I’ve been a third party ATV mechanic for over ten years, and have personally owned several of each Polaris, Yamaha, and Honda ATV’s. Polaris quads are fast and fun, but I continuously have at least one Polaris in the shop getting an engine rebuild, not to mention electrical problems and clutch issues. Pretty much the only thing Honda’s come in for is oil changes and the odd CV axle. Take it for what it’s worth. Polaris parts are incredibly expensive, almost impossible to find aftermarket, and they’re a nightmare to work on.
I bought a 2020 sportsman 850 brand new, within the first 1k miles, all 4 wheel bearings were bad and all the suspension bushings were shot. I sold it and bought a 2022 Honda rancher 420 foot shift. I miss the power and comfortable ride of the polaris, but I know that honda will always get me home. Next machine will definitely be a grizzly 700
I'm with you.. We had a couple xp1000s with the issues ++++ .. Im over 1000ccs tho, rarely if ever get to use it all.. The Grizzly definitely strikes the right balance 👌
I can confirm this I’ve owned a lot of 4x4s over the years . The power house ones being 3 brute forces , one modded , and a sportsman 1000 premium. Just got my winch on my 22 grizzly and i just want to keep cruising on it . It just oozes quality feel . Mainly the ultramatic cvt is just so much better in my opinion than all other cvts . It’s butter smooth and with constant tension on the belt , it moves the second you move the throttle . It’s got enough power to have fun , and like chad said , I don’t think we ever rode the 1000 over 45-50mph anyway.
@@LSDdreams808 Yea it’s a great all around machine . Midrange power is pretty good , low end leaves a bit to be desired , but I’m used to brutes and a 1k sportsman lol. But that’s no issue . Well built machine and handles really well . The only thing I’ve noticed so far is what sounds like a heat shield rattle on the exhaust that’s annoying me , I’ll look it into it later . First order of business later is changing out the terrible stock tires lol.
Excellent comparison video gentlemen! As far as reliability is concerned, I've had 5 Honda's and not one issue with any of them other than torn boots and broken pieces as a result of poor operator decisions (we drive'em on rough trails) - lol. One of our regular's, Crazy Dave, owns an 800 Sportsman that he literally abuses the crap out of to the point that half the body is being held together by zip ties, yet has never had a breakdown. And then there's Taco's 550 Kitty. It hauls the big man's 350 lb carcass around with barely a complaint despite its odometer pushing 20,000 kms. I guess what I'm trying to say is they are all quite reliable when you consider what they are used for and how hard they are driven (on average). Thanx again for the awesome review boys!
Thanks Q!!! I liked having the Rubicon around, I used to sit on it in the Garage and pretend I was you... I even called Brian Taco which was very confusing for him without context.. Never did explain it... Seriously tho, I kept you in mind when we tested it because I've seen so many of your adventures!!
The Rubicon is by far the superior machine , ive owned all the japanese quads over the yrs there just superior build quality and function , I own Grizzlys love them last one was a Rubicon
Been running Hondas since 91’ and not much has changed, not the gnarliest machine but a reliable do all workhorse. Currently running a 21’ Rubicon foot shift. I don’t knock other brands I go with what has always served me well.
I have had my 2009 Honda rancher 420 foot shift for 13 year and I have beat the crap out of that thing and I have only had one problem with the fuel pump and it still running strong today
I've owned a 2001 Rubicon (solid rear axle, DCT), 2017 Polaris X2 (including engine braking and turf mode, the latter is great for driving on pavement) and my current 2016 Rubicon Custom DCT. I ride mostly on loose gravel desert terrain with steep hills, and the safety concern for the Polaris 4WD system is that the front diff does NOT engage when decelerating or going downhill (engine braking only works on the back wheels.) There were times when I would get 20-30 degrees sideways coming down a gravel hill in the Polaris. The Honda "always 4WD" system keeps the quad straight and easily controllable on the same downhills, and the manual DCT gear selection is FANTASTIC when in low range to precisely control downhill speed on hills (and when you need engine braking for a downhill then higher speed for a flat section then back to a steep downhill, you have 5 gears to select, varying top speed from 5 to 25 MPH all in low range.) That and there is no belt in the Hondas! Neither EPS impresses me, CanAm quads with EPS option allow multiple assist settings, I wish I had that to add assist when rock climbing!
Every Polaris should come with a mechanic. I’ve owned them & people I know as well who has problems with them. They are comphy to ride but look cheaply made. That front storage box is a nice feature when your not putting anything on the rack but I’ve seen so many of them broken off. I have a first Gen Rubicon that it’s hard to part with & I use it mostly for plowing snow. Only major problem is reverse lockout switch needed replaced & front a arm bushings but I never heard of a unhappy Honda owner except there under powered.
@@stevenmiddagh6265 i see plenty of 30+ year old Honda machines still out in the mountains running strong. How many quarter-century old Polaris quads are still out there kicking around?
@@highplainsdrifter9631 , alot where I live. I've ran Honda dirt bikes and street bikes for years, always had problems with them and so did other people. I switched to Polaris many years ago and yet to have a problem with them. Alot of people like Honda but the new ones aren't that good in my opinion. I will stay with Polaris. thanks but no thanks on a Honda.
I be had several Hondas throughout the years starting with a 110 3-wheeler through a 250R ATC and then into the quads with a 300 4x4, 400 4x4, 450 4x4 and the last was a 500 Rubicon and they were all very good. My biggest problem I see with the Polaris is the plastic racks back when I was riding hard with a bunch of extreme mudders when someone was stuck another person would push them out and sometimes those PoPo racks got broken
Great video guys... I have owned (my first and only) Honda Foreman TRX 500 a 2012 with ES and ESP and had good resale when I sold it spring of 2022. It wasn't 100% reliable either as I had freeze up between shifts in the gear, more so in colder sub zero weather and especially when going up a steep hill. Nothing pissed me off in being on a steep hill then having to get stopped by my shifter which I considered a safety issue. It didn't do it as often with more kilometers on it. Sold with 8000 kms or 5000 miles as it was getting dated and started getting into the bigger maintenance. That being said I purchased a 2022 Polaris 570 Trail Edition with the intention of keeping it for at least 4-5 hunting seasons and to be on the safe side got the extended warranty. Issues that was expected the clunking getting into all gears and sometimes take off, was explained by Polaris technician that its the way the clutch is set up and how the helix chucks slap into the gear mechanism. Now that it was explained, that is a quality and poor engineering issue from Polaris so I will hold them accountable should any failures happen during the warranty period. Also the gear shifter (handle) and how it works is substandard compared to the Japanese brands. It's like I'm putting an old tractor into gear. The plus side to the Polaris is the HP and plush suspension, ground clearance, and the AWD system (including low gear selection), the gearing and handling is way above the Honda's performance. In summary I think Honda has reliability and quality on its side for reputation. Polaris has over all better performance, handling and comfort. I'm an older guy at 59 and the comfort and performance was a consideration in my purchase. It was a trade off for reliability.
Just a follow up to my own posting the Polaris is gone replaced with 2023 Honda 420 Rancher quality and problems is an issue with the Polaris I would never buy a Polaris again Honda for the long run.
I like my 2007 Polaris 500HO, it has 5500 miles on it and zero issues. I recently changed the belt for the first time, but looking at the old belt you really could not see any wear. I will be replacing the springs this summer because they are getting tired.
I smoked my belt on my 2012 500ho 5 minutes after it being delivered at my door step, and at around 3,000 miles it was totally fucked. But I abuse my quads pretty hard so I had to go the yamaha route, it wasn’t much fun having the polaris in the shop every other ride
I have a 2008 500 HO and love it. I replaced the voltage regulator rectifier a couple years ago and recently replaced all the suspension bushings. Did both jobs myself. Glad some companies still make machines the average Joe can work on at home.
Great video, I bought a 2021 Polaris Sportsman 570 EPS in fall of 21 and had nothing but trouble. Fuel Guage didn't work day 1, took 2 months and several trips to the shop to fix. Bike would not turn over to start if it was below 40 degrees (bad during hunting season) and it was in the shop most of 21 hunting season. By 30 hours and 120 miles every bushing in the back squeaked, you can't mount a rifle to the front racks because it is all flimsy plastic held by one center hinge and two rubber straps that dry rot fast. I also had a hole in one rear cv boot that was there in 1 month. Just trail rode a few times and mostly around the farm hunting. Worst thing it did was go through several creeks less than halfway up the wheels. In 2022 Hunting season was stopped due to stop ride order recall so I had to wait for them to fix it. Piece of junk. The dealer eventually bought it back but I lost some money considering the headache and I didn't ride it much. Learned my lesson. It was a nice riding machine, looked awesome everyone loved it and it would climb any hill but I will take the rough riding Honda anytime.
My polaris was in the shop more than I rode it, then I read the comments like my polaris 2007 after 20,000 miles and I’ve had ZERO repairs, I’m like yeah ok bud
I bought the wife a 23' Polaris 450. Comes without engine braking for slower speed dirt-gravel road riding. I like the engine braking for myself riding much faster and aggressive at times. Main reason for buying the 450 Polaris for Her is the one brake does both front and back braking, simple and easy to use in rougher trail conditions. 4x4 on demand, again simple and easy to use. Comfortable seat and great suspension. Good selection in Rack accessories. She likes accessories and so do I. The new wench design is a awesome fitting accessory. I Had to have it on Her machine even though she didn't want it. Lets not forget how tough it looks, damm. I had Her test the 570 first. Big complaint is color selection for the 450, Green and Burnt Orange.
