In terms of quality, think about it. They had to recall the Ruby (I think for two things - frame and tranny), had to recall 126,000 ranchers and 400ex's, they just recalled a bunch of XR50's. Keep in mind this is all in less than a year (maybe six months). I'm not Honda bashing (I've been riding them all my life) but I'm getting a new 4 wheeler next week and I'm pretty sure it's going to be a Yamaha. Just looking for input/comments.

 

everyone has recalls..

i'm not all that sold on the rock solid honda thing. The only ATV i had that was reliable was my Polaris Trailblazer..but my y2k 300ex has been reliable so far

 

I bought a fourtrax 300 4x4 in 1990. That thing took a beating. It was always rode hard. I don't think anyone has every before or ever will match the reliability of that model. But lets zip forward 10 years to the present and Honda ain't doing so hot. Everybody has recalls but I think Honda is having a bit more than their share these days.

 

In my opinion, the honda 300 4X4 is probably the most reliable atv ever made. Around here, the resale value is high on 'em and everybody has one. Perfect for slow trail riding or hunting and not too wide like the larger 4X4's. Maybe ever-increasing production demands are hurting reliability/quality lately.

 

Honda does not corner the market on the reliablity thing. Where I go fishing I seen a old beat up 84 125 Suzuki,old Yamha Big bears and a ten year old Kawaski 300 4x4 with totally bald tires still kicking around running great and by the looks of them they had a hard life.

 

Think about this, Honda stepped up to the plate to avoid any potential problems. Unlike other manufactureres who know they put out an inferior part let the riders replace at their cost if no stink is raised. Polaris has improved its quality but in my opinion its not in the top 3.

Honda has a brake problem & issues a recall. Polaris know there rear brake pads are crap but they don't issue a recall. Which company do you think cares most about its customer? A company trying to overcome a quality & reliability stigma will NEVER issue a recall unless absolutely have to.

 

Looks like this will turn into a good ole Honda vs. Polaris thing very soon...

This is getting so common now I can predit when the phenomenom will start!

SP500 in NS

 

snowshark:

The CPSC (consumer product safety commission) MADE Honda recall the ranchers. But I will agree that Polaris has had some pretty poor quality and they don't seem too concerned about making it right for their customers. That's why I'm going to buy a Kodiak next week!

 

Stan,

The Kodiak is an Excellent choice. It was a toss up between Yamaha & Honda when we purchased our quads. My wife liked the Recon over the Beartracker so I purchased the Rancher over the Kodiak. I wanted our quads to be the same manufacturer since we move around so much.

Get the '01 Kodiak it has a speedo.

As far as the Rancher recall it only took 20 minutes to install the brackets. This is less time it takes many of our friendly Polaris owners to grease up their quads.

 

See, I told ya!

SP500 in NS