Which quad to buy

[predatorpro]

Gonna hafta provide more details before I buy this,  are we talking snowmobiles? 

Then yes, smoking belts is common on some years/models and with poorly maintained machines.  But it isn't common on Yamaha sleds with 1000cc engines and even mildly boosted sleds pushing over 200hp. 
On Yamaha that is.

Polaris and skidoo have had issues with belt eaters and some arctic cats.  I align my own belts and check engine mounts as an engine twisting in its mounts will cause belt issues.

Yamaha atvs use a wet disk clutch simmilar to a honda before the belt primary clutch, and its awesome.


Are we talking tracked ATV'S?   Then they have them setup wrong or pushing them in high range too hard.  Honda would be well suited for tracks I'll give them that, lightweight and you can choose the gearing better, but I'd make sure they had full front diff lock and power steering. 

Were any of these quads Yamahas?
Or Yamaha with tracks? 

Polaris I could see smoked belts in deep snow, same with can-am which runs hot anyways. 

If they're going to track a belt driven ATV they should upgrade clutches and belts for sure, so I argree with above.

Most have been Polaris sidexsides and quads and can am quads.  My pioneer 1000 has a rear locker and an "I-4wd" with power steering out of the box, not sure why i would need anything more but i dont run tracks on mine either.  I prefer things i dont have to adjust or upgrade as soon as i buy them either.  I dont count snowmobiles though lol,  they all smoke belts when they feel like it! I have heard good things about yamahas i just havent known enough people with them or been around them enough to give an opinion on. I would put Polaris at the bottom of my list of atv/utv to buy.  Just my two cents from what i have seen...but alot of people would disagree with me too.

[KFhunter]

I agree w you, that pioneer seems to be a good one, although I'd go for the 2021 rmax over it.



Ask bearpaw what he thinks of polaris sxs

[trophyhunt]

My experience is all with Honda's and they have been bulletproof over the last twenty years we've owned them.  I have friends who haven't had the best if luck with Can Ams and Polaris.  Never heard anything bad about yamaha, suzuki, or kawasaki.  My hunting partner bought a new yamaha after owning hondas forever and after 1 year he is selling it.  Nothing wrong with it he just likes hondas better.

Which model is he selling?  I agree that honda's are bullet proof, but I've only owned a yamaha.

[predatorpro]

I agree w you, that pioneer seems to be a good one, although I'd go for the 2021 rmax over it.



Ask bearpaw what he thinks of polaris sxs

Those do look awesome! The main reason i was attracted to the pioneer is because i can fit 5 people in it and not be the length of a bus.  I wanted just a workhorse for hunting and trapping from.  I think the most important thing to know is what you want from your machine.  They all have there pros and cons....except for polaris...they just suck. lol

[Katmai Guy]

I've got a 2001 Yamaha Kodiak 400 that's still going strong and a 2019 700 Grizzly.  Have never had any issues with either, granted not may miles on the Grizzly but the old one has thousands.

[C-Money]

I run a Honda Rancher 420, shaft drive. Buddy has a Yamaha Kodiak 400 belt drive. Both have fairly equal mileage. Both go where we want and have plenty of power. Both run all day on a tank of gas. Once I got high centered and stuck bigger than crap, the Yamaha pulled me out. Yamaha Belt drive works flawless. Belt is a bit of an advantage going up long hills as far as speed goes. I stay in 2nd on certain climbs as if I shift to third I feel I lug the engine at a speed thats comfortable. So I go a bit slower in 2nd for the good of the engine. The belt Yamaha just goes and there is no gear/RPM to worry about, so he usually gets up long climbs faster. Mine is an 07, Yamaha is a year or two older. Honda or Yamaha, buy with confidence.

[jrebel]

It's been said.....but I will reiterate, I would not buy a polaris.  Have a ton of experience with their side by sides and they are not reliable at all.  Don't know much about the can am so can't speak that that. 

I would buy the honda rubicon or rincon and not look back.  I have a 2003 honda rubicon 500 and it is bullet proof.  I am a big guy and it takes me anywhere I want to go.  If you want the independent rear suspension, go with the rincon....and it has more power.   

[Jason]

I loved my Polaris Sportsman. Hopefully I’ll get another one is a year or two. Mine seemed to be more reliable than my buddies Yamahas and Can Ams.

[fowl smacker]

My buddy bought a brand new Polaris 2 years ago and has had nothing but problems with it since new.  He hates it.  Said he'd never own another one again.

[Mudman]

I had 2019 Polaris 850SP.  You claim to "tool around"??  Well I will tell ya the 850 is way to much for tooling.  It is quite fast n powerful and thirsty.  I didnt like its huge size, delayed throttle inputs, weird braking system.  I didnt have any breakdowns but I got rid of it after 1 year.  Wifes Polaris 450 was much better in many ways.  Now my old Sukuki Vinson 500 5spd was a sweet quad and I do miss it.