I've been told Hondas the most rliable?How are the AC manual trans models?I read something about cracking frames on some AC models?

 

Yes the Hondas are reliable. The problem is, Honda always trying to keep up with other manufacturers. Their Ranchers still don't have selectable 2WD-4WD. Everyone else does. Look at their Rincon. No low range, no front diff. lock. Everyone else got it on their flagship models. The Rubi is good, but I'd look at some of the others before you buy. Reliability is good on the Yamahas, Suzukis and Kawasakis.

 

Sir,did you not mention the AC and Polaris for a reason?

 

You can go wrong with a Honda Forman 450, 500, or Rubicon.........
I personally would go with the Honda Rubicon.... You pay it little more but then you'll have everything you want.
Did I not mention it’s considered to be the WORKHORSE OF THE GROUP.



2004 Honda Rubicon

 

You can forget about the belt drive quads, if you want low end torque. Ride one and see for yourself, they rev high and constantly....they are built to take it, and they do it well, but if you like john deere type torque, you wont like the belt drive autos. I have a 450 honda and a 450 kodiak, same displacement...totally different powerband and feel. The honda is like a small tractor, and it doesnt like to rev, its perfectly happy to plug along in 5th gear at 15 mph.The kodiak is spinning 5000rpm or more, for most of the time, its fun for trail riding, and screwing around, but theres no low end torque. It has a low range and is capible of work, but if theres something that needs to be pulled, i use the honda.

I seem to remember something about cracked frames too. I wouldnt worry about it, because the factory (any and all of the big players) is gonna stand behind a defect like that, even if its out of warentee.

If you want reliabiity,...stick with a known brand, thats been around for awhile,and has a history, and has dealers which are local and easy to find, and have fully stocked parts and service areas. A/c and polaris are fine choices, but polaris doesnt make a geared, manual shift utility, and all the autos are belt drive. You could try a test drive on them, but they like to rev.

Most all dealerships, will let you go for a test drive, if they think you are serious about buying, ...but youve got to ask, they wont offer. This might be one way for you to narrow down the choices.

 

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Go to this link..........I know it's thier opinon but it will get you started.








2004 Honda Rubicon.

 

sorry just type in this link

http://www.atvtv.com/testinfo.html

 

You are correct. I did not mention AC or Polaris. Your assumption, for why I did not mention them, is also correct.

 

I love my polaris , the ol sportsman has been the best realibility and the funnest to ride outta all the utilitys I have driven and owned , mine is toruqy , hell i can go from a dead stop and hit the gas and it will stand up on end ! It pulls what ever I put it against and has only been stuck once when a grizzly wouldnt make it through ! I use this wheeler for alota work ! I highly reccomend the Polaris Sportsman 500 and up !

 

honda's are reliable i seen what they are capable of but silmplicity is their design to they are getting better but i know my parents are rough riding. the arctic cat manuals are reliable the ones you heard of cracking the frames were a few of the 650's like i have that were i believe mostly all in the tennessee area. the manuals i dunno alot of people like them but they are getting to be a thing of the past and anyone who says bad things bout an automatic and the power thing must not have spent any time on them. how many big bore atv's do you see with a manual in them? i can sit on mine and hit the throttle and it won't tip me backwards it will snap me backwards. even the 500 class i've ridden with alot of 500 manuals and when trail riding they miss gears and specially people who haven't driven atv's much jumping on a manual can be kind of a chore to get used to where the automatic is nice and lazy. besides if you wanna pull alot with a manual you gotta put it in first gear and if you start spinning the wheels and crack it down you start over reving the motor big time. and i would say that kawi and polaris are the higher maintanance machines on the market. (i supposed i should say good things bout polaris beings the factory is like 15 miles from me but i know to many people that work there heard to many things and seen to many get pulled or pushed home look at my pics you will see one instance)