Rhino sold- looking for utility ATV- advice?

[Skyco]

Sold my 2006 Rhino last week. Really liked it, never had a minutes trouble with it, but I constantly struggled to transport it. Too tall to go into my older toy hauler RV without removing the roll cage which was a huge PITA. Could go in my pickup just fine, if I wanted to take the top off the truck.

So now I'm in the market for a utility ATV. I've owned older Honda 300s and a first year Rancher in the past, all were great. Wish I'd kept the Rancher but it was sold in a cash crunch during a divorce....Not so sure I'm all that wild about the new Rancher..

I need a work ATV with 4wd that can tug a log out of the woods if need be, not interested in high speed or turning heads. Re turning heads- seems most of the used ones in my area have been pimped up with bigger flashy wheels..not my cup of tea. I want to keep the cost low as possible and prefer to go new.

So what do you guys like for actual work?

 

[kenmac]

I guess it all depends on the size of the log. I have a polaris sportsman that has been great. If I were to buy another atv today, I would buy another sportsman except I would buy a v twin 700 or 800

 

[rutwad]

Honda Foreman with manual transmission. The solid rear axle gives you 2 less CV joints to worry about vs. ind. rear suspension. No belts to worry about with auto tranny, although they are really nice. And I would stay away from ones that have larger tires, snorkels, etc. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Milo]

The only thing I don't care for on Honda ATV's is the lack of a low range. They try to allow for it by using a low, "creeper" 1st. But then there's a giant gap between the first and second gear ratio. I find it more bothersome on the manual shift ones. Most people don't find it a problem. Some say just start out in 2nd if you are lightly loaded, but then you just have a 4 speed.
The wifey had a manual shift Honda 300, now she has a Rancher 400 ESP. I never had any problem with them but I just prefer my old Suzuki 300 King Quad. It seems more solid and is a better work machine than either of the Hondas IMO. Her Rancher is faster though.
If I were looking for a new one I'd closely at the Suzuki Eiger and Vinson. They both have high and low range with a manual or automatic transmission. I *believe* the Eiger 400 is air cooled and has a solid rear axle while the Vinson 500 is liquid cooled with IRS. Good luck and be sure to post back with whatever you end up with!

 

[Skyco]

Well I bought a Yamaha 4x4 400cc Big Bear. I also considered the Rancher but was displeased with the low ground clearance due to them putting the drum brake inboard cutting into clearance. Seems like my old Rancher had the single rear brake up in the wheel hub to prevent that problem.
I was impressed by the very low 1st gear on the BB to tow a stubborn load. I also like the IRS to allow more ground clearance.
Only thing I don't like so far is the very stiff shift out of reverse back into the forward gears. I at first thought my unit had a problem but a google turned that up as a common complaint...oh well. I wanted to stay low tech/low cost with a carb/no efi and no electric shift, I prefer manual for long term reliability.
BTW I found the spare set of Rhino take off wheels/tires I had fit the BB and give it 2" wider stance!

 

[The Baron]

I have a 2002 Honda Rubicon. I have not put the bigger tires on it so my experience is with a stock machine. We pulled some rather large logs out of the woods with it ( 12' long and 16" dia). No problems. BTW I also had my BIL on the back for ballast, he weighs 300lbs. This thing has plenty of tork. In low range it seems like it will move anything plus you have your choice of manual shift, auto or auto low. No belts to slip if you find yourself pulling hard or getting in water that is a foot too deep. It does not ride as smooth as some but I think it more than makes up for it in work ability. Good luck, TBIA BTW I read alot of posts but do not reply often and have not figured out how to tell what date these replies are made. Sorry if I am too late. Tim

 

[pitt_md]

I have a Polaris Sportsman 500 that I bought new in 2001. No trouble at all except a belt that my step daughters toasted driving it around with the parking brake on. It's just a work machine for me and an occasional play toy for the kids when they come over. I have a utility trailer that I would pile wood on and pull with the ATV because its better in the woods than a truck. I have put enough wood on the thing that would max out a half ton truck and the Sportsman pulled it up a steep hill like it was not even there.

I think there are a lot of good ATV's around and if you have a farm they are a must have item.

 

[rdbrumfield]

I have the honda rincon 650. I too have a trailer for piling on yard waste and wood. It is a great machine. I would like some lower gears, but it has the power to pull all I can stack on. I do like the tranny as it is a torgue converter instead of the belt system. with the three speed auto or manual shift, it works fine. should mention the manual shift is still an automatic tranny, just that you have control over when it shifts. I did change out the tires though. the ones that came on it are just thick innertubes with knobs on them. had a flat the first itme out.

 

[Capt. Bob]

First off let me say I am a real Honda fan. I have a 07 Honda Foreman 500 ES and I like it a lot. It is the one I ride when me and the wife ride togather. Her ride is a 07 Arctic Cat 650 H1 and If I had bought it first instead of the Foreman I would have two of them. The AC does not handle as well as the Foreman but it rides better over rough ground and will out pull the Honda 2 to1. It has a lot more ground clearance and the power is outstanding. I was felling some 8" oak trees the other day and they were falling in some high palmettos and I was hooking a chain to the base of them and pulling them into the clearing to cut them up with the AC. I put it in 4wd but not locking the front diff. and it had no trouble. You might want to take a look at the AC's. JMTCW

 

[Woodworkerman]

I have a Kawasaki Brute Force 650 4x4. I have to say this quad has exceeded my expectations. It can really pull its own with power to spare. I have used it for plowing and towing and have been real impressed with the machine overall. Needless to say it can climb a tree in the woods if your into trail ridding. Best of luck with your search for a new unit.