Hello everyone I need your input on this one..........BAD........... :-)

I have a 2004 HONDA FOURTRAX RANCHER 4X4 ES, TRX350FE this 4wheeler has been a work horse and it has served me well. Lately I have been doing alot of trail riding, big pot holes, lots of rocks, mud, logs and so on. I have been finding that the 2004 HONDA FOURTRAX RANCHER 4X4 ES, TRX350FE with it's solid axle is not being very kind to my back. What ATV has the smoothest ride and can absorb shock better.
I love Honda but if I have to change to another ATV to get the ride I will..... my back will thank me later for it. I was looking at new Honda FourTrax Rincon and 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Quad. Which one of these two or any other ATV would give me:

(1) Over all smooth ride (rock,logs, pot holes ect)
(2) Easy steering
(3) Power

Thanks for your time

By far the smoothest riding 4x4 would be a Polaris. You just cant beat the soft smooth ride of a Sportsman. I have a Rincon and a Sportsman. I love my rinny. It still rides smooth but has a sport feel to it rather than utility feel. I dont ride my Sportsman much anymore because the rincon handles awsome. If you want smooth ride over any obstical the sportsman is hard to beat. The grizz 700 is also a nice ride but they tend to feel tippy.

Smooth ride= Polaris
easy steering= grizz 700, Honda Rincon still very easy to steer
power= all of the above.

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2004 Honda Rincon
2003 Sportsman 600
2006 Desert Cat 90
2006 JetMoto 150
2006 ms125
2006 Mini 90
2006 SunL 110
2006 Meerkat 50

95 mint condition f150, 5.8l 345hp crate mtr, 6" lift 33" tires toy hauler

WWW.RACEWAYATV.COM
For all your kids riding needs!

go with a independent suspension.....your back will love you for it

I've ridden several Kodiak 450s. They had a great suspension and plenty of power. Switching back and forth on the same day between a 450 and a Raptor 660 made me decide I wanted a Kodiak more than a Raptor.

The Grizzly 700 brings more to the table than the Rinny. More up to date technology, a very good ride, a snappier engine, and most of all power steering. The Rinny is a excellent bike in it's own right, but the Grizzly is a more complete machine. The only down side to the Grizzly is replacing the crappy factory tires. But you can have better tires and offset wheels (Gives the bike a wider stance and more stability) put on when you buy it. That way the wheels and tires can be rolled into what ever financing you choose.

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2007 Yamaha Grizzly 660
26" Mudlites on ITP type 4 wheels
2500 Warn Winch
Warn Front Bumper
Yamaha Overfenders
Moose Stick Stoppers
Moose Rear Bumper
Maier Handguards
Kimpex Fender Protectors

Official Whitetail Deer Recovery Vehicle.

A friend of mine has a Artic Cat and it is the smoothest riding quad I have ever been on. He says it is due to independant rear suspension with no sway bar.

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'01 Green Wolverine
'06 Green Vinson 5 speed

I have an Arctic Cat, and i have to dissagree. It is far from the smoothest, which i also give to Polaris. But it does articulate better than the rest, due to its unmatched 10" travel. I would recommend riding a few and getting an idea for yourself

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2006 650V2
Dynatek CDI
NGK Power Racing Cables
Iridium Plugs
K&N
Amsoil In Everything
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Delta Chrome Steel Rims
Venom 2500XT Winch
Brushguard Front/Rear Bumpers
AC Handguards
Cargo Box
Gun Scabbard
Magellan GPS
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Baja Lights
Odyssey PC680 Battery

I'd say ride a few and decide. My Rincon really seems like a caddy cruising over the rough stuff, and it also handles well and can be hussle down a tight and rough trail supprisingly fast.

To me it seemed smoother than the Polaris machines I've briefly ridden, but I don't recall what tires were on it and that can make a big difference. The Rincon is also pretty light steering, but can kickback when you start bombing over really rough stuff. I suspect soon Honda will announce a power steering Rincon. If you want another Honda but with a cushy ride, the Rincon is their only machine with independent rear suspension. You will notice it lean a bit more in sweeping corners, but not much. Also there isn't much for compression braking below about 10 mph, so you do have to use the brakes on the really super-steep and sketchy downhills. Compared to my Foreman, it really glides over rough stuff.

