Hello, I'm looking at Honda and Polaris utility quads in the 500cc range. Priorities are reliability, utility (capacity), low noise, go anywhere performance, low maintenance, automatic. I'll be using it for hunting, trail rides, general purpose stuff, maybe snow plowing, etc. I'm a fan of Honda and have been leaning towards the Rubicon. But I would like to have IRS, so I'm considering the Rincon. But the Rincon doesn't seem to have as much utility as the Rubicon. A friend of mine has a newer Polaris 500 and likes it a lot, but I'm just not sure about it. I know they are very popular, and a few bad apples can make a lot of noise, but they don't seem as reliable as the Honda. It seems to rev a lot, just to get started moving, I'm not used to the transmission. But the Polaris has a lot of good features and is priced right. So, questions I have -
1. is IRS really worth it? If so then it is Sportsman or Rincon
2. Is the Rincon a good utility quad? Honda classes it as a recreation quad.
3. Is the new for 05 Trax-lock (or whatever they call it) on the Rubicon worth waiting for? What's wrong with full-time 4wd considering they have an open front diff? I'd like to buy soon, so I may not have time to wait for the 05 to become available - anybody know when that is?

Considering price, the 04 Polaris 500 and 04 Rubicon GPS can be had for close to the same $5800 or so. An 05 Rincon is closer to $7000 from what I can tell. I don't know what the 05 Rubicon goes for yet. I'm pretty set on either Honda or Polaris, but havn't completely ruled out other brands.
Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

 

I was in the same quandry earlier this year. Had it down to Honda Rubicon or Polaris SP400 or SP500HO. After riding all 3, I decided on the 500HO. My boiled down to the following.

1. Wanted IRS (glad I did after recent 9hrs of trail riding). I think its well worth it.
2. Wanted a quick attach plow (loved the Glacier)
3. Liked the Polaris Dealership better
4. Polaris offered better financing options.
5. Wasnt 100% sure I wanted fulltime 4wd.

I dont regret my purchase one bit. I think both are great machines. Polaris is extremely popular in my area, I have 2 friends that ride them and reliability of theirs and mine has been 100%. (my 04.5 500HO, an 03 Scrambler and a 04 Predator).

Cant really answer your ohter two questions so I hope this helps.

 

i'd go with a polaris. the sportsman 500 HO is a very nice machine. Honda is the most reliable make of all, but it lags behind in features. The rubicon is nice except for no IRS or 2 wheel drive option, the rincon i don't like cause of it's 3 speed tranny, and it's not a continuously variable tranny either. We used to have Honda's and they're great if you're gonna torture them and expect them to keep going, but our sp500 is soo much better than the hondas.

 

Based on your initial wants and needs, the Rubicon fits the bill exactly. The full-time 4x4 just doesn't allow you to slide the machine except in loose rocks which is still dangerous. Nothing is as reliable and low-maintanance as a Honda. Bottom line.

 

The Rincon does not have engine braking below 8 mph. When you are descending a steep rocky trail, stop-you-dead engine braking is essential! That absolutely kills the Rincon for me.

My buddy has a Polaris 500. You are right, it has to really rev before it takes off. That's just wasted power in my opinion. The bike also seems very top heavy, like the center of mass is way up high on the frame. Honda makes a great effort to keep the weight low in the chassis.

My Rancher has full-time 4X4, and the only time it really bothers me is when I am descending a rocky section. The steering kind of fights back. Everywhere else, I don't notice it at all. But, I would get Trax-Lok in a minute if I could.

And, that 4wd on the Polaris kicking in and out, is just weird to me. Also, all-wheel braking, is even weirder!

 

If your hunting or playing will involve extremely uneven, rough terrain or a fair bit of mud, then definitely get the Sportsman. The Rubicon won't come close in really tough conditions. That's where an IRS machine shines. Suspension articulation and ground clearance are very, very important in the areas I ride and the Rubicon doesn't have enough of either IMHO. As far as reliability, yes the Hondas are generally reliable but these days, they're no more (or less) reliable than the other brands out there. My '03 Sportsman has been used in extreme conditions many, many times and so far has been very reliable. Other than a clutch alignment problem when new, I've had no trouble in 1,900 miles. All the manufacturers build good units these days. Buy what suits you best and enjoy.

 

That reving, on the Polaris, is common to all quads with the cvt belt drives. You get used to it, and the motor doesnt care. But they are a bit harder on gas when going slow. The hondas have different types of trannys, and the engine speed is more directly related to wheel speed.
The rincon doesnt have a low range, and heavy work may be a stain on the tranny.
Alot of people get by, and actually prefer the solid axle. They are more durable, and simpler than irs. Power slides, and side hill stability are much easier with solid rear axles. The trade off, is the irs has a softer ride.
The traxxlox feature is really nice, if you ever play around by doing powerslides or donuts, a rear only drive allows it to happen. And youre right , the front differential, while not an open type, will allow easy steering. Its a torque sensing differential, and the tire that needs power will get it... it isnt the speed sensing, where the tire with the least traction gets more power.
If it means anything, the honda will have allwheel engine braking...the polaris is back only.
The polaris wont engage the front wheels in awd, until the back spins, you might want to keep that in mind for snowplowing. Where the honda, will have 4wd without wheel spin. Its a preference thing, whether you want a quad that reacts to wheel spin, or one that tries to maintain traction.

 

One of each! J/K I wouldn't mind having a Rubicon and a Sportsman 500 H.O.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Just like every one said, it boils down to what features matter to you most, and which ones you can get by without.

 

I just can't do it. I can't suggest buying either quad. Between the two, I'd prefer the Rubi but I can't see spending that much money on a 500. You don't have to listen to me and you can forget that you read this. I have to suggest that you look around more. You can get a King Quad 700 with EFI and IRS for less money than a Rubi. Heck, the Vinson 500 would do the job for much less money. The Kodiak 450 is a good machine and it has IRS, auto, and a locking diff. It also cost much less.

 

I have a 500HO a great machine and have rode with honda's and they are good too. I think you would be happy with either machine.