I'm looking to buy my first ATV. I'm looking at Honda rancher 400 es and the Yamaha Grizzly 420 ...( not sure if I got the displacement correct) I like the locking diff on the Yamaha but not real sold on the drive train. I like the Honda engine and tranny but no locking diff..Any suggestions? I will just use it for hunting , snow blading, thx M

 

Go with the Yamaha. You're going to want the extra traction the locker gives you. Unfortunately Honda just doesn't offer one and seems unwilling to.

If it were me I'd just go ahead and step up to the 700 Grizzly but that's just me. I mean you're already dumping that much money on an ATV might as well go for the top of the line.

 

im a Honda fan here to BUT my vot is for the Yamaha also i like the front locker and the disk breaks for maintance reasons. i think Honda needs a slap for not putting disk breaks on the front yet.mabee im being a little to mean but thats how i feal the cheap chinese quads even have the same set up sa honda. or better lol!that is than the 400 any way! just my opinion ! or i would have bought one !you should also look at the 360 kawasaki to.

 

thanks for the info.. What about the centrifugal clutch of the yamaha and the tranny of the honda.. Seems like honda would be better?

 

The Honda is probably better - until it breaks - then it is extremely expensive to fix I'm told. The Yamaha uses a CVT which is more or less an industry standard now. When something breaks it is usually just a belt which is pretty inexpensive.

There is a chance you can get the belt wet if you get in extremely deep water but they aren't difficult to dry out. If you're really into deep water and mud you can snorkel the belt vent. I operate a Polaris belt drive in deep water all the time and I don't have any problems with it.

 

if you do buy the honda change the engine oil often because the trany and engion use the same oil and there seens to be a problem with the tranny slipping when your oil gets broke down a bit! my freind has one and his will slip if he dosnt change his oil often enough!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: RRRDAD

thanks for the info.. What about the centrifugal clutch of the yamaha and the tranny of the honda.. Seems like honda would be better?</end quote></div>


95% of the ATV are belt drive ,it the same system used in 100+ HP snowmobiles so do not worry about them in low powered ATVs. The Yamaha has Diff lock true 4wd and a low range so it will pull much harder. The Rancher is not as much money and a great bang for your buck ATV. The 360 Kawasaki is and 400 Suzuki Eiger are nice to and should not be over looked .

 

RRRDAD - I would suggest you look at all your options, not just the two brands you mentioned.

QUOTE FOR TODAY:

My common ground with terrorists - they want to die for islam and I want to kill them.

 

I had a Honda Rincon,and had trouble with the tranny slipping. I sold it in the first year.I now have a Yamaha Rhino,and love it.

 

I would go with the Yamaha grizz 450 myself the engine has a good amount of power and with locking diff and low range it should be good to go anywhere you need.