Best quads and why.

[BCBUSHMONKEY]

Getting one in Aug, thinking of Honda or Suzuki, thanks for any info.

[Frango]

Both good. Can't go wrong with either.

[moosecaller]

Honda been around for ever and build like tanks tried and true power plants.
This despite the fact I have 2 polaris machines I would still go with honda, but very pricey.

[firstshot]

Yamaha grizzly 700 eps. Not the fastest, not the prettiest but good all round. Don't spend much time working on mine just the usual maintenance, only thing I've had to fix is two ripped cv boots. 4000km now and still running strong.

[Drillbit]

Both good choices.

Anyone made in Japan is good.

[srupp]

Hmmm Honda reliability...Honda 300 was the most sold atv ever..I have the 500 canadian trails and they are 40 % more inexpensive now than in 2007..sealed brakes and drive system...no motor has as much reliability than Honda.
When your 25 miles back in the woods which atv...Honda.
Put itp...baja cross tires on it...A winch for game retrieval...and rigid e2 10 inch led light bar.with driving pattern..da da
Cheers
Steven

[Big Hoss]

What Srupp said. I've owned Honda quads since 1984 and never had any problems more serious than a faulty sensor. Some brands may ride a little smoother but I don't think there are any more reliable.

[mikeboehm]

honda only then maybe yamaha

[leadpillproductions]

I own them both, love them both but if I was to buy another id buy Honda, My Honda was thundered when I bought it and that was 10000 km ago and it still givers

[bc_buckshot]

Honda..... Because it hauls dead critters and my ass around with no problem.....

[REMINGTON JIM]

Never FIX my Honda always fixing my POS :mad: Polaris ! Maybe I may try a Yamaha next time ! :idea: :?: :smile: RJ

[BillyBull]

Yamaha 450, nice riding, easy on gas, and light enough that I can lift it out of hummocks and bog when stuck, and it fits in my pickup. Regular service and mainly used for easy riding, hunting, and game hauls, has given me 6 years of fun.

[Buck]

Just went through this and bought a 550 Grizzly.The Honda was over 2 grand more.You can't go wrong with Honda Suzuki or Yamaha find a good deal.

[khoffnbud]

Both good. Can't go wrong with either.

No. One's a POS. Buy the Honda and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Proud owner of an 07 Rubicon that has never let me down.

[Sofa King]

had Honda since 1986.
I don't dislike any brands, but I'd have a hard time going with anything else.

[Ferenc]

There all good until you break them... Or roll em!

[Backwoods]

I've owned my grizzly new since 06' haven't had an issue with it and it's been tested, mine is the 660 but if I was to purchase a new atv it would be a new grizzly, mine has just been way to good to me to switch it up, but also have friends with Hondas that haven't had issues either!!

[M.Dean]

I'm real sure if you don't ride a Yamaha like me, you ain't allowed on this site, are ya??? Hell, I heard there passing a new bill that allows only Yamaha's in the back country and high into the "Alpine", that way the "SAR'S" teams ain't spending millions of dollars each year lifting out all the Honda's, And Kowwie's and Sa suki'es!!!!!

[Ride Red]

I've owned Hondas from the early 80's and you can't go wrong. The newer 500 now has IRS which would have been a nice feature long ago; at least they have it now. Honestly, any of the Jap bikes should be good machines as long as you service them. I also have a CanAm 800 two up that I purchased because none of the Jap machines offer this style of seating. So far, I've been happy with it and it does ride like a Cadillac. Can't complain about the fuel economy either considering the displacement and size.

[ratherbefishin]

Kenco out at Sooke says the Kawasaki prairie is a good basic machine,built well, old school technology ,no frills and not much to go wrong.I like that ...newer machines may be faster and more comfortable but that's not much good when they are broken down way back in the bush

[BCBUSHMONKEY]

Thanks for all the info dudes, will consider when I buy in august.

[r106]

Both good machines. I have a 09 kingquad and i haven't had to put a dime into repairs. You buying new or used?

When i was in the market for a new one back in 09 my opinion of best to worst went like this

1- canam
2- yamaha
3- suzuki
4- honda
5- kawasaki
6- polaris

[mikeboehm]

Can ams are load too load for hunting

[SPEYMAN]

Power Steering, engine brake,4 wheel disc brakes,on command 4 wheel drive,diff lock,reverse gear,low gear,parking gear. Check the weight of machine compared to others. Ride the model you like before buying.Extras are a winch,skid plates,hand warmers and guards.With proper care and service you should never need to buy another.One might also consider a two up or a side by side.

[BCBRAD]

My Can Am 650 has ~3000 km on it no issues, except power steering went out at 10 hours and replaced on warranty. Lots of power and fuel economy is on par with a 500cc single cylinder machine.

