[pcumby]

I currently have a 2006 Rubicon and that bike was bullet prove. I plowed snow, pulled wood and trail ride in some very rough places. This bike never complained. However, now I'm in the market for a new 500 machine (I like the 500's because they seem like they have all the power I need but with a cheaper price, easier on fuel and less prone to over heat.) I have been looking at the newer Rubicon, but I have to be honest I did like the 2006 hydro static transmission and I hear the DCT isn't quite has good and at times you need to shift yourself.

I also question the 475cc power with a top speed of only 45 miles per hour isn't great. Top speed isn't a priority, but when you are being waited on by your group because you just can't keep up on an open fire road is kinda embarrassing considering the money I have to pay for a new Honda. However, I do like the feel, power steering, the fit and finish and reliability.

I'm also looking at the Suzuki King Quad 500. I tried one and I loved the feeling of this machine. Power is nice, ( maybe not as much bottom end as my Rubicon but nice none the less.) ride comfort is nice, speed is quick and it fits me perfect. I question the reliability compared to Honda, how long well it last. My question is to people who knows these machines and what would you do? Oh I also know this is a Honda site so I expect some bias.

 

[shadetree]

answer: want an atv that last ?..then its a honda ( thats only if you taker care of it ! ). or..you want a brand that does not last ?. i've had my hands on atvs for a very long time, and I mostly deal with honda for simple stuff. suzu's ?..well.to me..they don't hold up. your money..your call. oh..and no honda in the utility range is made for speed..ever !!. you want speed ?, then jump into the sport version of honda, want a work horse ?, then its utility all the way.

 

[SamUK]

I too would choose Honda. I sure I heard on here somewhere recently that the new machines are 499cc, not a big improvement but I’d have thought noticeable. As for speed, you could increase your tyre size to a 27” tyre, you wouldn’t have huge gains but it would certainly help a little. Your only Honda option for speed would be ansports quad, but then you loose 4x4 and the ability to use it for work purposes.

Out of curiosity, what are the pros and cons you’ve got listed between the two?

 

[pcumby]

I too would choose Honda. I sure I heard on here somewhere recently that the new machines are 499cc, not a big improvement but I’d have thought noticeable. As for speed, you could increase your tyre size to a 27” tyre, you wouldn’t have huge gains but it would certainly help a little. Your only Honda option for speed would be ansports quad, but then you loose 4x4 and the ability to use it for work purposes.

Out of curiosity, what are the pros and cons you’ve got listed between the two?

it is still 475 cc


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[ATC4ever]

Talking to a buddy of mine today who got a new Zuke 500 last year, he said his would do around 60mph. If that is your only criteria then KQ is the way to go. If not, & you dont mind shifting, the Honda IMO. Had a DCT Rubicon for 3 years.

 

[SamUK]

I too would choose Honda. I sure I heard on here somewhere recently that the new machines are 499cc, not a big improvement but I’d have thought noticeable. As for speed, you could increase your tyre size to a 27” tyre, you wouldn’t have huge gains but it would certainly help a little. Your only Honda option for speed would be ansports quad, but then you loose 4x4 and the ability to use it for work purposes.

Out of curiosity, what are the pros and cons you’ve got listed between the two?

it is still 475 cc


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I stand corrected then, I’ll look into this anyway.

 

[wheelsquad]

As a current owner of both Honda and Yamaha, I would say the Yamaha is every bit as reliable as the Honda. But the build and fit and finish in all the details is better in the Honda. The fit and finish difference is actually very apparent when you go back and forth between the two, and in working on them. But in terms of stone cold reliability if you equate that to trusting the machine to get you from point A to point B and back, the Yammie is 100% on par with a Honda. And I'd say even more reliable than the ES/DCT/Hondamatic Honda's. And over in Yamaha land, the Suzuki's are actually very highly regarded as being on par with the Yamaha's in terms of quality, reliability, and capability. I've never personally owned a Zuk ATV though.

 

[duke5012]

Talking to a buddy of mine today who got a new Zuke 500 last year, he said his would do around 60mph. If that is your only criteria then KQ is the way to go. If not, & you dont mind shifting, the Honda IMO. Had a DCT Rubicon for 3 years.

Do you still have the rubicon? How did ya like the DCT? Im ready to buy a Quad soon, took a ride on the Rubicon at the dealer and was impressed. No trail riding though.

 

[pcumby]

Talking to a buddy of mine today who got a new Zuke 500 last year, he said his would do around 60mph. If that is your only criteria then KQ is the way to go. If not, & you dont mind shifting, the Honda IMO. Had a DCT Rubicon for 3 years.

