minute's problem

I’d get a Grizzly.

I like Honda have a 19 Rancher 4x4 wife has a 300 Kawasaki Brute Force 2wd i like it but like the Honda better...Hear Yamaha is also good.Find a few dealers close by and go look at them.

Rode polaris for years.

Really like this Artic Cat 550 that I have now.

Much simpler than the polaris.

My Honda Rancher is 20 years old. Still runs great!

I can say the same - well built machine - but my 350 Rancher is not very easy to work on. If new, I probably would be looking for a Yamaha Grizzly.

Honda I have a 99 Foreman still running. When I was still working in the Oil Patch, I'm Oil field trash, ran a 2006 500 Foreman for 22,000 miles only major repair was replacing 3rd gear, the other well Tender had 18,000 on his. Company replaced them with Polaris Rangers, they were junk.
Go with Honda ATV or UTV.

Honda or a Honda

Still on a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 500.

The older polaris bikes were more reliable.

I would get either a Yamaha or a Honda depending on what you can find out there right now, but I would get power steering on whatever I found. I have 2 700 Grizzlys along with a 420 Rancher and a 500 Foreman.

I have an 02 Foreman ES and A 2014 Rincon neither has ever failed me..

They're all great, especially those old FourTrax. The only thing that sets the Rubicon apart is the suspension and power steering. Considering where the OP is, it's probably worth it. It's worth it here in the land of skidder ruts.

Hilarious, coming from a pavement cowgirl like you.

Just stfu and let people who run equipment share what works.

🦫

Too funny........

just beefin' up my post count....

how does Travis do it ??????

Yamaha Grizzly is a solid machine...Can Am Outlander is bad-ass

I have a Griz 450 and a couple new Can Am Outlanders 570 and 650

🦫

Talented and hilarious.

At least Trav can take a punch...BobbyBrownButt get’s all misty eyed, when he’s poked in his pussy.

LOL

🦫

Can am or Yamaha grizzly. Just make sure fuel injected and power steering.


Clyde

Still riding a 2001 Honda Foreman 450. It just keeps chugging along. When (and if) it ever breaks I'll get power steering and independent suspension.

Another Honda or Yamaha.

2 - '03 Honda Foreman - 1 '03 Rancher - 1 '03 Honda small 2 vwheel drive Quad, forget the model . 1 '20 - 500 Pioneer

All in the family

1 Foreman 12000 miles - no trouble , usual maintenance

1 Foreman 1600 miles same

Rancher about 7000 M - same - ORIGINAL '03 battery.

Hondas have a Transmission-- I do not like the snowmobile belt drives.

I wouldn't look at a Polaris - yeah they ride nice. Only Hondas here.

I've had a Honda FourTrax 300, Polaris Sportsman 700 4x4 and a Polaris Sportsman 100 4x4. Polaris has the ride but Honda has the reliability. Not that I've had anything major go wrong on the Polaris. I'd recommend a Honda and it doesn't need to be the biggest they make. The Polaris Sportman 1000 is just too much engine in an ATV. I only bought as they were out of stock of the 850s.

20 year old Honda Rancher here. It's been an excellent machine. No easy miles either. It's always pulling or hauling something over rough steep ground.

Ordered a new Rancher last November with the independent suspension. Looking like I won't see it until 2022. Glad I didn't sell the old one.

I’m ordering up a Polaris 570 Ranger EPS for small work around the property.

Don’t need the power of the 1000. Mainly running hand tools around and garbage to the gate.

4-6 week lead time.

🦫

Got three Hondas here. 2002 & 2006 450 Foremen and a 2019 420 Rancher. Farm use and hunting, no issues.

Have two 2021 Polaris 570s, a 2021 Arctic Cat 450 and a 2021 Arctic Cat 300. I much prefer the 300 since it is very simple and fun to ride. The AC 450 is fine but the suspension is lacking. It is also basic and preferred over the Polaris 570s. The Sportsman’s are overly complex and are a headache. Already have had two recalls and not worth it for what I do which is ride around a couple hundred acres. Yamaha and Honda make great machines as well. I just prefer simple designs that have been around for awhile and don’t want to constantly mess around with them.

Still riding an 03 Artic Cat 500 clutch-less standard.

I have a Suzuki 4x4. It's the 400 whivh does not have the power steering. My next one will be the 500 with power steering. Mine is only 6 years old and 115 hours so I can't tell you about long term issues.

kwg

Got a Polaris, been great!

Grizzlies have been good to us. FYI, the EPS is worth the coin. I’ve become a real fan of Kawi SxSs. They are dead reliable. While I still have a couple Grizzlies, I spend more time in the Kawi SXSs.

