So being pretty knowledgeable on most of the popular brands I went and looked at the Pioneer. Specifically the 700 model.

My take away from looking is that the Honda is light years ahead of the others. Specifically Polaris, Can Am, Kawaski. Not sure about the newer Kubota. But probably theirs as well.

The Honda lineage is seen in theirs. The motor, transmission. It just seems like a better machine in just about every aspect. For about the same $

I would love to hear from some owners of the Pioneer. Thanks guys and gals.

I’ve been hoping they would make a 6 seater where the passengers don’t have to sit in the bed.

Ouch - These things have gotten expensive. I think smart money goes with Honda for engines and transmissions. I had a Kawasaki Teryx4 that was loud, handled poorly, and spent too much time sitting in my garage. I sold it this summer for about what I paid for it and was happy to see someone else was happy. I had it on Craigslist and must have had 50 calls.

Good luck with you buggy search.
Mike

My neighbor has a P700 and it's been pretty reliable as one would expect from a Honda. There was something early on which he was able to fix. Earlier this year after it quit going into reverse the dealer replaced some kind of reverse actuator for a few hundred dollars (probably mostly labor) to remedy that.

I have a Kawasaki Mule Pro MX, which somewhat compares to the Pioneer, and I've done nothing to it other than oil changes. Both use 700cc single cylinder engines which are governed to 45 mph and run on the same size tires. Both are 60" wide, the P700 is 114" long the MX 110" however the Honda's wheelbase is 3" shorter than the Kawasaki. The Honda holds 8 the Kawasaki 9.5 gallons of fuel. Rated bed capacity is 700# for the MX and 1,000# on the P700 which is somewhat surprising to me because just looking at the frame, suspension, drive shafts, u-joints, etc. the Kawasaki appears to be the beefier built machine.... it weighs over 300# more than the P700. Rated tow capacity is the same at 1,500 pounds. I occasionally have mine completely heaped full of gravel which is about the heaviest thing I carry in it and it does fine.

The two biggest differences between the two are the transmission and axles they incorporate. Honda is using more of a motorcycle or ATV 5-speed with auto shift and no low range. The Mule has a continuously variable transmission with the sealed belt always in tension by utilizing a wet clutch. The Mule has high and low range. The P700 rear axle does not incorporate a differential so it's always locked solid (like most ATV's). The front axle does have a differential (so you can steer) and can be engaged in traditional 4wd. In addition the front diff can be temporarily locked if necessary. The Mule has a rear differential and 4wd engages the front, just like a 4wd truck. In addition the rear differential can be locked in both 2wd and 4wd.
For use in absolute maximum traction conditions such as rock crawling the P700 with its always locked rear, and the front lock engaged, would have the edge over the Pro MX with its locked rear and open front. But why Honda does not utilize an open/locked rear diff is a head scratcher to me? My Mule is used on trails through the woods, on the yard, dirt and paved roads, in dry, wet, and snow conditions and 98% of the time the rear differential is unlocked. My neighbor didn't even know this until he got it home and noticed when driving it around tight turns saw the rear tires tearing up his grass and skidding when on paved surfaces. He's about to replace the rear tires on it for the second time.

I have a Pioneer 520 on the way to replace my old Honda Rancher and unfortunately it doesn't have a rear differential either. I'll be using it mostly on my trails where it's narrow 50" width will come in handy, plus it'll better fit in my little box trailer if I want to take a side by side rather than a motorcycle.

cheeze, I think you need a suburban!

Mcr, yes they are expensive. An Atv is $7-8K, really an ouch!

BTW I owned one Polaris and let's just say I'll not own another one. I don't know much about Can Am's. For resale you're better off staying with one of the Japanese brands.

ridewv, I am not sure you have all the specifics correct. It (pioneer) has a three speed auto transmition and limited slip rear end to the best of m knowledge. I think you may have some other points incorrect as well. But thanks for the comparison on the Mule.

You are right on the transmission cross, the P 500 has the ATV (Rubicon) derived 5-speed, the P1000 has a 6-speed dual clutch (probably borrowed from the Honda Africa twin). 3-speed with torque converter on the 700.
What else am I wrong on?

I think I'm right on the rear diff it's locked, not a limited slip.

edit; Selectable 2WD/4WD with manually selectable front differential-lock mode. There is no unlockable rear differential like on the Pioneer 1000.
https://utvactionmag.com/test-...-pioneer-700-deluxe/

If the machine is good or not is 100% dependant on your intended use. What do you want it to do for you?

(I'm in the powersports industry)

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
So being pretty knowledgeable on most of the popular brands I went and looked at the Pioneer. Specifically the 700 model.

My take away from looking is that the Honda is light years ahead of the others. Specifically Polaris, Can Am, Kawaski. Not sure about the newer Kubota. But probably theirs as well.

The Honda lineage is seen in theirs. The motor, transmission. It just seems like a better machine in just about every aspect. For about the same $

I would love to hear from some owners of the Pioneer. Thanks guys and gals.

We have a 2018 Pioneer 700-4 Deluxe and love it.

