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About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? #7042787 01/18/18 10:52 AM
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I want a rugged, dependable, last for ever tough as nails 4 Wheeler. I've done some research and talked to sales guys. My take away is that the Honda Foreman, manual transmission, straight axle is what I'm after. I'll be pulling a trailer with it, as heavy of loads as I can get away with. I'll likely never have it over 30 mph. This is for getting me in and out of tight spots and at times taking as much corn, feeder, lumber, etc. on a trailer as I need to. I was leaning Yamaha, until I looked at Honda. It was the transmission and absolutely no loss of power from the throttle to response that has me leaning Honda. I'd appreciate hearing from owners of both Yamaha and Honda.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7042961 01/18/18 02:31 PM
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You'd better recheck the towing capacity if you intend to use it for towing much weight.
With Honda the various sub models & options between each sub model can be confusing.

I know a neighbor has a foreman towing capacity 850lbs, including the weight of the trailer, his light junker 10' trailer leaves about 350lbs to carry.

Doesn't matter which brand if you work the pee pee out of them & frequently exceed weight & towing capacity you will have more problems.

Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7043002 01/18/18 02:54 PM
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Honda makes good machines but I would recommend that you stay away from anything from them or anybody else that has a straight rear axle. I had a 2007 Honda Rancher turn over on me on a grade that was not really very steep. I was lucky that I got out from under it before it hurt me worse than it did. Independent rear suspension rides better, gets better traction in rough terrain, and is most importantly safer if you do anything where there it's even a little grade to it.

Last edited by arandy; 01/18/18 02:55 PM.
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7043003 01/18/18 02:55 PM
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I bought a new ATV last year, and it was a Honda/Yamaha decision. I sold my 2000 Yamaha Big Bear 400 just because I wanted something new. The Yamaha had been bulletproof for the entire time I owned it, though I did have the carb rebuilt the last year or two I owned it. Other than that, I had to replace one headlight bulb and the rubber handgrip on the left side. So, overall, it was terrific, so I was leaning toward another Yamaha. I was scratching and sniffing a Grizzly 700, and I liked it a lot. Tons of power. But I finally bought the Honda Foreman 400 with the Dual Clutch Transmission. I like the option of using it in automatic or switching to push button manual. You can get it with a solid rear axle or with the independent rear suspension. I went with the independent rear, but was told that most folks working cows go with the solid rear axle. The solid rear axle allows tighter turns at higher speed.

What I have not answered is what max tow power is. I have towed about 400 pounds of dead pigs, and did it in manual, in second gear. No problems at all.

After 17 years of a Yamaha, i’m perfectly happy with this Honda.


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7043102 01/18/18 03:58 PM
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We've had nearly every brand on our ranch over the years. Suzuki, Polaris, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda. Of all of them Honda has stood out as the one we could use and abuse the most and have it still be reliable. We use them A LOT and change the oil, filters, check gear oil, etc... at least once a year, I have personally hooked up a 16 ft trailer to my 2015 foreman 4x4 and our '87 TRX 350 4x4 and loaded it down with tree limbs while cleaning the fence line. The Suzuki's and kawasaki's have had issues breaking axles and cracking frame. Yamaha and Polaris have been great but when they break they were more difficult to fix the problems than the honda's. You'll get many opinions on this just like trucks or anything else, just in our experience of using a variety of brands over 30 yrs we have found Honda to be our preferred brand.

Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7043386 01/18/18 08:03 PM
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I've got an '05 Honda Rincon that I've been mean to far more than nice. I have flogged it way past it's manufactured intent more times than I can count, and it just keeps going. Oil change every year, with a full maintenance every other, and I've never had a problem. I'm sure Yamaha makes a fine bike, but if I ever have to replace this one, it'll be another Honda.

Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7044175 01/19/18 08:02 AM
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I had 2, 2004 Honda Foremans at the same time. Both were flawless. Mine had over 12,000 very hard miles on it. Bought it new when I was 19 and drive it like I was 19 until I sold it in 2015. It’s been submerged, jumped, done donuts, rode on 2 wheels, you name it I did it.

I loved that thing and regret selling it everyday.

I bought the second one used in 2008, had 500 miles and maybe 1100 when I sold it. It to, was flawless. Sold both for $2,500 each.


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Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7044234 01/19/18 12:32 PM
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Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha are on the top of the pile
I've had all in full size except Suzuki....After I got the Honda Rancher, I haven't looked any further.

Four hints for long life:
1. Keep the tire diameter the same as stock. Wider is OK but larger tires make the engine/clutch/transmission work harder/wear faster.
2. Avoid lift kits, they can make it top heavy, ill handling and will stress shafts, bearings, etc.
Either of these and will cause wear and break quicker when really used.
3. Your favorite brand of snake oil tire sealant - I use Slime because it's available everywhere and I don't like to mix sealant inside the tires.
4. Most important - Check/change oil, lube, filters, etc. when needed.

I have a 2001 Honda Rancher 350 4X4 with automatic clutch and manual (1 Reverse and 5 Forward) transmission.
It has solid rear axle and I like it.
It isn't as plush as the independent suspensions but has outlasted 2 Polaris's that were much newer and used much less.
I use it at the ranch.
I pull long, heavy trailers with it.
I drag dead pigs out of deep brush with it.
I haul deer out of the nastiest places for my hunters.

I made a push bar and used a piece loading dock pad for bumper and push/pull race cars at the dirt track on Saturday night with it.


