I just bought the 02 Rubicon after selling my bulletproof trx 300 2wd and I have not been disappointed. I use my ruby primarily for hunting and hauling corn to the deer feeders on my farm. Sounds like your buddies uses will be about the same so tell him to ride one for himself and see, he will be impressed!

 

Get the Rubicon and put traxlock on it. You'll be impressed with 499cc's in 2wd sliding sideways around a turn out on the trail. I only have twelve miles on mine in 2wd so far but it is a lot of fun.

 

Hey RonP, did the dealer install your traxlok? How much? And what type of warranty comes with it? I am very interested in putting traxlok on my Ruby. Any help would be appreciated.

 

my rubicon towed my dads F150 that whighs 5200 pounds with no problems

 

RubiconRampage, I installed traxlock myself. It took 3-4 hours. Parts cost including the factory handlebar switch from a 2002 450 was $250-260 from Service Honda. There is another post related to traxlock "just installed traxlock on my 02 Rubicon, special thanks to Dirty Howies for assistance" Read that post and if you have anymore questions I'll be glad to help. The finished product is awesome.

 

I would not pay 7000+ for a 3wheel drive straight axle rear suspension 500,when you can get the grizzly 660 for probably less,or tell him to get a traxter or quest because they are rated very high for work,towing,trails,misc, tell me what he decices?

 

next people put these 4x4s in order of what you think is best for him.

i think it should be/
#1 grizzly 660
#2 traxter 500
#3 quest 650
#4 prarie 650
#5 prarie 360
#6 kodiak 400
#7 sportsman 500 h.o
#8 suzuki vinson 500
#9 rubicon 500
#10 foreman 450 es

What can I say? every honda 4x4 I have seen is pittaful at mud,towing and goffing off on hills, goto honda and read (FLIPPED MY FOREMAN) the guy couldnt make it up the hill in 4-drive and in a low gear but 2-wheel 250s do it fine!
I recomend you dont buy a honda 4x4!

 

I'd have to say that the Grizzly is probably up there, about number 4 behind the Prairie, Sportsman 700 and Bombardier Traxter. I rode both the Prairie and Grizzly before buying the Rubicon. Neither Yamaha or Kawasaki have proven themselves to me to be very reliable bikes and the Rubicon had everything I needed and wanted.

 

Well, I may be the newest Rubicon owner in this group, just bought an 03' green rubi Saturday. I've ridden basically all of them except the new Quest. I wouldn't have a Yamaha, yes they are powerful but look around and see how many problems people are having with them. If you try to go in the mud and water you're asking for trouble. The Sp700 is a nice machine but you better take dang good care of it and grease all your zerts or you're in trouble. Plus, Polaris resale is horrible compared to what you pay. Kawasaki 650, who knows. It sure is fast, but the rear end is like a loaf of bread. It is so soft, I hated that. You can't tell how it will perform or hold up because it hasn't been out long enough. All I know is you can't go wrong with Honda. They CAN climb hills if you know what your doing and the resale is fabulous. I know other machines are good also, I have owned others but time will always tell and Honda has time and experience on their side. All I'm saying is don't say other's are better because they have a few more tricks or a little more power. Better is only made over time and over time Honda's just get better.

Waco4whlr
2003 Rubicon(green)

 

I may have flipped my formean but that was primarily rider error and experience. Of all the guys I ride with the Hondas may be the lowest featured machines there, but everyone else carries a lot of tools if you know what I mean. I really hate to agree with this RINCON guy, and like Polaris more now just to avoid being on his team, but from my little bit of experience Polaris breaks down more than anything else. Pretty much every ride