Polaris or Honda?

[backwater]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times before but looks like I may finally have the chance to buy a fourwheeler. I'm looking at Polaris and Honda. Which one's more reliable? Anybody had any problems with either? It's a big purchase so I want to think it through. All opinions are appreciated.

[LabLuvR]

Personally I like Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki.
The guys that have a Polaris at my club in the swamp seem to have a lot of problems. I don't own a Honda but they seem to be super machines. I have owned Yamaha and currently on my second Suzuki and both have performed extremely well.

[ducman77]

go with the honda the only choice

[mallardchaser]

Honda!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Big Lou]

If you want true 4 wheel drive and not a front end locking differentinal then I would go with a Polaris. It is american made. I have had mine now for 4 yrs. I have had at Mahanna with water up to the seat with two people on it and it never stopped. I have friend that own hondas and they are very quite. I have riden with Suzuki's and they are very nice also, but I would not own a Yamaha. they have the worst brakes in the business. Keep in mind that the Polaris is AMERICAN MADE and the parts are always there when you need them. they are very popular up north where they are made. I woul dpersonally recomend a Polaris. If you don't want the biggest and the baddest they have a 425 magnum at the south Jackson dealership for $3995 and it has a gear box for a transmission. I guy at my camp has two of them and they are doing great! Good Luck. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[FISH]

BUY A HONDA. I JOY RIDE ALL THE TIME. I OWN A 98 MODEL 300 FOURTRAX. SHORT OF CHANGING THE OIL, I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED IT. I HAVE HAD MINE SUBMERGED OVER THE SEAT NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT HAS NEVER FAILED TO RUN. IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THIS, COME RIDE WITH US SOME WEEKEND.

[Super-X]

My vote would have to be the HONDA. Like Fish said they're really good machines.
I change oil/filter & adjust brake cables etc as recommended yearly & my '99 300 has been terrific.
Have a friend who really likes the Yamahas.
I've ridden his Grizzly & it's super nice,
but a bit too expensive for me.
Don't know about the polaris personally, have heard stories of belt slippage if in a lot of water, don't know if the do or don't.

[dedux]

Do you mean to say that there are other ATVs being made!!! I thought HONDA was the ONLY ATV!!! Just as well be the only one--at least for me and my household!!!
I've had 3 of 'em over the past 20 years, and never put any of 'em in the shop--just wore 'em completely out!!! Trade-in value is tops, also. Didn't get less than $1,300 for any one of 'em on the trade-in deals!!!
Changed oil and filters once a year, whether they needed it, or not!!! Nobody could possibly abuse an ATV more than me and my bunch of family, and HONDA withstood it all!!!
I almost forgot---in a VERY weak moment in 1999, I bought a brand new Yamaha Kodiak, at the insistence of my neighbor. I absolutely hated that machine!!! I kept it 5 days, and sold it for $200 dollars less than I paid, and was tickled to death!!!
I heard about a fella who is running a little camo-ed 4x4 Geo Tracker/Suzuki vehicle for hunting, instead of an ATV. Says it will go just about anywhere an ATV will go, and a used one shouldn't cost much more than an ATV, and it's got a roof and heater to boot!!! Not a bad idea at all!!!

[ July 24, 2002: Message edited by: dedux ]

[Red_Head]

Go with the Honda. I have a honda 450s With Lockers and Super Swamper tires. It will absolutely tear up some delta mud. Have never had a min. trouble out of the bike. I have had a Yamaha but don't like the way the handle bars stick up like some mule deer ears.

[tunica du4u]

Throw my 2 cent in. This is like asking which is better Ford or Chevy. (Chevy of course [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] ) I side with Big Lou on this one. I owned a Polaris 425 Magnum for about 4 years and it was trouble free all the way. Rode in water up to the seat many times with no problems at all. Outgrew it and bought a Polaris Ranger about 3 years ago and I have only broke a couple front u-joints is the only problem I have had. Note though there's probably not anyone here who puts there 4-wheeler through what I put that Ranger through.(4 occupants, guns, trailer with dog, decoys and MUD) I have quit taking my truck from the camp we go everywhere on the Ranger once we get to the camp(across the fields). If you want to test out any 4WD bring it to Dundee Mississippi. Ask Delta Duck (who happens to own 2 Polaris) We have a mud here that you won't find anywhere else.It will tear up a Catipillar(?) Have another friend here who has a 700 twin who uses it in the rice everyday and swear by it. Another plus for Polaris is service and parts. I have always bought from Adventure ATV in West Point and they are some of the finest people I have ever met. Service is TOP NOTCH. Even on Sunday during season.
Oh well. [img]images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[shiloh]

These post should say it all. If you buy a polaris you will have to have immediate service and parts or you will be walking 2/3's of the time. Honda is the only way to go.

[Unkljohn]

I've got a 94 Honda 4trax 300. I bought it new and have abused it to no end since then. Never done anything but change the oil,oilfilter,& sparkplug. It just keeps going and going and going.
JT [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Canton_Coot_Killer]

If you buy a Polaris, you will have more maintenance costs than you will have with the honda.

If you buy the Honda, you will be walking more because you're stuck in a hole UNLESS you have a buddy with a Polaris riding with you.

I'll pay a little extra for maintenance and a bike that will get me through the mud and
home.

But that's just my Opinion

[ July 24, 2002: Message edited by: Canton_Coot_Killer ]

[Canton_Coot_Killer]

If you get a Polaris DON'T go to Got (Ripped Off) Gear

[Redhead]

HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA! HONDA!