I am trying to decide whether to get a Honda or a Polaris. I like the Xpedition 425 and the Sportsman 335. My friend got a new Rancher 4x4 es and i really like it. Which three of these machines would be better for serious mud riding?

 

Serious mud riding you say!Well you may have notice you freinds Rancher when in serious mud that one of the front wheels is not tuning in some situation but this does not happen with the Polaris 4wd system ,all the wheels turn making it better for serious mud riding.I would stay away from the Sportsman 335 because its power to weight ratio is not great enough to over come the resistance deep mud creates and go for the 425 instead.

 

For serious mud riding the polaris would be better for 2 reasons a better 4wd system and bigger power output(if your talking about the 425)

 

For serious riding the only thing I would recommend is a 400 2-stroke. It has more power than any of the machines you listed. If you absolutely don't want a 2-stroke or 500, get the 425.
C-YA, Joe 96 400 SPORTSMAN

 

If your going to be into the real mucky mud,Polaris all the way.Someone mentioned that the Honda is limited slip.They are correct,meaning that only one front wheel in the front spins with power.That is far from being superior in mud over the Polaris AWD system that deleivers power to all 4 wheels.Now I know that some of the Honda guys are going to tell you all about the ''NEW'' torque sensing front diff that the newer Honda's have that give power to the wheel that needs it.Im allready seeing some complaining in these Forums that the differential is not working the way it is advertised.I dont know,I dont own one.Im only able to inform you on the things I've read in the Honda Forums,GOOD LUCK,===== BILL

00 Xplorer 400cc 4x4
If you want to come in second ''FOLLOW ME''

 

I'd go for polaris. The AWD system is a lot better.

The Honda 3 wheel drive isn't any good. I've seen people get stuck and one wheel be up in the air spinning!

Does a company out their make a Locker for the 4-wheel drive? That would be really nice when you needed it.!

 

Polaris does have real 4wd, but in my estimation this shouldn't be the main reason for not considering others. I own both a rancher and a sp500, the polaris has had tie rod problems, 4wd problems and numerous other incidents. Reliability is a major issue with Polaris, just look at the messages under Polaris compared to Honda. I know the polaris guys will fire back at me regarding the ES problems with the foreman and other isolated incidents but they pale in comparison to polaris. I do think that the expedition is one of the better bikes polaris makes but I would opt for the rancher.

 

Remember he said serious mud riding.How can you recommend a Rancher over the 425 when it has less power and less wheels turning and we are talking about bikes with every thing working on them not about someone,s crippled Sportsman.

 

do you think anyone is going to spend all their time in mud??? This person already says that he likes the rancher, just because it's a limited slip doesn't mean it can't go through the mud. Why does my rancher go through 15 inches of snow better than the myy sp500 . . . Anyway, I still vote for the Honda, but both bikes are good.

 

Read his post this guy plans to do some "SERIOUS MUD RIDING" and your telling him to get a Rancher over the 425.If he said serious dune riding I would not tell him to get a Sportsman.