My 2022 Rubicon is sitting quietly in the garage. The FA7 blue color, deluxe. Can't wait to stick a lift and bigger tires on, really crawls through mud and performs wickedly nice.
I have a 2022 Polaris sportsman 450 and absolutely love it. I take it trail riding on tight trails and it’s holding up great. The ride is extremely comfortable compared to the straight axle Hondas I ride with, and the machine is very powerful too. I’m very pleased with its reliability so far. I chose the Polaris because I really like the suspension, look, and power. You can never go wrong with a Honda in most cases, but Polaris will always be the machine for me.
Congratulations on the new machine! I hope it does well for you.. The build quality had me a little concerned but it's definitely plush and comfortable!
My polaris was pretty good until around the 2,000-2,500 mile range then it was in the shop every other ride with each issue being more major than the last, after sinking in 3 grand in repairs in a short amount of time ,I just gave it to my dad to put around with on the farm and it’s been alright other than electrical issues since it’s not been abused by me. My grizzly I replaced it with in 2016 has only had a $70 starter I had to replace everything other than that it’s been awesome
Awesome review, I’m the person that would sacrifice all the positive options of the Polaris to go with the reliability of Honda. I or my family has owned Polaris trailblazers and scramblers of the past but you can beat the durability that the Japanese built atvs provide. Polaris has came a long way tho!
Thanks! Different flavors for everyone.. I have this problem where if I have an issue free ATV I tend to run it into inanimate objects because deep down I think I want to have to wrench on it a little bit 🤔
@@DirtObseXXion I have no issue with that flavor, shoot if I had more money, time, and resources on how to break down and fix everything on these machines these days, reckless abandonment would be my riding style of choice! My wife on the other hand, probably would have something so say about that hahah
@@AMan29892 yea it was a good starter quad but outside of joy riding trails it really wasn’t meant to be put thru any test. Just basic trail riding and jumping small jumps put so much hell on the machine, bearings, shocks, and the motor have all failed on ours. However those were early 2000 models. The new stuff looks way more dependable. When I got my first 400 ex back in 2005, it was like pure riding bliss. Until I got a 450. Then that was when I realized you cannot put a price on having a machine you know you can put to the test. Well there is a price, it’s 9400 before tax and title now LOL thanks yamaha
The long term maintenance records from my experience with both was Honda went 4000 miles before needing repairs , My Polaris had been in the repair shop 5 times by that time other than that Polaris seemed to be the one I liked to ride the most .
Great video boys, great honest reviews of both machines. Honestly if your a honda guy your gonna buy a honda if your a Polaris guy your gonna buy Polaris.
Both are nice machines, but you’ll be hard pressed to match the quality and durability of the Rubicon. I just bought a new 2024 Rubicon 520 with manual shift, and other than scant storage… it’s a world class machine.
I came back to this video because even though I'm still fighting my cancer I'm tired of listening to doctors I want to enjoy life while I'm here I thought about the Polaris but I think I'm going to get a rancher this time
Polaris has the ride and seat Honda has the reputation of reliability dependability and quality craftsmanship Honda beats Polaris by a MILE. I’ve owned both Honda by a MILE !!!
I will say my 2018 sportsman 570 is holding up better than my 1000.....almost 6000 miles on the 570 and no major issues, just maintenence items like bearings, a battery, and a belt. Both are meticulously maintained but the 1000 wears out things faster for sure.
I have an 18 sportsman 570 I've had zero issues . In my opinion anyone who likes riding hard isn't driving a Honda, sorry mite be reliable but wat about everything else. Now Hondas 2 wd stuff is beast. Oh and how much does it cost to rebuild a automatic Honda transmission cause they break just like everything else.🤔
Now what would your thoughts be on something like a brute 750? More power than both bikes, it's only a few hundred more expensive than the Rubi if you grab the last year's model and you get so many benefits compaired to the 5-600cc bikes. It's got the typical Japanese reliability.and just as big of an aftermarket support as Honda or can am.
I’d really like to see a sportsman 570 trail vs Grizzly 700 se or xtr comparison also can’t wait to see the new Outlander 700 vs grizzly. You guys to great videos!
It really cracks me up to hear people with no miles talking about how good their stuff is. I have a 2003 Honda 350 that's pulled moose and trucks and pulling cars off of snowbanks. It's out every year and until I got a 2015 I plowed with it every year. The only thing it needed was one brush in the starter.
Last year I looked at both bought the Honda Foreman I didn't get the Rubicon mainly because I wanted it old school. I have the live rear axle not independent suspension and the foot shifter no Auto push button anything no power steering even less to break. I really enjoy the machine the main selling Factor was I've always been a Honda person and the track record for Polaris reliability hasn't never been that great from what I've heard
Right on man 🤘 I have the exact same machine, 2021 model year. I wanted a no frills quad with old school character and features, and today the Honda Foreman is pretty much it. I like the natural engine braking that comes with a gearbox transmission and 1st gear ⚙️. I also appreciate the quality and fit + finish that Honda puts into their machines. Honda made its reputation on quality, durability and reliability. Good enough for me. If you had to choose one quad to have as your mount while exploring across the world, one would be crazy to choose the Polaris over the Honda.
I have owed several hondas they are reliable. But I have a 2012 Polaris 400 that I bought after it was sunk. It's not quite as reliable as my hondas but it's a lot nicer to ride on. I wish one of the manufacturers would make one with out the handle bar mounted light (useless with anything on the rack) and they could skip the fancy led screen too. Thanks for a good review
Both are good machines, Honda obviously has the durability of the Honda name but i dont know much about either to be hones.. I did skip forward until i see you two absolutely stunning men. Just a couple good looking dudes i tell ya lol
I own a Rancher 420 DCT and '20 Rubicon 520 and last year got a '23 Grizzly. The Grizzly really surprised me. Not only loads more power but the suspension is much better and a lot less engine vibration. It makes the hondas seem like riding a tractor.
Good comparison Boyz. Yeah Polaris always has the edge in ride quality in factory form over the Japanese units. Also Polaris has the lightweight steering which is great in slow tight trails but can be a little twitchy at high speeds I’ve noticed... cheers my friend!!
One thing I can appreciate in this video is the unbiased opinion, because when it comes to Honda versus Polaris, I’m Honda all the way. Lol. But you did give Polaris it diligence, as far as a fair race. But I do believe the DCT Transmission would have been much better competitor in this case. Lol.
I'd be Honda all the way too.. We had asked Honda for the foot shift model expecting it to feel different than it actually did. I thought it would feel more like a modern quick shift of a motorcycle, but it actually felt more like constant mesh clutch circa 1980s.. Point is, a DCT definitely would have been a better competitor.
I went with the 2023 sportsman 570cc vs the Honda 518cc or the cforce 600. I do a lot of trail riding in the mountains of Colorado and Utah. Like the suspension and power of the Polaris for a machine that usually carries both me and my wife. May have opted for the Honda if I was going to be riding alone.
I have a trv 500 "443" seems pretty great so far 400 miles of pinned trail riding. Yes seems a little underpowered top end had to stiff in the front shocks up two notches but it seems to hang with everything just fine and holding up
Yeaughhh!! New content brothers! If you’re gonna beat on them take the Rubicon without question . If you’re gonna be low mileage gentle use , low abuse , take the sportsman 450 for the comfort . But honestly in this current market offering my opinion only I’d skip both of these machines and just find a dealer not charging set up fees and buy a grizzly 700. 15hp more , high quality and similar price point while offering more performance. Most dealers right now are adding accessories and marking them up. I’ve literally seen those 450 sportsman’s marked at 9500-9800$ now . My new grizzly was $10,600 plus sales tax OTD. No fees of any sort . Glad to see new content chad ! And Brian too lol. Now one of y’all buy my excellent condition premium xp 1000 sporty so I can get it off my books 😂. Btw …..better buy soon , Yamaha is supposed to be doing a price increase in June , and Polaris just went up another 1000$ on the entry level sportsman 1000. It’s $15,499 msrp now !! Otd for most people will be around 18-18,500! . Absolutely insane e .
The prices are getting crazy!!!! I'll be after a Grizz eventually but I already made my annual purchase with the Africa Twin.. I'm definitely ready for another 4x4 tho...
After I’ve Owen a 2021 450 for a year it would be hard for me to go with something else I just think it’s a very power full reliable for me and trust me I rode it to its limits and nothing has broke just a control arm because I got it a wreck with it but that’s all that’s broke
My brand new 570 is already making a ticking noise from the tranny and engine. I don’t even ride hard. Only on the road and trails. This thing has plenty of power, BUT I’m not sure of the reliability. Ive literally had the belt slip twice because of literal puddles. I don’t intend to mud ever. But this machine is very worrying. I’m not the type of person to be worried 24/7 while riding, but with the Polaris I am. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good machine. But I’m not gonna buy another Polaris. At 7:23 in the video. Those puddles look like giants compared to what I went through, surprised the belt didn’t slip or that you didn’t have any other problems. Wishing I went with a Honda or can am.
Dude that sucks to hear... It's way to common with those machines.. The 450 did pretty well while we had it but we only had it a few weeks. I'm a Yamaha fan personally...
