Looking for ATV input.

[greybeard]

Looking to purchase an atv pretty soon and I'm having trouble deciding what size to get. Looking at Honda pretty exclusively just can't decide if I want to with a Rincon(680) or a smaller size like a rancher or Rubicon(500). Just looking for some input on weather you wish you had a bigger one than what you have or wish you had gone smaller and why.

 

[all4eyes]

Really liked my Rubicon, did everything I wanted it to and then some. Did struggle to pull a 7x12 United trailer conversion ice house. Wasn't so much power as weight. When I replaced it I looked heavily at a new one, and the new Yamaha Kodiak and grizzly. Money went a little further with Yamaha . I ended up with a good deal on a lightly used Yamaha rhino. Rubicon was an excellent machine, with no issues other then a brake cable. Never rode the Rincon, but heard they were tougher to start in the cold.

 

[cooter00]

I have an older Honda rancher 500 I wish it was bigger I get stuck pulling the wheel house and half to chain up allot with Chains on it does good just worry that running it so much with chains im putting extra wear on things and don't like. When it's really cold -20 ish it don't shift good electric shift I will never get that again. Having to drive 5 miles in first gear really sucks when it's that cold

 

[bowhunter12]

Rincon if getting for a trail riding ATV.
Rubicon if getting for a working ATV...better gear system with high and low and still has plenty of power.

 

[Velva_zv21]

I have a 500 and a 1000.... find myself using the 1000 more 9 outa 10 times. Why.... idk just cause, the 1000 will pull a 30ft kings castle across the ice I know that, and tow a 20 ft enclosed trailer with a riding mower in it around town and no problems pushing snow. I do find the 500 more comfortable to ride while getting the mail or going to the bank though

 

[Migrator Man]

Great choice on the Hondas. I have the Foreman with the 500. It runs tracks just fine. I don't do much trail riding and use it mainly for fishing so I can't give you much advice on that front. I could have stepped up to the 700 but it wouldn't increase the speed with tracks so I went with the cheaper model. I don't need to haul big trailers with it but none of them are really designed to pull them anyways. You honestly won't be disappointed with any of them. Honda is the most reliable machine out there.

 

[ktm450]

Looking to purchase an atv pretty soon and I'm having trouble deciding what size to get. Looking at Honda pretty exclusively just can't decide if I want to with a Rincon(680) or a smaller size like a rancher or Rubicon(500). Just looking for some input on weather you wish you had a bigger one than what you have or wish you had gone smaller and why.

what do u want the four wheeler to all do?

 

[SDMF]

Size and weight are a blessing and a curse. Extra weight is great for moving snow, towing trailers, and adding traction. Extra size and weight can be a detriment if you want to haul in a 5.5' box 1/2ton or mid-size pickup box. I've pulled 3 bull elk out whole in some steep and hairy stuff with just a 300 Honda. Moose hunting in Alberta we were able to pull my moose out whole with two adults aboard also with a 400, can recall if it was a Honda or Yamaha.

I have a 750 Suzuki and run it w/tracks when needed. It's been a great machine, but not nearly as nimble as some of the 300-500CC machines I've ridden.

 

[5575]

SDMF makes some good points.
It just all depends on what you want to do with it.
A 400-500 will do just about everything you want and they get allot better mileage.
When you go to places like the Canadian bush you realize that they torture their atvs as much in one week as a ND one sees in a lifetime of operation. So crappy units get weeded out... quick.
I will say I have never seen a Polaris in a camp and I have never seen one over 800 cc.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

My opinion would be the Rubicon. If you plan on doing any kind of work with it, besides I think hondas are one of the more comfortable stable riding ATV out there partially due to their center of gravity, Polaris is my least favorite in this.

 

[LBrandt]

All depends on what you need it for. Just get it large enough for your toughest use. I just have a little 220 cc for running the dog and getting the mail and once in awhile cow chase. I also have a 500 for the heavy uses and hunting.

