Need a new ATV. Help me decide!

[Lineman North Florida]

There is a group of guys around here that go weekend trail and woods riding about once a month and they are rough on ATV's, they say the Polaris's rarely make the whole weekend but the Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's and Kawasaki's give little trouble according to them, again they are rough on stuff. On a personal note I have a 1987 Honda TRX 250 4-wheeler and it has never been back to the shop.

 

[jmanatee2]

We have 3 all utility atv's all used for work and play

500 Arctic Cat (mine)
500 Polaris sportsman (wifes)
300 Polaris Hawkeye (sons)

I personally like the Arctic Cat best I think they make one **** of a good machine.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I am pretty partial to Polaris but all are good. I have no trouble carrying stuff on mine, including deer. I have a metal rack on the back that was on my 95 Sportsman 400. When I got the 07 Sportsman 500 efi I put it on that. I built a box for the front. My wife rides in back all the time especially when we go berry picking and she doesn't complain for lack of room.

 

[bullbreaker]

What do you guys think??

If it were me.
2011 HONDA RUBICON
GREEN, CAMO, OR RED
for the farm.

Boone

 

[the fat kid]

Grizzly!!! I can't possibly say much more. You WON'T be disappointed. Whatever you choose have fun, enjoy, and be safe!!

 

[whiskywizard]

I've only been into ATVing for a couple of years now. After doing my research I bought 2 CanAm Outlander Max XTs; a 500 and a 650.

The trails I ride are remote and tough. If a quad lets you down, it creates a problem for everybody out there in the group. The guys I ride with (much more experienced than I am) have a rule. If you ride an Arctic Cat or Polaris you must have somebody else agree they will tow you out, before you start.

The Suzukis seem to be the most reliable, with CanAm, Honda, and Yamaha being very close runners-up. The CanAms out-perform all the others and are best for 2-up riding. But with the longer wheelbase they have a larger turning radius and that can hurt them on the tighter trails.

Not many Kawasakis around here.

 

[archerynut]

I have a 550 EFI w/ power steering and I really enjoy it. Bought it last year and it has been flawless. I also looked at the can am when I was in the market but the price difference and dealer location made the decision for me ($2000) I think the can am was superior in power but the Polaris power steering was better. I also liked the metal racks better on the can am but I have frown used to the plastic ones.

 

[archerynut]

Also I have a more difficult time tying down the Polaris in the back of the pickup because of the plastic racks.

 

[studor]

I too started on 50cc Honda minibikes, then trikes, then ATVs. I currently have a Traxter that does not see much use since I bought a four wheel drive tractor I do still use it on fishing trips where if it breaks ,it is a long walk home
The two brands I have always been told by fellow ATVers and mechanics to stay away from are Polaris and Suzuki. Honda, Can Am and Yamaha have all been recommended , probably in that order. The suspension and power steering on new ones make for a pretty spectacular to ride. -- JMHO

 

[AMR]

I have a 2005 Polaris Sportsman HO, I have to say that I love it. I picked it up used with 20 hours on it for $3,500 with many upgrades. I read many forums and there are lovers and haters of Polaris but for the price I couldn't resist. I have about 300 hours on it now and haven't had any trouble at all.

Now my father just bought a Can-Am with power steering, etc., etc. wow, what an awesome machine, it is way nicer than my Polaris, however, he paid over $10 K for it. Comparing all the new machines I don't know that you could go wrong with any of them. If $ were no object I could get a Can-Am but $ are an object so I love my 2005 Polaris.