Polaris vs Honda

[Grogmister]

I have been looking at atvs lately. Honestly don’t need one, just want one. Something with a plow on for snow and light dirt work around the house. Might trail ride it some but mostly just to putz around on. I think I want a Polaris Sportsman 570 with EPS (for the wife) but cannot find one in stock to even look at within a few hours from Ft Wayne. Looked at a bunch of Hondas in Kendallville and liked them as well but they quoted me $12,500 for a Rancher and plow setup. I don’t want to spend that much. What input does everyone have? Pros and cons, what to look for and what not to buy. New vs Used? Thank you all!

 

[Leadeye]

I will say this about Hondas. I have two, bought in 95 and 98 respectively. The both run every day and have not required much at all in the way of repairs. Change oil and various filters and I think these things will run forever.

 

[kickbacked]

Can’t speak to atvs but I’ve loved every Honda dirt bike and motorcycle I’ve owned.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

I worked at Honda for two years.
I ****ing hate Honda and would never ever give them a penny of my money. **** them.

 

[Mounty09]

While Honda doesn't have all the bells and whistles that Polaris has I think they are much better machines. For me the geared transmission that the Hondas is a huge plus. You don't have to worry about belt slip or changing the belt out on the trail.

 

[bobjones223]

I know it is not the brand you were asking about but the price is decent and Suzuki makes some decent products. He also has the paperwork for it so odds are it is not stolen.

 

[Mark-DuCo]

I personally own a 1985 Honda 250SX three wheeler, a 1999 Honda Recon ATV, and a 2008 Yamaha TTR-230 dirtbike. The 250SX doesn't get rode much anymore so the battery is always dead, but it still starts on the second kick. The Recon has been through hell and back and still runs like a champ. The Yamaha runs fine too once it is warm, but you have to choke it and let it warm up even if its 100 degrees outside.

Honda just seem to be built more solid. Other brands may have more power and fancier features, but Hondas run forever in my experience.

 

[rem788]

I responded to an earlier thread on my experience with Polaris. I have three Polaris atv's I purchased new. All three had module failures. My friends both bought new Sportsmans, both had module failures. One was the EPS module which you mentioned I would hesitate to buy a Polaris. No experience with Honda's other than the cars. Good luck.

 

[LongRangeBushy]

I have a 2019 honda rancher and it has power steering and the automatic shift (whatever they call it —so my wife doesn’t have to do anything but throttle) I paid $7500 new and was quoted $1500 for a quick detach Plow. Your price may be a little high but can’t say I’ve priced them under these conditions.. I can also say right at 3 months short of 3 years old and my first service light came on at 100 miles or 20 hours of use. Havent done anything but put gas in it…

 

[DragonGunner]

Find a used Honda Rancher, save money over new and have at it. I been on Hondas most of my life started in 1978 with ATC, then 4 wheelers. Now I also have a Arctic Cat SXS with a snowplow set up that does great.

 

[yeti rider]

I'm in the minority and have a Polaris ranger. We got the ranger 1000, three seat version. To say it has been handy in our woods would be an understatement. It hauls a lot, and I tow the wood splitter out to the trees i've cut.

 

[Grogmister]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I prefer the looks of the Polaris but if Honda makes a better machine then I‘m all for that. I will find the right one for the right price eventually. Appreciate all the help!

 

[SnoopLoggyDog]

Been very happy with my 2014 Polaris. Been using it in back country Alaska since 2018. Reliable and easy to work on.

 

[chubbs]

I have been very happy with my 2017 Polaris 570. I've had it out from WV hills to CO mountains and bunch of places in between. It does what I ask of it. Back when I was on 2 wheels a lot, I was a die hard honda guy. But their lack of horse power in their atv's pushed me to the polaris. I'm glad I switched! Hondas are reliable as they come, but lack the grunt in some cases. Or adleast they did when I tested them in 2017

 

[ghuns]

Love my Sportsman 800. It's older, 07 or 08, I never remember. Been trouble free for me. Wish it had EPS...