I'm looking for my first four wheeler...I just got done rebuilding a 93' 4x4 fourtrax from top to bottom, but am now looking for something newer. I know honda's are popular, but what is the "toughest" bike out there? I'm looking for 500cc max and smaller/lighter is a plus. I don't want one that requires a 5000lb winch just to get un stuck! Just looking for some opinions., I like the IRS over a solid axle, but then again, solid axles seem, well, rock solid. See my problem? Locking Diff is a must, not just "limited slip" To be honest, I wish I could find an old Polaris 400 w/ just a couple hours on it, but I doubt that will happen.
Give me some feedback. What is the toughest, what is the best used quad, and what should I steer clear of? Thanks for any help!
And I don't mind doing some work on brakes, shocks, bearing, balljoints, and such, but need an engine that won't require more than a valve adjustment. Also need a solid tranny, that may be over my head. In fact a good rebuild would be great, but I wouldn't know where to start.

 

I'm a "smaller/lighter is a plus" kind of guy! When I think of "bulletproof" medium size utilities, I think of my simple mannual tranny Ranchers. But if you want IRS (the price you will pay is a fair amount of extra weight!) and a diff lock (I like Honda's torque sensing front end way better than any locked diff I have ever ridden), then you will have to look elsewhere.

Remember, when you lard up a machine with a bunch of "features", it is going to get more expensive, heavy, and less reliable...just more ways things can go wrong. Somewhere in all that, you are going to lose those smaller/lighter and bulletproof objectives........

 

The foremans are pretty bullet proof too. They have the same torque sensing differential, and its works well enough for what Ive encountered. Theres always the option to install a gearless locker, or winch. The only time Ive missed having a locker, is in deep snow.
My only complaint is the low ground clearance. It always the lowest quad of the group(first to get stuck on ruts), and on the flip side, its always the most stable, and easiest to powerslide. Theres a sporty feel to a quad that sits lower.
The motor has alot of torque, but not much for high end hit. And if you dont like revving to the moon to make power, its a good choice.

 

500 efi sportsman