@@DirtObseXXion well it’s definitely can am time lol. And the thing is my buddy has the same machine with the same but minimal problems. His is perfect even tho he rides it hard! And when I say hard! I mean jumps, mudding, the whole 9 yards and it’s perfect! Maybe I got one of the “bad” ones but idk. We’ll see how his takes his beatings, for now I’m gonna get it looked at.
@@topboy8395 We've had good luck with CanAms too... I think Polaris has inconsistent quality for sure.. We have some folks tell us they'd never had an issue.. Our personal experience hasn't been as good..
Nice trails, where is the ride area? I have a 2009 420 Honda Foreman with 4000 Kms. Love my foot shift manual, almost always find the right gear instinctively. An excellent fun reliable machine. I’ve ridden a few other machines but not enough to justify a comparison. Wish ii could get a 520 Rubicon manual shift but a) none are available in British Columbia & b) over $14,000 Canadian all in - yea too rich for me right now.
Those trails are on private property near where we live in Kentucky.. We take care of them inexchange for permission to ride there.. Pretty sweet deal! Yeah, that price is steep on a mid displacement ATV, even if it is Honda..
I have a polaris 22 sportsman trail edition and after only having it a month the belt went out on it and the seal in side the drive belt compartment was leaking oil,and unfortunately polaris tried real hard not to cover this under warranty but finally gave in after lots of emails,so if i knew then what i know now i would never had bought a polaris!!
I wanna see a video like this between the king quad 750 , the brute force , and the grizzly, and maybe the canam 570 and sportsman 570 , they are close in power I think to those 700s
I have a 2018 570 sports men , I brought it new , I am very happy with it . Other than putting racks on it my self And changing oil I have had no trouble with it . 🤗
Can we be honest here,..........anything Honda is 10x better than Polaris. I used to get on the Polaris forums and laughed myself sick because all (most) the comments were,.......how do I fix my Polaris or where can I get cheap parts or does anyone else have this problem or sportsman 500 for sale cheap (money pits)
So I'm old and bad lower back that said I have NEVER OWNED OR RIDEN A ATV BUT YOUR VIDEO'S ON KINGQUAD AND THE HONDA HAS ME WONDERING WHITCH IS BETER FOR JUST PUTERING AROUND AND FARM,YARD WORK PLESE HELP?
I think the Honda's ride a little bit rougher than the KingQuad personally.. Yamaha's Kodiak or Grizzly might be a better option though.. Their seats are much softer and the suspension is more plush than both the Honda and KingQuad
I'm 60 , just bought my first atv a month ago , got a 570 2022 utillity polaris with the power steering . From what I read it rides the best . And it does ... But before I took it for a ride I bought the tool x2 needed to grease the bearings . Bought the 3 inch pipe to do the cvt exhaused mod . Wiped used motor oil over the CV boots and bushings ( keep from drying up ) Seems to me it all depends on what day the machine was made . Some folks get a monday or a Friday . Dont matter what you buy these days , you have to improve on it ,eq ( add lock washers ) do the mods .
Thank you! I wish we could.. We'd have to find owners willing to let us test them.. MFGs aren't typically willing to loan out their smaller displacement ATVs because sell well without promotion.. We were lucky to get these.. But we will if we get the opportunity.. And if Kawasaki releases something similar on June 7th, I'll do a video comparing all of them.
I did a 99 foreman vs 2008 sportsman comparison this year. Bought the foreman cause my bosses sportsman died off the Ramps before I could even work it. The 99 took its place and has paid for itself.
The Older Sportsman 500 were well made, 2005, etc. I did the mistake of buying a 2-up 2018 570 with power steering. I sold it 6 months later. Polaris power steering is all over, hard to keep on the road. Brought it into the dealer to have fixed, they said it is made that way. I will be buying an older 500 without power steering, way more control. Seems like the newer the product, the lesser quality.
Yeah, you're spot on.. Those older 500s were great! My parents have an 03 500 that has been flawless.. Wish I could say the same for the new ones... but...
Where would Honda's DCT fall at in this comparison? Also, the Honda Foreman seems to be what most of the dealers promote sighting the solid axle as superior for most riding. I would be interested in your thoughts.
You mean the DCT in Automatic mode? It's geared so it never really shifts exactly when you expect it to.. Earlier than expected up, later than expected down.. It doesn't really matter unless you're try to ride it aggressively. With the DCT, you can idle and take off in 5th gear, it just won't be in the power until the rpms come up.. This is the Foreman Rubicon and it's Honda's flagship ATV but yeah they still have solid axle Forman 420s.. There's pros and cons to both.. IRS has a more comfortable ride and better ground clearance. A solid axle is more stable in turns, less body roll, and probably better at towing and certain work tasks.
Nice comparison! I would like to see how far both quads went on a gallon of gas, riding together like this. While I like the idea of 90hp on paper, it doesn't make sense on the trail 90% of the time in my opinion. Plus, with the price tag on the 1000cc atvs, the mfgs can go piss up a rope! The 500-700cc are not cheap either but it is what it is. Honda 520 Rubicon foot shift eps=great utility and reliability with sacrifices in speed. Polaris 570 Utility=less reliability but with utility and speed. Might the Yamaha Grizzly 700 be the best of both worlds? If I was shopping right now I'd end up with one of these 3 machines.
I’ve owned about every brand of major brand 4 wheelers and Polaris is the only thing I can ride with my bad lower back. It’s so smooth and comfy and I’ve got about 2500 miles no problems yet. Maybe I’m lucky but I never have issues with my Polaris’s over the years. They are absolute tanks.
Can’t go wrong with either machine. They’re both capable. Sometimes things break quickly sometimes they don’t. I have a 2018 and 2022 Polaris 450. I love them.
I buy American made unless there are performance losses. Did you not know there are 3 levels of steering assist? Belt drive vs shifting, KISS. The AWD system has been proven superior by many tests. This was a good video showing the rider input,feedback. I like smooth
There's 3 levels of steering assist now, but they didn't have it when I did this video.. Im with you on the American stuff, but Polaris really has to improve their quality control IMO..
@@DirtObseXXion IDK. So far the Genny 22 XP and thumper (570) Sportsman utility, have been trouble free. And thumper wears a plow in the winter months. I have never locked on a brand, But Unless we talk hard data I cannot say my machines are unreliable. If they were, they would be outa here.
@chrishill1286 Oh that's good!. Ive had very bad luck with Polaris.. 2018 XP1000, in the first year it went through 3 clutch bearings, front diff, fuel pump, Guage cluster all suspension bushings and bearings, friend bought a 19, same issue.. I test ATVs for a bigger media outlet, last 570 we had didn't make it to the first filming location before both rear axles snapped.. The SXSs are worse.. But that's just my experience.. If you're having good luck, that's great and I'm happy to hear it!!!
I had to chuckle at all of the times you said the function of the Polaris was better, but your guys preferred the Honda. :) No prebiase there at all. I have a 2016 Sportsman 450 and a 2018 Sportsman 850. They are the Cadillac of 4 wheelers. The 450 is very quick and nimble, the 850 has monster power and is super plush. I couldnt ask for anything more, and will never buy anything else. I've had Honda's and Yamahas. If I had a Honda now it would last forever, because it would sit in the shed while I enjoyed my polaris machines .
We just know the Polaris won't last long.. We've had terrible luck with Polaris ATVs. Bad, clutches, blown diffs, bad fuel pumps, bad steering stems, bushings that only last 800 miles, engine mounts breaking, a test unit 570 that broke both rear axles within the first 5mins and janky fit and finish.. The old 500s were really good but their quality has taken a dive.. That's just been our experience with them, so yes there's definitely some bias.. But if you've had better luck with them that's great because they are comfortable and they do ride very well..
Bought a 21 Polaris 850 couldnt be happier with it the comfort and power. Polaris and canam is where it’s at, twin power. Honda needs to go to belt drive, who likes changing gears, and build a bigger motor for god sakes. Still a old mans bike imo, about as fun as riding a bicycle.
A rubicon with low and high gear on a footshift would be perfect with a 700cc, but Honda has its own race quad vs utility quad and they dont want to mix on both types of quads
I've got a newer foot shifted Honda Foreman 520, and that is a bulletproof transmission. No belts to slip or break, and they last forever. I also like the ability to choose 2WD or 4WD, and diff lock is available if necessary. The solid rear axle is proven, and it's also stable in turns. Honda products simply work and last. You can throw a rock in any direction and hit someone riding a 30 or even 40 year old Honda. And the old Honda machines still sell for good prices. You can't give away an old Polaris. Honda may not build the fastest quad, but they're stone cold reliable, easy to work on, and fit and finish is second to none. A gearbox transmission holds up better under heavy use and in the long run. Yamaha builds a great machine as well. If I wanted speed I'd get a two stroke dirtbike.
@@highplainsdrifter9631 hey whatever floats your goat. I like the rider comfort and power. I’ve owned Hondas they just aren’t fun to ride I don’t care how reliable they are.
@@DirtObseXXion god no haha i raced camp coker gna do a couple NYOA’s this year and maybe catch another GNCC. Taking a season off as far as a points run goes def looking into some meetups w other riders maybe we can plan something 🤔
One thing that always sucks about these reviews is they arent able to speak for the long term maintenance cost and reliability of the machines. Polaris makes some bad ass macines and for a much more attractive price but unfortunately they accomplish that by making sacrifices that will cost you down the trail
I’ve owned a Honda foreman, canned ham, and a Polaris. The honda is 22 years old and I couldn’t kill it if I wanted to. The can am made it 9 months before it took a shit, the sportsman was the biggest piece of shit ever. Finally went with Grizzly 700 XTR, best machine I’ve ever owned.
