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Sorry if this is a bit long winded everyone.
I’m thinking very strongly of purchasing a Side by Side UTV. I’ve been researching various makes and models, but I have always been a Honda fan. Honda certainly does not offer the most powerful or feature packed SxS, but you can’t argue with the reliability and engineering of a Honda. I’ve been browsing model specific forums, like this one, while doing my research. It seems it’s not uncommon for some of the competitor’s trail models to catch fire, fall apart, require mods before a reliable first ride, etc. Haven’t read anything like that on this forum yet.
I’ve owned 2 ATV’s over the last 17 years. Both Honda, and both have been 100 percent reliable. The first was an 84 Honda TRX 200 2wd. Owned it from the time I was 12 until a few years ago. As you can imagine it showed some serious wear when I sold it, but it still ran like a top. My father actually purchased it from me as he said “it just works too good to let anyone else have it”
I currently own a 2000 Honda TRX 350FE. It’s 4WD with the 5 speed, electronically shifted, manual trans. I really love the machine. The super low first gear is great for plowing, hauling fire wood, and putt’n through the rough woods trails on my property. I’ve never found it under powered for my purposes. It's size makes it nimble and capable for narrow rough trails in the woods where I ride. I mostly use it for working around my property and light recreational use.
As much as I love the machine there are a few things that could be improved for my use. When adding a passenger I loose most of my cargo space and things can become uncomfortable on long rides. Not to mention the machine technically is not designed for more than one rider. You’re also exposed to the weather on an ATV. Making riding on inclement days not that enjoyable. It has no option to use 2WD only, which would be useful at times.
I know what I have now works well for me, so I’m hesitant to stray too far from it. Looking at the P500, it’s almost the same machine I have now but addresses the shortcomings. It has the same ground clearance, suspension travel and transmission style with the addition of a passenger seat, slightly larger engine, optional roof and windshield, and selectable 2/4WD. It's also as small and narrow as I will get in a SxS machine. It will even fit on my truck for transport like my 350.
So I’d like to hear from P500 owners. Do you think the 500 will fit my needs? Has anyone switched from an ATV to P500, and how did it meet your expectations? With the addition of a passenger seat the unit would likely see more recreational use than my ATV. I’m sure that the P500 is a work horse, is it equally capable when it comes to a fun recreational run? My local dealer is not even sure when the next 500 will arrive for me to view. (His tune may change if I was waving cash, but I’m not quite there yet) For those who had a long wait for their P500, are maintenance parts and accessories as equally hard to come by?
I’d actually be selling an antique auto to fund the SxS purchase so it’s a big deal and I don’t want to end up disappointed. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
I’m thinking very strongly of purchasing a Side by Side UTV. I’ve been researching various makes and models, but I have always been a Honda fan. Honda certainly does not offer the most powerful or feature packed SxS, but you can’t argue with the reliability and engineering of a Honda. I’ve been browsing model specific forums, like this one, while doing my research. It seems it’s not uncommon for some of the competitor’s trail models to catch fire, fall apart, require mods before a reliable first ride, etc. Haven’t read anything like that on this forum yet.
I’ve owned 2 ATV’s over the last 17 years. Both Honda, and both have been 100 percent reliable. The first was an 84 Honda TRX 200 2wd. Owned it from the time I was 12 until a few years ago. As you can imagine it showed some serious wear when I sold it, but it still ran like a top. My father actually purchased it from me as he said “it just works too good to let anyone else have it”
I currently own a 2000 Honda TRX 350FE. It’s 4WD with the 5 speed, electronically shifted, manual trans. I really love the machine. The super low first gear is great for plowing, hauling fire wood, and putt’n through the rough woods trails on my property. I’ve never found it under powered for my purposes. It's size makes it nimble and capable for narrow rough trails in the woods where I ride. I mostly use it for working around my property and light recreational use.
As much as I love the machine there are a few things that could be improved for my use. When adding a passenger I loose most of my cargo space and things can become uncomfortable on long rides. Not to mention the machine technically is not designed for more than one rider. You’re also exposed to the weather on an ATV. Making riding on inclement days not that enjoyable. It has no option to use 2WD only, which would be useful at times.
I know what I have now works well for me, so I’m hesitant to stray too far from it. Looking at the P500, it’s almost the same machine I have now but addresses the shortcomings. It has the same ground clearance, suspension travel and transmission style with the addition of a passenger seat, slightly larger engine, optional roof and windshield, and selectable 2/4WD. It's also as small and narrow as I will get in a SxS machine. It will even fit on my truck for transport like my 350.
So I’d like to hear from P500 owners. Do you think the 500 will fit my needs? Has anyone switched from an ATV to P500, and how did it meet your expectations? With the addition of a passenger seat the unit would likely see more recreational use than my ATV. I’m sure that the P500 is a work horse, is it equally capable when it comes to a fun recreational run? My local dealer is not even sure when the next 500 will arrive for me to view. (His tune may change if I was waving cash, but I’m not quite there yet) For those who had a long wait for their P500, are maintenance parts and accessories as equally hard to come by?
I’d actually be selling an antique auto to fund the SxS purchase so it’s a big deal and I don’t want to end up disappointed. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