[Husky7mm]

I am a big yamaha fan. I have a 01 kodiak with tons of ks on it that has had the bag run off it and it still runs as new. I have hauled and pulled moose and elk with it and it plows snow all winter too. I also ran a 04 grizzly out to 16000 ks and it still runs good. I did have some cv axle problems that plagued me for a bit on the grizz. Now i work as a surveyor in the oil fields and we run mostly hondas and yamahas. The hondas are tough to be with very little problems. The yamaha are also very reliable. The big difference is when you ride them all day long and again an again the stiff solid axle on the honda beats you up and tires you out. The yamaha is plush and you notice that.
The yamaha is also a bit less money. I just bought a new 700 grizzly with eps and love it. The only hang up that i had was it has no pull start, which is a nice back up.
Some of my coworkers run can ams but all have had over heating issues and they are way more money. The kawasaki brute force 650 ( same as prairie) is a simple, powerful and reliable machine, the 750 has engine issues. The honda auto matic is junk.
Dont let any dealer sell you or include any winch that is not a warn. All the other winches dont seem to last.
Thats all that i can share.

[ACE]

I believe the Honda is the only quad that still has gears .......... all others are belt ?

[000buck]

I've got two arctic cats, first one (2003) And a new one 2015 ..... 12 years no issues guess that's why

[BCBRAD]

Some of my coworkers run can ams but all have had over heating issues and they are way more money


My Can Am indicates an over heat condition from time to time, so I take an Infrared thermometer (laser) and take samples on the engine and radiator etc, the highest temp I have seen was 186F which isn't hot considering the use of synthetic oil that does not oxidize until 300F. The warning light still comes on however and the fan runs most of the time when going slow.

[Husky7mm]

Some of my coworkers run can ams but all have had over heating issues and they are way more money


My Can Am indicates an over heat condition from time to time, so I take an Infrared thermometer (laser) and take samples on the engine and radiator etc, the highest temp I have seen was 186F which isn't hot considering the use of synthetic oil that does not oxidize until 300F. The warning light still comes on however and the fan runs most of the time when going slow.

One was a 1000 and it fried the motor, lucky it was under warranty. 1 year later its burning coolant. Also had some belt slippage, one on a 500 and one on an 800 IIRC.
Lots of power and nice handling though.

[BCBRAD]

One was a 1000 and it fried the motor, lucky it was under warranty. 1 year later its burning coolant. Also had some belt slippage, one on a 500 and one on an 800 IIRC.
Lots of power and nice handling though.

That doesn't sound good at all, I hose out rad fairly often and some had the rads swell up due to high pressure on the coolant side , perhaps a too high of a pressure rad cap.

[Husky7mm]

That doesn't sound good at all, I hose out rad fairly often and some had the rads swell up due to high pressure on the coolant side , perhaps a too high of a pressure rad cap.
Well they see really rough use, lots of swamps and muskeg, mud and grass seeds cake the cooling fins and if no cleaning is done they run hot real quick. Doesnt seem to bother the hondas and yamahas as much. Survey atvs in the oilfield are abused. They get started hundreds of times and week, swamped through deep mud holes, again and again and again. Dont buy an atv off a surveyor, lol

[Husky7mm]

Also during brake up or with road bans we continiue and just use atvs to access the work areas. The mud gets so thick you can bairly see the atv, the mud is so thick on the tires that it fills the entire wheel well. Many times i have see the atvs in water right to the racks. Again dont buy an ex surveyor atv.

[BCBUSHMONKEY]

Again thanks for all the info boys, honda trx 500 and suzuki king quad 500 are what I will be looking into

[Silent But Deadly]

I have an 07 honda foreman 500 with 7000kms and I haven't encountered any major issues so far.

[srupp]

I have an 07 honda foreman 500 with 7000kms and I haven't encountered any major issues so far.

Same as mine 07 honda 500 canadian trails edition...
Steven

[Gun Dog]

Everybody loves the machine they own. Not many people put a lot of km or have owned a lot of machines. You're better off starting with the features you want. Personally my next ATV will have EPS (electronic power steering).

International Motor Sports in Langley handles all the Japanese brands but they stock only two -- Honda and Yamaha. Honda are reliable because they're underpowered and old tech. They still have an 4-speed automatic and manual trannys with automatic clutch. Pull start too. I suspect most of the carbed ATVs still have a pull start. Yamaha is more comfortable with its IRS and it costs more too.

[ratherbefishin]

The dealer is as important as the brand....if they don't service what they sell, choose another

[Dougielightning]

Have a 03 660 grizzly that turned 12000 Kms on this falls hunting trip. Still running strong and reliable just did clutches as preventative maint. Can't go wrong with a griz

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

i have the yamaha grizzly 660 i bought new in 2003 . it has over 10 thousand kilos on it , It has never left me stranded ..

[sarg]

Yamaha hands down best quad,

[Fisher-Dude]

I've towed out 2 dead Yamahas with my Polaris.

I've never been towed out.

You do the math.

