Honda side by side

I've been looking at side by sides and ran across a used Honda Big Red.  I didn't realize Honda still made them.  I mainly see Polaris Rangers, Kawasaki Mules & Teryx, and John Deere Gators around here.  Does anyone own one or have any experience with one? 

They must be as uncommon everywhere else as they are around here! (lol)  Leaning toward a Polaris Ranger 500 anyway.

I can't tell you anything about a Honda side by side but I can tell you I love my Ranger, I don't know what I'd do without it.

They are getting to be more popular around here, I think alot of it has to do with being newer to the side by side market. I know of 2 different people that have went to Honda from a Polaris Ranger and said they can't believe how much better it is.  We have put a ton of miles on ours in a year and all of them were checkin crops, fence, pasture, pullin rack wagons, etc.  The Honda runs alot smoother than a Ranger and the transmission is the big advantage, its alot more quieter and the unit as a whole is just a good solid built machine.

We have a Polaris 700 6x6 2007 with 1200 hours and a 2007 Kubota 900 with a full cab and 2800 hours.  They were both bought used. We use ours a lot but we do take good care of them.

The Polaris we have never been able to keep a drive belt for more than about 100 hours.  That plus the excessive heat issue is a big problem.  We very rarely pull anything but sometimes will put a 40 gal sprayer in the back.  I love the way it rides and handles on the pasture hills.  But it is not at all dependable.  The

The Kubota is an entirely different animal.  It is so heavy and feels like you are driving a tank.  But I love the diesel and the hydrostat transmission.

We looked at the Honda and I think it is a really nice machine but we needed a cab so our son could go with and the cabs were ridiculously priced.  They are quiet and seem to handle quite well.

Our next one will be the Kubota 1100 or the Honda.  Dad is after a Honda.

If you are in an area where it gets warm at least part of the year don't underestimate the heat issue with the Polaris.  I thought it couldn't be that bad.  It is and we've tried all the tricks we could think of or find.

We have a 2007 Polaris Ranger 900 that is a complete JAPOC (Junky _SS Piece OF CRAP).  In addition to the extreme heat, ours acts like it's running out of gas all the time.  It just lunges and surges no matter what speed you are going.  We have had it in the shop 4 times.  It will run fine for an hour or so and then right back to the problem.  We have a 1998 Honda Foreman ES that I will drive any time over having to get in the ranger.

Decided to go with the Ranger 500.  Found a really clean used 2009 at a pretty good price.  I had read about the heat problem but I heard it was mainly a problem with the 700 & 800.  So far so good.