What ATV should I buy?

[WMag338]

Food for thought. I was trail riding years ago. We had a 2x4 rancher foot shift with slick tires and a Polaris Sportsman 500 4x4 with aftermarket mud tires. Went through a creek and the Polaris belt got wet, started to slip, and was toast. Had to be pulled out with a 2x4 rancher.

I know they make snorkel kits and newer belt driven bike are probably better sealed than my old Polaris was, but you never know when Murphy will make an appearance.

There's a reason why there are so many old Honda fourtrax 300's still around. They are simple. Nothing to screw up on them.

 

[nobody]

Food for thought. I was trail riding years ago. We had a 2x4 rancher foot shift with slick tires and a Polaris Sportsman 500 4x4 with aftermarket mud tires. Went through a creek and the Polaris belt got wet, started to slip, and was toast. Had to be pulled out with a 2x4 rancher.

I know they make snorkel kits and newer belt driven bike are probably better sealed than my old Polaris was, but you never know when Murphy will make an appearance.

To add to this, my dad just sold a Polaris machine that hasn't been used much since he upgraded to Hondas 15-18 years ago. One of his biggest gripes was the fact that, because of the starting motor location, if you went through a puddle, it would splash up and burn up the starting motor. I think he said he had replaced 5 starting motors on that one Polaris? What kind of ATV can't handle puddles and inclement weather?

 

[browning2480]

We have a 2000 Polaris Sportsman 335 that has been to Colorado and through water and mud many times. Never had an issue with it. Carb and still runs decent at elevation without re-jetting. Not saying they are the best, but just never experienced the issues everyone talks about

 

[WMag338]

To add to this, my dad just sold a Polaris machine that hasn't been used much since he upgraded to Hondas 15-18 years ago. One of his biggest gripes was the fact that, because of the starting motor location, if you went through a puddle, it would splash up and burn up the starting motor. I think he said he had replaced 5 starting motors on that one Polaris? What kind of ATV can't handle puddles and inclement weather?

Wow!

 

[Pacific_Fork]

This will outlast time itself

And outlast your insurance deductible!

Crashed way too many times on those POS’s over the years there’s a reason they quit making them.. then again I was a reckless kid.

 

[twall13]

It looks like I'm in the minority here but I've become a Suzuki King Quad fan over the years. They are smooth, quieter than most, and reliable. That said, I haven't paid much attention to any changes, updates in the market since I bought mine in 2012. Over the years I've owned or used from all of the brands listed in the poll. Honda and Yamaha are great, in my opinion Suzuki is right up there with them and can typically be found for less money. If you can find a decent deal on a Honda or a Yamaha I wouldn't hesitate to take it, but don't discount the Suzuki's.

All the Polaris machines I've been around eventually have major mechanical issues. They are great when they work, they just weren't reliable for us. I admittedly don't have much experience with Can Am regarding their ATV's, but I do with their side by sides and wouldn't personally own one again. It's a decent machine but we always kept 2 spare belts on hand because it burns through them in a hurry. Replacing them is a bit of a pain as you have to remove a seat to get to the belt. Again, not an ATV, but it soured me a bit on that brand. I went with a Yamaha Rmax for my current side by side and have enjoyed it much more.

 

[DuckDogDr]

I had an Arctic Cat best riding bike I have ever been on….when it ran which was not often.
I had 3 friends that had 2005 500cc bikes and loved them.
My 2017 was absolute hot garbage. Dealer was no better .
I had 15 hours on it and when it needed the 4th fuel pump I told the mechanic just to load it up I’m selling it for parts . He looked at me crazy and said man it’s only got 15 hours. And I replied yes and how many times has it been here, he just dropped his head.

Love my Honda Pioneer . It’s a solid workhorse

 

[Backyard]

Never have had any problems with my American made 2004 Polaris 700. Regular maintenance just like my other vehicles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Clarktar]

So the 2015 Polaris 570 I just bought is a bad choice?

Damn it

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Cannonball2500]

I voted for Honda. I have had three of them and zero problems

 

[packer58]

Honda / Yamaha, can't go wrong with either one really. Iv'e gone through two honda quads, one yamaha rhino and now on my 2021 pioneer 1000 and zero issues with any of them.

 

[pirogue]

Never had an issue with my 2003 Polaris Sportsman 400

 

[PNWGATOR]

FWIW my Polaris Sportsman was the biggest pos known to man.