It won't break any land speed records(maybe 41-42 mph), but it has been rock solid.

We love it, and if we ever are in need of another side by side, we will definitely buy another Honda.

Thanks guys, Jondaddy, there are good and not so good. Honda's a very good quality. Dealers are also good and not so good. So that plays a big role.

I would like a rig.

That can work. Plow snow. Have a better system than the winch setup.
Also push 40mph top speed and can be set up with a street legal kit.
Can get it done in the back country and in serious terrain.
Something that is going to need little shop time other than regular maintenance.
Is relatively comfortable to sit in. Easy in easy out to a degree.
I am thinking something in the 6-800cc class. Maybe larger.
Capacity for at least two. 4 (crew) could be a plus. I would like the best tow and cargo rating I can get for this size machine.

I would like to be under$12k if possible. Depending on what more $ might get me I might be able to add a bit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

Wow! What you're looking for and in that price range isn't something I have found to exist, especially new. I've been looking for a few months now for a side by side and they are hard to come by (I favor Polaris but I've had several of the 4 wheelers) my local dealer finally had several come in. I went and looked at them, my needs and requirements are for a smaller 2 seat so I knew the 570 or 500 would be ideal. And they had one Ranger 500 in the show room, it came home with me.

Honda and other companies just haven't had any machines on dealer floors since early this year so I didn't even try to visit them

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Thanks guys, Jondaddy, there are good and not so good. Honda's a very good quality. Dealers are also good and not so good. So that plays a big role.

I would like a rig.

That can work. Plow snow. Have a better system than the winch setup.
Also push 40mph top speed and can be set up with a street legal kit.
Can get it done in the back country and in serious terrain.
Something that is going to need little shop time other than regular maintenance.
Is relatively comfortable to sit in. Easy in easy out to a degree.
I am thinking something in the 6-800cc class. Maybe larger.
Capacity for at least two. 4 (crew) could be a plus. I would like the best tow and cargo rating I can get for this size machine.

I would like to be under$12k if possible. Depending on what more $ might get me I might be able to add a bit.

The local Honda Dealer to me had one 700cc Pioneer deluxe on the floor. Had two that were sold and one 1000 sold also.

Congrats on the 500 Ranger. Was it bare bones or did you get it with some glass, top, winch, etc?

Did they come off of msrp?

Was the 500 what you wanted? What do you plan to use it for?

It is mainly for firewood and low speed rambling about the woods. Dealer gave me a decent trade value on my 4 wheeler but didn't come off the msrp of the Ranger.
I have several Kubota's for doing large heavy work but they are diesel so much louder and not as comfortable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nframe,

Nice looking small machine.

Right now at the top of my list is probably a

Honda Pioneer 700
Kawaski Mule FX of some sort
Then maybe a Polaris Ranger 570 or
a Can Am HD8 Defender

The only thing holding me back on the Honda is I would like to put doors on it as some point. Not sure if that is an option. Maybe aftermarket?

I would have liked to see some of the Hondas but just none around.
I rode around in the Polaris 570 before I got the 500. The "midsize" 570 and 500 are the same size just motor difference.
I'm thinking of a poly roof and possibly a windshield. I'm in and out of it a lot so doors aren't an interest for me but all the many options for all the machines is amazing.
Once you get one the cost of everything else can really add up too.

Yep, A top, windshield, rear panel, winch, canvas doors, front guard and rear bumper would add about $2500 That would set the Polaris up pretty good though.

let us know when you get the Pioneer 700!

And then how you start accessorizing it

I'm wishing I would have bought a side by side years ago instead of my 4 wheeler.

I was considering the Honda 1000-5 before much of the inventory sold out and the ones that were available were going for MSRP. I can’t bring myself to pay 1-2000 more for a machine like that knowing I could’ve bought the same machine a few months prior for much less. I fully understand and respect the concept of supply and demand. I also realize I’ve managed to live this long without one and will wait a few more months in hopes inventory gets replaced and prices will be a little more negotiable. I considered other brands but can’t part from the Honda brand. I’ve got my original 1995 Honda 300 which functions flawlessly and dad still has his 1996 300 4x4. Neither have ever had an issue, just general maintenance. I’ll also add we don’t abuse the machines either.

I bought a 2019 700 Deluxe last year and have been very happy with it. After reviewing several brands I went with the Pioneer primarily because of the shaft drive and sealed power steering. They aren’t cheap but as others pointed out, I was more shocked at the price of the 4-wheelers in the show room. I still remember my parents paying about $250 for a used Honda 110 3-wheeler when I was a kid.

I went with the Honda dealer installed windshield and roof when I made the purchase. My only complaint with the windshield is that it will scratch badly if you look at it wrong - especially when trying to clean it. I’ve added a winch with a wireless remote, front LED light bar, rear LED’s above the tilt-bed, and rear-view and side view mirrors. I also added a snorkel and vent kit. I have no plans on driving in water deep enough to need it but installed it as a preventative as I’ve stumbled into to some deeper than I expected spots when duck hunting.

Inventory in my area has been pretty limited - hope you have good success in finding what you want.

Michael