New here on the forum but....

[crawdad62]

Hi. New guy here to gain a bit of knowledge and insight into these. I'm a 60 yr. old retired firefighter. I own 5 acres of mostly heavily wooded property and I have a 600' paved drive that I keep plowed. Those are my main needs for a SXS. A few years ago I bought a Polaris 570 Sportsman. I had always been a Honda guy but the "more bang for your buck" Polaris won me over. I regretted it. Don't get me wrong the Polaris never let me down but you can just see how it's just not fit and finished like a Honda. Now I realize that most of my use involves carrying things to do things. I've always got a chainsaw or two, fuel, saws and loppers etc. Stuff that I have to strap down that I could put in the bed of a SXS.

So here we are. I want a 520. That's all I need. But this whole thing is a huge bummer. I've never even seen a Pioneer let alone drive one. There's not a dealer around that has one. I don't really need to persuaded to buy one but I would like to at least look at one before putting money down to get one. What's the lead time when ordering? I'm assuming that since there's more demand than product there's very letting negotiating power?

Anyway. I guess I can look around and live vicariously. Thanks.

 

[Buggyman]

Hi. New guy here to gain a bit of knowledge and insight into these. I'm a 60 yr. old retired firefighter. I own 5 acres of mostly heavily wooded property and I have a 600' paved drive that I keep plowed. Those are my main needs for a SXS. A few years ago I bought a Polaris 570 Sportsman. I had always been a Honda guy but the "more bang for your buck" Polaris won me over. I regretted it. Don't get me wrong the Polaris never let me down but you can just see how it's just not fit and finished like a Honda. Now I realize that most of my use involves carrying things to do things. I've always got a chainsaw or two, fuel, saws and loppers etc. Stuff that I have to strap down that I could put in the bed of a SXS.

So here we are. I want a 520. That's all I need. But this whole thing is a huge bummer. I've never even seen a Pioneer let alone drive one. There's not a dealer around that has one. I don't really need to persuaded to buy one but I would like to at least look at one before putting money down to get one. What's the lead time when ordering? I'm assuming that since there's more demand than product there's very letting negotiating power?

Anyway. I guess I can look around and live vicariously. Thanks

welcome from Ohio. this is the best forum with the greatest people. can't go wrong with a Honda. look in the 500 thread you will see pictures of others 500/520 buggys Honda Pioneer 500/520 Forum

 

[Mopower58]

Welcome from Mississippi. I am partial to a Pioneer 1000 for our use , we haul things like sacks of horsefeed, hay, pull a chipper/ shredder, haul chain saw,pole saw,weed eater,pull a trailer and we love the power and room. If you drive on the grass much it also has a Turf-Saver selection, i.e. Same as a single wheel pull on the differential so when you turn it doesn't tear up the lawn.I came from an 07-660 Rhino. Night and day difference.Hopefully you find one soon.
#NTC

 

[SILVER_ALERT]

Howdy from Oklahoma and welcome to the club.

You are right that there is limited negotiating with dealers right now, and it will probably be that way for a while. If you find one at a dealer, they may cut you a better deal on any acessories that you might want to add on, and thats probably the best you could hope for. You might broaden your search to include the P500 too, since there is really no difference in durablility or performance. The dump bed vs the rear rack obiviously, but many here have configured their rack on the P500 to suit their needs. You could take a look at this thread: P500 - Post your rear rack or box. Pics.

 

[Remington]

Welcome from Michigan!

Yes everything said above is true. Id also broaden my search to a P700 as well. Call around to dealers even on the next state over to see if any have one. Dont be afraid to make a small road trip. To get any Pioneer now a days you need to go out and make a push to get it. Good luck!

 

[Neohio]

Find some 500/520 members in your area. Shoot em a message. Most of us are willing and would be giddy if someone wanted to come over and check out our machines. Might even give our wives a break from our addiction.

 

[Smitty335]

Hi. New guy here to gain a bit of knowledge and insight into these. I'm a 60 yr. old retired firefighter. I own 5 acres of mostly heavily wooded property and I have a 600' paved drive that I keep plowed. Those are my main needs for a SXS. A few years ago I bought a Polaris 570 Sportsman. I had always been a Honda guy but the "more bang for your buck" Polaris won me over. I regretted it. Don't get me wrong the Polaris never let me down but you can just see how it's just not fit and finished like a Honda. Now I realize that most of my use involves carrying things to do things. I've always got a chainsaw or two, fuel, saws and loppers etc. Stuff that I have to strap down that I could put in the bed of a SXS.

