only thing the 700 rhino's have over the 660's is cold weather starting ability....add a primer kit and or change the pilot jet to the 660's and voila good to go...unless you know what wire to clip and go in and change the CO settings on the 700's in -30F weather have at er.....The 660's would start with a hockey puck over the air intake ( under the filter ) in whatever temp ( as long as choke was needed) The FUN factor yes Yamaha has over the honda....put over 100miles on in one day just playing with the guys and or sight seeing....your arse would be killing you on the Honda's
I bought my first ATV in 2003 Bombardier outlander 400 4x4. (550 miles) Upgraded to a 2008 Can-Am outlander 500 v-twin. (150 miles so far) Never had a problem with either one, smooth ride and great power, good clearance...
I like your style. I want a Kawa 450 so bad I can taste it, but alas I've got a wedding to pay for ). UTV, I love my RZR, really love the new Can-AM's but for the extra money you'll spend on "new" Can-am a nice used RZR can be had much cheaper. I've done it all on my RZR: pulled my 14 foot tandem around the yard, pull my 10ft trailer loaded with brush, hualed deer on the hitch hauler, and rode 200 miles for pleasure. It's got the nards to work and it's small enough to play (50" wide I think). And it'll fly or creep in low AWD.
If I was looking (and I plan to be in a year or two) to upgrade or add to my 06 Suzuki Vinson 500, I'd be looking at something similar from Suzuki (500 King Quad) or a 550 Yamaha Grizzly. I'd like to have more power, but I've never really needed it and the ability to maneuver with the 500 cc sized machines far outweighs the difference in horsepower. For what I have done with (and to) my Vinson, I should (a) be shot (b) never look anywhere else. The Yamaha's towing cap has me curious though, I'm definitely gonna ride one. For the sake of the argument, I'd really like a UTV as well, I just would use the ATV more.
I woulod be looking at Kawasaki, Suzuki, and definitely Yamaha (my Big Bear has been very reliable).With the prices the way they are and for what I would use it for, I would be looking at compact tractors, too (doesn't help you though, Matt).
For what it's worth, probably the BEST machine I checked out that is value-priced, and dependable seemed to be the YAMAHA KODIAK 400, followed closely by the HONDA RANCHER 420. I have a Kodiak 450, only because I couldn't resist the price and the package deal I got on it, but the 400 will do everything the 450 will, only it's a bit cheaper. I have the Differential Lock on mine, and it's more of a pain than it's worth. I can play with mine, plow with mine (snow or grading gravel #3's and 4's, tow a wagon full of wood, or even pull the neighbor out of a ditch. The Honda was just about as nice, but I liked the way the transmission worked on the Yahama better. Don't get me wrong, I had a Honda Big Red that was an absolute ball, and was also a workhorse, but it doesn't even compare to the new, well optioned quads. Depending on what your NEEDS are, should be the basis of what you're shopping for. Like Atlas, I've use OLD 3 wheelers, and done the job I needed, but a quad is just a bit more capable. YAMAHA would be my first choice, HONDA second, and the it's ARCTIC CAT/SUZUKI (the Arctic Cat has a Suzuki engine on it), then Kawasaki. I've heard too many people have issues with their Polaris's to ever recommend one, though the one I had experience with did the job it needed when asked.
After shoveling my driveway again this morning, I wonder if I could justify to my wife my need for an ATV/Plow
for me, when it comes to atv's, if it does not have CVT transmission, I'll pass on it... I hate hate hate utility atv's with shifters... for a race style one that would be fine... but for something I'm taking for hunting and work use, if it has a shifter it automatically gets marked off the list...
I've got an Arctic Cat 250. Its small but it goes everywhere the big ones go. 4 years old and never a problem. I've used it for all kinds of stuff. It was $2999 new. I could buy 2 of them for the price of some of the bigger machines, I'd do it too!
I my ATV with plow makes me 250 in 2.5 hrs before work on snow days. In your development/area, I'd think you could make your money back on just a plow for your Big Bear. BUT, you should get a new ATV anyhow.
Eh, too cheap, you know that. I've needed a new mower for the past two years...see where that has gotten me?
I have 2, 2005 Yamaha Bruin 350's. I never had a problem with them. I kinda like the size of them because I can drive it right into my truck bed and it fits with a truck toolbox in it. It goes through tight spaces that my friends Honda 650 has to find a way around. I can go anywhere his big boy goes just not as fast on straight runs...so what. My wife just bought me a plow for mine but we haven't had any snow yet.
I agree Yamaha and Honda are the two best built 4 wheelers. All the ranchers out here use them and beat them in to the ground and they still run.
Anyone have first hand experience of the reliability of Yamaha's? I hear the message about Hondas, but honestly........the lack of clearance and power really turns me off. I've seen three different Hondas stuck or damaged due to the clearance issues on the exact property I plan to use mine, while the other guys haven't had problems. From what I've read, the Grizzly 450 seems like it has better clearance and power, and more options and bells/whistles than the Honda does, and they are both pretty much the same price. There also seems to be less horror stories about reliability out there when compared to Polaris. I'm curious to know more from those of you that actually owned these things.........are the Yamaha's fairly reliable? Specifically I'm looking at the Grizzly 450 with EPS.