@@DirtObseXXion it wasn’t the Rotax, it was the everything else. plastics were thin garbage, handle Bars bent on a tough trail, throttle enclosure was cheap cast metal and it cracked, and so on and so on.
I live in Canada and absolutely love my 2020 honda rancher 420 with foot shift and straight axle, plus i have a backup pull start that does not come on most quads besides honda and the suzuki king quad 400 models. I noticed the rubicon model you had has the backup pull start or it looked like it did. I would take the straight axle over independent just for pure hauling loads on a trailer and high speed corners are way nicer then with independent. I myself grew up with race quads so the rancher was just sounded perfect for me and its faster then the foreman or rubicon. Awesome video as always, i wish there was 2 episodes a week.
It had a hideaway where the pull start might be but it doesn't actually have a pull start.. Im with you on the straight axle! Thanks man! I gotta plan for more content, just needed a little break...
This was a decent review for the casual rider/user. I definitely prefer the Polaris's, mine have all been reliable, I have a 01 400 with 17,500 miles on it that runs great. I feel like the people complaining about the wheel bearings and bushings don't own a grease gun, and yes there is an adapter you can grease the "sealed" wheel bearings with. The ride, power, and capability of the Polaris machines is far ahead of everyone, except Can Am. Trail, pulling a1000lbs of wood, work, mud, rock crawling, mine have done well with it all. I even towed a 18ft ranger boat with an old 2 stroke Trailboss 350L with a bunch of counter weight on the front rack. Now I don't like the 4wd systems of the other brands because you have to lock the diffs. Polaris just runs a ring and pinion, there is no spider assembly to have open diff operation. I love how the Hillard clutch operates that engages the front diff (or hubs on the older machines) and if you know how it operates, when riding it is the most versatile, truly on demand system. Yes Honda's are reliable, but if it's not comfortable, capable of getting you home, or getting the job done what's point?
Great perspective! I will say this; my folks have an 03 Sportsman 500 ho... It's a top notch wheeler, but I had an 18 xp1000 and my good buddy had a 19 model, they were both garbage and that's with meticulous maintenance including greasing the sealed bearings... The components couldn't hold up to the weight and power of the machines.. I don't think Polaris makes em like they did 20 years ago..
@@DirtObseXXion I got a 17 850 thats got 4700 miles on it. I only put 150miles on it but has alright. My best friend has a 19 850 Highlifter he got new and its been rock solid, even tuned and lifted. We have a guy in the group whos got a 18 Honda Rubicon, which has been ok. Not the most water tight machine we found out. Also its got stuck twice between gears and died. Once was tumbling into a ravine (understandable) the other was a panic stop. Takes a lot to get it to a gear after that.
@@DirtObseXXion Wondering if you guys have seen that issue with Hondas or if it is just his. Yes the high HP xp chassis's are harder on parts although it could be worse when your are in the 70-90HP
@@98dodge360v8 That's not the first I've heard of transmission issues on the Hondas, but never personally experienced it.. We don't see a lot of em either tho.. Everyone has SXSs around us 🤷♂️
Honda is definitely getting you home. The reliability of a Honda ATV is second to none. Honestly I think Kawasaki & Yamaha build just as good of a machine. I simply prefer the actual gearbox of a Honda quad. But if there's an ATV that you can depend on in the worst of circumstances, it's a Honda. A Honda will always get you home.
Hondas DCT shifts a lot faster than I've ever seen anyone shift a manual... so for sporty shifting, thats a better option. And if you drive it like its a sports car, and know how to make it work for you, they perform beautifully
@@DirtObseXXion its all personal opinion, but to me it absolutely feels like a sports car, the way it shifts. CVTs just don't feel right to me, I get their appeal for sure but they're just not my style 🤘
Honda Reliability is hard to beat I have owned 4 total, and I prefer Honda. Polaris is not bad and has more power cumulatively , but not important for me to do 60 mph. just work when I start
Purchased a 2003 Polaris sportsman 500 ho before they added a bunch of cheap plastic features to their brand. Would still rather have a metal rack, but overall, machine runs great. Happy that I went with older well made items vs new junk.
I bought my 2021 Rubicon brand new and absolutely loved it sadly a month after I owned it I was struck down with cancer I finally made the tough decision to sell it 3 months ago some lucky soul got it at a good price it only had 24 mi on it My doctors wouldn't allow me to ride. I bought it on payments but always made double payments so I had it down like $2,600 and sold it to somebody with that low mileage not a single scratch on the plastics or anything for $5,000. Cancer medication is a real reality folks co-payments of $2,500 is not unheard of for one medication. I hope to get another quad one day but it's going to take my wallet a long time to rebound. Once you get some miles on the Honda the foot shifter works like butter
The polaris sportsman 2020 and up is designed to be took to the shop. Damn winch completely blocks the front diff fill plug... also the front started growling and then went away . Idk i changed the front fluid and washed it good and its been silent since. Im gonna say polaris is okay but have went "modern" in design hence the stupid fill plug in the front diff.
I’ve been a third party ATV mechanic for over ten years, and have personally owned several of each Polaris, Yamaha, and Honda ATV’s. Polaris quads are fast and fun, but I continuously have at least one Polaris in the shop getting an engine rebuild, not to mention electrical problems and clutch issues. Pretty much the only thing Honda’s come in for is oil changes and the odd CV axle. Take it for what it’s worth. Polaris parts are incredibly expensive, almost impossible to find aftermarket, and they’re a nightmare to work on.
Picked up 2023 Rubicon today and put it through its paces. Fantastic machine!
And the break in periods, are not observed
good choie
better than the foreman?
@@thomasj396 the sticker say foreman rubicon deluxe DCT. It's a beast for sure
2020 Honda Rubicon 520 going on 11k km and not a single issue. I work the wheeler hard and pile the kms on the trail. Awesome 4wheeler. No complaint.
Love hearing from owners, thank you!
I bought a 2020 sportsman 850 brand new, within the first 1k miles, all 4 wheel bearings were bad and all the suspension bushings were shot. I sold it and bought a 2022 Honda rancher 420 foot shift. I miss the power and comfortable ride of the polaris, but I know that honda will always get me home. Next machine will definitely be a grizzly 700
I'm with you.. We had a couple xp1000s with the issues ++++ .. Im over 1000ccs tho, rarely if ever get to use it all.. The Grizzly definitely strikes the right balance 👌
I can confirm this I’ve owned a lot of 4x4s over the years . The power house ones being 3 brute forces , one modded , and a sportsman 1000 premium. Just got my winch on my 22 grizzly and i just want to keep cruising on it . It just oozes quality feel . Mainly the ultramatic cvt is just so much better in my opinion than all other cvts . It’s butter smooth and with constant tension on the belt , it moves the second you move the throttle . It’s got enough power to have fun , and like chad said , I don’t think we ever rode the 1000 over 45-50mph anyway.
@@joekearney yamaha dont mess around if i was in the market for a 4x4 the grizzly 700 would be fun
@@LSDdreams808 Yea it’s a great all around machine . Midrange power is pretty good , low end leaves a bit to be desired , but I’m used to brutes and a 1k sportsman lol. But that’s no issue . Well built machine and handles really well . The only thing I’ve noticed so far is what sounds like a heat shield rattle on the exhaust that’s annoying me , I’ll look it into it later . First order of business later is changing out the terrible stock tires lol.
From a person who’s had two grizzly 700 you will wish you stuck with the Polaris I’m not lying
Excellent comparison video gentlemen! As far as reliability is concerned, I've had 5 Honda's and not one issue with any of them other than torn boots and broken pieces as a result of poor operator decisions (we drive'em on rough trails) - lol. One of our regular's, Crazy Dave, owns an 800 Sportsman that he literally abuses the crap out of to the point that half the body is being held together by zip ties, yet has never had a breakdown. And then there's Taco's 550 Kitty. It hauls the big man's 350 lb carcass around with barely a complaint despite its odometer pushing 20,000 kms.
I guess what I'm trying to say is they are all quite reliable when you consider what they are used for and how hard they are driven (on average).
Thanx again for the awesome review boys!
Thanks Q!!! I liked having the Rubicon around, I used to sit on it in the Garage and pretend I was you... I even called Brian Taco which was very confusing for him without context.. Never did explain it... Seriously tho, I kept you in mind when we tested it because I've seen so many of your adventures!!
@@DirtObseXXion . . . lol - poor Brian!
The Rubicon is by far the superior machine , ive owned all the japanese quads over the yrs there just superior build quality and function , I own Grizzlys love them last one was a Rubicon
Na
Ya
Been running Hondas since 91’ and not much has changed, not the gnarliest machine but a reliable do all workhorse. Currently running a 21’ Rubicon foot shift. I don’t knock other brands I go with what has always served me well.
is it top heavy?
