Honda is a better all-around machine with less problems than Polaris.

I’m running a Yamaha Viking now. We had one on the ranch too that got absolutely abused.

This country’s tough on stuff.

It’s loud, it’s rough riding, it doesn’t have any of the fancy amenities, but it’s tough, and one of the cheaper ones.

I’ve had Yamaha, Honda, Can-Am and Polaris wheelers or side bys.

Polaris is the only one I’ll never buy again.

I had a Polaris 800 utv paid over $10,000 for it. In 2020 got a Honda after putting more than what I paid for it in repairs. When you are told a quart of oil is normal ever 100 miles that the extended warranty did not cover in the first year you don't have much good to say about a Polaris. Repairs got worse after the first year not counting the time lost while in the shop .In my book Polaris SUCKS.

I agree - every one of them has might be great or a dump. Between by son and myself, we have two Polaris Crews and a can am commander. Cant really comment on my Son’s ranger because it only has about 1200 miles on it - but has been fine. The Can Am Commander is a piece of crap. I will give it a thumbs up for never leaving me in the woods - but it is literally falling apart - the bed is strapped together with ratchet straps, it is so noisy you cant talk to each other, the hump between the two front seats gets so hot it will almost burn your arm - there is absolutely nothing positive I can say about it. My best friend has a honda - and drives it everywhere - on the road and feeding cows - but it has probably never been in a strain in its life. Another buddy does large scale mowing contracts and his last two hondas have had the transmission go out - but they have definately been under strain - dragging logs, pulling on stuck mowers, etc. My poor ranger lives in the water and mud outside of about four months of the year. Most of the bearings have been replaced - but I understand that going in. I have another buddy who is a forester and runs a ranger with a spray crew. He said he has owned or used most sxs and aint none of them perfect.

All that said - my next door cattle ranching neighbor runs a yamaha viking. Pretty much runs everyday. Rain, shine, mud, 110 degree heat - and it has 11,000 miles on it with nothing but regular maint. His las one went 18,000. I can promise, my present ranger with 5000 miles will be lucky to get to 10,000 - but mine is in a lot more water than his.

This^^^^^ is what makes the difference on whatever you get. I often see people literally abusing their machines and they expect them to live forever with no problems.

Honda, Honda, Honda....I like the 700 more than the 1000.

I heard Polaris break down a lot

Owned a 900 Polaris since 2016.
Just bought a 1000 Honda.
Way better machine.
Honda is always 5 years behind the other major manufacturers. They let them work out the kinks and let them get the lawsuits out of the way.
No major breakdowns with my Polaris. 2 CV joints and a u-joint. But I only have 3600 miles on it. Strictly use it for trapping and working.

Cousins x wife family ranger was nice when it was not broke down.

I am. a Honda fan. They just hold up and I'm rough on things. If I get another sxs it will likely be the 4 seat honda 700.

I was told a Honda had a transmission
Polaris bad a belt

Thank you everyone for the input.

I checked out the current models of both Polaris and Honda crews. I expected the Polaris Ranger to be nicer on the exterior but the Honda really felt solid to me. I drove around the Honda some. It definitely shifts differently from the Ranger given the Honda's transmission and it will take some getting used to.

The Honda Pioneer was about $2,500 more than the Polaris Ranger. Initially I told the sales guy I'd take the Polaris Ranger and put $500 down to hold the next one that comes in. A few hours later it was bugging me though. I don't know if it is the prevailing preference for Honda on the Internet or how I felt about the Honda after seeing them side by side. So I called the guy and asked him if I could transfer the $500 to the Honda Pioneer. He said sure, so I'll be getting the Honda Pioneer next week when it comes in. I'm sure the Polaris Ranger would have been fine too but I feel better about the Honda Pioneer.

Wise move

Good choice. I liked the pioneer 1000 I drove that was at the fellow I helped with his grizzly place. Honestly it had to much pep for me. I don't like when I hit a bump and my foot bounces and they accelerate enough it pulls my head back. I did notice the leg room in the 1000 was much nicer than the 700.

Why do you like the 700 better than the 1000. You are the first person that I have heard say this. They are both good machines, but as soon as I drove a 1000, I sold my 700 and bought a 1000.

hope it's a great machine for you!

Hang on to the Viking- trying to find one on dealer allocation is a challenge and can't even order it.
I've always run Yamaha's hard and no issues- my friends that run Honda products say the same- those are my top two choices.

Mary Ann.

It's always going to be Mrs. Howell for me... follow the money.

The 700 is the ideal size for eastern woods, plenty of power for my needs without being overpowered....It's narrow enough to squeeze down existing 4 wheeler trails.

I think they do a little better in the mud also with a tad more narrow wheelbase and width....Never had a winch on mine, and a hunting buddy has stuck his winched 1000 twice while travelling the same trail.

They come out of a mud hole best in reverse like a CJ-5 Jeep, and being somewhat lighter than the 1000 with that smooth bottom makes them pretty hard to hang up if the tires are good...The 1000 is hotter under the seat, but that can be remedied.

This is all just my opinion. The 700 is just sized perfect for my needs....If I trapped all open fields the 1000 would get the nod, especially with it's greater payload and towing capacity, plus better ground clearance....Have also heard the 1000 has a more durable transmission, but my 700 tranny has been good so far.

I'd be curious to know the fuel consumption difference between the two brands.
Everything Honda that I've ever owned literally just sips gasoline. Everything Polaris I've ever owned guzzles gas.
But I've never owned a side-by-side.