Other than Ranger,,,,

[SaltwaterSlick]

I have a Pioneer 700-4 and I absolutely love it. Only thing I'd change is I'd have gotten the 1000 if it had been available. What can you say, it's a HONDA. For dependability and ruggedness and quality, that name stands on its own. I too got the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty coverage.
Have added light bar to front and rear since these pics were taken.

[RaginCagin]

I like the reliability of the Honda atv's, but I wouldn't make assumptions that anything is better before it's even been unloaded from a single truck. I love my 900xp and haven't had a single issue in 2000K miles. As far as being quiet like previously mentioned, not a single gas utv on the market currently is as quiet as a 900 xp.

You are correct the 900 ranger is unbelievably quiet but i also find it pretty safe to assume with Hondas reputation and history there wont be many if any issues.

[SB09]

No belts on the Honda. Big advantage imo.

Not necessarily... A belt is a part that can easily be serviced in the field. Honda can't say that. If you break, it's broke. If you break a belt, you can replace and get to where your'e going. There's a reason most ATV/UTV manufacturers use this system. It can be the difference between having to walk back and being able to fix on the fly and go on to your destination. Once again, this all comes down to maintenance and knowing what you need for the equipment you're running. People that are breaking belts have one of two things happening. They're not servicing a wearable part in a timely manner or they're running too heavy of tires for the stock setup which causes heat build up.

I've personally probably got 4 or 5000 hours worth of riding machines with CVT belts in my lifetime. The number of belts I've had break... 0. But, I service the machine like I am supposed to, and I change components of the clutch/belt to run with the size tires I want to.

Wait until people see the cost when they start trying to modify these Honda transmissions to run bigger tires. Talk about sticker shock! Probably 4 times what it costs to modify a CVT clutch system.

I'm not here to bash Honda. They make great machines. But, the line of thinking that Honda's choice of transmission configuration is better than a CVT belt system is flat out flawed. They're not anymore dependable, you've still got to service them, and much harder to fix when they do break. If you talk to someone that is an expert on these machines, you'll hear the same response. Same think goes for the drivetrain configuration on their motorcycles. If you break something, you're stuck. Other motorcycles you can change a belt and be on your way.

[TxGiant]

I have 4 of them, way better then the ranger. No belts, auto trans, way more clearance, normal oil change, quieter, and for $600 you get a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty.

What's different about the oil change on a ranger? Been looking at rangers and now I'm curious

[gatorgrizz27]

Not necessarily... A belt is a part that can easily be serviced in the field. Honda can't say that. If you break, it's broke. If you break a belt, you can replace and get to where your'e going. There's a reason most ATV/UTV manufacturers use this system. It can be the difference between having to walk back and being able to fix on the fly and go on to your destination. Once again, this all comes down to maintenance and knowing what you need for the equipment you're running. People that are breaking belts have one of two things happening. They're not servicing a wearable part in a timely manner or they're running too heavy of tires for the stock setup which causes heat build up.

I've personally probably got 4 or 5000 hours worth of riding machines with CVT belts in my lifetime. The number of belts I've had break... 0. But, I service the machine like I am supposed to, and I change components of the clutch/belt to run with the size tires I want to.

Wait until people see the cost when they start trying to modify these Honda transmissions to run bigger tires. Talk about sticker shock! Probably 4 times what it costs to modify a CVT clutch system.

Valid point for sure. Truthfully a gear drive transmission will probably do better for work type stuff like hauling heavy loads and sprayers uphill, etc. However for the sport/play side of things the belt can absorb ALL of the energy when you climb a hill at full throttle with 4 people in the thing, catch air coming over the top, and land with the peddle to the floor. That is a ton of force and I wouldn't be surprised to see more broken CV axles, driveshafts, transmission gears, etc in a UTV with a conventional transmission.

I haven't ridden Honda's recent electronic shift transmissions, the ones on the older Ranchers always worked fine, but it was annoying sometimes if you forget to downshift. You could be running down a road in 3rd, slow down and stop at a gate, the auto clutch will let you stop and idle still in 3rd gear, but you open the gate and hit the gas and its bogging down, while you hit the down shift button multiple times.

Obviously that's operator error, not the machine's fault, but it would be nice if they had a switch you could turn on that would enable speed/rpm sensors to shift it automatically for you like a car does.

[dpg481]

Big Daddy, if your interested in a used Ranger Ive got a nice 2013 800 I will be selling soon.

[SB09]

Valid point for sure. Truthfully a gear drive transmission will probably do better for work type stuff like hauling heavy loads and sprayers uphill, etc. However for the sport/play side of things the belt can absorb ALL of the energy when you climb a hill at full throttle with 4 people in the thing, catch air coming over the top, and land with the peddle to the floor. That is a ton of force and I wouldn't be surprised to see more broken CV axles, driveshafts, transmission gears, etc in a UTV with a conventional transmission.

I wasn't really thinking about any of that. Great points!

[fishingsetx]

Might check out the Bobcat....

We have one at work and it's nothing more than a rebranded ranger. Same shifter, bed, most of the plastic, switches, etc. Can't tell if it is the same drive/engine because fhe one at work is a diesel but everything appears to be almost identical except some of the plastic and the logo.

I bought an '13 ranger crew 800 and it's been a great machine for almost 1k miles. Only thing I've had to replace has been the carrier bearing for the front prop shaft. Still cranks and runs like the day I bought it but it is completely stock. Several guys at work abuse the heck out of their rangers (as in water/mud over the steering wheel all the time) and have no complaints. They do break things (mainly axles) but when you are doing what they do to them, any machine will break eventually!

[ballgame]

I blows my mind, every time I see someone say they had problems with their ranger. I absolutely abuse mine and have never had a problem in 3 years! Mine stays muddy from September 15 through the end of February, usually in seat deep water.
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Same here I have nothing bad to say about the used 2010 ranger 500 I bought off of here.

I haul a ton of corn and supplies through some of the rockiest and roughest hill country land there is and my Ranger does incredible.

In my opinion it is the best Work/Sport utv out there.

[fishingsetx]

What's different about the oil change on a ranger? Been looking at rangers and now I'm curious

It's a pain to change on mine. You have to use a transmission funnel to fill it and it must be filled through the 1/2" dip stick tube.

[BrandonA]

Check out the Gators. Love mine and work the hell out of it!!

[SB09]

It's a pain to change on mine. You have to use a transmission funnel to fill it and it must be filled through the 1/2" dip stick tube.

Have you looked into that dipstick tube relocation they make? At least I think they make it for the Rangers. Should help cure that headache.

[Bayouboy]

Keep your Rangers. Most on our lease stay in the shop more than they are in the woods.
I certainly won't own another one.
Anything is quiet when it doesn't run.

[SB09]

Keep your Rangers. Most on our lease stay in the shop more than they are in the woods.
I certainly won't own another one.
Anything is quiet when it doesn't run.

This would be the exception to the rule then. Sounds like those people need to learn how to properly maintain their equipment. That or quit abusing it.

But, I guess some are going to have problems when you sell 10 Rangers to every 1 of your competitors.

[RaginCagin]

This would be the exception to the rule then. Sounds like those people need to learn how to properly maintain their equipment. That or quit abusing it.

But, I guess some are going to have problems when you sell 10 Rangers to every 1 of your competitors.

Well the fact is he has a Ranger and I can promise you he maintains his above and beyond what the normal person does at certified polaris mechanic shops and he hunts east texas piney woods where they is little mud to abuse it and it stays in the shop constantly. Apparently that doesnt fit your agenda though and the only way to have issues with them is to abuse them.