The Yam with power steering, EFI, and a good belt drive auto is also appealing. Haven't ridden one of the new ones. A riding buddy just snagged a 650 Artic Cat and so far is quite impressed with it's ride. I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

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680 Rincon camo, Foreman headlight, xt30, guru bumper
500 Foreman FM green, 2500 warn
Kit Patio Hauler 295F 5th wheel
Ram 3500 Laramie quad 4wd

Maybe your next utility quad shouldn't be a utility "quad". How tight of a trail will you be riding on, and how much utility work will you be doing? Or alternatively you could pick the ATV you want, and then upgrade the suspension after you buy it.

My plushest riding utility ATV is a Rhino that has super comfy Suspension seats, with four point harnesses, and a Lonestar suspension that has 15" of suspension travel with adjustable Elka Elite shocks at all four corners. It rides super plush, over any terrain, at any speed. Absolutely no contest in ride quality between the Lonestar Rhino and our Grizzly 700, the Rhino makes the Grizzly feel like a buck board wagon with steel wheels and no suspension.

But you need to decide how badly you want the ultimate ride, because a long travel Rhino wont fit everywhere, and 15" of suspension travel is spendy to say the least. Even upgrading the suspension on a 4x4 ATV can be expensive, but it works well when you're done.

Good luck.

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'09 Can-Am Renegade 800: ATVTorture.com project quad
'08 KTM 950 R Super Enduro
'08 Dodge Challenger SRT8
'04 Jeep Wrangler Sport

I think the Polaris Sportsman has the best ride. Sportsman's due have their faults but not when it comes to a smooth ride.\

I have a 700 Grizz and my dad has a sp800. The 800 is like a cadillac and rides better than the grizz. The grizz is sportier. If you want the most comfortable ride, I'd recommend a sportsman. If you want the best handling, then the Grizzly with power steering is the way to go. I personally wouldn't buy a Rincon just cause of the tranny and no diff lock.

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Mine:
2007 Grizzly 700 FI


Fathers:
2006 Sportsman 800 EFI
1998 Sportsman 500

Whats wrong with the tranny of the rincon?

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2004 Honda Rincon
2003 Sportsman 600
2006 Desert Cat 90
2006 JetMoto 150
2006 ms125
2006 Mini 90
2006 SunL 110
2006 Meerkat 50

95 mint condition f150, 5.8l 345hp crate mtr, 6" lift 33" tires toy hauler

WWW.RACEWAYATV.COM
For all your kids riding needs!

The Polaris SP800 does ride smooth. Part of the reason is it is almost 200 pounds heavier than the Grizzly 700. Some people like the extra weight and some do not. When I test rode the SP 800, it felt more like it was driving me than me driving it. The SP800 is still a great bike with it's own strong points, but I wanted something a little more nimble.

The best thing is to get some seat time on each one and pick what suits you best. Good luck, toy shopping is always fun.

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2007 Yamaha Grizzly 660
26" Mudlites on ITP type 4 wheels
2500 Warn Winch
Warn Front Bumper
Yamaha Overfenders
Moose Stick Stoppers
Moose Rear Bumper
Maier Handguards
Kimpex Fender Protectors

Official Whitetail Deer Recovery Vehicle.

I got the Bombardier Outlander 400 Max XT, because the reviews rated it best in terms of ride over the rough stuff. And the ride for the passenger of this 2-up bike is just unbelieveably soft, so I would give it a try.

See the ATV mags over the past few years for serious comparisons.

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James
09 Outlander 650 Max XT
06 Arctic Cat DVX 50 with 22" rear Mudlites
07 Eton Viper 90R with 22" rear Mudlites
07 Eton Vector 250 with 25" Bear Claws on the rear and and 2 5/8" spacers on each wheel

Thanks everyone for your reply, you have been very very helpful. This weekened I will be test driving a Polaris Sportsman, 2007 Honda Rincon and next week the all new 2007 700 Yamaha Grizzly. Most of you have said that the Polaris Sportsman has the smoothest ride, I will check it out and see. Alot of my friends have stated to stay away from Polaris there is always something breaking on them.

Maybe I should wait until next year. Do you think that Honda will come out with a new power steering Honda Rincon ????

Thanks for your help very much appreciated.

For a smooth ride over pot-holes, small bumps (1"-2"), tree roots across the trail etc you need heavy weight, stiff, strong frame and soft, long travel suspension. AC may not be the smoothest ride in general but over pot-holes and small bumps it is pretty hard to beat, you will be able to travel over these very quickly without it shaking your teeth out of your head, and an added plus is, you will maintain a straight line.

The AC's are heavy and have a long travel, and soft suspension and they track good over erratic ground. From the factory they lack on handling but with some adjustments to suspension and tire pressures that can be improved greatly. With a small investment of wheel spacers the benefits are monumental. A cheap fix to be able to run with the best of them in the corners (tire pressures (preferably with 6ply tires too), preloads, and wheel spacers), and without having to use a sway bar.