I have an oversized rack on back and use it to carry feed to cows and corn to the feeders when nothing else will make it.
The rack will also hold 4 mounted race tires, jack, impact, hand tools, etc. AND another person into the hot pits on race night.


I use it, really abuse it, service it and it keeps on going.

Last edited by Vern1; 01/19/18 01:19 PM.

Cheers,
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Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7044854 01/19/18 07:08 PM
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Lots of great testimonials for Honda, Vern1 especially.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7045293 01/20/18 12:02 AM
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This chat reminds me of why I went with Yamaha in 2000, but went with Honda last year. In 2000, the problem with Honda was low ground clearance and very low ratings for front and rear racks. Yamaha had the higher clearance and higher rack capability. Back then I hunted mostly in the low ground near the Mississippi River, in NE Louisiana, where the gumbo mud is legendary. If you didn’t have at least 9 inches of ground clearance, you were going to get stuck. The Yamaha Big Bear 400 was the first ATV I ever owned that never got stuck. Not one time. But now i’m In Texas, where the mud is not so tough, and ground clearance isn’t an issue. And, Honda has addressed the shortcomings of past years, and I liked the look and the ride and the dual transmission, and the price. I went to look at Yamaha and then on to Honda. The Honda salesman (in Waco) was hot to move one, but I just wanted ballpark pricing and planned to buy later. I told him all that, and he wanted to know what i’d Pay to get one today. I said I didn’t want one today. He asked if i’d Buy one at ‘this price’. I said no. He gave a lower price, and I said no, and on we went. Finally he said a number that was just too danged good to pass up, so I bought it. Only mistake I made was deciding to mount the winch myself. I should have gotten that done by them.

I’m very happy with the Honda and my rancher neighbors are thrilled with my old Yamaha.


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7046414 01/20/18 10:23 PM
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Go look at a honda pioneer 500.

Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: Fatdaddy] #7046434 01/20/18 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted By: hunting.nut
Go look at a honda pioneer 500.


Is there any kinda capacity on that back rack? I went to Honda's specs, but couldn't see anything except towing capacity.

Thanks.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: Creekrunner] #7046437 01/20/18 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted By: Creekrunner
Originally Posted By: hunting.nut
Go look at a honda pioneer 500.


Is there any kinda capacity on that back rack? I went to Honda's specs, but couldn't see anything except towing capacity.

Thanks.


450lbs

Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7046446 01/20/18 11:01 PM
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Thanks.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7047264 01/21/18 07:47 PM
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I've still got a 2005 Yamaha Grizzy 660, carbeurated. All four independent suspension. It has had a hard life, playing, wheelies, jumps, steep trails, pushing cattle, and towing heavy trailers in low gear. It just won't die. I rode a friend's solid rear axle ATV one time on a rough trail and wanted no part of it after 5 minutes. It rode like a covered wagon, I'll never own one.

Honda makes great products, no doubt. But my one Yamaha has been a dang good machine.


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Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: J.G.] #7060825 01/31/18 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
I've still got a 2005 Yamaha Grizzy 660, carbeurated. All four independent suspension. It has had a hard life, playing, wheelies, jumps, steep trails, pushing cattle, and towing heavy trailers in low gear. It just won't die. I rode a friend's solid rear axle ATV one time on a rough trail and wanted no part of it after 5 minutes. It rode like a covered wagon, I'll never own one.

Honda makes great products, no doubt. But my one Yamaha has been a dang good machine.
Agreed, I have a 2004 Yamaha Big Bear 400. Has been extremely reliable as long as you keep up with standard maintenance and use good gas with additives such as Stabil. I broke down last year and bought a UTV, so the Yamaha is for sale in the classifieds!

Last edited by Halfadozen; 01/31/18 11:55 PM.

Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.
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Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7062093 02/01/18 10:17 PM
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I have a 2016 Honda Rancher and pulled a 5x12 trailer with a 500 pound feeder and a 4x6 blind no problem. All with me and 2 kids on it.




LETS GO BRANDON
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7064258 02/03/18 05:01 PM
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For your needs you are better off saving some more money and buying a Kubota diesel rv900 UTV.

Cry once and it will last a lifetime. You can get some good deals used if you find someone that needs to sell.


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Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #7064304 02/03/18 05:43 PM
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Too late, just bought this:
Foreman, straight axle, manual shift, with Electric power steering. I would have ordered it this way.
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
For your needs you are better off saving some more money and buying a Kubota diesel rv900 UTV.

Cry once and it will last a lifetime. You can get some good deals used if you find someone that needs to sell.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7064382 02/03/18 07:41 PM
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Good choice. Have fun.

Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7064395 02/03/18 08:03 PM
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Dealer had two 2016's left, down to one.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7064402 02/03/18 08:11 PM
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Yep congrats!


Originally Posted by Chunky Monkey
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7064409 02/03/18 08:19 PM
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I'll be mounting a shooting stick: pipe flange bottom, threaded pipe of the appropriate height, flange on top to rotate as needed with a Kolpin Rhino grip attached to the top flange, all metal rubber coated. I'll mount this to the right of center. I know there are going to be more than a few times over the next few seasons that I'll want to shoot off of this machine.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: About to pull the trigger, Honda/Yamaha? [Re: onlysmith&wesson] #7072973 02/10/18 10:29 AM
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I’ve used nothing but Honda’s for the last 35 years and have no reason to change.

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