I'M GOING TO GET A NEW MUD MACHINE. WHAT SHOULD I GET
#21
07-03-2001 | 07:31 AM
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 0
Foreman4wd,
You find it funny that the Polaris guys are commenting in the Honda forums?Kids?
Where does it say in the ATV Connection rules that you can only post in your own brand Forum?If I find an interesting topic,I'll post if I see the need to,regardless if im in a Honda Forum or not.And BTW,I also own a Honda to.The thing with me?I'll tell you like it is,and some brand loyal riders dont like to hear that.Could you be one of those?
Scramdaddy,
Rich,the owner of Dynoport lied to me on the phone when he sold me the Dynoport pipe.I told him I was an ASI [ATV Safety Instructor] and must have a silencer at or below 94db sound limit,and it would have to be spark arrested.He assured me of the above!Three wks after having the pipe installed,I had the pipe sound tested at 99db,5db over the LEGAL sound limit for Michigan.The fit was also horrible.The silencer hung down low in the rear part of the frame.That permitted easy water entrance thru water crossings.When I called him to complain that his pipe was not what he sold me on the phone,he yelled at me and said that Dynoport has a NO RETURN policy.Something that he never said when we were on the phone earlier.I got ahold of my credit card company,and they took care of the matter for me.
Rick Ritter called me and told me to send him the PSI pipe and that he'd fix it's poor performance on the low end for me,he did and now im pretty happy with its performance.
Bill
You find it funny that the Polaris guys are commenting in the Honda forums?Kids?
Where does it say in the ATV Connection rules that you can only post in your own brand Forum?If I find an interesting topic,I'll post if I see the need to,regardless if im in a Honda Forum or not.And BTW,I also own a Honda to.The thing with me?I'll tell you like it is,and some brand loyal riders dont like to hear that.Could you be one of those?
Scramdaddy,
Rich,the owner of Dynoport lied to me on the phone when he sold me the Dynoport pipe.I told him I was an ASI [ATV Safety Instructor] and must have a silencer at or below 94db sound limit,and it would have to be spark arrested.He assured me of the above!Three wks after having the pipe installed,I had the pipe sound tested at 99db,5db over the LEGAL sound limit for Michigan.The fit was also horrible.The silencer hung down low in the rear part of the frame.That permitted easy water entrance thru water crossings.When I called him to complain that his pipe was not what he sold me on the phone,he yelled at me and said that Dynoport has a NO RETURN policy.Something that he never said when we were on the phone earlier.I got ahold of my credit card company,and they took care of the matter for me.
Rick Ritter called me and told me to send him the PSI pipe and that he'd fix it's poor performance on the low end for me,he did and now im pretty happy with its performance.
Bill
#23
07-03-2001 | 11:07 AM
Weekend Warrior
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
muddy4life:
I have a 2000 Honda Foreman 450ES, and I ride with a Honda Rubicon and a Polaris SP 500HO. My machine has 27" Mud Bugs and a lift kit, the Rubi has a lift and 28" Outlaws, and the SP500 has a lift, 28" Outlaws, pipe, clutch kit, jet kit, K&N, etc.....
I will admit, stock, the SP500 has a slight edge in the mud, and modified it has a very slight edge, due to the True 4X4, but it is certainly NOT night and day difference. As a matter of fact, the Rubi will go places that the SP500 will not (Steep Ruts & Hi-Center stuff).
They are all good machines, it is a matter of preference. I do not think anyone would argue that the quality of the Hondas are better than the Polaris (if both machines are well taken care of), overall the Hondas have a great rep, but they all brake down. Of the guys that I know with Polaris machines, they have all had problems, most minor, but still problems. My Honda never skips a beat!
The Rubi and the SP500 are pretty much even in the mud, and the Polaris is a lot more modified! What if the Rubi had a locker?? Hmmmmmmm......
I have a 2000 Honda Foreman 450ES, and I ride with a Honda Rubicon and a Polaris SP 500HO. My machine has 27" Mud Bugs and a lift kit, the Rubi has a lift and 28" Outlaws, and the SP500 has a lift, 28" Outlaws, pipe, clutch kit, jet kit, K&N, etc.....
I will admit, stock, the SP500 has a slight edge in the mud, and modified it has a very slight edge, due to the True 4X4, but it is certainly NOT night and day difference. As a matter of fact, the Rubi will go places that the SP500 will not (Steep Ruts & Hi-Center stuff).
They are all good machines, it is a matter of preference. I do not think anyone would argue that the quality of the Hondas are better than the Polaris (if both machines are well taken care of), overall the Hondas have a great rep, but they all brake down. Of the guys that I know with Polaris machines, they have all had problems, most minor, but still problems. My Honda never skips a beat!
The Rubi and the SP500 are pretty much even in the mud, and the Polaris is a lot more modified! What if the Rubi had a locker?? Hmmmmmmm......
#24
07-03-2001 | 01:05 PM
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 0
Mike,
I tend to agree with your post,however,when the going gets REAL bad,like rutted up mud pits,this is where the Honda's limited slip front diff really stinks,at least on the stock models I've seen anyways.
To your credit,I have been in the mud with a 450s Honda that was lifted,locked and was wrapped in Mud Bugs.I did NOT go anywhere that he did'nt.Its possible that the Ruby might out perform the Sportsman in the Steep Rutts and High Center Stuff,but I'd like to see that done.It has been posted in the Honda Forum SEVERAL times that the new Torque Sensing Diff on the Ruby is no better than the limited slip diffs of yesterday and the Sportsman has higher ground clearance to.So I find it hard to beleive the Ruby will out perform the HO in the conditions you mentioned,but maybe?
