Rubicon 500 vs Grizzly 550fi

[Box5]

I've pretty much searched every atv thread back to 2006 that involved either of these here. I went to the honda/yamaha dealer today, they had both sitting next to each other, and the Grizz comes off as a better machine.

My needs/uses:
-Pulling a swisher style mower
-Pulling logs/ log trailer up steep hills back to the house
-Plowing light dirt, gravel, and snow
-trail riding when I can, but mostly around the property working with it, occasionally blasting up the logging roads.


Things I saw between the two:

Grizzly 550fi has alot more towing capacity (1350lbs vs 830lbs of the the Rubicon)

The Rubicons hitch is mounted on the rear axle (not sure if I like that idea)
Grizzly has the hitch frame mounted, plus alot more ground clearance with ifs rear.

Grizz has 4 wheel disk, honda has the single rear drum out back.

Grizz has a diff lock.

I went in there with honda as my number 1 choice, but after seeing these things, it seems hard to pick the honda over the grizzly. Honda is where its at for reliability, but i'd like to hear some thoughts on the grizzly's reliability to compare. Because if its got near as good of a reputation, the added features outway the honda in my opinion.

Also, the only thing I didn't check was gearing, I'd like a really low gear for crawling up with a big load or down with a big load, anyone know which has the better low gear?

They didn't have a grizz 700fi, but I can only imagine it's even better.

 

[DieselnHooters]

Isnt the Rubicon fuel injected too, if not then score another one for the grizzly.EFI is a big plus in my book, easy start ups and no fiddling with the choke.

By the sound of it you are looking mostly for a hardworking ATV, in that case you should avoid independant suspension and favor a fixed rear axle. Independant suspension makes for a smoother trail riding experience but gets strained when pulling heavy loads. Not entirely sure about those particular models but I believe the Honda would get the nod on that one.

 

[Box5]

The honda did have the solid axle, grizz had the r-ifs. What I didn't like was the hitch mounted on the rear axle of the honda. That seems like it would put a ton of stress on the rear arms of the axle, compared to the grizz where its mounted direct to the chassis.

 

[TWO GUNS]

Both are super machines. Both will serve you well.
But the Honda is stronger.
We've had them both on the farms down here. And never have we ever had any trouble with the Rubicons. The Yamaha, was a good machine. But when it came to working, in reality, it just didn't seem to have what the Honda had under the skin. That Hydro transmission works like something you've never seen on a atv before. It is strong , PERIOD !!!!
Yes, the Yamaha has some better features, and was some good machines, I'm not going to tell anybody that the Griz was a bad machine, for it was NOT. Just stating that the Rubicon, for US on the farms, performed better and NEVER went to the shop for fixin' or warranty work .... Yamaha Griz, made several shop visits before we just decided to replace with a couple more Rubicons.
We had the choice to get the Rincon, it has the Electronic Fuel Injection, and the indepentant rear end. But the Rubicon is the workhorse, the Rincon is more of the sporty atv.
Yes, the Yamaha rode better, but they was not purchased to joy ride, they were purchased to work with.
Just my two cents worth.

 

[Box5]

Thanks Two Guns.

How far back would you say to go for a Rubicon? Was there a certain year it got alot better? The used market is seeming to pickup now, and I'd like to save a bundle going that route if I can.

 

[mud23609]

The early ones did have some trans issues but any of those machines would have had the trans replaced by now.

Personaly I would not go with the rubicon for work or play. While the trans on them is nice the internals are not servicable, replacement only and it isn't cheep. It is rare for ones of a recent vintage to go but it is still something to think about.

If you get an auto machine of any brand make sure that it has a low range (I know several models in the yamaha lineup dont). Not having one is ok for trail riding with stock tires, but for heavy work, or running big tires in the mud then you will want a low range.

SRA machines are the way to go if all you are going to do is work them. IRS machines are also decent workers though. I prefer irs though because I trail ride as well as work my machines. I feel much better the next day after hard ride if I am on a irs machine.

I have rode several of the 700's. Very nice machines. Not the most powerful things out there, and not the fastest but they do have very good power, ride nice, handle well, and are reliable. Probably the best all around machine on the market right now.

If you are going to be riding deep mud or technical trails get a machine with some sort of locking diff. The grizz is tops in that department as well. Best locker in the industy as fear as I am concerned. They also have the best belt drive system on the market. Stock belts last upwards of 5000 miles nearly every time.

If you do find the low end to be lacking on the grizz you can contact hauck motorsports in rice lake wi. Have them machine your seconday and you will gain low end as well as top end. Add in there clutch kit and it will be pretty impressive on the low end.

All that being said. I currently ride a Outlander 800. Not the best working machine, although it dose get the job done. It however has been pretty reliable even with extencive mods done to it including lots of motor work, clutching, nos, and some really big tires. I only went with it over the grizz though because of the power. This machine is absoluly astounding power wise stock, and in my machines current configuration is it down right scary.

Even with all that power it is only on the most open trails and roads that the 700 grizz cant keep up. In the really deep mud given equal tires they are right with me the whole time. In the tight technical stuff they do a bit better because of the selectable locker instead of having to spin the tires over a few times to get the front to lock like my can am.

Check out www.atvfronter.com. Lots of good info and a great bunch of people over there.

 

[Shmudda]

If you want a machine that is going to be use for working then the Rubi is the ticket. The Grizz's are nice and Yamaha has a good reputation, but in the end you truely can't beat a Honda for it's reliability....PERIOD. I have (3) Honda's, 1993 TRX300FWD, 1994 TRX200D, and a 2001 TRX500 Rubicon and they all have served me well. Dont be afraid of the hitch bolting to the axle, it's not an issue. I have put my machines thru he!! and back, and all they do is keep on running. The Rubi has just under 4000 miles and all I have really done is general maintenance. The Yamaha's seem to be a bit taller, and thus more "tippy", and I can personally say that I have seen enough of them roll over on the trails. When they did roll over, I put the Rubi in the EXACT same position as what rolled the Yammy and it never thought about going over. An extra inch of ground clearance might seem nice, but in all reality it doesn't mean much.

Bottom line, my opinion is go with the Honda's, you won't be sorry! Of course I am biased because I have them, but I also know what they can do, and it sounds like you are going to use the machines for the same things I use mine for.

Good luck.......

Craig

 

[TWO GUNS]

I agree with shmudda,
The only thing we have ever done with the Rubicons, is the general service work. They are tuff and trouble free. Not saying they has never been one in the shop for a repair. But I have never even heard of a Rubicon breaking down around here, never .....
Personally, I've run Honda machines since 1967, and in the early '70's, was one of the first in the south, to own and run the first three wheeler from Honda. That was the uglyest thing on earth at that time .... And owned & worked just about every three & four wheeler Honda has put out on the market >>>> We have never,ever, had a Honda in a shop for repairs. To me, that is a PERFECT record !!!

 

[cjk]

Ive got an 03 Rubicon with 500hrs and 2500 miles on it. We use it like a small tractor.

The only problem I had was the controller for the trans went out. It wouldnt shift properly and flashed a code on the dash.

Cost about $150 for parts and did the work myself.

I did add a product by Warn to be able to shift into 2wd.

Over all I am happy with it.