Look at the older ones that are air cooledMy Dad has 4 different Yamaha's up on his property from the early 2000 era. He is not good at maintaining them either. They all still run great. Very reliable.
Looks like it’s gonna be a Honda.
Gotta wait to close on this house then I’m gonna go try to wheel and deal. What’s the skinny on pricing - is it pretty fixed or can you negotiate?
From my experience the less options the better. Plain Honda 500 solid axle will outlast most, if not all. That being said I drive Polaris, as I’m 6’5” and I like a machine I can stand up on and feel comfortable, the tall handlebars just fit right. I have lower back disc issues so the ride and comfort is more vital to me. That being said the only Polaris I’ve had in the shop was a bent straight axle on an 1999 scrambler due to whiskey throttle and good decisions haha.
It’s like Toyota Tacoma, man are they awesome. But my head rubs the ceiling and I can’t see road signs with the view from where my eyes set unless I lean the seat way back and G-ride. Sometimes the “best” isn’t always the best for everyone, but the most dependable is pretty hard to argue if that’s the only concern
“Joyless reliability chaser” definitely describes me. I’d sooner have something bulletproof that rides like a tank vs. some smooth riding machine that has to see the shop once a yearI was going to make this same analogy. Honda ATVs and Toyota trucks are both too small for me, but I own both because I am a cheap joyless reliability chaser. If work is providing the ride and the repairs I'm happiest in a Ford or on a big old Polaris.