New Honda or Yamaha?
#1
New Honda or Yamaha?
I am going to purchase an ATV, it will be for fun riding with my 9 yr old with him on his raptor, also for some hunting. There will be some woods riding.
I have looked at the honda 500 eps & the yamaha grizzly 550 & 700 eps. I can purchase the Grizzly new 2009 550 for $6700, the 2009 700 for $7700 or the 2010 Honda with the electric automatic shift for $8200.
I am looking for any recommendations or thoughts?
I guess one of my questions is why did you purchase the honda over a Yamaha?
I have looked at the honda 500 eps & the yamaha grizzly 550 & 700 eps. I can purchase the Grizzly new 2009 550 for $6700, the 2009 700 for $7700 or the 2010 Honda with the electric automatic shift for $8200.
I am looking for any recommendations or thoughts?
I guess one of my questions is why did you purchase the honda over a Yamaha?
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
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when you say honda 500 eps, do you mean the foreman or foreman rubicon? the foreman is manual shoft or electric shift, and the rubicon is a hydrostatic automatic with the option of electric shift in the form of preset ratios that act as gears. both the foreman and rubicon are offered with power steering. all 3 of those machines are going to be awesome, so i would test drive them and go with what feels the best. the grizzly's have independent rear suspension, whereas the foreman and rubicon have a straight axle, so the grizzly's will most likely have a more comfortable ride at higher speeds, so if you are doing trail riding, maybe the 550 griz is the best, both for you and your pocket book. i do love my rubicon, but it is my cadillac workhorse. my rancher is my trail machine.
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I'd go with the yamaha as well, Honda makes a great machine and 10 years ago IMO. were the best on the market but now-a -days all the manufacturers are really up to par on there machines. Not trying to brand bash here but I think the hondas today are overpriced and overhyped for what you get. The other major brands are offering the same or better quality and performance for the same or even less $$$$ (Just my 2 cents)
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All good machines, but as someone who owns both brands i can tell you that the Yamaha seems to provide more bang and features for the buck. I too was leery of belt drive and electric power steering but after research, determined that of all the belt drives (there's toms of 'em out there) the yamaha system seems to be the best IMO. As for electric power steering, not really needed UNTIL you spend and lond day on the trail with an EPS machaine and a non EPS machine - NO COMPARISON, your arms do not get the jars and jolts of the trail transmitted through the steering witht he EPS bikes.
Even though i own a 700 Grizzly, I have to tell you, the 550 would not leave you wanting or lacking. I weigh 215 in my birthday suit and carry lots of stuff and I rarely if ever need full power and, in fact, rarely use 78% power (550/700).
BTW, I just spent a weekend trail riding with a gang who just about all had 800 Polaris machines. The pace was spirited but not crazy. My 700 Grizzly not only kept up - but excelled. My son, on his 250 Recon also kept up just fine.
Unless you need the absolute max in power (few do) I owuld get the Grizzly 550 and a thousand dollars worth of accessories and riding gear. Or, the Grizzly 550, $800 worth of accessories and riding gear - leaving a couple hundred for gas and beer.
Even though i own a 700 Grizzly, I have to tell you, the 550 would not leave you wanting or lacking. I weigh 215 in my birthday suit and carry lots of stuff and I rarely if ever need full power and, in fact, rarely use 78% power (550/700).
BTW, I just spent a weekend trail riding with a gang who just about all had 800 Polaris machines. The pace was spirited but not crazy. My 700 Grizzly not only kept up - but excelled. My son, on his 250 Recon also kept up just fine.
Unless you need the absolute max in power (few do) I owuld get the Grizzly 550 and a thousand dollars worth of accessories and riding gear. Or, the Grizzly 550, $800 worth of accessories and riding gear - leaving a couple hundred for gas and beer.
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