[scott_karana]

hey still have an 4-speed automatic and manual trannys with automatic clutch. Pull start too. I suspect most of the carbed ATVs still have a pull start. Yamaha is more comfortable with its IRS and it costs more too.The Honda models I was looking at are all EPS, IPS, DCT transmissions. Are they still underpowered compared to Yamaha, or competitive?

[Good2bCanadian]

I've towed out 2 dead Yamahas with my Polaris.

I've never been towed out.

You do the math.

Hey me too. Lol

Yamahas, unstoppable Kodiak 450 being towed by a Polaris.


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x415/mikesmith7/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg (http://s1180.photobucket.com/user/mikesmith7/media/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg.html)

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

Used 660 yamahas are going for about 3000 $ you could find a good one with low km and you wont be disappointed . i have seen them on kijjij lots .my next quad is going to the yamaha 700 with power steering and EFI . The thing i like about the older 660 is there isnt much i cant fix myself and there is lots of good mods you can do yourself for low cost . also .if you happen to have a problem with your EFI in say a Can Am , your out of the game . you wont get it going in the bush no matter what . just my opinion .. everyone has different needs in there in Quad .

[sarg]

Hey me too. Lol

Yamahas, unstoppable Kodiak 450 being towed by a Polaris.


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x415/mikesmith7/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg (http://s1180.photobucket.com/user/mikesmith7/media/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg.html)

this one doesn't count G2BC,:)

[Fisher-Dude]

Hey me too. Lol

Yamahas, unstoppable Kodiak 450 being towed by a Polaris.


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x415/mikesmith7/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg (http://s1180.photobucket.com/user/mikesmith7/media/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg.html)


Careful G2BC, the Yama-Police will come and confiscate your computer if you post these kinds of pics!

[leannejason]

Yamaha Grizzly 700 with power steering and EFI. It's been very reliable for me.

[Sunzuki]

Anyone that types "Yamaha" knows what they are talking about.
The rest are make believe arm chair mayors.

[khoffnbud]

You're obviously on drugs, you can't beat a Honda for reliability, 88 fourtrax 300 and a 07 rubicon, the 88 is still going strong and neither has ever broke down.

[cariboo crawler]

Can - Am Outlander
Owned a Honda and yes took me everywhere . Never let me down. But hauling a second hunter was a pain. Went Outlander Max 500 in 2010 and never looked back.

Great Engineering !

[Ambush]

So a Yamaha pulling a Poolaris backwards out of the little puddle it's stuck in proves what???


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x415/mikesmith7/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg (http://s1180.photobucket.com/user/mikesmith7/media/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg.html)[/QUOTE]

[tuner]

Bombardier are great until you have to drop a fortune on even basic parts, u joints and rear yoke and new drive belt,cost over $450,rear dif seal was over $200 parts only.On the plus side they look good,ride smooth,and have plenty of power.

[Ry151]

I think ill be trying a yamaha next.

[.330 Dakota]

700 EPS Grizzly, no issues ever, pulled many a Honda through mud holes...lol My buddy has a Honda with lousy tires on it, and no ground clearance(straight rear axle) hence he's always stuck. And after a good round of teasing I always tow him out

[Sunzuki]

Hey me too. Lol

Yamahas, unstoppable Kodiak 450 being towed by a Polaris.


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x415/mikesmith7/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg (http://s1180.photobucket.com/user/mikesmith7/media/DSCF1628_zps78dc6396.jpg.html)

Pfffffffffffthpfftpfftt puhtewie.
Only Yamaha has the Chuckieness to push a Plagueriss with a
push strap.
One can only push the b.s so far.

[.330 Dakota]

polaris the walmart of quads

[Good2bCanadian]

If I wanted top performance and reliability I would go yamaha.
If you are limited on budget. Kodiak 450

If you want pure reliability, get a Honda.


The post above was a Kodiak with 8000km. Rear diff bolt broke allowing the diff to rotate up and rear drive shaft to come apart. Mechanicals are 100% stock on that machine.

[moosinaround]

Honda is the machine for you! I will replace my Arctic Cat with a Honda as soon as the kid graduates highschool. I am thinking a 500 canadian trail edition of some sort will suffice! May just buy a side by side though, havent decided yet! Moosin

[srupp]

Honda is the machine for you! I will replace my Arctic Cat with a Honda as soon as the kid graduates highschool. I am thinking a 500 canadian trail edition of some sort will suffice! May just buy a side by side though, havent decided yet! Moosin
Hmmm thats the machine I use..
Steven

[325]

I have a 2007 can am outlander 400. I have about 5000km on it and it's been 100% reliable. My hunting partner rides a Honda Rincon 680. It's left him walking a few times because his gas boils when he works it hard. Plus he gets high centred easy and can't go through snow nearly as well as I can. If you want an ATV for putting around a farm or easy riding on flat logging roads, get a Honda (or a golf cart). If you want something more capable then get something else