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I DON'T PRACTICE AT BEING A DUMMY, IT COMES NATURAL
DON'T LAUGH AT ME, YOU CAN LEARN ALOT FROM A DUMMY!!!

03 Arctic Cat 400FIS automatic
Front tires - 25x8x12 Innova MudGear
Rear tires - 25x10x12 Sigma TBC MudCats
Front and Rear bumpers
1" spacers on all 4 wheels
3000# Xtreme waterproof winch
http://mysite.verizon.net/buckaroo39/

Most people who talk about Polaris always breaking down don't even own one. I still wouldn't have a Rincon. They don't have a diff lock and in my opinion, they have the wrong tranny. If they would put the continuously variable Hondamatic from the Rubicon in it, it would be much better machine because in my book, CVT > automotive style for an ATV.

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Mine:
2007 Grizzly 700 FI


Fathers:
2006 Sportsman 800 EFI
1998 Sportsman 500

I have to agree with FormulaLT1. This is actually a good thread filled with some honest responses. Hard to find on questions like these. I would compare the Sportsman to GM. You may recall, there was a point in time where Chevy really screwed up with their paint. And a great many of the trucks you saw had paint flaking off in huge chunks. Back in the 80s I would say.

Well, that was a long time ago. And obviously, not relevant to todays GM. But there are people out there that this had a lasting impression on and they rant on about it to this day. Gets to a point where the person really doesn't know what they are talking about as Chevy trucks are now some of the most if not the most powerful out there. I'm a Dodge man BTW. Then you get other people who repeat pretty much anything they hear too as their own. We all know it's true. I call them old hens.

Same is true with Polaris. They might have had a period where they screwed up. I didn't experience it myself. But admit it is possible. But it was a long time ago and I don't know anybody who isn't happy with their purchase. ATVs are a mighty personal choice. If you pick one you like, you did the right thing.

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2007 Polaris Sportsman 700 Twin
2006 Polaris Sportsman 800 Twin
2006 Polaris Sportsman 450 (sold)
2002 Dodge 2500...Let the Cummins ROAR

You can take the same machine and drive it over a trail one day and it will feel smooth the next day it won't, you can ride it at 10mph and it will feel bumpy but at 20 it feels smooth.
To have a good ride you need a heavy machine, soft suspension and long wheel travel, and if you have a long wheel base that helps too. By the same principle you will suffer in the handling department.
A heavy Cadilac, with soft springs and long wheel travel and long wheel base is certainly not going to handle as good as a Camaro.
Go find the heaviest ATV with the softest suspension and you will be right on the money.
And if that doesn't work then shop around and put some progressive springs on it. And if that doesn't work then drive your car.

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I DON'T PRACTICE AT BEING A DUMMY, IT COMES NATURAL
DON'T LAUGH AT ME, YOU CAN LEARN ALOT FROM A DUMMY!!!

03 Arctic Cat 400FIS automatic
Front tires - 25x8x12 Innova MudGear
Rear tires - 25x10x12 Sigma TBC MudCats
Front and Rear bumpers
1" spacers on all 4 wheels
3000# Xtreme waterproof winch
http://mysite.verizon.net/buckaroo39/

how come these threads always turn into a bash fest? I didn't see any questions about transmission, or people's opinion about which one is better. And a locker is the most overrated feature available today.

You didn't mention handling at speed, so I'll stick to the ride. The smoothest riding machines are going to have the longest wheel bases (the 2ups). There are 3 companies that make one, ride them, study them, talk to the service manager of a dealership that sell more than one (or all 3) of the brands. Some brands have a 90% ownership satisfaction rating while others have less. I won't say anything about and brand's reliability other than companies have the reputation they have for a reason and you do not have to own a machine to see it break. All 3 2ups have their good and bad points (that goes for the 3 one-ups you've listed), what is most important to you? One thing you won't have to decide on is they all have the single lever brakes and belt drives.

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tread lightly

Dif-lock the most overrated feature?? The rest of your post is decent and informative... but to say diff-lock is the most overrated is like saying stock tires are just as good as aftermarket ones... It just doesn't make sense... Could you expand on that comment?

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If you never wreck, yer not riding hard enough...

04 yfz 450 Curtis Sparks Big Core Exhaust Kit
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Airbox lid removed
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07 Grizzly 700 (Ducks Unlimited Edition)
Warn 3.0XT winch - Full Yami skids - 27" 589's all around
Dalton Clutch kit - Reverse rev-limiter override