So here we are. I want a 520. That's all I need. But this whole thing is a huge bummer. I've never even seen a Pioneer let alone drive one. There's not a dealer around that has one. I don't really need to persuaded to buy one but I would like to at least look at one before putting money down to get one. What's the lead time when ordering? I'm assuming that since there's more demand than product there's very letting negotiating power?

Anyway. I guess I can look around and live vicariously. Thanks.

Welcome from NW Arkansas, yep there handier than a pocket on a shirt!

 

[906UP]

Welcome from da U.P. I 2nd @Neohio suggestion, post a message in the P500 section and I'll bet you'll find someone close-ish that'll let you come check it out.

 

[Blownzuki]

Welcome from northern Indiana.

 

[Red500]

Welcome to the club from East Tennessee.
Here is a suggestion that is probably impractical... Look on this forum for the pioneer takeover and maybe take a trip down to Tennessee. There will be every version that Honda makes there and I'm sure just about any one you ask would be more than happy to show theirs off.

 

[Haldog77]

Welcome from NW Louisiana.

I came from a 660 Rhino myself,but there is no comparison to the Honda Pioneer 1000.

#NTC

 

[1border4manu]

Welcome from Central Florida. I agree, try to find someone that would let you demo one of their P5 or P520 in your area. Good luck.

 

[HBarlow]

I agree with those who posted suggestions above to start a new thread asking a member near you to allow you to examine and take a test drive in his or her buggy.

Someone will see your post and invite you to visit if you're willing to drive the distance.

 

[DaddyDubbs]

Welcome from Alabama

 

[crawdad62]

Welcome from Mississippi. I am partial to a Pioneer 1000 for our use , we haul things like sacks of horsefeed, hay, pull a chipper/ shredder, haul chain saw,pole saw,weed eater,pull a trailer and we love the power and room. If you drive on the grass much it also has a Turf-Saver selection, i.e. Same as a single wheel pull on the differential so when you turn it doesn't tear up the lawn.I came from an 07-660 Rhino. Night and day difference.Hopefully you find one soon.
#NTC

Hey thanks everyone. I wasn't getting an email that people had responded so I thought there wasn't any. They were going to junk. Anyway I appreciate all the advice and welcomes. I'm going to reach out to a few people and see if they know anyone with a Pioneer. This one response is something that caught my eye. Specifically the Turf-Mode. The 500/520's don't have that correct? That was one of the selling points to me about the Rangers. Their 570 does have a Turf-Mode. I really wish they had it on the smaller ones.

 

[Red500]

No the 500/520 rears are locked

 

[Jerryg]

What I found was the seating position and gas/brake pedals were very uncomfortable and non adjustable. You actually have to hold your knee up in the air to work the gas pedal. Make sure you try one before you commit.

I wound up buying a Yamaha Wolverine, no contest but no turf mode.

 

[100Acre]

Hmmmm, crawdad…
1. Are you a dad?
2. Are you so old you feel the need to crawl?
3. Is it the Polaris ownership thing that ;
A. Makes your skin crawl?
B. Makes you crawl because it’s stuck in 1st gear and on fire?
4. You just happen to like crawdads?
5. Why Crawdad and not Crawlfish?
A. Is it because you’re a man and not a woman? (there are only two genders unless you identify as peanut butter or as a gnome)(or both)…
B. It’s a regional thing?
C. Is it because you like miniature freshwater lobsters and while no one is looking you like to secretly dress up as a Crustacean and play eat the dead whale at the bottom of the ocean game?

 

[Mopower58]

Hey thanks everyone. I wasn't getting an email that people had responded so I thought there wasn't any. They were going to junk. Anyway I appreciate all the advice and welcomes. I'm going to reach out to a few people and see if they know anyone with a Pioneer. This one response is something that caught my eye. Specifically the Turf-Mode. The 500/520's don't have that correct? That was one of the selling points to me about the Rangers. Their 570 does have a Turf-Mode. I really wish they had it on the smaller ones.

I think of the 3 Pioneers only the 1000 has the turf-mode.

 

[EMAW]

Hello and Welcome from Kansas! Best of luck with your search!