Best quad

[Midgemagnet]

I would have to go for the Honda 500 manual with twin shocks on back. had a mono shock 420 Honda too high geared for serious hill work and mono shock unstable with a few beasts on the back [ask number one son who rolled it 3 times down a hill! in fairness we put it back on its feet and it started first time]. no issues with the 500. had a Suzuki 500 king quad pain to start didn't even come come close to the Hondas reliability and fuel economy. mates got a canam best left at the dealers

 

[Slickshot]

I do like these posts.

He specifically asks about 2 brands, clearly looked about and considered others. Sensible chap. But people still come on and recommend something that’s not been asked.

Same with calibers.

Haha yea already a 270 & 6.5 creedmoor owner lol..

Ha it’s cool. I’m going to view & ride both on Saturday. The FM6 Honda & king quad AXI 500..

Hopefully I can decide which one I like the best.
Question- What .308 should I get?
Answer- Get a 6.5 Creedmore, more versatile.

Anyway, I have a Honda TRX 420, selectable 4WD, no problems at all, as had been said, Honda is probably the biggest Farm Quad supplier.
My Mate has a (well was) new 500 with power steering and independent rear suspension, it goes anywhere! We often are two up plus a couple of reds and this thing just keeps going. I’d get the manual though, not the auto.

Good Luck, oh, and have you looked at .270’s

 

[Slickshot]

I would have to go for the Honda 500 manual with twin shocks on back. had a mono shock 420 Honda too high geared for serious hill work and mono shock unstable with a few beasts on the back [ask number one son who rolled it 3 times down a hill! in fairness we put it back on its feet and it started first time]. no issues with the 500. had a Suzuki 500 king quad pain to start didn't even come come close to the Hondas reliability and fuel economy. mates got a canam best left at the dealers

Cheers bud. Like said going to Ark atv on Saturday to test ride a Honda.. see how I get on. Might not even bother with the king quad in all fairness

 

[stevenedwards]

I would have to go for the Honda 500 manual with twin shocks on back. had a mono shock 420 Honda too high geared for serious hill work and mono shock unstable with a few beasts on the back [ask number one son who rolled it 3 times down a hill! in fairness we put it back on its feet and it started first time]. no issues with the 500. had a Suzuki 500 king quad pain to start didn't even come come close to the Hondas reliability and fuel economy. mates got a canam best left at the dealers

You say the can-am is best left at the dealers, why. I am looking to buy a quad and the nearest dealer is can am which would be convenient providing it works.

 

[B&W FOX]

Suzuki are the best quads.
I'm biased as I work for them.
I've ridden all the other makes back to back including all the side by sides. Ice done fuel testing on all of them, the Honda is slightly better than the Suzuki the Yam is dire.
If you want comfort go for the Suzuki, if you want electronic toys go for a Honda and pay the cost when it goes wrong.
Worst problem with them all is the fuel pump as farmers use rusty fuel cans

 

[Baldman]

Honda for build quality reliability and residual value , used Honda quads hold their money , whats you local dealer network like for service and repair ?

 

[Baldman]

You say the can-am is best left at the dealers, why. I am looking to buy a quad and the nearest dealer is can am which would be convenient providing it works.

I know some one who works at a Can- am dealers , he says they are best left alone , poor build quality and reliability

 

[stevenedwards]

I know some one who works at a Can- am dealers , he says they are best left alone , poor build quality and reliability

Interesting and disappointing

 

[VSS]

Have a look at CanAm quads if you want best value for money.

I know some one who works at a Can- am dealers , he says they are best left alone , poor build quality and reliability

I would dispute that.
Over the years I have used kawasaki, suzuki, honda, yamaha and polaris, so I am able to make a fair comparisson. I am impressed with the CanAm. If they're tough enough for Canada, they're tough enough for the UK. The rotax engine is second to none - also used in light aircraft, jetskis, skidoos and evinrude outboard engines.
There are good deals to be had, as they're breaking into the UK market.

 

[Toller]

mates got a canam best left at the dealers

That would be my canam...

To be fair, it's a good bike although mine could do with new tyres. It's a 570 and it's loud compared to the Honda 500s which are comparatively stealthy on the hill. Can am is also much heavier and tougher to bounce out a hole on your own. Mine's been well behaved apart from moisture in the display... which is now on the blink.

This is difficult for me to say ... but the Honda 500 is probably the one to go for.

 

[countrryboy]

U don't say wot u intend to do with it.