I spent thousands to keep that pos running over the years. The justification was ‘it’s paid for, might as well just fix it’. Again and again and again. Literally the worst ATV/UTV manufacturer out there.

Do your due diligence.

 

[Tmac]

My over 20 yo Honda fourtrax 300 just goes and goes. Just picked up a 2023 Honda Pioneer 520, expect it will do the same.

 

[COLD SMOKE]

Currently a 2016 yamaha kodiak 700 owner

non EPS model.
Yamaha made a great machine with its 700.
I’ve had zero issues and 1800 hours on the engine so far.

 

[Fatcamp]

Any insight into which older Honda models have IRS? Google wasn't particularly helpful.

 

[nobody]

Any insight into which older Honda models have IRS? Google wasn't particularly helpful.

Off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure almost all of the Rincon models have always had IRS. I think some of the Rubicon models started coming with it after about 2000 or so as well. After that point, most all of their machines with the exception of the Recon(?) had it as an option.

FWIW, my uncle has a Rincon 650, and it's been about the most unstable ATV we've ever had experience with. The IRS is so squishy it feels like the machine is constantly pitching from side to side. My Grandpa sold it to my uncle because he constantly felt like he was going to roll over, and immediately after buying it, my uncle promptly rolled it. Granted, he was about 100 lbs overweight at the time so I'm sure that had something to do with it.

Down a nice dirt road or a good trail the IRS is nice. But I wouldn't want one on any rough terrain after seeing and feeling how unstable that Rincon has been. I personally don't feel the solid rear axel is that big of a deal, and have never felt it compromised the ride quality. Plus the stability is superior IME.

 

[Fatcamp]

Off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure almost all of the Rincon models have always had IRS. I think some of the Rubicon models started coming with it after about 2000 or so as well. After that point, most all of their machines with the exception of the Recon(?) had it as an option.

FWIW, my uncle has a Rincon 650, and it's been about the most unstable ATV we've ever had experience with. The IRS is so squishy it feels like the machine is constantly pitching from side to side. My Grandpa sold it to my uncle because he constantly felt like he was going to roll over, and immediately after buying it, my uncle promptly rolled it. Granted, he was about 100 lbs overweight at the time so I'm sure that had something to do with it.

Down a nice dirt road or a good trail the IRS is nice. But I wouldn't want one on any rough terrain after seeing and feeling how unstable that Rincon has been. I personally don't feel the solid rear axel is that big of a deal, and have never felt it compromised the ride quality. Plus the stability is superior IME.

That's helpful.

We are exploring this as an option to put in the truck along with a popup behind.

 

[yeahkkyle]

It looks like I'm in the minority here but I've become a Suzuki King Quad fan over the years. They are smooth, quieter than most, and reliable. That said, I haven't paid much attention to any changes, updates in the market since I bought mine in 2012. Over the years I've owned or used from all of the brands listed in the poll. Honda and Yamaha are great, in my opinion Suzuki is right up there with them and can typically be found for less money. If you can find a decent deal on a Honda or a Yamaha I wouldn't hesitate to take it, but don't discount the Suzuki's.

All the Polaris machines I've been around eventually have major mechanical issues. They are great when they work, they just weren't reliable for us. I admittedly don't have much experience with Can Am regarding their ATV's, but I do with their side by sides and wouldn't personally own one again. It's a decent machine but we always kept 2 spare belts on hand because it burns through them in a hurry. Replacing them is a bit of a pain as you have to remove a seat to get to the belt. Again, not an ATV, but it soured me a bit on that brand. I went with a Yamaha Rmax for my current side by side and have enjoyed it much more.

I'll agree that Suzuki KQs have been great. My Father in law & Brother in law have 2015 & 2016 KQ 750s, both with over 7k miles and no issues other than the occasional wear and tear items. Wifes cousin has a 2016 KQ 750 as well with no issues. I bought a 2019 KQ750 and only have 1400 miles on it but zero issues. I do think the EPS advertised with the newer KQs is lacking compared to others but the quad has been very reliable and as mentioned cheaper.

 

[stickstringtrigger]

Ive owned a few: 2X polaris (425 Magnum 2x4, 2010 sportsman 500ho), 2019 Yamaha Kodiak 450, and also two can-am side by sides (2022 Defender Max XT HD9, 2017 Defender DPS HD5).

While all have worked and been reliable the polaris sportsman 500ho is the only one that consistantly gave me a headache. The can-am defenders have been great SXS, but if I were looking strictly at an ATV at this time it would be a honda or yamaha for reliability.