New Honda Quad 420 or 500

[jackfish]

Gents

Looking for a bit of advice, I've been looking into buying a new Honda quad, wondering is there much difference with the 420 and 500 models. Would you go manual or automatic? Power steering or not? Double rear shocks or single?

More mod cons the more to go wrong is what I'm thinking but would welcome any advice from anybody with experience of these machines.

Cheers

Bryan

 

[skywull]

depends what you want it for, are you going to be hauling heavy loads, are you going to be driving it on steep hills, are you going to be puting in the hours with it ..ie fuel consumption, ether way make sure its irs (its adjustable) and power steering especially if its rough steep hills your on the 420 is that bit lighter and you can get your foot down to stop it turning over on you, I don't know a hill farmer or shepherd that owns a 500 others might, the auto with electric shifts handy too, id not use it in auto all the time, it feels like your in the wrong gear and it revs a bit before changing, but autos handy if you need a free left hand for carrying anything

 

[jackfish]

It will be used mainly for recovery of deer from forestry and hill.

 

[rem284]

500 with power steering. Ive got a 500 manual, mono shock manual and its NOT good. My shoulders ache after a while, its not that stable, I think because of the mono shock.

I had a 500 auto with power steering for a few days and it was a totally different bike. Far better, less likely to get stuck but when it did the winch was the only answer. No shoulder ache too

 

[Cottis]

We have a couple of Yammy's on the farm, so cannot comment on the Honda but Auto all the way for me. On the road I would take a manual every day of the week but when you are looking to haul over rough ground, just keep it as simple as poss.

 

[JAYB]

Where you intend to go, I would suggest the 500, auto with power steering, and tracks on it would make it unsinkable up there . Mine was a Yamaha Grizzly, but I don't think the make matters too much.

John

 

[Orion]

And if you are considering any road use then an 'Agricultural Registration' from the off might be a good idea - can be a nightmare trying to do it retrospectively. Benefits are no RFL cost, no MOT required and unlimited road use "if used for purposes relating to agriculture, forestry or activities falling within cutting verges, trees or hedges that border public roads", which I find quite useful as I can travel to and from local areas without having to get the truck out.

 

[countrryboy]

Can u get the 2 bikes out on demo?? Shouldn't be a problem esp if buying new and run them over the ground u would work them on.

I've heard alll sorts of advice about bikes from farmers/keepers usually no 2 same the same, usually 1 slagging such and such a bike off while his mate raves about it.
I've had bth 420's and 500's and never notice that much difference.
Not sure if much wieght difference between the 2, but 500 wider and u sit higher which might make it harder to lift out or put a leg out to stop it going over

i know 1 estate got rid of 5 brand new bikes as the hill keepers hated the power steering and said was a laibility on the hill if u catch a tussock it would bull nose roll u over, also know of 1 hill farmer that got rid of his twin rear suspension bike in favour of the old single shock bike, said the single was more stable (which shouldn't really be the case, prob just not used to the new bike?).

The lad who services/fixes my bike hates honda Electric shift and auto bikes, just because more to go wrong and can be more expensive to fix. Must admit i quite like the electric shift but if ur keeping it long term ur better of with a manual and i'd avoid the full auto/ES version full stop just way to complicated

 

[norma 308]

I've had a few 500s and got a 420 a year ago single shock and manual power steered brand new love it !
easy to ride and pulls my phezy snacker and small trailer well in some very bad conditions
services not cheap to keep warrenty and very frequent but great bike esp with heated grips and muffs

 

[jackfish]

The bike would be a keeper as I don't intend swapping it out. I suppose the best idea would be to try the various models and see what suits best for my needs. I do have a lot of farm land permissions that I shoot only 2 miles from the front door and it would be good not to have to jump in the truck all the time, but it will be used in the highlands on forestry/hill also. Agri registered is also something I have thought about but not sure how I could swing that one. Plenty to think about, been offered a very good price on a brand new Honda 420 FA6, obviously the 500 is more expensive so will have to try before I commit to buy.

 

[Orion]

Agri registered is also something I have thought about but not sure how I could swing that one.

There's a common misconception that you need to be resident on an agricultural holding or similar to have an agri registered quad. It doesn't matter where you register it to provided it is used "for purposes relating to agriculture etc. etc.". I live in the centre of a smallish town, the quad is registered to my home address, and I travel around and out of town to areas where I shoot (rifle in a slip and strapped into forked holders on the front rack). I went through the whole registration, use, and whether there was any on-road distance restrictions with the DVLA (there isn't despite the lack of concise information on their website) and it's apparent that they keep it quiet because of the benefits to be had.

If you go down that route and get the dealer to register it as agri I'd advise ensuring the lighting, indicators, etc. are compliant given typical shooting/stalking times.

 

[jackfish]

Perfect, I'll look into that next week when I am at the dealers.

Rgds

Bryan

 

[countrryboy]

Been a few years since i priced a new honda but roughly the 420's were about 1K cheaper the the 500's, but at that time to get the twin rear suspension u had to buy the ES/Auto model which was about 1k dearer again.
Not sure how the power steering comes in model wise, my last 1 was just as it was coming in and it ws dear enough without the PS

The vat is the killer esp on a new bike
The only problem with agri registering it is u then have to insure it, which is not cheap and very few companies do it

 

[jackfish]

Be interested to hear what companies actually insure quads, also at what price?

 

[Cootmeurer]

I believe we refer to those as the Rancher (420) and Foreman/Rubicon (500) here. I have owned both and when given the choice of either I seemed to always prefer the 500. Bit less efficient on gas, but the Foreman had a handlebar mounted headlight that was steerable, as well as the front fender lights. That steerable headlight was indispensable when doing night chores (like counting my black angus).

 

[jackfish]

Where you intend to go, I would suggest the 500, auto with power steering, and tracks on it would make it unsinkable up there . Mine was a Yamaha Grizzly, but I don't think the make matters too much.

John

John
Could you tell me how much the tracks cost?

Cheers B

 

[Orion]

The only problem with agri registering it is u then have to insure it, which is not cheap and very few companies do it

Wasn't a probem for me. Renewed last month through Performance Direct with Highway Quad F/C EDI for £125 TPFT with only 1 year no claims bonus - I kept my existing NCB for a classic multibike policy I already have and started this one off last year - full licence, no claims or convictions etc., for a TRX420FM.

 

[JAYB]

John
Could you tell me how much the tracks cost?

Cheers B

Your left leg and one arm below the elbow . I'll look out the number of the rep and PM it to you.

John

 

[countrryboy]

John how wide roughly are the quads with tracks on?

Most quads will fit on an 8x4 (some will fit a 6x4 depending on the tailgate) trailer but the 500's are fairly tight now width wise.
From the photos and 1 bike i've seen with tracks i think they add a fair bit to the width, just incase u need a wider trailer too

 

[JAYB]

Stu,
Mine used to fit into my 8x4 trailer with the tailgate lifted, EXACTLY! wee bittie room on the width but the length was exact. Never used to bother with straps if I was just going local, perfect.

This is all I can find of it with wheels on,


And this is it with tracks on




Best I can do, sorry.

John