I am looking to purchase a 4x4 ATV. Upgrading from the Honda Recon. There are so many to choose from so I am asking folks for your opinions for maneuverability, reliability, good clearance and power. I have been partial to Hondas as the Recon has been a very reliable unit. Have also been looking at the Pioneer 500 & 700 UTV's but lordy, they are proud of them. Of course some of the upper end ATV's are almost as pricey. Since I have not looked at purchasing an ATV since 1999, the Can Am's have come into existence and these look promising but I know little about them. Thanks in advance.

Honda Foreman or pioneer 1000

Honda

The pioneer will cover everything you own with mud. The jumpseats are nice but due to the design those floorboards will also fill with mud. Otherwise the vehicles are nice and if you won't be in mud I would think you would be happy with one.

Buy American.

We have a Pioneer 1000. I love it. It's not easy to maneuver if you are trying to freelance through the woods without an already established trail, but it handles everything else. I hauled a full load of grown men up and down our steep part of the mountain and everyone was impressed with the way it handle the task with ease.

With all of that said, If you go with a 4wheeler, I've always been partial to Honda. I don't have any experience with newer ATV's but always thought the Foremans in the 99-early 2000's were as good a 4wheeler as there has been.

Have had a ton of ATVs. All the way from the most expensive to the most economical. If I had to give up my Ranger today I would go straight out and buy another Grizzly 700 with power steering. More power than you will ever need, very nimble, extremely reliable, and by far the most comfortable to ride (other than a Polaris Sportsman).

Honda

If I ever buy another one, it will be another Honda 4x4 with manual shift and power steering.

Take a look at the Yamaha ATV's on the Lakehill Motors website. I'd go with a 700 or larger ATV if I were you. If I was getting an ATV I'd go with Yamaha. For a side by side I'd stick with Polaris because they're the industry leader and have been doing it longer than the others with the exception of the slow and sluggish (nearly bulletproof) Kawasaki Mule

dont by anything that doesnt have a big H on it somewhere, stick with a solid rear axle stay away from independent rear suspension unless you like replacing CV axles and control arm bushings regularly, and you can shift with your foot just as easily as you can press an electric shift button the foot shifter wont leave you stranded 5 miles in the woods when the solenoid fails. more bells and whistles = more repairs later. a rancher 420 or foreman 500 will both have all the power you will ever need swap the stock tires because honestly all oem tires are terrible throw something 2" taller on it youll have all the clearance you need anything bigger will void the warranty and is harder on drive train.

I bought a leftover fuel injected 700 Yamaha for less than what some guys are asking for used ones. Nicest riding 4 wheeler I've ever been on.

He speaks the truth. My 2010 700 Grizzly has required one battery replacement and nothing else but oil changes since brand new. It is the most impressive piece of equipment I have ever owned.

Just passing on knowledge learned.....There is an E-shift override on the machine and there is suppose to be a tool with the machine when bought new. If not they are cheap online. I just got my hands on a Rancher ES barn find and discovered the info researching it. Don't think a lot of people know.

Appreciate all the feedback !!

I wish I had bought another Suzuki my last purchase. Won’t make that mistake again.

Honda

Big red.

Another vote for the ranger sxs here. Once you do you'll never go back to a regular atv. Not the crew cab but the regular bench seater.