Well I agree with some of the things that is being said here, but I also disagree with some of the comment as well. I do believe it is tough to beat the reliability of a Honda, however, I know lots of guys with Suzuki 300 from back in the 80's that are still on the trail. I know Eigars and Vinsons with 25000 and 30000 km's. Also King Quads with similar mileage.... Over all I would think Honda is a tough act to follow, but they certainly bring up the rear in the power department. If that Rubicon was a 550 then you would have sold me. I would have ignored the auto shifting transmission that you have to manually shift sometimes.

 

[pcumby]

As a current owner of both Honda and Yamaha, I would say the Yamaha is every bit as reliable as the Honda. But the build and fit and finish in all the details is better in the Honda. The fit and finish difference is actually very apparent when you go back and forth between the two, and in working on them. But in terms of stone cold reliability if you equate that to trusting the machine to get you from point A to point B and back, the Yammie is 100% on par with a Honda. And I'd say even more reliable than the ES/DCT/Hondamatic Honda's. And over in Yamaha land, the Suzuki's are actually very highly regarded as being on par with the Yamaha's in terms of quality, reliability, and capability. I've never personally owned a Zuk ATV though.

Well looking closely at the Suzuki I would agree with the fit and finish compared to the Honda, however that smooth sounding single of the Suzuki, definitely sounds much more refine than the Honda's.

 

[ATC4ever]

I honestly think the Honda's are the top of the line in reliability. Which is why the resale is higher than any other, at least in Canada. If Honda was the only machine we wouldnt know the difference on speed & 'wheelie factor' as they would do what they were built for & we'd accept that. Looking (recently) at the Suzuki, Yamaha & Kawasaki wheelers, they just dont seem to have as much effort put into the design of them. Missing side panels in the front end to keep dirt & sticks/crap out of the rad, little things like that.
Oh... & I JUST sold the ole white Rubi on Saturday & took part of the money & picked up a late model CR500R...for now.
Might get an old 3 wheeler for the time being, otherwise its a toss up between a new Kawi 750, Zuki 750(3 year warr & winch) or a likely used Rincon. My buddy with the 500 KQ said if i wasnt doubling the 500 was fine, & he had a KQ700 & 750 in the past.

 

[pcumby]

I honestly think the Honda's are the top of the line in reliability. Which is why the resale is higher than any other, at least in Canada. If Honda was the only machine we wouldnt know the difference on speed & 'wheelie factor' as they would do what they were built for & we'd accept that. Looking (recently) at the Suzuki, Yamaha & Kawasaki wheelers, they just dont seem to have as much effort put into the design of them. Missing side panels in the front end to keep dirt & sticks/crap out of the rad, little things like that.
Oh... & I JUST sold the ole white Rubi on Saturday & took part of the money & picked up a late model CR500R...for now.
Might get an old 3 wheeler for the time being, otherwise its a toss up between a new Kawi 750, Zuki 750(3 year warr & winch) or a likely used Rincon. My buddy with the 500 KQ said if i wasnt doubling the 500 was fine, & he had a KQ700 & 750 in the past.

I honestly believe you are right. I think their build quality, fit and finish, resale value and reliability is at the top compared to all other 4 wheelers including Suzuki and Yamaha. However after owning one I can say that for machines that are capable and powerful, I would say that they are close to the very bottom.

My Rubicon is a monster for plowing snow or doing work around the house. However on the trail it falls behind in mud, mushkeg, going over down trees and speed. The torque in low one is good however I have powered the bike out in low one a couple of times ( I have 26" mudbugs no lift or other mods) in heavy mud. Also, being of the older variety the solid rear axle was rough to spend all day on. I hear this is not the case for the new ones.

Like I said, if it would have had 550 or 570 like some other manufacturers and an 1inch more ground clearance we wouldn't be having this conversation. I would already own one. However comparing it to the King quad which is a true 500, true auto and very capable because of more GC then it comes down to is the king quad reliable enough? And now I believe it is.

my intention was always to buy a slightly used one and I just found a deal I don't think I could refuse. Ill let you know.


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[SamUK]

Honda’s are built like a Cummins 6BT, under powered for the size but built to do a million miles. In my personal opinion with today’s technology I’d say reliability between the top 3 brands (Honda, Yam, Suzuki) is few and far between.
I know in MX that Honda usually win, Yam are a very close second and sometimes first with Suzuki always getting holeshot and still being competitive, obviously the rider has some to play with that statement but it’s been that way for quite a few years now.

 

[shadetree]

personally ?, I don't care about speed ( I got old..ok ?!..lol )..I am all for getting there and back !. I can count on a honda doing this, as for any other brand ?..nope..not...gonna...happen !..lol.

