Most reliable ATV?

[bhart89]

I know maintenance is the most important factor but between Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris and Can-Am which is the most reliable?

From my limited research it looks like:

• Independent Suspension is important because it increases ground clearance.
• True 4x4 locking diferential will will get stuck less than 2wd or limited slip 4x4.
• Power steering will wear you out less after a long day in the saddle.

Right now the Yamaha Grizzly 700 is at the top of my list.

Thoughts?

 

[Neil09]

I bought a brand new Honda Foreman 500 a few months ago, and love it I don't see the need for IRS(for me). I kind of regret not getting the power steering, and the locking differential has pulled me out the few times the "4x4" didn't. I have had good luck with honda. Good luck.

 

[cajun 22]

I owned a Yahmaha for twenty years and it gave me great service. But when I replaced it, it was a Honda. The most reliable one today.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Don't currently own one because the jeep can brings me wherever I need to go, but Honda foreman is one of the best most reliable 4 wheelers ever built in my opinion.

 

[MOTOR51]

He most reliable is the old Honda 300 fourtrax. I have had newer Hondas and yamahas, I choose Honda out of those two. I've never owned a canam or Polaris but my neighbor has a nice canam that's been broken down behind his house for a year. He said he can't keep the joints in the front from tearing up.

 

[KaCajun Boy]

I can only speak for yamaha and honda since I owned both. The ride on my yamaha was great nice and smooth but when it came to parts they were very proud of their parts and you would pay dearly for them. Now my honda I've had zero major problems with it but the few minor things I had bought to replace were a whole lot cheaper. So I would have to say honda out of them two.

 

[edman87k5]

Depends on what you are going to do with it? Leave it bone stock and not beat the crap out of it? = Honda manual shift
If it will be modified, it all depends. Each has theuir own quirks.
I have owned Honda, kawa, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris. Each has their own advantages. In stock form, Honda is designed to last, but not perform- just look at the factory tires as a comparison, Honda is mild compared to the rest. Of course gnarly tires are going to tear stuff up, but they do a better job of getting you home.
Oh, and the Honda 300 is the 2nd best bike ever, the big red 250es is #1!

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Depends on what you are going to do with it? Leave it bone stock and not beat the crap out of it? = Honda manual shift
If it will be modified, it all depends. Each has theuir own quirks.
I have owned Honda, kawa, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris. Each has their own advantages. In stock form, Honda is designed to last, but not perform- just look at the factory tires as a comparison, Honda is mild compared to the rest. Of course gnarly tires are going to tear stuff up, but they do a better job of getting you home.
Oh, and the Honda 300 is the 2nd best bike ever, the big red 250es is #1!

This guy "uses" the crap out of his stuff. Just saying.

 

[CHW2021]

I have had good luck with a Honda 350 rancher, if it weren't for ethanol in fuel and a dead battery it would have a perfect record.

 

[Labeeman]

We have a Polaris side by side, a Yamaha griz 450, and a small Honda 250 ES. All have been reliable, but we take care of our sheet. The Yamaha is a cold natured beast. When it's cold it takes love, patience, and lots of choke to keep it running ( it's not an old bike either) The little 250 Honda is a great bike but it's only 2 wheel drive. It will get us to 90 % of the places we need to go however. We love iit. It's a 2002 model but it just keeps going and going and going. The Polaris has been very dependable and a work horse, but who ever came up with the way you have to change the oil in the engine should be shot. It's a crazy process. The Yamaha and Polaris are 4 wheel drive. You can't go wrong with any of them, but if you can get 4 wheel drive. It's always nice to have when you need it. If you take care of your bike as in change the oil and filters and wash it regularly you should get an easy 7-10 years out of it. On the other hand if you have teenagers like me your milage may vary.

 

[XD45ACP]

Depends on what you are going to do with it? Leave it bone stock and not beat the crap out of it? = Honda manual shift
If it will be modified, it all depends. Each has theuir own quirks.
I have owned Honda, kawa, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris. Each has their own advantages. In stock form, Honda is designed to last, but not perform- just look at the factory tires as a comparison, Honda is mild compared to the rest. Of course gnarly tires are going to tear stuff up, but they do a better job of getting you home.
Oh, and the Honda 300 is the 2nd best bike ever, the big red 250es is #1!

I have been running Honda's my whole life and this guy couldn't have gotten it more right. I never found the need to mod these bikes much further than better tires. They aren't as fast or pretty as a new Can-Am but they are the workhorse of the atv world.
I drive a Honda 500 Foreman es with the power steering daily for work and its a solid bike with plenty of power. I wouldn't recommend the ES to anyone, it is the worst part of the bike.
I can't speak on the Yamaha.

 

[3fifty7]

4 Wheeler ATV Honda

Side by side UTV reliable Kawasaki Mule Diesel For work it can't be beat, but for play its heavy and slow.
Polaris Rangers are a great all around rig for normal use.

 

[bhart89]

I have been running Honda's my whole life and this guy couldn't have gotten it more right. I never found the need to mod these bikes much further than better tires. They aren't as fast or pretty as a new Can-Am but they are the workhorse of the atv world.
I drive a Honda 500 Foreman es with the power steering daily for work and its a solid bike with plenty of power. I wouldn't recommend the ES to anyone, it is the worst part of the bike.
I can't speak on the Yamaha.

Is the ES electronic shift? What don't you like about it?

 

[bjeepin2]

it all depends on what you are going to use it for. if it is just hunting, then any of them will be good for 10 maybe 20+ years but if you are going mud riding all the time and deep water then not one on the list is going to last long. the Honda Forman is the good and e z to modify lots of parts out there, i think the Polaris is cheaper and rids nice.

 

[XD45ACP]

Is the ES electronic shift? What don't you like about it?

Yes, Electric Shift. I don't like that it doesn't work consistently, unlike a good ol' manual shift, which has always worked. I often have to push it several times to make it shift, both up and down. To be honest, the bike I am referring to is a 2007; I would assume they have improved it since then. But in my example of one, I can't even wash my bike without the ES system acting up. (Yes I know this can be fixed with some grease in the electric fittings, but as a customer you shouldn't have to do this to a new bike.)

 

[DAVE_M]

You won't kill a Honda Foreman 500 Manual Shift. I had one for a long time and took it everywhere. It's seen Red Creek Offroad and Tower Trax multiple times. It's great for riding the trails, but it won't perform like a modified Brute or Polaris.

 

[Neil09]

I chose manual shift because
1- it's proven, less electrical
2- I need a hand free to keep a hand on my young children who ride with me
3- I need a hand to hold my...beverage.

 

[Sully]

Honda foreman 500 ES w/ 27" mud lite xtp been a good bike...not a mudder by any means. Gets me to the duck blind and back. had to clean the carb a few times ...ethanol is the devil.

 

[Neil09]

I've been hearing bad things about ethanol in them, so I be sure to fill the cans with ethanol free gas.

 

[Gus McCrae]

I've never used ethanol free gas and don't have problems associated with it.

Most reliable ATV? Honda.