Hi all, new here and was hoping I would get some input on buying a 05' quad. I am not new to ATV's having owned or used one since the 125 honda trike days. I have bought or used almost all major quads at one time or another but for my use have always found myself back to Honda's. Having just sold my 95 foreman I now find myself in the market to be 100% fair I did the every brand thing, even though seeing newer/others in use I felt it was the right thing to do. I do not nor will I by any belt tranny quad! So I have narrowed it to these choices, so please be frank and tell me whatever you think would be best for my usage:

Honda Foreman S500
Honda Rubi 500 Canadian Trail Edition
Suzi Vinson 500 Manual

My main use is hunting I need a quad to be able to skid out full moose and elk regularily. I have seen almost all models try these feets and believe me they are not all equal as towing capability and dragging dead weight are 2 entirely different ballgames. While I do have an atv trailer for move camp and gear, as well for use around the acerage/cabin it is not always possible to get wheels via to where these beast happen to be harvested so IT MUST be able to grunt them out view tow strap.

I am of course considering the usuals dependable, reliable, tough, ride, handling, ease of use for some of the less experienced riders that will use it on occassion for enjoyment (wife, father, etc), best bang for the buck, etc...speed is not a concern! So basically I want a decent ride/handle package that will allow me and take some decent workload. In all honesty it will not be used daily but when it does come out it will most likely be for a reason! My 95 was drove to the wall and the only thing I did was maintain it, rode rough but sufficed and in the end sold it for way more than I ever expected to get(so resale is also a consideration but like the 95' if she does the job it will remain for awhile in my garage).

I will of course be adding a 2500lbs warn and most likely swap factory skins to a little more agressive tread pat - not bigger just more meat hook for our varing conditions of western canada.

Also corious about the 4wd system read a lot about the models I have selected do not have lock outs, is this caused huge problems for any users? If so is their an AM/OEM lock out solution you would suggest? I am not into heavy mudding but hunting does cover muskeg/mud/etc so basically will stock honda 4wd do me or do I need to consider mods! FWIW the 95 never left me in a situation that would make me search for more, that is not saying my winch hasn't been used but I can't see that in those cases where any thing but an argo would have done me better.

I look forward to your response and thank you for your time!

 

I've got the foreman S and I really like it. When I started looking for a new bike, Honda hadn't realesed the new foreman yet. I wanted a bike that had selectable four wheel drive and would run in the 50's. At first I was looking at the suzuki but then heard about the new foreman. After I rode one, it was all over. I was used to the older foremans that rode like a tractor, handled about the same, and were relatively slow. The new foreman cures all of those problems, plus it has quite a bit more power. One feature you might like on the suzuki that the foreman doesn't have is the diff lock. I know most people say you don't need one (and I tend to agree) but if you are pulling a heavy load out of rough country it wouldn't hurt. Living in Illinois I can't comment about the canadian edition foreman. I've read they ride even better than the U.S. version and include adjustable shocks. I would say go and try to ride all three. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Quite a few people have good things to say about the suzuki and the Honda. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply crocket and your input about the S model you own..appreciated!

The Vinson does not have a locker either according to the dealer and everything I have researched. I pretty much view it as direct comparison in to the foreman S. The only thing the suzi has on the foreman is a LC vs air cooled, from what I can see. I am not sure if it really pertains much to my situation seeing the only LC quad I have ever owned was not a work horse just for balming at the lake/farm. Although it may so any opinions would be great?

I was pretty much set on the exact model you have but then had a ride and real good look at the Rubicon Canadian Trail Ed..needless to say it put me into this research mode as I was impressed but seeing I can't really put it through the paces I am most worried about I am not ready to sign the check just yet! I have found some very positive reviews about the rubi and then some not so, I am not really interested in what the writer who is paid to review has to say although I do still consider it/read them. To me a real life users are the best resource in this regard, thus I come to here!

I have not rode the 05' 500Smodel yet but have rode older 450 models. Equally the 05' Vinson the local dealer doesn't allow tests unless he has a demo model and this case does not...needless to say he'll not see a dime but plan to run one in another local who does allow testing. I have rode a 04 auto but seeing it is not the exact model or of interest I can't really call that a good gauge.

Thanks again!!!!!!!

 

get the Honda S500 its a great buy!!!

 

reliv, actually I am finding a very small price difference between the 500S and Rubicon CTE, certainly not worth weighing into decision of what I will eventually buy.

 

the rubicon is a good bike that can handle a full moose with eas.Its got the ***** to do almost anything you want it to.

 

Thanks Rubicon 500 that is what I like to hear and I know you know what I am talking about since if one hails from Newfoundland they indeed have experienced MOOSE!

 

get the 500! My neighbor bought a brand new 05 Honda Foreman 500 ES, and an 05 Honda 350 Rancher ES 4X4 yesterday (both green) and LOVE them!!! I will try to get some pics of them so "yall" can see them in action. I was going to get a 04 foreman used but, when i saw that my neighbor had a rancher ES 4x4 , I changed my mind and decided that when i get the money i will get an 05 Rancher 4x4 with unlocker (WARN 424)!! He had the 05 Foreman next to the 05 Rancher and there was barely any size difference!!!

 

Thanks reliv. All models mentioned are 500's. The rubicon is an automatic trans(no belt) and Foreman 500S is a manual trans, if I go with the Foreman I will be buying the foot shifter not ES thumb switch! I figure one less thing to go wrong, still haven't made up my mind.

 

I think I wanna get the S model on the Rancher but im concerned about being able to fit my boots under the foot shifter!

I think I might get the ES model and just deal with the issues!