Honda Foreman 4x4. I had an 87’ Foreman I sold to get an 03’. If I don’t croak before it does I’ll buy another.

A friend rode my 700 Grizzly and sold his Honda 650 the next week . The Yamaha has high/ low range and better engine braking going down hill . Whatever you buy make sure it has electric power steering .

That looks quite a bit cleaner than my 02 Rancher.

Grizzly 700, no contest.

We've had Yamahas, Polaris, Arctic Cat, Hondas at the farm. Our 04 Rhino is on its 3rd floorboard and it has holes knocked in it. Polaris was ok but it was an 01. Arctic Cat was just like it's name cold natured in July. If you want it to start and run like every time, spend the money for a Honda. Just our experience since 1996, YMMV

KC

gearing ,,,,,low and high ..and u have to pick ..2wd.. 3wd ...4wd... an diff lock

This is exactly the advice I'd give you. I bought a leftover 2019 Yamaha grizzly in November of 2019. It's my thirda Yamaha Grizzly. Awesome power, ridability, and great performance for my needs, which is riding trails while Hnting, not go-fast trail riding.

Also, if you plan on being on BLM land with trail width restrictions, an ATV is your only option really.
The independent front locking sifferential with true four wheel drie was the biggest factor when I researched ATV's years ago.....and Yamaha is the only brand that offers a 10 year warranty on the drive belt.....

I added a Black Widow drop basket to the back of mine so I can carry a spare fuel can, a cooler with refreshments, or other gear, plus it helps when gathering Firewood! Oh, I also had them install a front winch and am trying the new synthetic winch cable instead of the steel version...have not used it to give an opinion yet.

Good luck with your decision!


Frog---OUT!

honda doesn't keep up with the rest on technology. they are way behind. we've had way more problems with honda than any other brand. my 07 polaris x2 500 will go places the others wont,especially on real steep stuff. longer wheel base makes a world of differents hauling game. i'm looking at new polaris now.

We just looked at a Grizzly Hunter Edition 570, 2015 version, 2,500 lb factory winch, scabbard, racks, 77 miles (you read that right). Owner sold two ATVs to the dealer when he decided not to ride any more. The other ATV had 22 miles on it.

$7,799+ tax.

What do you think?


Correction. It’s a 2015 Polaris® Sportsman® 570 SP EPS Hunter Edition

https://atv.polaris.com/en-us/2015/rec-utility/sportsman-570-sp-hunter-edition-2015-atv/

better get UR butt there in the morning

Like others have said I think Hondas were rock solid especially early in the initial atv era. My own feelings is that they haven't kept up with technology. I bought a Suzuki 450 King Quad in 2006 and they along with the Yamaha line were the top rated. I traded up for a new Suzuki 750 King Quad with power steering 2 years ago and the new machine is really something. I use mine for ice fishing all winter and we get some deep snow. My Suzuki's can get through the deep drifts much easier than the Honda's because of the independent suspension and good ground clearance. My machines always start even in the oldest temps due to EFI. Lots of other machines seem to have problems when it is bitterly cold. My King Quads both had locking differentials too which when you really get stuck is a great escape tool.

Honda.

Honda Rancher 350...my hunting buddy has a 2002 and mine is a 2003. Just service them annually and buy new tires as needed.

Another grizzly fan. Cant go wrong with Honda either

I have an '01 Honda Rubicon 500. Other than oil changes and tires, the only things it has needed is a spark plug and finally last winter a new battery. It isn't the fanciest. No power steering, always in 4X4, and definitely not the most powerful. But it works and goes anywhere.

Honda for me. I bought this new in 87. Trouble free.

Man what a flood of memories that photo brings back. Exactly like mine down to the tires, except with yellow lights in the front plastic. I rode that thing HARD!! Only issue I ever was the little electric fuel pump died once (my fault doing dumb things). Solid front axle was unforgiving when landing a jump, but would pull like a freight train. Rolled it every direction possible, had it over backwards on top of me, barrel rolled it at WOT nearly breaking my leg, over water underwater you name it. After all the hell I put it through it cleaned up and looked almost as good as yours when I sold it to the first caller when listed in the local paper. I saw it every deer season for several years after selling loaded up headed to the woods. Partzilla is a great source for parts if ya ever have a need!

On Honda # 4.

'96 Fourtrax 300, '03 Rancher 400 AT, '07 Rubicon, '17 Pioneer.

None has seen a repair shop.

Non ethanol gas, change the engine and differential oil, clean the air filter, a new battery every 5 years or so. That's it

Light farm work, plowing snow, hunting, ice fishing, and trail riding.

