I'm looking at either buying a Rubicon or a Sportsman H.O. from what I've read about both of them the H.O. seems to outperform the Rubi in a number of areas.I'm wondering why should I consider the Rubicon over the H.O.??

 

Ruby cost more and offers less options.It does not have IRS, the seat is to small,it does not have switchable 2wd-4wd,its slower,it has drum style brakes as opposed to disks on the HO,it does not have true 4x4 either.Im not certain how effective the torque sensing differential is yet,I've heard varied opionions.

On the up side of the Ruby,I like its tranny,
Bill

 

I wouldn't think someone who enjoys riding in the mud woukd get too much of a kick out of disk brakes. Just my two cents...

 

Bill, what do you mean "less options"? Options like what? It seems to me the Rubicon is full of options and the SP is not. I see things such as a gas gauge, eletronic display, etc as being options. I am just curious, since this seems to be a popular arguement against the Rubicon.

 

JT ***,
quite on the contrary,disk brakes provide much more needed stopping in the worst conditions of mudding.Drums leak in water and debree and you find yourself with NO brakes,on the other hand,the disks do get wet and still can get mud on them,but you will still stop.I have had 2 Suzuki KQs and now also own a Honda Recon.I have to keep it OUT of muddy and wet situations,or when I get home,OFF come the front drums and a thourgh cleaning of all brakes and hardware is needed.I dont even want to get into this issue on the brakes on the KQ,they are even a bigger headache.

Texmud,
Maybe I used the wrong word.The ONLY thing a Ruby has on it that dont come as standard equipment on the HO is a fuel gauge.You can purchase one for 18 dollars though.Heck,you have well over a 100 mile range with the HO fuel tank anyways. The HO does have an electronic digital speedo as well.Everything I listed earlier,like switchable 2wd-4wd,IRS,bigger seat,larger fuel capicity,more ground clearance,disk brakes,and a positive 4x4 system is what I meant to say as options,im sorry,I used the wrong word,
HAPPY TRAILIN,
Bill

 

POLARIS SUCKS! and they weigh a lot too. That is why the Rubicon is better. nooo ... i'm just messin. polaris is very good. But i am also biased towards the best. Drive them both before you buy one.

 

Bill, thanks for the clarification. I didnt konw the HO had a digital display. I cant wait to see one, I still havent seen one yet. No one here has one.

 

If you want to ride buy the Honda.
If you want something that breaks down a lot then buy a polaris; make sure you get an extended warranty with the piece of junk.

 

Here are some additonal considerations.

Ruby best tranny available its the smoothest & quietest. Polaris belt drive, sometimes they leak causing a belt to slip.

Ruby metal rack have more places to tie equipment down. Polaris plastic racks not as functional as metal. Metal racks take more abuse than plastic.

Polaris ride is very good due to the IRS, however with the IRS comes extra weight & maintenance. The HO is about 100 pounds heavier than the Ruby.

Honda has zero grease fittings, HO has around 25.

Rubicon, narrow seat, Polaris wide seat. On the HO you ride bow legged. Polaris needes to update this, Kawasaki & Yamaha both have a narrow tranny.

Ruby better brake control by having seperate controls for front & back. Polaris one hand braking, this is a HUGE disadvantage if you ride where there are steep hills.

Ruby shifter is better & smoother. Polaris shifter has a clunky feeling to it.

Honda full time 4wd is always engaged. Polaris 4wd when working is good. Due to the fact you have to have rear wheel spin inorder to engage the 4wd system this can make for some treacherous riding when ascending or decending steep hills.

Ruby has a large easy to read digital speedo. Polaris has the older type analog speedo with digital hour & mileage.

Ruby has the Honda reliability. Polaris is improving their reliability.

Honda has the best resale value. Polaris resale needs improving.


As you can see this is the old chevy vs ford debate. Its all about taste & the type of riding you do.

 

There are only 3 things that matter about a 4 wheeler.

1 Ride quality - SP gets due to much longer suspension travel and IRS.

2 Tracktion - Sp win due to no 3wd with limited slip front end and it's true 4wd.

3 Power - We all heard about the new H.O engine we do not need to argue there.

Even Honda loving Dirtwheels had to give the SP the win in there shootout The Ruby only just beat the non H.O Magnum 500.

I have the same bike for 3 years when is all the problems and break downs going to start? The newer SPs have like a dozen improvments and I may trade the bike in and never know what your talking about. I don't keep bikes for 10 years even if they are still going great.

Minor wins not listed in the 3 big catagories above.SP has more ground clearance and the ability to ride in 2wd is just a must especially when we all know 4wd is needed only 10% of the time out on the trails if even that.