muddy info on polaris vs. honda
Jan 1, 2002 | 02:05 PM
#32
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Honran01: Bla, bla, bla..... we ride in the muskeg, mud, rocks of the mountains and cutlines in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada; we have Pols, Yams, Hons, Kawi's, you name it in our group; yes, the Hondas are less maintenance, but talk about SLOWWWWWW. The Pol guys generally get through the mud holes, thanks to superior clearance and a real 4 wheel drive. The Hons and Yams generally go around or get through real slow and get stuck. Rock climbing in a Honda? Give me a break! Again: slow, rough, poor. Time after time the story is the same: the Pols are at the next "rest stop" waiting for the "superior" Hondas and Yammys. (Notice I'm not mentioning the Kawi's? I'm being nice [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] ) Maybe its my snowmobile background showing through (and no, I don't like Pol sleds) but I'm willing to trade off a few minutes of maintenance every ride for superior (far superior) performance.
Jan 1, 2002 | 02:46 PM
#33
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DaveB
You are so right, on ruff going there is nothing out there that Honda makes that can keep up with the Polaris. That is why I think Polaris has had tie rod and steering stem problems. They made there quads so smoooth and powerful, that you can go alot faster on ruff trails, thus putting alot more stress on the steering componets. I just look at my Mercury Mountaineer, I lived on a dirt rd that was pretty ruff. So within 4 years I replaced upper and lower ball joints, tie rods and sway bar ends, over $500 each time. I don't blame Mercury for this, this has been the best SUV I've had, but I drive fast down this rd because the Merc drives so good, however it cost me $1000 in front end work. And while the Merc was being fixed, I rented a Landrover, This thing was made tuff, but you felt every bump you hit, this had to be the bumpiest ride I ever had, you couldn't go fast down my road you would get beat to death. so the point is I will take my smooth Merc over the ruff Landrover anyday just like I will take a smooth riding Polaris over the ruff riding Hondas. It might be a little more maintenance, but the ride is well worth it.
You are so right, on ruff going there is nothing out there that Honda makes that can keep up with the Polaris. That is why I think Polaris has had tie rod and steering stem problems. They made there quads so smoooth and powerful, that you can go alot faster on ruff trails, thus putting alot more stress on the steering componets. I just look at my Mercury Mountaineer, I lived on a dirt rd that was pretty ruff. So within 4 years I replaced upper and lower ball joints, tie rods and sway bar ends, over $500 each time. I don't blame Mercury for this, this has been the best SUV I've had, but I drive fast down this rd because the Merc drives so good, however it cost me $1000 in front end work. And while the Merc was being fixed, I rented a Landrover, This thing was made tuff, but you felt every bump you hit, this had to be the bumpiest ride I ever had, you couldn't go fast down my road you would get beat to death. so the point is I will take my smooth Merc over the ruff Landrover anyday just like I will take a smooth riding Polaris over the ruff riding Hondas. It might be a little more maintenance, but the ride is well worth it.
Jan 1, 2002 | 04:31 PM
#35
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One more argument in the Honda Vs. Polaris argument.
Most of the FARMERS around here drive Hondas. Almost all riding is around and between fields, checking irrigation, spraying weeds on the end rows, and etc. To them going fast over rough country is not their #1 priority. If a fuel truck can get to the well head, it can't be too bad, and the corn doesn't move around any, so speed doesn't matter too much, just so you get there. Those type also would rather just be able to change oil & ride, and 'extreme' 4x4ing isn't involved. All they need to do is get through that muddy spot or waterway.
Now, the RANCHERS, in particular the bigger ones, are going to Polaris, and to some extent, A/C for smoother riding/more capable machines. In the pastures, you DO find 'extreme' creek bottoms to cross (or drive 2 miles out of your way just to get 50 feet from where you started). Spring calving can bring snow, often with mud underneath. We saved 5 calves one year because we had a snowmobile. The worst was when the snow melted too much for it, but our Honda wouldn't quite make it through most places. We did a good job saving the calves we could, but when you have to carry a calf 1/4 mile because your ATV just can't quite make it through, it makes you think. Also, cattle are continually on the move, and are not on a tilled field, they are out in rough, bumpy, wide open hills for the most part. A real killer for someone with a sore back. The smoothest riding, most capable machine is what is called for. If you have to replace worn parts every now and again, and need to grease it, that is the price you pay. I thought that maybe A/C was the way to go, but now a friend who has one, had to put $1200 into the front end of his, at about 5100 miles, and if anything, he is easier on his machine than I am. I think part of it is because he got a 300, and I have a 400, and he might work his just a hair too hard.
