Looking at buying one for hunting/fishing and trails out here in Western MT. I dont do mud but may do some water crossing. I have read the posts on in being under powered and no ground clearance but still think it a nice atv.

What's the top speed of the 2011 Rubicon? 55 or so? Would like some feedback to riders with similar usage. I do ride logging roads and like to open em up a bit

I also looked at the value line Polaris 500 and it looks to have a lot of features for about 2k less of a price tag.

 

We have a 2005 Rubicon, don't think there is much difference between 2005 and 2011, that we use on the farm daily and the occasional trail ride and we love it. We have not had a problem with ground clearance. I think we had our Rubicon up to 65mph but that was down hill for a while. I think it has plenty of get up and go.

If you want reliability, I would go with the Honda. We have about 9400 miles on ours and so far nothing major has broke yet. We have had problems but normal wear and tear stuff.

 

The rubi is solid rear axle, as opposed to independent rear suspension. This limits ground clearance, and ride over rough stuff at speed. On the other hand sra won't squat under the hitch weight of a trailer, doesn't have body roll in off camber stuff or fast sweepers, and is simpler.

They will do about 52 give or take. The hydrostatic transmission excels at low speed high torque tasks like towing, dragging, or plowing.

 

Too bad you can’t ride them side by side, the quality and ergonomics are more than obvious.

I get to ride a huge variety of ATVs and I never tire of climbing back on my Rubicon.

 

Thanks for all the info. It been a hard choice to make and I am still on the fence. If the Honda was not 2k more money it would be a lot easier of a choice. I have rode both Polaris and Honda. I have a 08 Polaris 500 EFI right now that the wife has taken over and it a great ride and good power BUT I have been a Honda guy since way back when. This is going to be a hard choice! Thanks again for the help

 

Why do you think that is??

 

Actually, I've always been amazed that Honda could build an ATV with a hydrostat drive transmission similar to that found on tractors for a price anywhere even close to being in the same ballpark as the CVT belt transmission ATVs...

 

Especially when they are all manufactured in a clean room in Japan.

I don't think you can compare a "value" 500 to a Rubicon.

 

I agree that's apples to oranges. The 500 is more for the trails and the Rubi is more for work.

 

Yeah, but the Rubi can be fun on trails too, as long as you don't expect it to be a sport quad.