Honda Quads

Insp. Harry Callahan

Was looking at the new Honda 420 quads at the ploughing, deal on them ,2000euro off them at the mo. Anyone got one of these?, what are they like in fuel ?
I have a 450 Yamaha which I am thinking of trading in, it's playing up a lot, and is a serious petrol guzzler.
What's the older 350s like?

ganmo

420 here, have it 4/5 years doesn't get a huge amount of work but hasn't failed yet.

I'd notice an increase in fuel consumption if doin a lot of 4wd driving

alps

Honda s here and couldn't fault them..great machines...polaris before that hmmmm..

Just suggesting. ...For herding, fencing, getting around, is there much need for bigger than a 250cc 2wd machine. Less complicated, less servicing, lower fuel consumption, less chance of someone getting killed...

Had the fuel guzzling 4wd polariso 400cc and switched to small 2wd..would never go back

dar31

alps wrote: »

Honda s here and couldn't fault them..great machines...polaris before that hmmmm..

Just suggesting. ...For herding, fencing, getting around, is there much need for bigger than a 250cc 2wd machine. Less complicated, less servicing, lower fuel consumption, less chance of someone getting killed...

Had the fuel guzzling 4wd polariso 400cc and switched to small 2wd..would never go back

Have had two honda 420
Looking to change current one.
Wouldn't take another one if given it free.
No one particular problem just an all round bad bike. Poor ride,soft bearings/bush's not great on fuel. 18000km on current one after 3 years.

annubis

Insp. Harry Callahan wrote: »

Was looking at the new Honda 420 quads at the ploughing, deal on them ,2000euro off them at the mo. Anyone got one of these?, what are they like in fuel ?
I have a 450 Yamaha which I am thinking of trading in, it's playing up a lot, and is a serious petrol guzzler.
What's the older 350s like?

thats funny, was looking at the 420 myself yesterday and also have a 450 yamaha kodiak, thought the lads there were a bit pushy, wanted me to to give over deposit there and then, my bike has been trouble free really but I dont do too much with it so not sure about changing, she is heavy on juice though whether the honda is any better? still think the yamaha looks a bit more substantial and think i would prefer the fully automatic to the shift buttons on honda

Insp. Harry Callahan

alps wrote: »

Honda s here and couldn't fault them..great machines...polaris before that hmmmm..

Just suggesting. ...For herding, fencing, getting around, is there much need for bigger than a 250cc 2wd machine. Less complicated, less servicing, lower fuel consumption, less chance of someone getting killed...

Had the fuel guzzling 4wd polariso 400cc and switched to small 2wd..would never go back

I would need a 300cc at least I think, to take ewes and lambs out to the field after they lamb, have a small trailer for quad. Don't need a monster one though

Insp. Harry Callahan

annubis wrote: »

thats funny, was looking at the 420 myself yesterday and also have a 450 yamaha kodiak, thought the lads there were a bit pushy, wanted me to to give over deposit there and then, my bike has been trouble free really but I dont do too much with it so not sure about changing, she is heavy on juice though whether the honda is any better? still think the yamaha looks a bit more substantial and think i would prefer the fully automatic to the shift buttons on honda

Yes I like the automatic on the Yamaha, it sure is handy. Had a fair bit of starting issues on mine, it is also leathal on juice, could spend 25-30 euro s week on it just checking stock.kinda put you off using it as much, use the 290 mf now mainly!.
Yip the Honda guys were keen to sell!, reckoned the 2000 euro off deal would be over next week

annubis

Insp. Harry Callahan wrote: »

Yes I like the automatic on the Yamaha, it sure is handy. Had a fair bit of starting issues on mine, it is also leathal on juice, could spend 25-30 euro s week on it just checking stock.kinda put you off using it as much, use the 290 mf now mainly!.
Yip the Honda guys were keen to sell!, reckoned the 2000 euro off deal would be over next week

I noticed mine was guzzling juice there a season or two back. I couldn't figure out how it was using so much so I was googling it. I think they have some common enough issue with their carb. There is a little breather pipe under the quad and there was a constant drop of petrol off mine. You never notice though as it evaporates rather than pool in the floor so any more when I turn off quad I turn off the fuel knob also. Turn it back on when in use. Yours might be the same. Check that breather pipe

Green farmer

Insp. Harry Callahan wrote: »

What's the older 350s like?

Have a ten year old. Been a good servant over the years and light on petrol. Perished bushings only real thing that went on it.

Insp. Harry Callahan

Green farmer wrote: »

Have a ten year old. Been a good servant over the years and light on petrol. Perished bushings only real thing that went on it.

