I myself am about to get a Rubicon very soon. BUT, if i didnt already have a Polaris i would really considering getting the '06 Polaris SP 500 EFI that will be coming out soon. The Carb version already is the best of its class, and now with EFI, there will be no comparisons. And Polaris has come ALONG way for making their rep for unreliability dissapear. From the choices you listed, They are all good quads. I love Honda, i love ESP, and i love the Rubi's Auto. Good Luck, i dont think you can make a wrong decision.
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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700
27' ITP 589 M/S Tires
3000 lb. Warn Winch
High Performance Dayco Belt - NEW! (on the way)

2001 Honda Rancher ES (2wd)
2.5 Warn Winch
(For Sale)

 

I have an 04' Honda Rubicon and have been riding it for about a year. Short of some high altitude carb adjustment issues, I have not had one problem with it. I have gone through things that Polaris and even the Honda Rancher 350's get stuck in. The machine is just a work horse that will do whatever you ask. Ground clearance has not been a problem for me.

I like the fact I can go electronic shifting or go into Automatic mode if I feel lazy.

Honda is a name you can associate with reliability in my opinion. Hope it helps in your decision.

 

Best of it's class? Are we forgetting the Vinson?

 

I also ride a lot of MUD and water. My Rubi has never given me a problem. I will add that I have a snorkel and I re-routed my vent lines to help protect it from water. I have been in water over the gas tank and the thing just kept on going.

The new front disc brakes work extremely well and the engine brake (especially in low range) will allow you to crawl down very steep hills without using the brakes. I love my Rubicon and I think that you would too.

I will say that you need to ride all of the models that you are looking at b/c what works great for me, might not be great for you! You need to see which one feels and fits YOU the best.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for all the useful information. I have narrowed my choice down to either a Rubicon or the King Quad. Still torn between the two. There are features I like on both of them. Just a little leary of the King Quad do to problems that have occurred with them. I will keep on checking out the two. I will let you all know what I decide on. Looking to buy sometime between now and March. No hurry, I will just keep on riding the Artic Cat for now. If any of you think of any other useful information please keep it coming. Once again Thanks.

Also.....What is the largest tire you can put on the Rubicon without a lift kit? and can I use the factory rim?

 

I know that 26" tires will fit without a lift b/c I have them on my Rubi. It looks like 27" will fit but they may rub when you turn or cross a ditch off camber.

 

My friend Ben got his Rubicon off the showroom floor with ITP589's in the 27inch size. Never heard him mention any scrubbing at all and we ride some very rough places. I personally believe the 28's would be fine. They would only be about 1/2inch from the fender closer than the 27 inch tires.

 

I want to thank all of you for you input. I have decided on the ATV for me, and picked it up from the dealer yesterday. I chose the 05 Rubicon. I drove several machines, but they none stacked up to the Honda name.

The 04 Rubicon fell short due to not being able to shift to 2wd and it just didn't seem to have the power of the 05.

The Suzuki King Quad is a great feeling maching. Suspension felt great (of coarse that was in a parking lot not on the trail), and it had a lot of power with a quick response. But I have heard so many people complaing about the belt drive, that is steered me away.

The Polaris 700 Sportsman. Now this is a good feeling machine. I had quick power, odds are more than I would ever need. Ride was great. Great features including reverse light, rear working lights, as well as the large waterproof storage area on the front. However RedGoblin as well as many others who use this forum stuck in the back of my head, so I stayed away from Polaris. As a matter of fact, I asked the dealer which he preferred Honda Rubi or the Polaris 700.(He sold both of them) He said look at this lot, this is the atv's that are in for service. There were approx 20 Polaris's(various models) and only 2 Honda's(older models) to be worked on. He stated "that is about the way service is usually stacked up. You see a lot more Polaris's having trouble."

In the end the Honda reputation won over my choice. As I said before I don't want a machine that will have to be in for service all the time, and I want something that is going to last for years after it is paid for.

I ended up finding the atv for $5777.00 at Ritchie Powersports in Athens, TN. All the local dealers wanted at least $1000 more.
http://www.ritchiepowersports.com

Let me know if you think I got a pretty good price. Also any sugestion for modifications will be well appreciated, as well as the best places to purchase them.

Once again, Thanks for all the input, it was well appreciated.

 

Congratulations on the new Rubicon. I bought mine at Ritchie in January. The more you ride it, the more you're going to love that transmission.

There's not too many better feelings than bring home a new quad.

 

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--------------------
2004 Polaris Sportsman 700
27' ITP 589 M/S Tires
3000 lb. Warn Winch
High Performance Dayco Belt

2001 Honda Rancher ES (2wd)
2.5 Warn Winch
(For Sale)