 

[Freedomflyer]

There is an atv rental business located in part of the local Can Am shop, a friend of mine who does not personally own an ATV came out to visit. He wanted to rent several different machines 2 experience what they had to offer. I was trying to set up the rental for him. In visiting with the owners of the rental business, they we're talking about the different machines they had in their rental Fleet. They had no bias toward any one brand in particular in the ones that they have in their Fleet. They did not have any Honda machines but they did have multiple Suzukis. They said they would not go without Suzuki's in their Fleet as they have proven to be unbelievably reliable and are like a tank. Especially with individuals that have no common sense and get the machines in two places they shouldn't and have rolled them down a mountain Trail or Switchback. They said they just don't fly apart like any of the other machines. Also they have had very very few maintenance issues. So in their opinion the Suzuki is a top-notch machine that is reliable when ridden by people we don't either care or know much about ATVs, so I would think that if someone bought one as their own personal machine and took care of it, it would be a very reliable ATV. We do have friends that have owned Suzuki King quads for years and have had absolutely no issues and said they would not own any other type of machine, Just my 2 cents

 

[shadetree]

There is an atv rental business located in part of the local Can Am shop, a friend of mine who does not personally own an ATV came out to visit. He wanted to rent several different machines 2 experience what they had to offer. I was trying to set up the rental for him. In visiting with the owners of the rental business, they we're talking about the different machines they had in their rental Fleet. They had no bias toward any one brand in particular in the ones that they have in their Fleet. They did not have any Honda machines but they did have multiple Suzukis. They said they would not go without Suzuki's in their Fleet as they have proven to be unbelievably reliable and are like a tank. Especially with individuals that have no common sense and get the machines in two places they shouldn't and have rolled them down a mountain Trail or Switchback. They said they just don't fly apart like any of the other machines. Also they have had very very few maintenance issues. So in their opinion the Suzuki is a top-notch machine that is reliable when ridden by people we don't either care or know much about ATVs, so I would think that if someone bought one as their own personal machine and took care of it, it would be a very reliable ATV. We do have friends that have owned Suzuki King quads for years and have had absolutely no issues and said they would not own any other type of machine, Just my 2 cents

unless suz's changed their starter designs ?..this is their biggest down fall, crummy starter set up in their old atvs..very bad !!.

 

[pcumby]

Well I picked it up. All cleanup ready for mud

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[shadetree]

Well I picked it up. All cleanup ready for mud

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nice !..now...go join a Susie forum..your not allowed here with other brands !..j/k...lol. nice ride..cept I don't like susies, and back seat riders on a one seater !..lol.

 

[pcumby]

Well I picked it up. All cleanup ready for mud

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nice !..now...go join a Susie forum..your not allowed here with other brands !..j/k...lol. nice ride..cept I don't like susies, and back seat riders on a one seater !..lol.

I've had this bike for a few weeks now and doing a side by side comparison with my old Rubi I can honestly say that the Honda is lacking in every area except reliability, fit and finish and bottom end power. For bottom end power they are very close. The 500 king quad is smoother in everyway. The ride, the comfort, the engine refinement and over all capability. I have tested this bike on a number of trails now and with a high degree of certainty I can say that this bike will go places that the honda will have to pull out a winch for. I go everywhere my buddy goes on his 2018 grizzly, but with the Honda there is this expectation that I may not make it in areas that are a little challenging
and in a lot of those places he is right. I think years ago Honda sold so many unit based on the fact that no one was close to them in reliable and back in the old 300 and 350 days they were right ( however I have seen some pretty stupid miles on suzuki 300 and 500 also). However today the reliability game as certainly changed with Yamaha and Suzuki are right up there with Honda. However where the game has separate is performance. Honda as taken a backseat to everyone. They have certainly made improvements to their Rubicon, compared to my bike, but no where near the competition. In my area the 475 Rubicon is $800 less then the Grizzly and more expensive than the 750 King quad. That is insane. Sure it is a good 500, but it is no where near Yamaha 700 and Suzuki 750. I love Honda. I have 2 honda cars, honda 3000is generator and a Honda pressure washer, but for Honda to earn my business in every area they need to up their game and in this area they haven't.

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[ATC4ever]

I would be surprised the Honda couldnt go where the rest went. One thing about the Honda's i have liked is ease of access for maintenance when removing stuff. The Racks are a pain, comp'd to say, the Brute Force, but take the air filter... (me) comparing the King Quad 750 to the Rubicon's air filter, the KQ had a paper disposable filter & all others were reusable. Another thing about the 750, not sure about your 500, is shim under bucket valves. They likely did it for head height &/or power, but "IMO" a wheeler should be also about ease of maint/ seeing how they get into the mud & go off road.
Just some things that helped me decide on what i was getting next.