The Rubicon is the Connection's "ATV of the Year", without even mentioning the Sportsman 500HO? To top it off, the Traxter was a "close runner-up"?! I don't think so. What do you think?

 

I believe that what they are really looking for, are new and innovative advances in the atv industry as a whole. There is no doubt that the hondamatic is an engineering marvel and this item alone gave them a big head start vs any other manufacturer. The sportsman on the other hand, has been around for many years (and has earned its awards) and has basically gone through minor improvements over the years to finally reveal the very reliable spho. I would not call putting the 500ho motor from a scrambler into a sportsman frame innovative, effective, yes. Next year it will probably be the 650 v-twin Kawa. Don't forget, that as far as shootouts that compare ride quality,suspension,ground clearance and mudding capabilities, That the sp is still king.

I personnaly own a honda generator (wouldn't have bought anything else)and drive a honda accord v6, but I choose to ride a Polaris simply because of the pleasurable riding experience they offer and the ability to go almost anywhere without getting stuck, after all, isn't that what its all about.

 

I agree with Snowride. What they really should call it would be best 'new' ATV or most improved ATV of the year. I think that would be the more accurate term for what they are looking for.

 

I agree the atv of the year does not mean it,s the best but that it came out with something totally new.Well the tranny of the Honda is one of a kind and if it turns out to be the best way to go in tranmissions than everyone should follow, than these machines just will get better and better.Next year the Kawi 650 twin may win because it,s first is being a twin cylinder.I do not know who won last year but I would guess it was the DS 650 for being the first to make a large bore sport quad which Yamaha was quick to follow up on with the Raptor.When the SP came out in 96 with a IRS suspension it was awesome and sill is compared to the ride of a straight axle but is't funny no one eles will copy it and even improved on it.I know Artic Cat and Suzuki had the IRS first but it,s not in the same league because it's lighter duty will much less travel.

IRS ride vs a Straigh axle ride is the same as Boggie wheels vs slide rail suspension on snowmobiles.

 

THERE ARE MORE TRAIL/PLEASURE RIDERS OUT THEIR THAN ANY OTHER SEGMENT OF ATV USE,THEREFORE LESS LIKELY THAT PROMLEMS WILL SHOW UP AS QUICKLY.THE HONDAMATIC IS PROBABLY A NICE TRAILMACHINE(SOMEBODY ELSES OPPION NOT MINE).THE PVT MAY HAVE AN OCCASIONAL BELT SLIPPING PROBLEM DUE TO RIDER ERROR(NOT USING LOW RANGE WHEN REQUIRED,NOT PRACTICAL TO TOW A BOAT BEHIND US SO WE USE OUR QUADS INSTEAD)BUT WHEN IT COMES TO AGGRESSIVE MUDDING WITH LARGE TIRES THE HONDAMATIC CAN'T HOLD A LIGHT TO THE AGEING BELT SYSTEM POLARIS USES.SIMPLY PUTTING AN AUTO TRANNY IN AN OLD CHASSIS IS NO MORE INNOVATIVE THAN POLARIS INSTALLING THE HO ENGINE IN THE EXISTING SPORTSMAN.THE POLARIS PVT IS AS BULLET PROOF AS ANY HONDA WILL EVER HOPE TO BE.$35.00 VERSUS HOW MUCH TO FIX A HONDAMATIC,TIME WILL TELL.HONDA HAS HAD 30 PLUS YEARS TO BUILD SOMETHING RELIABLE POLARIS HAS DONE IT IN THE LAST 5 YEARS,THEY CAN PRINT WHAT THEY WANT (ADVERTISING DOLLARS)BUT WE KNOW THE SPORTSMAN IS STILL THE KING.

 

Where would we be today if Suzuki didn,t build the first quad? Polaris didn't introduce full floor boards,push button 4wd and the automatic? Honda with its reliability?

 

I agree with snowride also.

 

It might be the best new model, in the sense it has an interesting tranny, it seems they were looking at totally new machines they mentioned the Raptor and the XT. If they did a head to head shoot out we all know what would rule supreme.

 

Its not like they said the Ruby won a shootout!That would be an all completely differant story if that were said.

So they like the Ruby,big deal.What influence does ATV magazine have on ANY of us?Each individule has his/her own preferances.I dont like the Ruby nearly as much as the HO Sportsman.ATV mag picked the Ruby as ATV of the yr.Alls I can think is they did;nt ride the HO Sportsman,[lol]


Bill

 

800twin, I have to jump in on this one... Why cant the Hondamatic "hold a light" to belts in with aggressive tires?