Honda vs. Polaris Atv

[DHorton]

I have owned Polaris as well as Honda and Yamaha. Honda and Yamaha are excellent manufacturers and buid awesome atv offerings. Polaris makes an excellent 4 wheel drive system. However, Polaris does need to work on trimming the fat (weigh to much) and get some equilibrium to their bikes (weight is 60/40 to the front). We have had only 2 issues with the Polaris though: 1. Drive Belt broke twice due to the clutches not releasing out of gear. Swapped belt, jammed the gear shift a couple times and it released. No problem since. 2. Radiator cap sucked inside of radiator. Replaced works fine.



The weight bias and overall weight on a Polaris make it harder to steer than any of the other bikes I have owned. Hope this helps and I am not bashing the Polaris brand. I still own the one we traded for 5 years ago, it is just not the preferred one of the bunch.

 

[Dl5treez]

The weight is all in the suspension... ... especially the front struts, they're heavy.



I'm not impressed with the fit & finish on the units either, but it has good power and soaks up the bumps very well.



Honda has that new Rincon 700 EFI out, be interesting to see how that does.

 

[Dl5treez]

I dunno if this is a great thing to add here, but just an FYI:



My 800 EFI in box stock trim (stock belt and stock clutch settings) will pull itself into a wheelie from a standing start hard enough to drag it's *** on the ground if you don't let off.



Big, stupid fun..... :-laf

 

[JEccles]

thats it... ... time to find the local polaris dealer

 

[bmoeller]

Never owned any 4 wheelers, but have spent lots of time on them. 4 Hondas and 1 Polaris. Really like the Hondas, HATED the Polaris my boss used to have.



If I were to buy a 4 wheeler, I buy a Honda. No other option in my book.

 

[RGardner]

I have a sportsman 500 with over 3000 completely trouble free miles. Changed the oil and air filter and thats it. I use it on the farm not in the mountains but it does work. I have another that I bought last year also. No experience with any other brand but very happy with my Polaris.

 

[BigPapa]

If you have a rats chewing up your ATV wiring, you need to sweep your shop floor up more often and wash the machine once in awhile. :-laf

:-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf That is hilarious!



Now, I work for a large dealer that sells them all except for the Arctic Cat. I'm a Honda man myself. That said, if you want the ultimate, biggest, baddest atv available right now it is the Bombardier 800 HO. As far as which is the most dependable it's probably the Honda's, then a toss up between Bombardier, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, with Polaris pulling in last. Now, if you want a utility vehicle like the Ranger, Mule, or Rhino, The Ranger wins hands down.



Now take all this anyway you want. I've been dealing with them for over 20 years and this has been my experience.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Often overlooked in these discussions is the Bombardier Outlander, now in both 400 and 800. I have a 2005 400 and it has been good so far.



Look at the design, the Bombardier line has stuff NO OTHER make has:



SST Frame, basicly a big ski for sliding over stuff

Inboard disk brakes

A very good 4X4 system in the ViscoLok (You can toggle in and out of 4X4 with a thumb switch, and 4X4 drives as nice as 2 wheel drive)

Trailing rear arms, nice ride, conctrol and way less rear tire wear compared to swing arm rear suspension



The 400HO Rotax engine is no slouch either

Very strong engine braking, actually requires throttle downhill



Compared to some most others the features are quite advanced



Only time will tell on the realibility.



SHG

 

[Dl5treez]

:-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf That is hilarious!



Now, I work for a large dealer that sells them all except for the Arctic Cat. I'm a Honda man myself. That said, if you want the ultimate, biggest, baddest atv available right now it is the Bombardier 800 HO. As far as which is the most dependable it's probably the Honda's, then a toss up between Bombardier, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, with Polaris pulling in last. Now, if you want a utility vehicle like the Ranger, Mule, or Rhino, The Ranger wins hands down.



Now take all this anyway you want. I've been dealing with them for over 20 years and this has been my experience.

Just a question, have you noticed any improvement in Polaris quality over the last couple years? From what I've noticed it seems like the machines really took a huge jump forward around '03 or so.



Your thoughts?

 

[B.G. Smith]

I wouldn't buy another 4 wheeler with chain drives, have a 300 Explorer. I have had good luck with the Kawasaki, I think the best machine ever built was the Yamaha Moto 4. bg

 

[BigPapa]

Just a question, have you noticed any improvement in Polaris quality over the last couple years?

Yes, there has been a huge improvement since they got away from the chain drive, central braking, and 2-strokes. But they are still not quite up to the others, in my opinion. I just see a lot more Polaris' in the shop than any other.