There is not a "BEST" machine. All have their + & - points. There is a best for each person machine though.

Think I got ripped...Bought my pills off the net but think they were aspirin cause not gettin any bigger but my headache went away.

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05 SP800
94 1100 Yamaha Virago
01 Yamaha dlx700
If it ain't fast enuff to scare you.. it ain't fast enuff.
Cattail ATV Club

Edited: 04/20/2008 at 07:56 PM by upnort

In that case, my "BEST" machine is a Polaris 500 X2 EFI.

1) I'm fat - It has plenty of power to pull me up the hills and down light trails.
2) I'm lazy - It's an auto (I ain't changin' no gears, electronically or otherwise - take that Honda)
3) I'm slow - Just not interested in doing 137 through the desert or down the highway on two wheels.
4) I have kids - Slap them on the back and they're happy for a little while.
5) I'm loyal - This is the third Popo I've have since 1999.
6) I'm not worried about machine weight - actually the heavier the better.


I'm sure everyone else could up with a similar list for their "BEST".

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2007 X2
Vision 160 Wheels
Xtreme 3000 Winch
3 Headlight Mod.
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XR70R - "The Clown Bike"

Honda makes some pretty good 3wds.

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EastCoastWest
2007 Ski-doo GTX 500SS 9225 km
1997 Suzuki KQ 300 showing 1320 km but I know it's higher than that.

Wow a fellow Newfie!

Hey, the original question was which is better, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha or Kawasaki. The answer is obvious...Polaris...

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'08 Sportsman 500 EFI Touring Steath Black
Stock for now...but taking suggestions...
Carry-on SP 5x8 Trailer
Garmin eTrex Vista HCX
RAM Mount

That's funny, because the only guy I know with a Polaris replaced all wheel bearings and the front differential at 500 miles. But hey, if you keep your expectations very low, that's pretty good. Plus you get a better work-out pushing an 800lb. Polaris than riding a 600lb. Honda, Zuk, Kawi, or Yami.

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'07 Eiger auto 4x4
'87 A.C. 340 Jag
'90 YJ- Swampers, Ford small block, Lockers, etc.

Just because you know 1 guy with a Polaris makes all Polaris junk?
Maybe he doesn't take care of his atv, what if it was an AC or Suzuki?? would they automatically be junk ?

get a sport quad if you are racing!! utilitys are for working and trail riding! weight doesn't matter much! a smooth ride does! try riding a sport quad over 100 mile days.

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YZ's/XT's/KLR
Raptor
Scrambler
Sportsman 500X2

Take it easy on him Rick. Did you see his pics? He's just a child that doesn't know any better and rides whatever dad has. LOL!

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700 sportsman efi, 2500 lb warn winch, american eagle plow.

Previous machines:
89' mohave
89' banshee modified
92' yz 250
93' cr 250
94' zx 7r ninja
96' yz 250
99' yzf 400
99 seadoo xp limited
00' yzf 426

I have own a Honda,Yamaha and a Polaris. I like the brand of ATV you just jump on and they run. I was lucky they all did that,next thing you look for is ride comfort, and they sure all do not do that the same.

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2001 SP 500 H.O

sorry man, but after owning a product from all of these brands, Honda is the best built, best thought out, and best running machine out there. Notice I did not say the best performing, racing ATVs is like racing dump trucks. Anyone can build a machine that goes like hell, but to make it last, reduce cost of ownership, retain value, and do what is intended to do (and not more), Honda has the others beat. Now if they would just fix a couple of nuisances....

Remember, this is just my opinion. Take it easy on me.

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tread lightly

I like Hondas allot but riding them is like owning a 6cyl Cadillac.Looks good but nothing under the hood. Honda is notorious for beeing bland and for me that is not good enough. Go for the Grizz if you want great quailty and allaround quad or go Sportsman if you wand a hardcore work/play atv!

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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600
04 DODGE RAM 1500 HEMI QCSB "THE H"

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

yes, I think Yamaha has a fantastic product, but they have always been 2nd fiddle to Honda. I always rooted for Yamaha because they were the underdog (even though they had the greatest drivers - F1 Bikes that is)

I guess for me it's the consistency in product quality and functionality, throughout the machine....right down to the little clips that hold the bodywork on.

However, I've said this before - if you are into speed, an ATV is a compromise and NOT fast. You can kill yourself on a vespa, doesn't make it fast.

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tread lightly

I do believe that the tables are starting to turn in favor of Yamaha they seem to do no wrong w/ anything new they are comming out with. Ever since the introduction of the yfz 450 thay have not brought out even a mediocre quad look at all the awards they have wone w/ YFZ 450, Raptor 700 and the Grizz 700, they were also the first to introduce p/s for the Grizz and the Grizz just one the Quad magazine big bore shootout! To me as of right now they are the manufacturer on top of there game and everyone else is trying to catch up!!!!