I have had my 2009 Honda rancher 420 foot shift for 13 year and I have beat the crap out of that thing and I have only had one problem with the fuel pump and it still running strong today
I've owned a 2001 Rubicon (solid rear axle, DCT), 2017 Polaris X2 (including engine braking and turf mode, the latter is great for driving on pavement) and my current 2016 Rubicon Custom DCT. I ride mostly on loose gravel desert terrain with steep hills, and the safety concern for the Polaris 4WD system is that the front diff does NOT engage when decelerating or going downhill (engine braking only works on the back wheels.) There were times when I would get 20-30 degrees sideways coming down a gravel hill in the Polaris. The Honda "always 4WD" system keeps the quad straight and easily controllable on the same downhills, and the manual DCT gear selection is FANTASTIC when in low range to precisely control downhill speed on hills (and when you need engine braking for a downhill then higher speed for a flat section then back to a steep downhill, you have 5 gears to select, varying top speed from 5 to 25 MPH all in low range.) That and there is no belt in the Hondas! Neither EPS impresses me, CanAm quads with EPS option allow multiple assist settings, I wish I had that to add assist when rock climbing!
Every Polaris should come with a mechanic.
I’ve owned them & people I know as well who has problems with them. They are comphy to ride but look cheaply made. That front storage box is a nice feature when your not putting anything on the rack but I’ve seen so many of them broken off. I have a first Gen Rubicon that it’s hard to part with & I use it mostly for plowing snow. Only major problem is reverse lockout switch needed replaced & front a arm bushings but I never heard of a unhappy Honda owner except there under powered.
Polaris is onsidered junk around here!
There is plenty of un happy Honda owners
@@billbarry2984 , Polaris is all I run . No problems at all
@@stevenmiddagh6265 i see plenty of 30+ year old Honda machines still out in the mountains running strong. How many quarter-century old Polaris quads are still out there kicking around?
@@highplainsdrifter9631 , alot where I live. I've ran Honda dirt bikes and street bikes for years, always had problems with them and so did other people. I switched to Polaris many years ago and yet to have a problem with them. Alot of people like Honda but the new ones aren't that good in my opinion. I will stay with Polaris. thanks but no thanks on a Honda.
Both are great machines. I've owned both, and both never let me down.
I be had several Hondas throughout the years starting with a 110 3-wheeler through a 250R ATC and then into the quads with a 300 4x4, 400 4x4, 450 4x4 and the last was a 500 Rubicon and they were all very good. My biggest problem I see with the Polaris is the plastic racks back when I was riding hard with a bunch of extreme mudders when someone was stuck another person would push them out and sometimes those PoPo racks got broken
Thanks Stacy! Yeah those racks aren't hanging on by much...
I’ve never met a single person who regretted buying a Honda.
Well said
Good video and comparison.
I sure wish Honda would update the Rincon…. With EPS, diff lock, and make it a 800cc.
Thanks
Yeah definitely! It needs suspension and a different transmission too..
Great video guys... I have owned (my first and only) Honda Foreman TRX 500 a 2012 with ES and ESP and had good resale when I sold it spring of 2022. It wasn't 100% reliable either as I had freeze up between shifts in the gear, more so in colder sub zero weather and especially when going up a steep hill. Nothing pissed me off in being on a steep hill then having to get stopped by my shifter which I considered a safety issue. It didn't do it as often with more kilometers on it. Sold with 8000 kms or 5000 miles as it was getting dated and started getting into the bigger maintenance.
That being said I purchased a 2022 Polaris 570 Trail Edition with the intention of keeping it for at least 4-5 hunting seasons and to be on the safe side got the extended warranty.
Issues that was expected the clunking getting into all gears and sometimes take off, was explained by Polaris technician that its the way the clutch is set up and how the helix chucks slap into the gear mechanism. Now that it was explained, that is a quality and poor engineering issue from Polaris so I will hold them accountable should any failures happen during the warranty period. Also the gear shifter (handle) and how it works is substandard compared to the Japanese brands. It's like I'm putting an old tractor into gear.
The plus side to the Polaris is the HP and plush suspension, ground clearance, and the AWD system (including low gear selection), the gearing and handling is way above the Honda's performance.
In summary I think Honda has reliability and quality on its side for reputation. Polaris has over all better performance, handling and comfort. I'm an older guy at 59 and the comfort and performance was a consideration in my purchase. It was a trade off for reliability.
Great comment! Thank you for sharing your experiences, it helps inform all the folks looking into these machines!
Just a follow up to my own posting the Polaris is gone replaced with 2023 Honda 420 Rancher quality and problems is an issue with the Polaris I would never buy a Polaris again Honda for the long run.
I own 2007 Polaris 700 EFI I beat it out and still running now. Awesome machine. Remember!! Kept it clean and wash it well. After done ridding it.. 👍🏼
I like my 2007 Polaris 500HO, it has 5500 miles on it and zero issues. I recently changed the belt for the first time, but looking at the old belt you really could not see any wear. I will be replacing the springs this summer because they are getting tired.
Nice! Those older 500s were really solid..
I smoked my belt on my 2012 500ho 5 minutes after it being delivered at my door step, and at around 3,000 miles it was totally fucked. But I abuse my quads pretty hard so I had to go the yamaha route, it wasn’t much fun having the polaris in the shop every other ride
I have a 2008 500 HO and love it. I replaced the voltage regulator rectifier a couple years ago and recently replaced all the suspension bushings. Did both jobs myself. Glad some companies still make machines the average Joe can work on at home.
I hace a sportsman Efi x2 2007 with 10,000 miles, i replaced regulator and stator and runs good
@@jorgetorres8068 The old Fuji engine is bulletproof.
Great video, I bought a 2021 Polaris Sportsman 570 EPS in fall of 21 and had nothing but trouble. Fuel Guage didn't work day 1, took 2 months and several trips to the shop to fix. Bike would not turn over to start if it was below 40 degrees (bad during hunting season) and it was in the shop most of 21 hunting season. By 30 hours and 120 miles every bushing in the back squeaked, you can't mount a rifle to the front racks because it is all flimsy plastic held by one center hinge and two rubber straps that dry rot fast. I also had a hole in one rear cv boot that was there in 1 month. Just trail rode a few times and mostly around the farm hunting. Worst thing it did was go through several creeks less than halfway up the wheels.
In 2022 Hunting season was stopped due to stop ride order recall so I had to wait for them to fix it. Piece of junk. The dealer eventually bought it back but I lost some money considering the headache and I didn't ride it much. Learned my lesson. It was a nice riding machine, looked awesome everyone loved it and it would climb any hill but I will take the rough riding Honda anytime.
I hate to hear that brother, but our experience with Polaris ATVs haven't been much better.. We stick with Japanese machines now too
My polaris was in the shop more than I rode it, then I read the comments like my polaris 2007 after 20,000 miles and I’ve had ZERO repairs, I’m like yeah ok bud
Both machines were surprisingly fun for trail ripping and if you’re into work they would be good for that as well! Good review DO 💪
I'm glad we're not into work....
@@DirtObseXXion Yeah for sure Ain’t nobody got time for that!
I bought the wife a 23' Polaris 450. Comes without engine braking for slower speed dirt-gravel road riding. I like the engine braking for myself riding much faster and aggressive at times. Main reason for buying the 450 Polaris for Her is the one brake does both front and back braking, simple and easy to use in rougher trail conditions. 4x4 on demand, again simple and easy to use. Comfortable seat and great suspension. Good selection in Rack accessories. She likes accessories and so do I. The new wench design is a awesome fitting accessory. I Had to have it on Her machine even though she didn't want it. Lets not forget how tough it looks, damm. I had Her test the 570 first. Big complaint is color selection for the 450, Green and Burnt Orange.
My 2022 Rubicon is sitting quietly in the garage. The FA7 blue color, deluxe. Can't wait to stick a lift and bigger tires on, really crawls through mud and performs wickedly nice.
Honda all day. Just better build quality and reliability.
Build quality was visibly better for sure..
If they only made a 2 up they'd dominate again
You’ve got that right 👍🏻
You can compare a Honda to anything and say that
Is that what someone told you? I bet you have never had either one of them.
I have a 2022 Polaris sportsman 450 and absolutely love it. I take it trail riding on tight trails and it’s holding up great. The ride is extremely comfortable compared to the straight axle Hondas I ride with, and the machine is very powerful too. I’m very pleased with its reliability so far. I chose the Polaris because I really like the suspension, look, and power. You can never go wrong with a Honda in most cases, but Polaris will always be the machine for me.
Congratulations on the new machine! I hope it does well for you.. The build quality had me a little concerned but it's definitely plush and comfortable!
@@DirtObseXXion yeah I hope it continues to hold up well
I have the same machine
My polaris was pretty good until around the 2,000-2,500 mile range then it was in the shop every other ride with each issue being more major than the last, after sinking in 3 grand in repairs in a short amount of time ,I just gave it to my dad to put around with on the farm and it’s been alright other than electrical issues since it’s not been abused by me. My grizzly I replaced it with in 2016 has only had a $70 starter I had to replace everything other than that it’s been awesome
Awesome review, I’m the person that would sacrifice all the positive options of the Polaris to go with the reliability of Honda. I or my family has owned Polaris trailblazers and scramblers of the past but you can beat the durability that the Japanese built atvs provide. Polaris has came a long way tho!
