Which ATV to buy?

[The General]

Looking at either a new Can-Am or a Honda in the 500cc.  Using it for very little trail riding, mostly pulling out the fish house, riding on the road around the country, retrieving deer out of the field.  What do you guys think?

[DDSBYDAY]

   Go with the Grizz!

[HD]

Last time I looked at wheeler's, Can-Am was on the high end of price...
And you know me....I'd go with a Yama-hopper.... 

[snow1]

Can-am is sweet,spendy but very sweet looking,have'nt a clue on there track record tho?I jumped on a honda with yamaha a close 2nd,(did'nt like the belt driven polaris even tho guyz like'em)for hunting and ice fishing I decided I wanted a air cooled engine for cold weather starting and also I wanted a solid rear axle for pulling my trailer loaded with decoys,dogs and a couple buddies,independant suspension will give you a smoother ride off road but will squash with a trailer tongue weight,don'nt trailride so the "Foreman" fit the bill for me,I also use it for plowing my driveway,I put some meaty tires on it for added ground clearence and plowing(added a 2500lb warn winch),does a great job,never missed a beat since I bought it.

I do like the idea of fuel injection and power steering on the new units,upgrading is in my future.

[The General]

Yeah I too always thought Can-Am was on the high end of price but it's actually a $200 difference between the Can-Am 500 and the Honda 500.  I currently have a 2001 Honda Foreman 500 and it's been a good machine. Like I said before I don't do much trail riding but when I do that thing just pounds the tar out of you.  I had Yamaha out of the question DDS and HD why do you say go with one of those?  I for sure want efi and I have not ruled out Polaris yet the prices on a 2013 are way below most all of them.  Just an FYI all new machine besides Honda are belt driven.  Keep the ideas/opinions coming.

[HD]

I have owned Honda, Polaris, Arctic cat and Yamaha....

I would rank them in this order:
Yamaha
Honda
Polaris
Arctic cat

(If you knew what I do for a living, you would know why)

The Polaris I own now has been repaired more than it's driven (Belt driven), and the Yamaha has had just routine maintenance since I bought it (It's a four stroke, no belt)

The Can-am, I have only been involved with my friends wheeler.

[deadeye]

I have a 2001 Yamaha Kodiak.  Just changed oil every couple years. No problems so far.  I agree with the Polaris maintenance issues.  A buddy of mine has two of them and one or the other is always "down" for repairs.   

[ray634]

I just traded my 1999 Foreman450 (420 carb engine) with 5600 miles on it. Got 1500 trade in and upgraded to 2013 Rancher 450 (420 efi engine). I used my Foreman for everything from working food plots to hauling wood to pulling the fish house. With the full 12 month warranty, and 36 more optional, the new Rancher was the most reasonable priced unit I looked at. I am partial to the mechanical clutch over belt drive but have heard only a few bad stories about being stranded by a bad belt.

I think all the new units are 4 stroke now but you have the choice of carb or efi with efi being the choice for reliability.

Over all I would go with Honda for value and reliability.

[glenn57]

I have a can-am 500 two up seat and absolutely love it. general I will be at the camper this weekend if ya wanna take it for a ride. and its worth every penny you spend on it.

[The General]

 Thanks for the offer glenn.

[beeker]

I've had a Polaris for 7 years. replaced the belt a few times but nothing major beyond that. I did have a clip on the switch recently work itself loose.. that was annoying. but I wouldn't hesitate to get a new one if this one ever was to need replacing. 

[HD]

Working on the Polaris again... This time, both rear hubs stripped the splines out.

[beeker]

what year is that one? rear end looks different than the sportsman I have

[HD]

Beeker, it's a 400 2001 xplorer. 2 cycle, belt driven

In the Polaris defense, when I bought this wheeler, it had a plow on it.
I work on a lot of wheelers.....and here is a tip.... Don't put a plow on a belt driven wheeler unless your doing light plowing......just say'in....

[The General]

 Well we pulled the trigger on a 2013 popo 800.  Got it for the same price as either a Honda or can-am 500.  Just couldn't even though i wanted the can-am pass up the deal. 

[beeker]

good advice.. I have a plow on my 450... one winter I got roped into plowing the neighbors an the other neighbors.. last year after no "thank you".. they were on their own now I do my driveway and the gal across the street who's husband travels for work, nice people very appreciative..

not sure if it transfers but I love the Honda small engines on my generator/power washer/log splitter.. always always fire up.. even if they don't want to. hope it transfers to the wheelers engine.

have fun with your new working toy