I own a '94 Polaris 425 that has been constant trouble. I am looking for something new and would like some recommendations.

We need it on small ranch with heavy brush, must be able to pull light loads (feed, fencing, hog traps). I really like the looks of Artic Cat but was told that the Suzuki has the same engine by a dealer. It is not necessary that we get the biggest but would like to get the best price and product for a working 4x4.

 

I am a good old simple reliable gear-on-gear manual transmission guy. I don't have any use at all for any of the automatics, either the belt drives or the Honda autos. So, that (happily!) limits my choices:

The Honda Rancher 420 has to be the best value for the money of any quad on the market (fuel injected/water cooled)! It has a spunkey very sporty ride, and while I don't consider it to be a "work" quad, it certainly is capable of light to medium work.

For a pure work quad, I would pick the Honda Foreman 500. It has a solid reputation for durability and reliability, but it isn't the best trail quad.

Do however avoid the ES electronic shifting option on any of the Honda's!

http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/

 

well if your using it for work id find a used one with a manual trans and a carb to save some dollars, but if your going to do any major trail riding then id look into something a little more up to date, personally im going for the yamaha wolverine 450 over the yamaha grizzly 450 for several reasons one being that i will use the wolverine for minimal work and all play which is how i like it!!!! There are an immense amount of options out there and dealers will most of the time tell you what you want to hear. Read reviews and study the forums thats how i made my descision i have an 88 warrior which is a beast so id feel comfortable purchasing another yamaha. Im not partial to any particular brand just sound worksmanship, you get the picture. hope this helps.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I really like the looks of Artic Cat but was told that the Suzuki has the same engine by a dealer</end quote></div>

And a Japanese motor from a major car and motorcycle manufacturer is a bad thing in some way?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Not at all is it a bad thing. Difference being amount of money for Artic Cat compared to Suziki

 

If you are going to use it for towing stay away from IRS quads. They dont tow as good because the tounge weight of the trailer squats the suspension while a SRA quad dosent.

 

cats are great work quads. manual will be the best. and as far as towing a trailer, i have never had probs with the IRS , plus the newer cats have a 2" receiver hitch. there are lots of wise people on this site that will give you a fair opinion, and there are those who will tell you to get what they have , so think hard before you buy. $5-$8 grand is a major investment that should be a balance of needs and wants. there is no perfect quad for all uses

 

I also say Cat is an excellent work quad. I can tow my 18 ft boat around the back of my house and park it without problems. Its nothing to adjust the settings on the shocks on the Arctic Cat for heavy loads. Also you get a diff lock, 2" reciever, highest ground clearance, and speed rack to lock on anything you need and haul it around.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ccorbell

I own a '94 Polaris 425 that has been constant trouble. I am looking for something new and would like some recommendations.



We need it on small ranch with heavy brush, must be able to pull light loads (feed, fencing, hog traps). I really like the looks of Artic Cat but was told that the Suzuki has the same engine by a dealer. It is not necessary that we get the biggest but would like to get the best price and product for a working 4x4.</end quote></div>



Thats easy a Polaris X2 500 or 800! It will do everything any other machine can do plus it has a pick up box to haul stuff or a seat for 2. Who else has that? Why would you want to shift gears? more things to go bad, gears are expensive! belt is less than $50. Cat has more ground clearance? what 1/4"? 2" reciever? why can't tow that much anyhow! How about the Cats plastic skids? Don't see plastic skids on a Polaris! steel! I ran around and looked at and rode every machine I could and I chose Polaris. More positives than negatives! Look at the machines you are interested in at the same time and compare. It's amazing the differances you will notice when they are sitting side by side!

 

1/4"? Wrong. And steel skids? are you serious? When a steel skid bends, it stays that way. good luck with your "steel". AC will tow as much if not more than Polaris. The ratings are for stopping purposes only.