I have two Honda Cars. One a 1999 with 129,000miles on it and one a 1990 with 249,000 miles. Both run as good as the day I bought them new!!! Just change the oil/tires and not much else needed compared to a Chryler I had. I was dumping like $300 a month into it and it just touch 100,000 miles. I'd say Honda build quality that lasts!

 

Propnut: Good observation I've noticed the same thing as well. They can always justify what they bought and why they bought it even if it turns out to be junk. People seem to have a hard time to admit when they have made an unwise purchase, I guess because they've spent so much money. What they need to do is recognize that they have made a mistake, admit it, sell it (ofcourse taking a severe loss) and buy the reliable dependable brand ! Problem solved [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Honda has the best quality and reliability but not the best inovation in comparison to other brands, But I haven't haven't had any reliability problems with Suzuki at all yet, But not the same goes for my old Polaris 400 I had a lot of problems with it. IMO Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha have the best quality/reliabilty in that order.

 

I bought a new Foreman 400 in 99 and took it back for the first 25 hour service and the machanic did all the service accept,now get this,forgot to fill the crank case with oil after he installed the new oil filter.They loaded it up on my pick-up for me and I road it for a total of 7 1/2 miles before it finally got too hot and shut down.I was shocked to check the oil and none was found on the dip stick.I never thaught about checking the oil after they serviced it but they were the ones that cranked it and loaded it for me at the shop.I took it back to the shop needless to say I was very PO'ed.They checked it out and found nothing wrong after it was filled with oil.I got a lfetime warranty in writeing saying they would replace the engine free of charge if the engine ever broke due to the oil being left out by their service men.I now have 4000 miles on it and no engine problems to mention.Iwill say Honda has got my vote.BTW it does have a sticker that says Made In The USA on the back fender.>>>>>>>>>>

WOW.....not an experiment I'd ever want to try but good to know. THAT is impressive.

 

I've owned a Kodiac, a Sportsman 500 HO, and a Foreman 450 ES. I have made two observations: 1) The Honda was designed by engineers who understand how and where ATV's are used. I've had comical problems with the Yamaha such as light bulbs that fall out of the holders and choke cables that freeze up because nobody thought to use a 5 cent rubber boot to protect it. 2) The Honda is definately underpowered and undersuspended when compared to the other bikes I've owned, but I still own the 450ES and plan to add a Rubicon soon. The 450ES hauls the Elk off the mountain as well as the Sportsman did and is reliable as a hammer. I never think twice about lending it to friends because I know it's going to be reliable and come back working as well as when it left. I liked the power of the Sportsman, but could never adjust to all that extra weight and the sore neck I got from wrestling it through the mountains. I believe what most people really attribute to Honda quality is their attention to detail. Their designs are well thought out and it shows. Too bad they are so slow with all the bells and whistles, but I can live with that. Reliability is the #1 concern for my machines. I spend too much money hunting to risk owning a machine that requires fixing or may leave me stranded 15 miles from camp.

 

Agreed! I'm a serious hunter too! Reliability is the #1 priority in my book and Resale value is also high on my list. Honda is tops at both. Although I don't believe a Foreman 450 is underpowered. I realize they are not built for speed and certainly ride rough, however they are extremely good at what they were designed for ("work") and I think they have more than enough grunt/torque to do most jobs....for 433cc they have exceptional pulling and hauling capabilities. Pound for pound I'd say they were probably the strongest machine built, until the new Foreman 500 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I would say they are all about the same, but Honda stands out to me, I have had 30+ year old hondas stock that still ran fine and everything worked!!! But as far as the new ones go, the big 4 all are about even to me!