Thanks! Different flavors for everyone.. I have this problem where if I have an issue free ATV I tend to run it into inanimate objects because deep down I think I want to have to wrench on it a little bit 🤔
We got a trailblazer 250 and it didn’t even last a year for me
@@DirtObseXXion I have no issue with that flavor, shoot if I had more money, time, and resources on how to break down and fix everything on these machines these days, reckless abandonment would be my riding style of choice! My wife on the other hand, probably would have something so say about that hahah
@@AMan29892 yea it was a good starter quad but outside of joy riding trails it really wasn’t meant to be put thru any test. Just basic trail riding and jumping small jumps put so much hell on the machine, bearings, shocks, and the motor have all failed on ours. However those were early 2000 models. The new stuff looks way more dependable. When I got my first 400 ex back in 2005, it was like pure riding bliss. Until I got a 450. Then that was when I realized you cannot put a price on having a machine you know you can put to the test. Well there is a price, it’s 9400 before tax and title now LOL thanks yamaha
Having owned Polaris and Honda I will take Honda every time
Nice! Thanks for the input!
The long term maintenance records from my experience with both was Honda went 4000 miles before needing repairs , My Polaris had been in the repair shop 5 times by that time other than that Polaris seemed to be the one I liked to ride the most .
Great video boys, great honest reviews of both machines. Honestly if your a honda guy your gonna buy a honda if your a Polaris guy your gonna buy Polaris.
Yep! Good point... Thanks!
Both are nice machines, but you’ll be hard pressed to match the quality and durability of the Rubicon. I just bought a new 2024 Rubicon 520 with manual shift, and other than scant storage… it’s a world class machine.
No argument here!
You recommend the 2024 Rubicons?
how's that Rubicon doing? Still recommend it? I'm buying a new bike soon and torn between Rubicon, Grizzly, and King Quad
No storage and gutless
I love my 2022 rubicon , I have also a rzr turbo and to be honest I found more exiting riding my quad 🥰
I came back to this video because even though I'm still fighting my cancer I'm tired of listening to doctors I want to enjoy life while I'm here I thought about the Polaris but I think I'm going to get a rancher this time
I hope you find something, life is worth enjoying! Fight hard brother!
04 Honda Foreman es 2" lift 26" swamp lites. Still going strong.
Polaris has the ride and seat
Honda has the reputation of reliability dependability and quality craftsmanship Honda beats Polaris by a MILE. I’ve owned both Honda by a MILE !!!
I will say my 2018 sportsman 570 is holding up better than my 1000.....almost 6000 miles on the 570 and no major issues, just maintenence items like bearings, a battery, and a belt. Both are meticulously maintained but the 1000 wears out things faster for sure.
Definitely agree with that... Ive had my fill of 1000cc ATVs to be honest.. The power is cool but the size and weight is too much
I have an 18 sportsman 570 I've had zero issues . In my opinion anyone who likes riding hard isn't driving a Honda, sorry mite be reliable but wat about everything else. Now Hondas 2 wd stuff is beast. Oh and how much does it cost to rebuild a automatic Honda transmission cause they break just like everything else.🤔
So raw!!!!!! 2 fun little rippers!
Ur a fun lil ripper...
Now what would your thoughts be on something like a brute 750? More power than both bikes, it's only a few hundred more expensive than the Rubi if you grab the last year's model and you get so many benefits compaired to the 5-600cc bikes. It's got the typical Japanese reliability.and just as big of an aftermarket support as Honda or can am.
All true.. Im actually working on a Brute Force video right now, just taking a little break.. Hope to have it done and posted this week..
I’d really like to see a sportsman 570 trail vs Grizzly 700 se or xtr comparison also can’t wait to see the new Outlander 700 vs grizzly. You guys to great videos!
How does Honda make all of their atv's sound alike. If I hear an atv coming down the trail I can always tell if it's a Honda.
Lol! Yeah that's true, they have a signature..
It really cracks me up to hear people with no miles talking about how good their stuff is.
I have a 2003 Honda 350 that's pulled moose and trucks and pulling cars off of snowbanks.
It's out every year and until I got a 2015 I plowed with it every year. The only thing it needed was one brush in the starter.
Last year I looked at both bought the Honda Foreman I didn't get the Rubicon mainly because I wanted it old school. I have the live rear axle not independent suspension and the foot shifter no Auto push button anything no power steering even less to break. I really enjoy the machine the main selling Factor was I've always been a Honda person and the track record for Polaris reliability hasn't never been that great from what I've heard
All fair points I'd say...
Right on man 🤘 I have the exact same machine, 2021 model year. I wanted a no frills quad with old school character and features, and today the Honda Foreman is pretty much it. I like the natural engine braking that comes with a gearbox transmission and 1st gear ⚙️. I also appreciate the quality and fit + finish that Honda puts into their machines. Honda made its reputation on quality, durability and reliability. Good enough for me. If you had to choose one quad to have as your mount while exploring across the world, one would be crazy to choose the Polaris over the Honda.
The one most critical aspect of these machines is durability...And that is where the dual ends...Honda...Hands down!!!
I have owed several hondas they are reliable. But I have a 2012 Polaris 400 that I bought after it was sunk. It's not quite as reliable as my hondas but it's a lot nicer to ride on. I wish one of the manufacturers would make one with out the handle bar mounted light (useless with anything on the rack) and they could skip the fancy led screen too. Thanks for a good review
Both are good machines, Honda obviously has the durability of the Honda name but i dont know much about either to be hones.. I did skip forward until i see you two absolutely stunning men. Just a couple good looking dudes i tell ya lol
BEEFCAKES!!!! Thanks PISTY!
I own a Rancher 420 DCT and '20 Rubicon 520 and last year got a '23 Grizzly. The Grizzly really surprised me. Not only loads more power but the suspension is much better and a lot less engine vibration. It makes the hondas seem like riding a tractor.
I'd have to agree with you there.. The Honda ride feels very old school.. They somehow managed to make IRS feel like a solid axle
Good comparison Boyz. Yeah Polaris always has the edge in ride quality in factory form over the Japanese units.
Also Polaris has the lightweight steering which is great in slow tight trails but can be a little twitchy at high speeds I’ve noticed... cheers my friend!!
Definitely true! Thanks KC, hope yall enjoy the ride season!
One thing I can appreciate in this video is the unbiased opinion, because when it comes to Honda versus Polaris, I’m Honda all the way. Lol. But you did give Polaris it diligence, as far as a fair race. But I do believe the DCT Transmission would have been much better competitor in this case. Lol.
I'd be Honda all the way too.. We had asked Honda for the foot shift model expecting it to feel different than it actually did. I thought it would feel more like a modern quick shift of a motorcycle, but it actually felt more like constant mesh clutch circa 1980s.. Point is, a DCT definitely would have been a better competitor.
Great comparison! BTW you can adjust the level of steering assist on the Polaris, Low, Medium and High. I'm not sure if you can do that on the Honda.
Yeah the new ones you can.. This was a 21 model and no you can't do that on the Honda..
I went with the 2023 sportsman 570cc vs the Honda 518cc or the cforce 600. I do a lot of trail riding in the mountains of Colorado and Utah. Like the suspension and power of the Polaris for a machine that usually carries both me and my wife. May have opted for the Honda if I was going to be riding alone.
How has it been so far? Picking up my 24’ 570 this week
I have a trv 500 "443" seems pretty great so far 400 miles of pinned trail riding. Yes seems a little underpowered top end had to stiff in the front shocks up two notches but it seems to hang with everything just fine and holding up
Yeaughhh!! New content brothers!
If you’re gonna beat on them take the Rubicon without question .
If you’re gonna be low mileage gentle use , low abuse , take the sportsman 450 for the comfort .
But honestly in this current market offering my opinion only I’d skip both of these machines and just find a dealer not charging set up fees and buy a grizzly 700. 15hp more , high quality and similar price point while offering more performance. Most dealers right now are adding accessories and marking them up. I’ve literally seen those 450 sportsman’s marked at 9500-9800$ now .
My new grizzly was $10,600 plus sales tax OTD. No fees of any sort .
Glad to see new content chad ! And Brian too lol.
Now one of y’all buy my excellent condition premium xp 1000 sporty so I can get it off my books 😂.
Btw …..better buy soon , Yamaha is supposed to be doing a price increase in June , and Polaris just went up another 1000$ on the entry level sportsman 1000. It’s $15,499 msrp now !! Otd for most people will be around 18-18,500! . Absolutely insane e .
The prices are getting crazy!!!! I'll be after a Grizz eventually but I already made my annual purchase with the Africa Twin.. I'm definitely ready for another 4x4 tho...
After I’ve Owen a 2021 450 for a year it would be hard for me to go with something else I just think it’s a very power full reliable for me and trust me I rode it to its limits and nothing has broke just a control arm because I got it a wreck with it but that’s all that’s broke
Glad you're having good luck with it!!!
My brand new 570 is already making a ticking noise from the tranny and engine. I don’t even ride hard. Only on the road and trails. This thing has plenty of power, BUT I’m not sure of the reliability. Ive literally had the belt slip twice because of literal puddles. I don’t intend to mud ever. But this machine is very worrying. I’m not the type of person to be worried 24/7 while riding, but with the Polaris I am. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good machine. But I’m not gonna buy another Polaris. At 7:23 in the video. Those puddles look like giants compared to what I went through, surprised the belt didn’t slip or that you didn’t have any other problems. Wishing I went with a Honda or can am.
Dude that sucks to hear... It's way to common with those machines.. The 450 did pretty well while we had it but we only had it a few weeks. I'm a Yamaha fan personally...
