then you would have a rubicon because they are the same machine almost.

 

Almost. If you look under the Foreman and compare it to the Rubicon, you will notice the Foreman is beefier. Also the racks and verticle bumper on the Foreman make it easier to attach spreaders and sprayers. The Foreman makes doing chores easy.

Still, it was a tough decision to buy the Foreman over the Rubicon. The hydrostatic transmission on the Rubicon is sweet.

 

The 450 front bumper is built a lot better and better designed than the 500 also. Will take a lot more abuse. I've been towed from mine and only scratched the paint. My buddies 500 pulled both sides of the bumper out when we towed his out by the front bumper.

 

Quote
"You better ride both if you can, two completely different ATV's. "

It's true.

 

i think that i would get the 450 it is built a little bit heavier and that means its stronger but if you like auto then go with the 500, i personally like the es models for the work that i do i own a 450es and i love that quad

 

Until I bought my Rubicon, I would have agreed that shifting gears is part of the fun... but now that I have spent time with it in the woods, I am a convert. I did a lot of research on teh subject, and compared the belt drives... and until Honda came out with the hydrostatic transmission, I had pretty much decided on the Grizzly... but my dealer took the time to find out how I was going to use the machine, and suggested I look at the Rubicon, and even had a super deal going on that saved me 1300 off the retail. Now he would have made a lot more $ on the Grizzly, but he was more concerend that I get a machine that was right for my style of riding. That is the reason I keep going back to this dealer.

The electic shift and automatic clutch machines are a great improvement over using the clutch as I have to with my sport machines, but I have the ability to "shift" my Rubicon the same way if I want to... ALso, this is my wife's first ride to learn on, and it is just one less thing to have her have to worry about while trying to get her sea legs...

As for how the sturdyness compares to the 450, I can't really say. I suspect both will live long and provide a lot of enjoyment. You might have a good argument on Metal versus plastic on the bumpers, but I do know that metal bends and stays bent. Plastic pops back to original shape when you back away.

 

Dragginbut, your dealer sounds a lot like ours. They took the time to LISTEN to what our wants and needs were. They let us ride several ATV's. We actually had not even considered a Honda. We had pretty well made up our mind on another ATV and he said, for what you want an ATV for, I really wish you would at least ride this one. One trip across the parking lot and we loaded a new Rubicon in the back of our truck, one of our better decisions.

The key was he listened. Salesmen forget God gave them two ears and one mouth and they should be used in that order. Listen to your customer twice as much as you tell them what you (the salesman) think.

We purchased our second ATV from them and have refered friends that have bought 6 more ATV's from them. I wish more dealers were like them, we pass three Honda dealers to get there.

Polaris500HO4X4, "If it aint broke ride it till it is", thats great.

 

Oh I fully agree... dealers are starting to figure out that as consumers, we have many choices when it comes to where we spend our $. My dealer has become a personal friend, and when I walk in, I am greeted by everyone at the dealership by name. It is just one more small detail that they go the extra mile with.

I have walked in to other dealerships and gotten the used car dealer treatment, or had to listen to some guy tell me what he wanted me to have, instead of listening to my needs, and being ready with intelligent answers to my questions. I have walked back out with cash intact too.

Every time, I return to the same place, get the best deal, and am totally satisfied with the whole exchange. Plus, they give me 10% discount on everything including labor, parts etc. All in all, the guy is great. That is not to say I have not had machine issues... but in every case, the dealer has gone the extra mile to negotiate with the manufacturer and ended up saving me a ton of $. Like when my son hit a tree with his blaster. The dealer got Yamaha to kick in a free frame. They didn't have to, and the dealer would have made more money on the repair had he not gotten Yamaha involved, but he did it because that is just the way he does business.

But back to the Rubicon, I am totally stoked with it...