IF YOUR ASKING FOR SOME ADVICE PERSONALLY POLARIS SPORTSMAN 500 WILL DO THE TRICK! ONLY CAUSE I HAVE 2 SPORTSMAN 500 6X6 NO PROBLEMS ALSO SPORTSMAN 800 TO NEW TO TELL>ALL I KNOW IS MY FREIND HAS A 2001 HONDA ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS! DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THIS WILL HELP GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE!!

 

MNWolverine,

Thanks for the reply. I've ridden the Vinson and liked it. A buddy has a 350 Rancher ES and it surprised me with it's quickness. I'm 6'3" and tip the scales at 240#. The Rancher was a bit too small for me, but the other machine's I've mentioned seem to fit well. I like the Foreman based on durability, quality etc, and the Yamaha seems to be feature packed, although a little smaller than the others; which may not be a bad thing as I ride in the cedar swamps of Northern Michigan where things can get a bit tight.

I asked Curls a while back what his choice would be based on features. Like I stated then, I know I want a 450 to 500 because I've ridden smaller machines and like a little more pep. However, I don't have experience with IRS or front lockers. What are your opinions on the need vs want of those components.

Thanks...JT

 

IRS will give you a better ride over rough stuff than a solid axle, but it means more to go wrong as well. For my uses (farm work, some light logging <read fenceposts>, and hunting trips, the Honda was the only real choice I considered.
I wanted solid rear axle performance (no squat with trailer attached), and I really wanted Honda reliability and simplicity.
I was also too cost-conscious <read cheap> to justify spending 10 grand on something new and shiny that I was going to get dirty and scratched to hell in a matter of days. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't get abused, just used like it was meant to be used. I wash it once a year, honest I do.. and if I ever have to tear it apart to fix something that breaks, I'll probably wash it then as well. So, I bought an eight year old quad that an old geezer had for plowing his driveway, still with the original lousy Goodyear tires on it. No wonder the poor old bugger finally got fed up with it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]) I put on new Mud-Lites, and enjoy a world of difference.
I ride alone quite a bit (not really my choice, just the way it is) so I ride carefully as well. Still, a five mile (or longer) walk out of the woods because something stupid broke doesn't appeal to me in the least.

I rode Kawasaki motorcycles for years, great performance, and a much sharper edge than any of my Honda's ever had. I never had either leave me on the side of the road. I refused to ride Suzuki or Yamaha because I worked on them for a while for a living and didn't like what I saw. ( I can really feel the flames licking up around my @ss after that comment)

I don't like the Kawasaki rear brake system, I think it's way too complicated for what it needs to do. The Honda drum brakes do freeze up, or so I hear. It's not happened to me, but then I don't normally drive through water over the axles a lot of the time. With any luck the new discs on the 05 Foreman will deal with that issue, but I still like sealed drums. Granted the braking power isn't as good, but I don't find I need a lot of brakes anyway, since the poor ol' 400 won't go fast enough to overcome what I think is outstanding engine braking.

Final thoughts: Keep yer belts on yer pants where they belong, and spend the extra 700 or so bucks. I was cost-conscious <read cheap> and I've saved maybe $3000 on the price of a new machine, my belt holds up my pants as it was meant to do, and I smile every time I slap down a nice fresh $20 bill at the beer store. I figure I'm good for about 150 or so smiles like that before I have to dig into "fresh" money that I wouldn't have spent on a new quad.

Incidentally, I also smile every time that sweet little Honda 400 thumps into life, and miracle of miracles, stays running without me doing a whole lot other than routine maintenance to keep it that way. As it should be..

 

I ride with a bunch of guys on Honda Ranchers and they are tough machines. They try and tear these things up (sometimes successfully) just to see if they can. Probably the biggest problem I see with every Honda I have ridden is the lack of brakes! They are so bad that whenever I switch bikes with a fellow the first question I ask is "Do they work?" Also not much of a fan of 3wheel drive either.

 

For 05,Honda has switched to Disk Brakes on the Rubicon. So braking issues are solved. If you ride a sport machine and jump to a Ute, there is going to be some differences anyway. I am not sure what they mean by three wheeled machines... My Rubicn seems to be applying power to both front wheels... But I may be mistaken.... Either way, it sure out pulls both of my Sport machines...

I agree on the solid axle versus IRS if you are going to be working it hard. The reason is that most solid axle machines mount the hitches on the swingarm, whereas the IRS will mount it to frames, which are suspended.. so the weight transfers directly to the suspension. On the solid axle machine, there is no noticable effect. And more importantly, the handling is not effected.

The IRS machines DO have a lot more traction in rough conditions... especially if you are climbing logs or rocks etc. But do not attempt to slide one in a corner without a lot of experience.. they will land you on your head quicker than you can blink.

 

I wont be towing much if at all. I'm most concerned with a machine that will plow my driveway, haul deer out of the woods, carry stuff while I'm riding around my property (feed, gear, etc), and be fun to ride occasionally on trails (Also must be big enough for me). Ground clearance is an issue with me as I recently got hung up on a fallen log with my buddy's Rancher. Are hang up's inevitable? Should I be so concerned about ground clearance? After all, most of the 500 class machines are within 3" of eachother with respect to ground clearance anyway (except the Arctic Cat's, but I dont want an AC). The towing dichotomy with IRS is not an issue. Do I need a locker? Will a standard ltd. slip front diff. work for me? From what I've read, lockers only see use about 5% of the time, but I don't have any experience, and therefore am asking all of you guys.

Thanks,

JT

 

Hang ups are all part of the deal... I wouldn't worry all that much about them... although a quick look at what hangs down underneath may be in order.

Just an observation... but it appears on the surface you may be thinking way too hard on this... Time to make a decision and move forward. Flip a coin if you have to. If you feel you got the wrong choice.. then deep down, you know what the right answer has been all along.

My Psycic 6th sense is getting a picture of a new 05 Rubicon.....I think yours is too..... Go ahead.. you know you want it....

 

LOL

You hit the nail on the head. I am WAY overanylzing this. Your right about the Rubi...it's a way cool machine...although for the same price I can get a King Quad...LOOK OUT...HERE I GO AGAIN.

JT :-)

 

JayTee,

Yes, it's time to make the leap. Really all the new quads are good, but you'll find strong and weak points on each. Sometimes the best quad for you might have more to do with the shop selling it then with the company that made it. I strongly reccomend that you go ride a SRA and an IRS if you could then choose what ever brand you like best. Unfortunatly there is no ideal quad for everyone. So now you've done your homework now it's time to go outside and play.

 

All,

Thanks for the great info. I've narrowed it down to the Vinson, Rubicon and Kodiak. I've only ridden the Vinson of the 3, so I'm gonna go to my local dealer who sells all three brands and compare. I'll let y'all know which I pick.

Thanks again.

JT