hey guys...i'm wanting to get in the dirt. i've been on dirt bikes most my life. the past couple years i've gotten into riding sport bikes and i bought a 2005 Yamaha R1 this past april. but as i said, i'm wanting to get in the dirt, too. any input would help. i'm wanting a 4X4...not really looking to race or jump (obviously). i'm wanting to go with a honda and i'd like to get a new one...or a really nice used one. any advice would help. steer me in the right direction with anything, and i'd greatly appreciate. what dealerships have the best deals right now that you know of? glad to be a part of the forum.

 

Hey, tell us a little bit more about where and how you plan to ride, and what your personal preferences are....

Are you looking at swamp/mud kind of stuff, or general trail/woods machine? Do you prefer auto, or want a foot shift? Big quad, or mid size?

 

i've been outta town and haven't been able to get on here lately. anyway, i'm leaning towards a foreman 500 4x4...your thoughts?

 

go with the rubicon 500 you cant beat them.
there hondas top utilaty quad.
i had on 04 rubicon and i loved it untill i got my 700 kawi and i got hooked on its power then every time i took out the honda i found it slow and sluggesh compared to my kawi so i stoped riding it and put it up for sale. (with some urging from the wife)
with the honda i only had to change the oil and filter on it when the oil change light came on and that was it in 2000 miles.
with the kawi ive had to check the belt twice and change the oil twice.
and the next time i check out the belt i think im going to have to change it.
somthing you wont have to do with the honda.

 

I am no fan of the current industry trend toward huge, heavy machines. I place a premium on lighness and agility. I need another 4X4, and had thought about Foreman 500, but after doing a trail ride the other day, I realize that even a Foreman is just to big for the tight, very technical trails I have in my local mountains. So, it will be another Rancher for us!

The Rancher is big enough to do the job, but yet it isn't a hulking beast. A Warn 424 (selectable 2wd/4wd) is however a must have item.

 

I'm quite happy with my Foreman. I'd suggest the foot shift. I think there have been a few people who have had trouble with older electric shifts, but the new ones are supposed to be much better.

Anyhow, I like the way it handles and slides, and I have a personal preference for a regular old 5 speed.

Reconranger has a point, in that it is a full size machine and there have been a couple of spots in tight woods trails where that has been a disadvantage, but to me and where I ride it is an OK trade off.

A buddy of mine has a Rincon, and he really likes it. I like the transmission, though it is true that they could use more compression braking at low speeds. It feels a bit more vague to me, but when it really gets choppy, rocky and rooty, it's hard to keep up with the Rincon with my Foreman... It just glides over that stuff.

I don't think you would be disappointed with the Rubicon like mudblaster suggested, either. The hydrostat transmission gives great compression braking, and it's a SRA...

Let us know what you decide.