What do you think about the Honda 500 Rubicon?

[FlyingV]

I want to buy a 4 wheel drive ATV. I'm leaning towards the 2005 Honda 500 Rubicon. I will use it for ice fishing, pulling deer from the woods, getting back into the woods for duck hunting and maybe pulling a fish house on the ice as well as work around the house. I suppose I will have go through a mud hole now and then, but it's not the main reason for buying one. I also really want it to start well in the winter.

I am open to other brands but Honda has a decent finance package right now.

I value your opinion.

Thanks!

[wallywalleye]

This is just my opinion. I have a 98 honda foreman 450 with 4000 miles on it and I use it for ice fishing. I let my friends use it for whatever they need it for, like hunting or chores around the yard. I haven't had any problems and it starts whether it's 20 below zero or if it gets to be 105. This year I forgot to go and get a new battery for it so when I want to use it I have to pull start it and it always starts in two pulls, sometimes one if i'm lucky, but it doesn't pull hard so it's no big deal. I have a freind who works for a company that has a older four trax (earlier version of the foreman) and it had like 25,000 and some odd miles on it!!!! this is no miss print!! It's part of the reason I bought mine a few years back. I'm sure it has more miles on it by now but I know they have other 4-wheelers that are newer that they use so I'm sure it doesn't get driven much anymore, But it still runs and drives well If I remember right it's a 1992 or something like that. I think if you buy a Honda you'll be happy. The only thing that I have to warn you about is weight. Check to see if you can lift the front end up.(the bigger the cc's the heavier they are)A 350 Rancher will weigh alot less than a 500 Rubicon. If you ever get stuck in the mud or snow it's nice to know you can lift it out without killing your back. You just have to trust me on this. I have had other people tell me this and I'm glad I listened. People might tell you just to get a winch but unless you have something to tie it to it will do you no good. Like if your out in the middle of a lake ice fishing and get stuck in some deep snow drift. If you can lift the front half (that's the heavy half) than you should be good to go.

[RussDaBuss]

I have a 2003 Rubicon and love it. It is a little cold blooded when it is cold but a couple pushes of the primer and she fires right up. As you probably know it is full time 4-wheel drive. You can get a Warn kit to make it switch into 2 wheel drive. I am going to get this eventually. Only would really get it for playing around and trail riding. For what you describe on what you will be using it for it will be a good machine. It is a work machine. I love it for ice fishing and is pretty light at 600 lbs. compared to some other machines. Good luck with your choice and have fun with it..

[FlyingV]

Thanks for the input!