86 Ford F-250 3/4 4X4 , 170K, minor problems and a great truck. Ignition module has failed twice - bad design. Bad silver paint.

I think in your case it's a toss up. Buy Polaris - made in USA - take pride. For me the Polaris is easier to understand and work on.

 

I own both brands, here my thoughts.

Honda:

1. + Good quality, Best fit and finish, will last a long time
2. + non-belt transmittion, better for towing / work
3. + better handling (Polaris tends to washout in turns)
4. + Honda engine
5. + lighter weight
6. - Pricey
7. - expensive parts
8. - lower ground clearence


Polaris:

1. + American Company
2. + Plush ride, smooth, IRS (independent rear suspension)
3. + Good price
4. + high ground clearence
5. + affordable replacement parts
6. - Overall quality of the Honda is better
7. - poor cornering, pushes thru the corners
8. - heavy

You've got a tough call. Their both great quads. Test ride them both if you can, and not just a couple of laps around the dealership, test ride the way you'll use the quad. It may come down to which dealer you prefer.

Welcome to ATVing & Congradulations on your soon-to-be-new-Quad

 

Buy the Honda, the new Foreman 500 is a great work machine- better than the rubicon
and the Hondas have true engine braking, not just the rear wheels.Honda is letting there 2004 450s go for a good price.I own a 2003 sportsman 700 but I wish I would have waited for the new suzuki 700.

 

i have a 00 500 magnum. 5 years old its been riden hard fliped 6 time and never been in the shop. around 500 hours on it. i have had to replace 2 belts on it becouse i switched from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive in the sand while driving and it only took 5 minutes to change. very well built quad. 1 hell of a work horse.

 

hey, do yourself a faver and a half, DO NOT buy a polaris. I am telling you that you will have much better quality with the honda. The honda will out last that old polaris. You wont have to worry about slipping belts or other problems that go wrong with a polaris. I just go riminded of polaris problems on a ride this weekend. Do yourself a faver and go honda. Peace.

 

Oh brother... now that's about an honest, factual, unbiased response. Yeah, I forgot, all Polaris are crap and all Hondas are good. Infact, that's why Polaris is second in ATV sales because they build such great, unreliable, belt-slipping crap. Thier crap is so bad that many Polaris owners hate their stuff so much that they buy more of their Polaris crap!

I don't doubt that Honda makes a great ATV but there are reasons to own one and not own one. I can tell you all Hondas are not free from problems also. Should that keep you from buying one? No. Older Polaris ATVs were maintenance needy and got a bad rap for quality issues. The new ones are much better than the old ones. Do the belts slip? Well, mine never has and those I ride with haven't either. It is definitely possible to get the belt wet but I doubt you will be in 3' (or more) water on the ranch. And if belts were so bad, then somebody better tell all the snowmobile companies and all the other quads that use belts (Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Suzuki).

In the end by the quad that works best for your needs, that drives the best for what you need it to do, and has excellent dealer support. If you don't have to choose just between Honda and Polaris consider the other makers too.

 

how are you calling the honda a tractor, correct me if i wrong but polaris quads are more like a tractor, they weight like 700 ibs. not dissing on polaris, i have one, but honda being a tractor doesnt really fit

 

All im saying is, you will be allot more happy with a honda. All of the hondas ive rode with have always been great. This weekend a friend i was riding with had to be towed back because his scrammys belt started to smoke and the chain snapped. A rancher had to pull him back. I felt bad for the kid because he was a nice guy but we were all frusterated with that p.o.s

 

either quad that you decide on will last a long time.

hell, just about any quad these days will last, if you take care of it. routine maintenace, lubrication, and cleaning extends the life of every machine.

it really just boils down to your riding style and how you intend to use your quad.

correct me if im wrong, but isnt the sportsman 500 the best selling utility quad ever? theres got to be a reason for it.

X

 

I wouldn't judge all the Polaris ATVs by one kids Scrambler. Based on how his Scramber is falling apart then I would say it's a POS.. but probably due to neglect. If I judged all Grizzlies by the way my friend has ruined his (beat the snot out of it until nothing is straight and it's falling apart) I would never buy a Griz but I know the 660 is a good machine.