@@DirtObseXXion well it’s definitely can am time lol. And the thing is my buddy has the same machine with the same but minimal problems. His is perfect even tho he rides it hard! And when I say hard! I mean jumps, mudding, the whole 9 yards and it’s perfect! Maybe I got one of the “bad” ones but idk. We’ll see how his takes his beatings, for now I’m gonna get it looked at.
@@topboy8395 We've had good luck with CanAms too... I think Polaris has inconsistent quality for sure.. We have some folks tell us they'd never had an issue.. Our personal experience hasn't been as good..
No belts to slip on a Honda 😉 That's being said, Yamaha has the best CVT in the business with their Ultramatic.
Ive got a polaris 450 utility for sale, or trade for Honda
My one buddy used to have a Polaris 570. It got stolen. He bought a Honda Rubicon 520, and he said it so much better.. I love my Rubicon.
Nice trails, where is the ride area? I have a 2009 420 Honda Foreman with 4000 Kms. Love my foot shift manual, almost always find the right gear instinctively. An excellent fun reliable machine. I’ve ridden a few other machines but not enough to justify a comparison. Wish ii could get a 520 Rubicon manual shift but a) none are available in British Columbia & b) over $14,000 Canadian all in - yea too rich for me right now.
Those trails are on private property near where we live in Kentucky.. We take care of them inexchange for permission to ride there.. Pretty sweet deal! Yeah, that price is steep on a mid displacement ATV, even if it is Honda..
I have a polaris 22 sportsman trail edition and after only having it a month the belt went out on it and the seal in side the drive belt compartment was leaking oil,and unfortunately polaris tried real hard not to cover this under warranty but finally gave in after lots of emails,so if i knew then what i know now i would never had bought a polaris!!
I wanna see a video like this between the king quad 750 , the brute force , and the grizzly, and maybe the canam 570 and sportsman 570 , they are close in power I think to those 700s
I'd love to do that! We probably have to have some folks volunteer their ATVs for a day tho...
I have a 2018 570 sports men , I brought it new , I am very happy with it . Other than putting racks on it my self And changing oil I have had no trouble with it . 🤗
Glad to hear it!
I have a 17 450 and a 18 570.
Night ans day difference in power.
I love my 570 sportsman
Honda boy right here. Not the fastest but definitely the most dependable.
Can we be honest here,..........anything Honda is 10x better than Polaris. I used to get on the Polaris forums and laughed myself sick because all (most) the comments were,.......how do I fix my Polaris or where can I get cheap parts or does anyone else have this problem or sportsman 500 for sale cheap (money pits)
So I'm old and bad lower back that said I have NEVER OWNED OR RIDEN A ATV BUT YOUR VIDEO'S ON KINGQUAD AND THE HONDA HAS ME WONDERING WHITCH IS BETER FOR JUST PUTERING AROUND AND FARM,YARD WORK PLESE HELP?
I think the Honda's ride a little bit rougher than the KingQuad personally.. Yamaha's Kodiak or Grizzly might be a better option though.. Their seats are much softer and the suspension is more plush than both the Honda and KingQuad
I'm 60 , just bought my first atv a month ago , got a 570 2022 utillity polaris with the power steering . From what I read it rides the best . And it does ...
But before I took it for a ride I bought the tool x2 needed to grease the bearings .
Bought the 3 inch pipe to do the cvt exhaused mod . Wiped used motor oil over the CV boots and bushings ( keep from drying up )
Seems to me it all depends on what day the machine was made . Some folks get a monday or a Friday .
Dont matter what you buy these days , you have to improve on it ,eq ( add lock washers ) do the mods .
Sweet...It's amazing how each machine differs..... Next.... Let's get KING QUAD VS GRIZZLY..
That's one we're definitely going to make happen but we want to do it with personally owned machines... 😉
LIKE A BOSS(ES)... CAN'T WAIT...... AS ALWAYS... Good Men....
Bought a 2022 Honda Rubicon 520 has 450 miles on it and I love it
Awesome
I have a 570 Polaris Trail Edition and I’ll take the Honda over the Polaris. I had a 21 DCT EPS Rubicon and wish I would have stayed with it.
Outstanding Video! I hope you folks can do the same video with Yamaha Kodiak and Can Am Outlander 450.
Thank you! I wish we could.. We'd have to find owners willing to let us test them.. MFGs aren't typically willing to loan out their smaller displacement ATVs because sell well without promotion.. We were lucky to get these.. But we will if we get the opportunity.. And if Kawasaki releases something similar on June 7th, I'll do a video comparing all of them.
Honda is well known for reliability great machine thx for video bro
Thanks!
I did a 99 foreman vs 2008 sportsman comparison this year. Bought the foreman cause my bosses sportsman died off the Ramps before I could even work it. The 99 took its place and has paid for itself.
The Older Sportsman 500 were well made, 2005, etc. I did the mistake of buying a 2-up 2018 570 with power steering. I sold it 6 months later. Polaris power steering is all over, hard to keep on the road. Brought it into the dealer to have fixed, they said it is made that way. I will be buying an older 500 without power steering, way more control. Seems like the newer the product, the lesser quality.
Yeah, you're spot on.. Those older 500s were great! My parents have an 03 500 that has been flawless.. Wish I could say the same for the new ones... but...
My 2013 foreman is faster(57mph) than a new one ? What is Honda doing ? 45mph?
Where would Honda's DCT fall at in this comparison? Also, the Honda Foreman seems to be what most of the dealers promote sighting the solid axle as superior for most riding. I would be interested
in your thoughts.
You mean the DCT in Automatic mode? It's geared so it never really shifts exactly when you expect it to.. Earlier than expected up, later than expected down.. It doesn't really matter unless you're try to ride it aggressively. With the DCT, you can idle and take off in 5th gear, it just won't be in the power until the rpms come up..
This is the Foreman Rubicon and it's Honda's flagship ATV but yeah they still have solid axle Forman 420s.. There's pros and cons to both.. IRS has a more comfortable ride and better ground clearance. A solid axle is more stable in turns, less body roll, and probably better at towing and certain work tasks.
How about adding the Can Am 450 or 570 to these shoot outs
We worked with what we had at the time.. The logistics get pretty tuff...
Nice comparison! I would like to see how far both quads went on a gallon of gas, riding together like this.
While I like the idea of 90hp on paper, it doesn't make sense on the trail 90% of the time in my opinion. Plus, with the price tag on the 1000cc atvs, the mfgs can go piss up a rope! The 500-700cc are not cheap either but it is what it is. Honda 520 Rubicon foot shift eps=great utility and reliability with sacrifices in speed. Polaris 570 Utility=less reliability but with utility and speed. Might the Yamaha Grizzly 700 be the best of both worlds? If I was shopping right now I'd end up with one of these 3 machines.
It wouldn't be a question for me, I'd go with the Grizzly by a long shot.. It's the most well rounded ATV on the market IMO..
Those big 1000s need to run on premium high octane fuel aswell. Grizzly and Hondas run on basic gasoline. Another area to save alot of money.
I’ve owned about every brand of major brand 4 wheelers and Polaris is the only thing I can ride with my bad lower back. It’s so smooth and comfy and I’ve got about 2500 miles no problems yet. Maybe I’m lucky but I never have issues with my Polaris’s over the years. They are absolute tanks.
I'm glad to hear that! I personally haven't had the same luck with Polaris but plenty of folks have..
They start to really fall apart around 2500-3000 miles in my experience
I hate my 2021 polaris will not stay running and spits and pops when cold weather
Can’t go wrong with either machine. They’re both capable. Sometimes things break quickly sometimes they don’t. I have a 2018 and 2022 Polaris 450. I love them.
Honda will be running long after the sportsman!!!!!!
No doubt about it!
@John Dough I’ve got Honda ATVs from the late 70s early 80s is still run like a champ
Would love to see a shootout between kodiak700, Rubicon 520 , can-am 570 , polaris 570
The Honda reliability is unmatched.
Never had any problems with my Polaris had 450 and 570
Awesome information and great video really learned alot
Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it!
wonder if the 450 be a good second machine for the wife, scared she would find it gutless.
Yeah it probably would be, it will easily hold trail speeds
I buy American made unless there are performance losses. Did you not know there are 3 levels of steering assist? Belt drive vs shifting, KISS. The AWD system has been proven superior by many tests. This was a good video showing the rider input,feedback. I like smooth
There's 3 levels of steering assist now, but they didn't have it when I did this video.. Im with you on the American stuff, but Polaris really has to improve their quality control IMO..
@@DirtObseXXion IDK. So far the Genny 22 XP and thumper (570) Sportsman utility, have been trouble free. And thumper wears a plow in the winter months. I have never locked on a brand, But Unless we talk hard data I cannot say my machines are unreliable. If they were, they would be outa here.
@chrishill1286 Oh that's good!. Ive had very bad luck with Polaris.. 2018 XP1000, in the first year it went through 3 clutch bearings, front diff, fuel pump, Guage cluster all suspension bushings and bearings, friend bought a 19, same issue.. I test ATVs for a bigger media outlet, last 570 we had didn't make it to the first filming location before both rear axles snapped.. The SXSs are worse.. But that's just my experience.. If you're having good luck, that's great and I'm happy to hear it!!!
I had to chuckle at all of the times you said the function of the Polaris was better, but your guys preferred the Honda. :) No prebiase there at all. I have a 2016 Sportsman 450 and a 2018 Sportsman 850. They are the Cadillac of 4 wheelers. The 450 is very quick and nimble, the 850 has monster power and is super plush. I couldnt ask for anything more, and will never buy anything else.
