If your wife is really gonna have seat time, youre probably better off with the automatic. Most women dont like to do the manual shifting.
And the irs is a big plus in ride quality.

 

Manmudcat, you need to get some pictures of your ride on the picture page. a homemade backhoe on a 90?? I've seen the ground hog attachment that makes it like a bobcat. With that and a backhoe on my Eiger I'd build the best trails and ramps on the planet. Eiger2 out.

 

from a purely brake point of view,go with the arctic cat.i have driven honda atvs.great motors but front drum brakes are a probelm
if you go thru lots of mud and water,

 

I was thinking about trading in my 03 400i for an 02 500i (long story) until I rode the 500; it may have a bit more low end but I'm sure it doesnt have any more on top...I stuck with my 400.If it had been an 03 500 though, it might have been a different story,I hear they have more power...

 

if ground clearance isent a problem, i would buy a honda rubicon 500 that is a sweet machine and with a good set of tires its like a goat it will go almost anywhere.
my two buddys have rubicons and my one bud lets his 15 and 16 year old dauters ride them .
there very easy to steer and have auto or manual so you got the best of both worlds.
if you want a used one i would try and find a used rubicon you wont regret it.
or even a new one thay make it very easy to buy one now days.
i've got the 03 500 man and think its great the ground clearence is increadable and the power is great. i've got 2100 miles on my cat and loved every minute of it.
and yesterday i broke both rear axels and had to ride 5 miles back to my truck with just the front end.
and thats the second time i've broken an axel. this time two.
with a honda and a good set of tires and youl be happy.
im starting to think i should have gotten a honda.
my buds ruby has over 2200 klicks on it and not a single problem.
nuff Said.

 

just out of curiousity,do Honda's axles stand up to hard riding with aggressive 28" tires?

Steve

 

most of the people i ride with have big tires and im the only one whos broken an axle that i know of.