Hi all. New to the forum, as well as the world of ATVs. I've been on a motorcycle for a while, but its time for a new toy. I'm looking to buy a machine within the next month or two... Am neither rushing nor dragging my heels. I've been doing research, looking at the 2014s- Polaris 550 EPS, Polaris 570 EFI, Can-Am 650 XT, Honda Rubicon or Honda Rancher DCT.

Main points: Must be automatic. Want power steering. Must be 4wd. Looking for good value and excellent reliability. I don't want to spend a fortune in mods or in upkeep/service. Going to be riding in sand/clay here in NM, as well as mud in Texas, and forests in Colorado. Looking for a well rounded machine. I couldn't find a general questions forum, so I'm posting this in each manufacturer forum, looking for results. Pros, cons, thoughts, suggestions, any and all advice/thoughts/suggestions welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

 

Of the list, the most expensive and also most featured, quad is the Can-Am 650XT. I've been on almost every quad you've mentioned and would give the nod to the Outlander XT. I bought one about a year and a half ago and have loved it. No problems at all and it runs without a hiccup. If you plan on having a passenger I'd recommend the Outlander Max XT. Has more room than the comparable Polaris Touring model for gear on the back. I've had it through everything you've mentioned plus snow and ice. Good all around machine with better horsepower than anything but the Can-Am 800 and 1000, Polaris 850, and Arctic Cat 1000.

 

Count out the Hondas they are only 3wd. The 2014 Foreman will be Honda's first true 4wd with diff lock,but its a semi auto 5 speed.
Count out the rancher "mid size" chassis its not a "full size" ATV like the rest it only has little 24" wheels as well.

The new 570 motor sound interesting but its only offered in the older sportsman chassis with Front: MacPherson strut .
The higher end XP not getting the new 570 motor is strange.

The 650 Can AM is nice but for the crazy price of them it better be. Its has a M.S.R.P. of $10,199.00 vs the 570s $6,499.00.
Even a XP850 with Power steering costs less then a 650 Outlander with no power steering. http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth...2=373763&go=Go

 

The 2014 Rubicon is 3wd? I don't understand....

 

Up until this year Honda only had a limited slip differential in the front. Only company to not have full 4wd of some sort of the major brands.

 

The rubicon spec sheet says "Direct front and rear driveshafts with TraxLok® and torque-sensitive front differential"

Is that 4wd or not? I'm so confused.

 

It's kind of a 4wd system in that when all tires are planted it will send power to all tires. If you have a tire up in the air the TraxLok can send power to the tire with no traction. A fully locked system will have all four tires grabbing for traction while a limited slip like the TraxLok decides where the power goes. Sometimes not to your benefit.

 

why would you want to send power to a slipping tire?

 

Exactly.

Honda is a bit behind the times. That little bit of difference in a 4wd system can make just enough difference between if you make it out of a mudhole or deep snow, or if you get stuck. Also, on hill climbs we're you're dealing with good sized rocks it's best to have a front axle that sends power to both front tires.

 

Even if both front wheels are on the ground a limited slip will send power to one wheel, hence 3wd.
"True" 4wd is only done through a traction AWD senor system like polaris or can-am have or a front end diff locker like Suzuki, Kawasaki, AC and Yamaha .

Here is a good vid on limited slip vs diff lock. The guy tries the first 2 times in 3wd limited slip then he puts the ATV in diff lock and is out of there.
His buddy with two the Honda behind him just hit the end of the line on that trail. LOL
Don,t believe the "TraxLok" stuff its still a limited slip 3wd. If Traxlock was so great why would Honda put diff lock on the new 2014 Foreman?
My friends have two 2008 Foremans with Traxlock and we notice them stuck with only 3 wheels turning in many situations.