 

[Bfishn]

I think unless you are pulling heavy stuff like an ice house, your better off with a 500cc atv. I have a 2015 Rubicon that i really like. I cant say i really abuse it or use it for anything heavy duty though, Its mostly an ice fishing rig and summer cabin cruiser. The thing will go through an amazing amount of snow though even with stock tires. Honda finally put in a diff lock with the newest models, i have been completely burried in a slush pocket and flicked the diff lock and wiggled my way right out. The Honda is never going to be the fastest or flashiest machine but it will probably be the most reliable. I did get the DCT transmission and i'm still not quite sure how i feel about it, I think if it was just me that used it i would have gotten the manual.

 

[WormWiggler]

Can a Rancher handle tracks?

 

[Bfishn]

Can a Rancher handle tracks?

I have seen them rigged with tracks at open road Honda in Bismarck. They probably aren't the best option though since the rancher is only a 420 i believe. Camso (camoplast) does have a new track out this year that they designed for machines under 500cc. Its called the R4S

https://camso.co/en/products-solutions/atv-utv/products/atv-r4s

 

[Migrator Man]

Can a Rancher handle tracks?

Yeah on the 420s but if buying a new rig just step up to the 500. Those smaller tracks are ok but nowhere near the flotation of full size tracks.

 

[8andcounting]

I have a 2 yr old sportsman . Always was a honda guy but couldn't take the rough ride any more . The sportsman is 100% more smooth riding than any Honda I was ever on

 

[pluckem]

Yeah on the 420s but if buying a new rig just step up to the 500. Those smaller tracks are ok but nowhere near the flotation of full size tracks.

You have any real world reviews on the new Camso R4S tracks? They are smaller, but they also are designed for a smaller and lighter ATV...

 

[Bfishn]

I have been watching for reviews on the R4S Tracks and there just isn't a lot out there yet. For some reason most of the stuff i find is in French (Damn French Canadians). I will say, the couple videos I've seen, it looks like they would get you through any situation in ND. If your trying to drive on 6' of fresh mountain powder, then yeah probably get the T4S.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecr3J31fInA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQbAKWmFM2s

 

[greybeard]

what do u want the four wheeler to all do?

Intentions at this point are ice fishing(don't have a wheel house so just pulling 1 or 2 flip style houses), hunting and possibly some smaller towing/working jobs and a little joy riding. Haven't had anything since I was a kid and ripped around on a Honda Big Red 3 wheeler on the farm. Wish I knew how many miles I put on that thing, it was a ton and aside from brake cables it always ran. I do have a snowblower on my garden tractor so if the snow is deep I will be using the blower but it would be nice to have a blade for those times we get just a little snow and it just doesn't pay to start up the blower. I'm semi rural and when the wind blows sometimes there's just a few small drifts to move. 2 accessories I'm thinking are a must would be the winch and a windshield. Obviously if I get a plow I will need the winch.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Intentions at this point are ice fishing(don't have a wheel house so just pulling 1 or 2 flip style houses), hunting and possibly some smaller towing/working jobs and a little joy riding. Haven't had anything since I was a kid and ripped around on a Honda Big Red 3 wheeler on the farm. Wish I knew how many miles I put on that thing, it was a ton and aside from brake cables it always ran. I do have a snowblower on my garden tractor so if the snow is deep I will be using the blower but it would be nice to have a blade for those times we get just a little snow and it just doesn't pay to start up the blower. I'm semi rural and when the wind blows sometimes there's just a few small drifts to move. 2 accessories I'm thinking are a must would be the winch and a windshield. Obviously if I get a plow I will need the winch.

If you are between the Rincon and Rubicon I suggest looking at the receiver hitch size. Last I looked the Rincon had the small one and the Ranchers and Rubicons had the 2" receiver. That right there tells me that the Rubicon and Ranchers are work horses. I have been debating the ATV situation for a few years and now with the UTV's available I want to go that route but if I had my 4 wheeler pick I would likely be getting a Rubicon.