Bill
I tend to agree with your post,however,when the going gets REAL bad,like rutted up mud pits,this is where the Honda's limited slip front diff really stinks,at least on the stock models I've seen anyways.
To your credit,I have been in the mud with a 450s Honda that was lifted,locked and was wrapped in Mud Bugs.I did NOT go anywhere that he did'nt.Its possible that the Ruby might out perform the Sportsman in the Steep Rutts and High Center Stuff,but I'd like to see that done.It has been posted in the Honda Forum SEVERAL times that the new Torque Sensing Diff on the Ruby is no better than the limited slip diffs of yesterday and the Sportsman has higher ground clearance to.So I find it hard to beleive the Ruby will out perform the HO in the conditions you mentioned,but maybe?
Bill
#25
07-03-2001 | 01:17 PM
Weekend Warrior
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Honestly, I found it hard to believe too. I tried it first and could not make it. The SP500 tried it, about 4-5 times and said there was no way he was making it. The Rubi walked right over it. I really think that the IRS was a disadvantage in this case.
There is no doubt the SP 500 is a Bad A$$ machine, and stock, I know it is the best performer in the mud, but there is a lot of other factors. Driver experience is a major one!! I ride with guys with all different types of machines; Polaris, Kawasakis, Hondas, Suzukis, Cats, and Yamahas. Most of them are or were, very recently, stock and the Hondas (with exception of the Polaris) are by far the best in the mud. The others all hold their own, but if there is someone who will not make it, it will not be the Honda. And if there is someone who is pulling people out of the nasty stuff, it is usually the Hondas (all 450s & 500s).
All this talking makes me want to head for the mud hole! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
There is no doubt the SP 500 is a Bad A$$ machine, and stock, I know it is the best performer in the mud, but there is a lot of other factors. Driver experience is a major one!! I ride with guys with all different types of machines; Polaris, Kawasakis, Hondas, Suzukis, Cats, and Yamahas. Most of them are or were, very recently, stock and the Hondas (with exception of the Polaris) are by far the best in the mud. The others all hold their own, but if there is someone who will not make it, it will not be the Honda. And if there is someone who is pulling people out of the nasty stuff, it is usually the Hondas (all 450s & 500s).
All this talking makes me want to head for the mud hole! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
#26
07-03-2001 | 01:22 PM
Pro Rider
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
The rubi is no sportsman by any means, polaris has so many advantages over the rubi, it's unreal.
Heres my example..."top ten reasons why polaris dominates its class":
10. reverse override (who wants to go 3mph in reverse)
9. decent stock tires (not those piddely knobby things, LUGS)
8. large gas tanks (theres not gas stations on the trails)
7. comfortable seats(unlike honda or yamaha's that will send a person with hemorrhoids to their dead bed.LOL.)
6. automatic transmissions (automatics shift faster than humans.hehe.)
5. full floorboard (not half crap boards)
4. most suspension travel in each machines class(no use for suspension when you don't have travel.
3. Macpherson struts (comfortable ride and found on all four corners of the sportsmans independent suspension system.
2. locked true 4x4 ( the rest of the companies might as well call there machines 3x4's.LOL.)
1. True AMERICAN craftsmanship (yes I like to wave the American flag on occation)
2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4
SCRAMDADDY400
Heres my example..."top ten reasons why polaris dominates its class":
10. reverse override (who wants to go 3mph in reverse)
9. decent stock tires (not those piddely knobby things, LUGS)
8. large gas tanks (theres not gas stations on the trails)
7. comfortable seats(unlike honda or yamaha's that will send a person with hemorrhoids to their dead bed.LOL.)
6. automatic transmissions (automatics shift faster than humans.hehe.)
5. full floorboard (not half crap boards)
4. most suspension travel in each machines class(no use for suspension when you don't have travel.
3. Macpherson struts (comfortable ride and found on all four corners of the sportsmans independent suspension system.
2. locked true 4x4 ( the rest of the companies might as well call there machines 3x4's.LOL.)
1. True AMERICAN craftsmanship (yes I like to wave the American flag on occation)
2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4
SCRAMDADDY400
#28
07-03-2001 | 03:25 PM
Pro Rider
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
First of all I want to say that I don't own a 4x4 machine cause I didn't want one. Secondly I have to say that this is only my OPINION.
I know guys who swear by each of their machines, but from what I have heard, seen, and read, I would have to say to give the new 660 Griz a dang good look before passing it up. Everything about that machine seems right except the width and the people who own them in the Yammie board (who have plenty of posts, that you may want to check out) seem to think that the Griz is actually built wide and then inset wheels added to narrow it up to fit in your truck. They all act like with a little width the thing is unstoppable and they even addressed the belt slipping (I think they said it happened once in a good size hole, but not in the huge holes so they were sure why.) I would imagine this is another case of using some good sealant and all being well. Plus if you do get some water in it, the Griz has a drain plug so you can get rid of it in a hurry.
Look at everything, narrow it down, then ride them all and make your call.
Good luck.
I know guys who swear by each of their machines, but from what I have heard, seen, and read, I would have to say to give the new 660 Griz a dang good look before passing it up. Everything about that machine seems right except the width and the people who own them in the Yammie board (who have plenty of posts, that you may want to check out) seem to think that the Griz is actually built wide and then inset wheels added to narrow it up to fit in your truck. They all act like with a little width the thing is unstoppable and they even addressed the belt slipping (I think they said it happened once in a good size hole, but not in the huge holes so they were sure why.) I would imagine this is another case of using some good sealant and all being well. Plus if you do get some water in it, the Griz has a drain plug so you can get rid of it in a hurry.
Look at everything, narrow it down, then ride them all and make your call.
Good luck.
