Quad bike advice?

[Cut+Squirt]

I'm currently in the process of buying a new quad bike. It will predominantly be used for forestry work, pesticide spraying and transporting equipment around sites.

My Son and I will also use it recreationally at the weekends.

I've viewed all the main manufacturers but when it comes to the crunch the two outstanding options from a purely financial standpoint are Polaris (Sportsman 570 agripro) and the Can-am (Outlander 570).

The warranty on both are excellent. . Polaris 2 year full parts and labor. The Can-am 5 years.

Have any of the SD membership actually owned any of these brands and can comment on their build quality, reliability, performance, dealer backup etc.

Being as thrifty as I am I'm keen to save a pound, but don't want to buy a machine which will be unreliable and worth buttons come trade in time.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Polaris, owned one and would never again. U.K. support was terrible. I would see what the same budget would buy you in a Honda, it would be money well spent.

 

[Skietindiekop]

I and my son both have Can am 400’s and find them really reliable with the fantastic Rotax engines.
We researched a fair bit especially as to the US preference and use as they have a huge following for recreational use ( or looking at the YouTube videos, can they break or drown them with what we would call abuse).
The only other brand we would have considered is Honda.
Also the Can am security is quite clever which is a bonus

 

[Miki]

Honda - give JMT in Foth a call .... linky

 

[Ranger22]

I would go for a Honda. Pretty bullet proof, spares are plentiful and quick to get if you need them.

 

[windygun]

As R22s post above, and to add the resale value of a Can Am is second only to the Quadzilla on the used market when it comes to moving it on. Personal experience, now back with Honda.

 

[Pedro]

Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all make excellent quad bikes. Honda reliability for cars, motorbikes and quad bikes is unequalled. Suzuki make physically quite big quads and are also in favour at present. Yamaha bikes generally are a bit smaller but have great grunt. All three are reliable. Can Am though seem to be the way forward just recently. Many of the farmers around me have them now and that says a lot. I'd possibly buy a Polaris if I was thinking of a submarine....

 

[countrryboy]

I'd look at ur local dealers too.
I think Polaris have just changed an agent near to u as few complaints about last 1, think Patterson's of Dalbeattie have taken it over so after sales will be excellent, as also honda agents.
U shouldnt be so bad f ur using ATV services thou, seem to sell a few bikes.


Polaris are pretty good now, not like the original desiel bikes that got them the bad rep.

For wot ur wanting quads are great but still only legal to carry 1 person, not so handy if a few of u going out to a site a long walk away.

My dad has a sit aside Polaris now and likes it must be the smallest 1 as cheaper to run than his old Yamaha, but smallest Yamaha's now are 700cc and quite large bulky bikes struggle to man handle 1 off them out a wet hole itself now.
Always been a Honda man and only ever bought honda quads but 1 company I sub for I know my Honda would not go the places I have had it. Makes a difference having diff lock.
Don't think Honda's are half the bikes they used to be

Not many folk buy new bikes for forestry work as just get wrecked quick, carrying to much gear over too rough a ground

 

[Ranger22]

Yamaha do 460cc and 350cc quads

 

[mack8317]

have a can am 6x6 outlander and a honda Foutrax can am a good very capable bike when new and everything works build quality not as good as Honda won't hold its value as well as the honda

 

[Skietindiekop]

For wot ur wanting quads are great but still only legal to carry 1 person, not so handy if a few of u going out to a site a long walk away.

Not quite true, if registered as agricultural then no passengers, mot or roadtax but if registered as a car you can but also need mot and roadtax

 

[reloader54]

i have an honda trx300, it's 20 years old, I don't often get it stuck, but when I do I just get off it and throw it onto firmer ground.

 

[countrryboy]

Not quite true, if registered as agricultural then no passengers, mot or roadtax but if registered as a car you can but also need mot and roadtax

Not on sites, makes no odds how registered if u roll it and hurt a passenger H&S will be all over u. On many sites if ur even seen riding as a passenger could be red carded.

Yamaha do 460cc and 350cc quads

Are u sure they still do smaller 4x4 quads, the last 2 were 500s as the smallest and last was a 700, definitely the smallest that dealer sells as he only needs a light bike, no towing etc

 

[Ranger22]

Not on sites, makes no odds how registered if u roll it and hurt a passenger H&S will be all over u. On many sites if ur even seen riding as a passenger could be red carded.



Are u sure they still do smaller 4x4 quads, the last 2 were 500s as the smallest and last was a 700, definitely the smallest that dealer sells as he only needs a light bike, no towing etc

We have two 460cc ones coming, so pretty sure. Or I could be in for a big surprise

 

[sikasako]

Our local farmers stick to Honda, Can am and Yamaha in that order.
If it's serious hill work, then Can am seems to come out on top.

 

[countrryboy]

We have two 460cc ones coming, so pretty sure. Or I could be in for a big surprise

Every day's a school day I know he went up to a 700 from a 500 and it was not his choice. I thought they had stopped making them mibbe 3 yes ago
But changed for a small Polaris sit in 1 now

 

[rem284]

Yamaha 450, has a 421cc engine. Suzuki king quad 750 is only 3kg heavier than their 500 king quad but a lot of £££'s more. New Yamaha 450 about 3 inches wider than older ones. If it was me the short list would consist of Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda but i would still checkout the competition

 

[Skietindiekop]

Not on sites, makes no odds how registered if u roll it and hurt a passenger H&S will be all over u. On many sites if ur even seen riding as a passenger could be red carded.

Not sure what you’re getting at as it was you that said a long drive to a site was not handy if a few of you going? Who exactly is going to red card off road use or are you referring to play day sites?
As for having a passenger I was meaning on a proper 2 seater like the one I have. This is why I have the mot and tax so can fully use it legally without worry.
H&S is subjective to using as the manufacturers instruction so I wouldn’t be taking a passenger on hairy hills etc. It is also fully insured for carrying a passenger.

Edited to say I now realise you mean forestry work sites so not relevant to my use

 

[countrryboy]

Just thinking was mibbee just some promotion/cheap deal and he picked them up wrong.
I just mind him thinking that was the smallest as that's wot he was after and all he needed
I never liked the auto box on yam's, always in wrong gear for me but they do go some queer places
Must admit I always just bought Honda's in past without looking elsewhere but would have a better look round now.

If u need it for work and cannae afford for down time really look at the dealers after sales and servicing. No good if in for days/weeks for servicing or simple breakdowns/maintenance.

 

[Cut+Squirt]

Some good suggestions, cheers.

Honda always tends to get a good write - up but I'm just not so sure whether they are still riding their historical reliability reputation.
For their price premium I'm just not convinced.

I'm currently being quoted £7195.00 inclusive of VAT for a Polaris 570 with upgrade to the Agri Pro version thrown in for free.
After claiming my VAT back that's a brand new bike for under 6k with 2 years parts and labour warranty.

If going down the Honda route that would hardly get me their basic machine.

Definitely need to look closer at CAN-AM, as quite a few lads recommending them. Their price point seems to be higher than Polaris but less than Honda with more power and torque than both. .