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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600
04 DODGE RAM 1500 HEMI QCSB "THE H"

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

Other mags put Polaris or CanAm on top! Can't believe 100% everything you read.

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YZ's/XT's/KLR
Raptor
Scrambler
Sportsman 500X2

Hopefully Yamaha and Polaris can come out w/ a Renegade fighter. That would be some interesting competition in a odd catagory!

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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R
04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600
04 DODGE RAM 1500 HEMI QCSB "THE H"

PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!

MOPAR FOREVER
Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!

Edited: 04/22/2008 at 01:56 PM by DODGE57HEMI

I can't complain at all about my 07 500xt can-am, other than wish i would of gotten the 800. 2000 miles and only prob is a front shock went sour on me.But are we really supposed to be jumping a 650 pound machine.

Every Utility ATV comparison Honda is just dead last now. It does not matter what the resale price is and how reliable it is at the end you bought the machine to RIDE and riding pleasure is about comfort,and performance where Honda always come in dead last.

Honda dead last

Honda dead last again.

I had a Honda 450 Foreman and changing ATVs was not like just like changing to different brand but more like changing to a different "Sport".

Resale of a ATV? Buy stocks or Houses if thats what your into.

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2001 SP 500 H.O

Edited: 04/22/2008 at 06:51 PM by TLC

I was just busting your balls 'cause you were the first one to jump in with the "of course brand X is the best because I say so" comment.

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'07 Eiger auto 4x4
'87 A.C. 340 Jag
'90 YJ- Swampers, Ford small block, Lockers, etc.

Listen zorro, I was just throwing a little fuel on the fire because rick was doing the same. I wasn't pointing fingers. I don't think that being 26 years old and riding, driving, fabricating and rebuilding bikes, quads, and 4x4s, for the last 15 years or so makes me a "child that doesn't know any better." I know the difference between a good design, and a bad one. I also don't know what my father has to do with this either. So, what makes you so knowledgeable? Maybe I could learn something. Enlighten me. Please.

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'07 Eiger auto 4x4
'87 A.C. 340 Jag
'90 YJ- Swampers, Ford small block, Lockers, etc.

I came strait out of the hardcore sportbike scene and let me tell you this exact same thread exists there too. With most of the same answers!

Every couple months someone asks the question- and there's 15 pages of bickering.

I'll be perfectly honest- sport bikes are all about the same. You're looking at differences of a couple pounds, a couple HP, but nothing truly remarkable to set them apart. Take the graphics and plastics off a sport bike, and most people couldn't tell what it is.
This is due to production racing rules though. No one ever gets much advantage without another company countering the move.

BUT----all of their capabilities vastly exceed the skills of those riding them.

In ATV's, it's similar. Most all have the same features (LO range, diff lock, engine brake) just different executions of them. Fit and finish become the real differences to quibble over.

BUT----there are few quads that wont go places I lack the skill to achieve. I know my 700 will still be clinging to rocks long after I've fallen off it.

Even losing alot of power at this altitude, that 700 of mine can do more things than I can even imagine to throw at it. These things are just that good.

When I was looking for a quad- I first assumed that they could all do about the same things and handle the same terrains. So immediately I knew that it was the small things that would set one apart from another.

I don't like the little storage compartment on my Cat as much as the rubber ones on other models- but the 2 inch receiver on my Cat really speaks to me as I plan on hauling with it.

I plan on using mine to hunt with, and trail ride with my kid who has a 90- so out and out speed isn't so important to me. I sacrifice a little high speed handling with that tall Cat, but I gain the articulation and ground clearance.

But it's not a drastic increase or decrease in anything. It's not like one 700 pound machine handles like a razor and another like a log.

Whatever has the best deals going on, whichever comes from a shop you prefer, those are the things to really consider. All the quads kick ass. They are all just amazing machines.

I suggest concentrating more on the offers being made (Cat has a 2 year extended warranty free right now for example, and $69 a month till 2010 if you wanted). I don't know about you, but my quad cost almost as much as the last pick up truck I bought.........so the deals and offers factored in heavily for me.

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2008 Arctic Cat 700 EFI M4
2008 Arctic Cat 90 2x4

Home of the free, BECAUSE of the brave

Edited: 04/25/2008 at 02:06 PM by TheSollyLama

bump

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Buck
06 eiger camo
2500 warn winch
26 in mud lite xtrs on type 7 black
soon quadworks power kit