I've had Honda's and Yamahas.
If I had a Honda now it would last forever, because it would sit in the shed while I enjoyed my polaris machines .
We just know the Polaris won't last long.. We've had terrible luck with Polaris ATVs. Bad, clutches, blown diffs, bad fuel pumps, bad steering stems, bushings that only last 800 miles, engine mounts breaking, a test unit 570 that broke both rear axles within the first 5mins and janky fit and finish.. The old 500s were really good but their quality has taken a dive.. That's just been our experience with them, so yes there's definitely some bias.. But if you've had better luck with them that's great because they are comfortable and they do ride very well..
Bought a 21 Polaris 850 couldnt be happier with it the comfort and power. Polaris and canam is where it’s at, twin power. Honda needs to go to belt drive, who likes changing gears, and build a bigger motor for god sakes. Still a old mans bike imo, about as fun as riding a bicycle.
A rubicon with low and high gear on a footshift would be perfect with a 700cc, but Honda has its own race quad vs utility quad and they dont want to mix on both types of quads
I've got a newer foot shifted Honda Foreman 520, and that is a bulletproof transmission. No belts to slip or break, and they last forever. I also like the ability to choose 2WD or 4WD, and diff lock is available if necessary. The solid rear axle is proven, and it's also stable in turns. Honda products simply work and last. You can throw a rock in any direction and hit someone riding a 30 or even 40 year old Honda. And the old Honda machines still sell for good prices. You can't give away an old Polaris. Honda may not build the fastest quad, but they're stone cold reliable, easy to work on, and fit and finish is second to none. A gearbox transmission holds up better under heavy use and in the long run. Yamaha builds a great machine as well. If I wanted speed I'd get a two stroke dirtbike.
@@highplainsdrifter9631 hey whatever floats your goat. I like the rider comfort and power. I’ve owned Hondas they just aren’t fun to ride I don’t care how reliable they are.
Great vid man.
I hate to say this but id pick the Honda on this one 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks John! You racing today??
@@DirtObseXXion god no haha i raced camp coker gna do a couple NYOA’s this year and maybe catch another GNCC. Taking a season off as far as a points run goes def looking into some meetups w other riders maybe we can plan something 🤔
One thing that always sucks about these reviews is they arent able to speak for the long term maintenance cost and reliability of the machines. Polaris makes some bad ass macines and for a much more attractive price but unfortunately they accomplish that by making sacrifices that will cost you down the trail
100% true
I’ve owned a Honda foreman, canned ham, and a Polaris. The honda is 22 years old and I couldn’t kill it if I wanted to. The can am made it 9 months before it took a shit, the sportsman was the biggest piece of shit ever. Finally went with Grizzly 700 XTR, best machine I’ve ever owned.
I'm surprised you had issues with the CanAm but I'm definitely not surprised by the Polaris.. I love the Grizzly, best 4x4 ATV in my opinion 👌
@@DirtObseXXion it wasn’t the Rotax, it was the everything else. plastics were thin garbage, handle
Bars bent on a tough trail, throttle enclosure was cheap cast metal and it cracked, and so on and so on.
I live in Canada and absolutely love my 2020 honda rancher 420 with foot shift and straight axle, plus i have a backup pull start that does not come on most quads besides honda and the suzuki king quad 400 models. I noticed the rubicon model you had has the backup pull start or it looked like it did. I would take the straight axle over independent just for pure hauling loads on a trailer and high speed corners are way nicer then with independent. I myself grew up with race quads so the rancher was just sounded perfect for me and its faster then the foreman or rubicon. Awesome video as always, i wish there was 2 episodes a week.
It had a hideaway where the pull start might be but it doesn't actually have a pull start.. Im with you on the straight axle! Thanks man! I gotta plan for more content, just needed a little break...
@@DirtObseXXion I cant wait, you have the best atv channel on here.
@@WoodsUnknown I really appreciate that brother!
@@DirtObseXXion anytime my friend i really look forward to your videos so take your time and ill be here for sure with my thumbs up.
Well I bought a rubicon 500 had electrical issues and blew the tranny. Went and got a Rincon and blew the tranny. No more hondas for me.
Dang, that sucks to hear! Was it fairly recently, since they went to the 520s?
@@DirtObseXXion 17 rubicon
Picked up my 2024 rubicon eps manual 5spd😊
This was a decent review for the casual rider/user. I definitely prefer the Polaris's, mine have all been reliable, I have a 01 400 with 17,500 miles on it that runs great. I feel like the people complaining about the wheel bearings and bushings don't own a grease gun, and yes there is an adapter you can grease the "sealed" wheel bearings with. The ride, power, and capability of the Polaris machines is far ahead of everyone, except Can Am. Trail, pulling a1000lbs of wood, work, mud, rock crawling, mine have done well with it all. I even towed a 18ft ranger boat with an old 2 stroke Trailboss 350L with a bunch of counter weight on the front rack. Now I don't like the 4wd systems of the other brands because you have to lock the diffs. Polaris just runs a ring and pinion, there is no spider assembly to have open diff operation. I love how the Hillard clutch operates that engages the front diff (or hubs on the older machines) and if you know how it operates, when riding it is the most versatile, truly on demand system. Yes Honda's are reliable, but if it's not comfortable, capable of getting you home, or getting the job done what's point?
Great perspective! I will say this; my folks have an 03 Sportsman 500 ho... It's a top notch wheeler, but I had an 18 xp1000 and my good buddy had a 19 model, they were both garbage and that's with meticulous maintenance including greasing the sealed bearings... The components couldn't hold up to the weight and power of the machines.. I don't think Polaris makes em like they did 20 years ago..
@@DirtObseXXion I got a 17 850 thats got 4700 miles on it. I only put 150miles on it but has alright. My best friend has a 19 850 Highlifter he got new and its been rock solid, even tuned and lifted. We have a guy in the group whos got a 18 Honda Rubicon, which has been ok. Not the most water tight machine we found out. Also its got stuck twice between gears and died. Once was tumbling into a ravine (understandable) the other was a panic stop. Takes a lot to get it to a gear after that.
@@DirtObseXXion Wondering if you guys have seen that issue with Hondas or if it is just his. Yes the high HP xp chassis's are harder on parts although it could be worse when your are in the 70-90HP
@@98dodge360v8 That's not the first I've heard of transmission issues on the Hondas, but never personally experienced it.. We don't see a lot of em either tho.. Everyone has SXSs around us 🤷♂️
Honda is definitely getting you home. The reliability of a Honda ATV is second to none. Honestly I think Kawasaki & Yamaha build just as good of a machine. I simply prefer the actual gearbox of a Honda quad. But if there's an ATV that you can depend on in the worst of circumstances, it's a Honda. A Honda will always get you home.
Let me know which one is still running in 20 years.
Lol! I'm pretty sure I could make an educated guess 🤣🤣🤣
@@DirtObseXXion keep up the good work.
@@markflaugh2293 Thanks!
You never put the front lockers on and raced. Too soft in the arms or what?
Lol! Neither of these would last a lap in an XC race...
Hondas DCT shifts a lot faster than I've ever seen anyone shift a manual... so for sporty shifting, thats a better option. And if you drive it like its a sports car, and know how to make it work for you, they perform beautifully
I'm glad someone appreciates DCT. It's easy, but I didn't feel like it was sporty. Still good for it's intended use though
@@DirtObseXXion its all personal opinion, but to me it absolutely feels like a sports car, the way it shifts.
CVTs just don't feel right to me, I get their appeal for sure but they're just not my style 🤘
Both good quads, but Polaris Sportsman 570 is the right choice.
Honda Reliability is hard to beat I have owned 4 total, and I prefer Honda. Polaris is not bad and has more power cumulatively , but not important for me to do 60 mph. just work when I start
Excellent job. Thanks.
Purchased a 2003 Polaris sportsman 500 ho before they added a bunch of cheap plastic features to their brand. Would still rather have a metal rack, but overall, machine runs great. Happy that I went with older well made items vs new junk.
Yep! My folks have the same machine still, the quality was much better on those older 500s..
I bought my 2021 Rubicon brand new and absolutely loved it sadly a month after I owned it I was struck down with cancer I finally made the tough decision to sell it 3 months ago some lucky soul got it at a good price it only had 24 mi on it My doctors wouldn't allow me to ride. I bought it on payments but always made double payments so I had it down like $2,600 and sold it to somebody with that low mileage not a single scratch on the plastics or anything for $5,000. Cancer medication is a real reality folks co-payments of $2,500 is not unheard of for one medication. I hope to get another quad one day but it's going to take my wallet a long time to rebound. Once you get some miles on the Honda the foot shifter works like butter
Nice review. Would love to see anything on a can am 570. Thank you.
Thanks! I'll see if we can get ahold of one..
I still got a 1988 Honda Foreman and a 2018 Rubicon but sold the 2002 Polaris Sportsman because of the belt slippage a few tomes but it did ride nice
Nice! 30 year spread on the ole Hondas, looks like you're due a new in 2048!
The polaris sportsman 2020 and up is designed to be took to the shop. Damn winch completely blocks the front diff fill plug... also the front started growling and then went away . Idk i changed the front fluid and washed it good and its been silent since. Im gonna say polaris is okay but have went "modern" in design hence the stupid fill plug in the front diff.
They started going south when the OG 500 was replaced by the 570..