They all have been solid.

i have rode honda's since the 6 0's and have a gold wing, and one of the old three wheel atv hondas.
having said that i have a yamaha 700 grizz.
fuel injectionn/no starting issues at high altitudes
independent suspension
has a engine brake meaning i hardly use brakes which are disc
low and high 4x4 plus regular automatic drive.
has a locker on the transmission, meaning true 4x4 drive.
will tow about 1200lbs.
has a top end of about 70mph

Well, after dropping $$$$ on a almost new Polaris 570 Hunter model with 77 miles on it, I was having dinner with a friend just catching up, and he asked what I’ve been up to.

I said, “just bought an ATV. “

He said, “wish I’d have known. I’m selling mine, a 2016 Yamaha Kodiak 700 with winch, racks, power steering, plastic container on the back rack, etc. 1,034 miles. I’m the original owner.”

Me “What do you want for that?”

Him “I’m throwing in a two 4-wheeler trailer with the sale. Books at $$$$ with the trailer, for you $$, including trailer, everything.”

Me “I have cash”. Him “go get it.”

So now I have two 4-wheelers.

Momma is taking the Polaris. I’m taking the Kodiak.

Ha! Funny how that happens. Enjoy your quads.

How come quadtards can't see that a bike has 2 wheels?

I can't really give you any sage advice as I have never owned any of the other brands. I'm still riding the first ATV I ever bought. A 2003 Polaris sportsman 700 that I purchased brand new. I have worked the crap out of this machine for over 17 years and it still runs strong.

03 Cat no problems .Would like me sum power steering.

I’ve had them all. Enjoy your purchase. Sounds like a great deal.

2004 grizzly
2008 Rhino
2010 Honda
2011 Ranger 700
2014 Ranger 800
2018 Ranger 1000

Sounds like we all love the one we got.

Pros and cons with independent rear suspension. Pros are (of course) smoother ride in the rough stuff. Cons are, for one hitching a trailer with any tongue weight crushes the rear suspension. With a solid axle, the hitch is tied to the axle and is unsprung.

I use mine for pulling a 1000 lb trailer of hay bales feeding livestock.

There are pros and cons to shaft drive and rear differential versus solid rear axle. Rear diff turns tighter. Solid rear axle never loses traction when one wheel is on slick stuff.

In '03 after serious consideration, the Suzuki 500 Vinson won out even over the Honda. I would not trade it today for anything on the market. It simply does everything I need perfectly. High, Low, and reverse. Auto speed via a snow mobile belt. Had a new belt in the shed for three years, still running on the original.

Solid rear axle, push button 4x4 select. I have replaced the seat cover, brake pads and tires. It has 8 ply radials on it now.

But all that does nothing to help a guy decide between new models.

The registration, and license plates, and frame tag all say mine is a motorcycle. So do the helmet laws. I am pretty sure that makes it a "bike" of some nature.

I’m a Polaris fan, but I don’t think you can beat Honda for longevity.

I've had several different Hondas & Polaris both 4 wheelers and UTVs. I've also had 1 Yamaha. If you want trouble free and rugged durability go Honda. Polaris are not bad but not anywhere near as durable as a Honda over the long haul. They just keep going and going. If you're willing to work on em regularly or have a shop do it go Polaris. My Yamaha was a great machine when it wasn't broken down which was often. Honda for me

Not much recommendation for Can-Ams.

They are very well represented here in this neck of the woods where there are lots of ATVs. I have a 650 Max XT Outlander.

I have three of those in my bear camp. 2 manual and one automatic like yours. They have been flawless EXCEPT for the automatic had to have the bevel gear replaced last fall. Keep an eye on that, 1500.00 dollar fix.
To the OP
To upgrade now I would go Can Am and power steering a must like Beaver said. They are so efficient and powerful these days that to drop down in frame size from my 500’s to a 400 or so for prowling around the bush and mountains would be a big consideration.

Osky

I have the 2016 version of this. It's been pretty much trouble free for the past 3 years but I'm not hard on it. The only thing I had to repair was replacing the winch switch.
Mine came with a windshield which I was going to sell but now I've decided I really like it, especially in the cold months.
Edit: That price seems pretty high. Mine was about $6300 3 years ago.

It is going to be interesting to read the side by side comparison between that Polaris and the Yamaha by the OP. Much as I think that I'd like a new 450 Kodiak, the only local dealer up north is a Polaris dealer. Our 400 Sportsman Polaris has worked well enough when I can keep the battery charged and thumbs up on that windshield too in cold weather and riding through low hanging branches. Plastic fore and aft for racks makes me take the much older Honda with the steel racks and low range when I need to work it.