Honda's do hold money but aren't the bikes they were and rep is not really justified now.
How long do u intend to keep the bike?
My last 5 or so bikes were all honda electric shift, either 420 or 500, never had any real bother but all traded in at 18 months or when needs tyres so under warranty. Had a few new solenoids and gearbox related doo daa's over the years and had to crawl home in wot ever gear u can find with that stupid spanner thing afew times. Once in bloody reverse, miles it was too


Must admit the es suited me then but I wouldn't have 1 now far better with a manual althou that mibbee means no independent suspension as usually the autos have that.
If u plan on keeping a bike long term I wouldn't have any fancy gadgets/gearboxes on it, just more to go wrong and more expensive to fix.

A lot might depend on where the agents are, how good there after sales/servicing is, how frequently, how expensive service and parts are. As well as the deal ur getting.

Always been a honda man but doubt I'd have another. I'd say better bikes out there for less money now with better standard parts

Couple of canams round me and never heard much bothe rinfact 1 keeper has just replaced it with a new 1 and really rates it.

 

[Slickshot]

U don't say wot u intend to do with it.

Honda's do hold money but aren't the bikes they were and rep is not really justified now.
How long do u intend to keep the bike?
My last 5 or so bikes were all honda electric shift, either 420 or 500, never had any real bother but all traded in at 18 months or when needs tyres so under warranty. Had a few new solenoids and gearbox related doo daa's over the years and had to crawl home in wot ever gear u can find with that stupid spanner thing afew times. Once in bloody reverse, miles it was too


Must admit the es suited me then but I wouldn't have 1 now far better with a manual althou that mibbee means no independent suspension as usually the autos have that.
If u plan on keeping a bike long term I wouldn't have any fancy gadgets/gearboxes on it, just more to go wrong and more expensive to fix.

A lot might depend on where the agents are, how good there after sales/servicing is, how frequently, how expensive service and parts are. As well as the deal ur getting.

Always been a honda man but doubt I'd have another. I'd say better bikes out there for less money now with better standard parts

Couple of canams round me and never heard much bothe rinfact 1 keeper has just replaced it with a new 1 and really rates it.

Well just want it for extracting deer mainly & a drive around foxing tool.

Never will be towing feed just deer (fallow & red) mainly on steep Devon countryside.

Looking at buying new. Second hand market is crap with zero warranty & nearly new prices. Least buying new I know what the bike has done ect.

Looking at the Honda Trx500 FM6 on weekend. £8,040 I’ve been quoted. The king quad is £8,800..

Ideally I only want to spend £4,500-£5,000 but as said above most people buy them for tough abuse & when they sell with the VAT included for a couple more grand you’ve got a new unit & 2 years warranty

 

[Tis1979]

I’ve recently looked into this myself and the last quad I was using for the last few years was suzuki and it was a great bike never let me down once in all the time I had it, I looked at the Yamaha as it has such a following in the states and very nearly went for it but in the end I went for a Honda TRX500 FA6 and it’s been great so far the suspension is fantastic the irs makes such a difference and the build quality it great it feels a strong quad, personally I like the auto box it’s not as smooth changing as the suzuki but that’s not the end of the world, also I like to look after the kit and find hondas easier to strip down just getting the plastics off some quads is a pain but the Honda is a breeze. Suzuki or Honda you won’t go far wrong.

https://fwi-wp-assets-live.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/sites/1/2018/08/ATV_Buyers_Guide_008-012.pdf

 

[Dan Newcombe]

In that case i would go Honda, there is bugger all difference in them and £760 buys you a lot of fuel

 

[Midgemagnet]

That would be my canam...

To be fair, it's a good bike although mine could do with new tyres. It's a 570 and it's loud compared to the Honda 500s which are comparatively stealthy on the hill. Can am is also much heavier and tougher to bounce out a hole on your own. Mine's been well behaved apart from moisture in the display... which is now on the blink.

This is difficult for me to say ... but the Honda 500 is probably the one to go for.

that would indeed be your canam in question not the best at crossing soft wet ground. I'm sure you could provide photographic evidence of failed burn crossing

 

[CarlW]

that would indeed be your canam in question not the best at crossing soft wet ground. I'm sure you could provide photographic evidence of failed burn crossing

Let's see the photos...

 

[Midgemagnet]

need someone more more computer literate for the photos

 

[OISÍN]

I went for the 2019 FM6 great bike, has the IRS, subsequently upgraded the lights, winch and rear bumper and a tracker oh and was interest free from Honda

 

[Toller]

that would indeed be your canam in question not the best at crossing soft wet ground. I'm sure you could provide photographic evidence of failed burn crossing

Points to note...

1. There is actually a burn there.
2. It was very very wet that day.
3. I now have a winch fitted.
4. I've now been stuck at this exact spot several times.
5. I need new tyres.
6. I'm an idiot.

 

[VSS]

Points to note...

1. There is actually a burn there.
2. It was very very wet that day.
3. I now have a winch fitted.
4. I've now been stuck at this exact spot several times.
5. I need new tyres.
6. I'm an idiot.View attachment 127330

There but for the grace of God....