The Rubicon was a great step in the right direction, but Honda didn't quite go far enough. However, the specs on the Rincon are very impressive. IF they ride as smooth as they are rumored to, IF they are as maintanence-free as the other Honda's are, and IF they hold up as well as their predecessors, they will sell a ton of them. All Honda would need to do would be introduce one in the 450-500cc range, without all the bells & whistles, but still with IRS, at a reasonable price, they won't be able to keep up making them.
Most of the FARMERS around here drive Hondas. Almost all riding is around and between fields, checking irrigation, spraying weeds on the end rows, and etc. To them going fast over rough country is not their #1 priority. If a fuel truck can get to the well head, it can't be too bad, and the corn doesn't move around any, so speed doesn't matter too much, just so you get there. Those type also would rather just be able to change oil & ride, and 'extreme' 4x4ing isn't involved. All they need to do is get through that muddy spot or waterway.
Now, the RANCHERS, in particular the bigger ones, are going to Polaris, and to some extent, A/C for smoother riding/more capable machines. In the pastures, you DO find 'extreme' creek bottoms to cross (or drive 2 miles out of your way just to get 50 feet from where you started). Spring calving can bring snow, often with mud underneath. We saved 5 calves one year because we had a snowmobile. The worst was when the snow melted too much for it, but our Honda wouldn't quite make it through most places. We did a good job saving the calves we could, but when you have to carry a calf 1/4 mile because your ATV just can't quite make it through, it makes you think. Also, cattle are continually on the move, and are not on a tilled field, they are out in rough, bumpy, wide open hills for the most part. A real killer for someone with a sore back. The smoothest riding, most capable machine is what is called for. If you have to replace worn parts every now and again, and need to grease it, that is the price you pay. I thought that maybe A/C was the way to go, but now a friend who has one, had to put $1200 into the front end of his, at about 5100 miles, and if anything, he is easier on his machine than I am. I think part of it is because he got a 300, and I have a 400, and he might work his just a hair too hard.
The Rubicon was a great step in the right direction, but Honda didn't quite go far enough. However, the specs on the Rincon are very impressive. IF they ride as smooth as they are rumored to, IF they are as maintanence-free as the other Honda's are, and IF they hold up as well as their predecessors, they will sell a ton of them. All Honda would need to do would be introduce one in the 450-500cc range, without all the bells & whistles, but still with IRS, at a reasonable price, they won't be able to keep up making them.
Dec 17, 2003 | 07:46 PM
#36
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muddy info on polaris vs. honda
yes hondas are more relaible then a polaris even tho i hate to say it but i dont know what they are talking about when they say that polaris doesnt last as long. i ride the **** otta mine everyday out in buddies marsh, i ride in 2 feet of water for at least an hour a day most of the time i have the throttle pinned. just when it started to freeze over i would be riding in 2 feet of freezing water and after i rode i would put it in the garage and start it up tomorrow morning and ride somemore, no need to worry about anything freezing up as long as your boots are still good.
and as relaibility goes the 500 ho is fine it starts up perfect for me everytime, never had anything go wrong with it yet or any trouble starting it up and it was 7 degrees out monday. 2200 miles no probs yet. and i think that you will enjoy the smoother ride too. i never rode the 650 rincon so cant say anything about the IRS.
remember my polaris out muds all of my buddies, even the bombardier. so if you like to show up your friends and have a camfortable powerful ride. remember... polaris the way out.
and as relaibility goes the 500 ho is fine it starts up perfect for me everytime, never had anything go wrong with it yet or any trouble starting it up and it was 7 degrees out monday. 2200 miles no probs yet. and i think that you will enjoy the smoother ride too. i never rode the 650 rincon so cant say anything about the IRS.
remember my polaris out muds all of my buddies, even the bombardier. so if you like to show up your friends and have a camfortable powerful ride. remember... polaris the way out.
Dec 18, 2003 | 11:49 AM
#37
Trailblazer
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muddy info on polaris vs. honda
Originally posted by: ShotgunMessiah
and the fact that a tree jumped out in front of it.
and the fact that a tree jumped out in front of it.
Dec 18, 2003 | 12:11 PM
#38
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5
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muddy info on polaris vs. honda
I have an 01 400 xplorer,I've rode it through any thing you can think of,My friend has a honda rancher,He has kept up with me through 98% of what i drive through,over,under.I can handle deeper mud,bigger rocks,But he dont slow me down.The only thing I can see flaw wise with his machine is the air cooling,after a long time beating the machines,His will knock,Sounds like a deisel,As far as mantainance goes I jus keep the chain tight,grease the fittings and carry extra spark plug.My machine died on me once,I changed spark plug any away I went.I once drove a tree that had fallen and hidding in the mud,drove it in to the trans cover and got mud and water in the trans,Still made it home.I hate seeng people raggin on other peoples machines.They bought them for a reason,It may not be the reason you bought yours.
