I have a Polaris Sportsman 500 that I ride very hard. and nothing has gone wrong with it yet. You said that you will be going through snow so I would go with a polaris or arctic cat since both are manufactured in MN. I have ridden a honda before and the automatic belt does not make it vibrate more in fact it was more quiet and vibrated less. just make sure you get a 4stroke watercooled engine driven by a shaft. and true 4 wheel drive is very nice.

 

Thank you all for your help thus far.... As of visiting 3 dealers today and one yesterday the choice seems to be between a:

400 Bombardier Outlander and the Polaris 400 Sportsman.

The Polaris offers a 2500# winch included and the Bombardier (rated ATV of the Year for 2003), is about $300 less expensive.

Any last thoughts?