Thanks, I am thinking that if I can find a clean tidy 350 then it could be the best way to go

Cattlepen

Newer Hondas have gotten a lot softer. Had plenty of them over the years and no trouble until now. Year old 500 is giving trouble with flashing warning lights. Never abused or any thing.
The old 350/450 ones were bullet proof. Don't know why they ever changed them

selectamatic

annubis wrote: »

I noticed mine was guzzling juice there a season or two back. I couldn't figure out how it was using so much so I was googling it. I think they have some common enough issue with their carb. There is a little breather pipe under the quad and there was a constant drop of petrol off mine. You never notice though as it evaporates rather than pool in the floor so any more when I turn off quad I turn off the fuel knob also. Turn it back on when in use. Yours might be the same. Check that breather pipe

+1 on this we had the same issue on ours when we first got it.
Grizzly central is a great site for info aboutility them.

Limestone Cowboy

Cattlepen wrote: »

Newer Hondas have gotten a lot softer. Had plenty of them over the years and no trouble until now. Year old 500 is giving trouble with flashing warning lights. Never abused or any thing.
The old 350/450 ones were bullet proof. Don't know why they ever changed them

Have a 450 with a couple of years and it hasn't missed a beat. Didn't really need one that big but wanted the selectable 2/4wd.

annubis

selectamatic wrote: »

+1 on this we had the same issue on ours when we first got it.
Grizzly central is a great site for info aboutility them.

did you get it sorted, i never bothered

selectamatic

annubis wrote: »

did you get it sorted, i never bothered

No same as yourself I just turn off the fuel when the quad isn't running.
It doesn't drop at all when the engine is on

Tail painter

Switched from Honda 420 a to Yamaha 450 a couple of years ago due to price and dealer issues. I had a lot of trouble with bearings/shafts/gearbox on Honda. The bearings on Yamaha look heavier and can be greased, unlike the Honda. Had a couple of electrical issues with the Yamaha that were covered under warranty. 1200 hours on it now. Its a bit heavier on fuel but cheaper on service intervals. 160 hrs vs 100hrs. No maintenance on CVT either.

TITANIUM.

Have a Honda foreman 500 here with 10 years. What a quad. If only all machinery was as dependable. I can't say it's that's heavy on juice either, but then again I'm not rallying around on it.

Green farmer

Any other advise on the quad front or any lads change lately. My old bike is starting to give issues. Thinking about trading it in against the honda 420. What else should I consider that's realiable and easy enough on juice ?

mayota

Green farmer wrote: »

Any other advise on the quad front or any lads change lately. My old bike is starting to give issues. Thinking about trading it in against the honda 420. What else should I consider that's realiable and easy enough on juice ?

I see the Yamaha 450's can be road registered now, if you go on the roads this could be important. Very good bikes too. What do you have to trade?

Green farmer

mayota wrote: »

I see the Yamaha 450's can be road registered now, if you go on the roads this could be important. Very good bikes too. What do you have to trade?

Have a 10yr old Honda 350. Has been good up till recently but needs money putting into it, so might be easier to change.

Pete123456

We got the TRX500FPE at the ploughing and can't fault it yet. We took delivery the beginning of October and we've 35 or so hours up on it. Great yoke, very stable and pulls a 7x5 trailer with a few ewes on it no bother. We haven't had to use the four wheel drive much (yet) and we're putting about 14 or 15 quids petrol every ten days.

The power steering is well worth it imo. The neighbour has the 500FE without the power steering and he says he regrets he didn't get it, particularly cause he's getting in in years.

We got it for €8900 delivered though so we got a great price. Just goes to show what wiggle room there is in the price!

Keepgrowing

Have had a few Foreman bikes here, bulletproof.

The newer hondas aren't a patch on the older ones. 15000 kms is about their limit before they start getting wrecked.

Traded our Honda 420 for a Suzuki Kingquad 400. It was at 15k km and falling apart despite being serviced on the button.

They are absolute beasts of machines, really well built, lively to drive, quiet and much easier on juice.

I'd recommend anyone thinking of changing to have a look.

Green farmer

€7-8 k less trade in is still a nice bit of money to try and put together for a quad. ''Tis all sheep work I do here. I'd hardly be able to get away with buying a small cheap jeep like a jimny for rounding up sheep ? Similiar idea to what a UTV could do ?

Timmaay

If your just herding, a light 250 2wd is a very capable machine, a clean one can be got for the likes of 2500 2nd hand.

Green farmer

Timmaay wrote: »

If your just herding, a light 250 2wd is a very capable machine, a clean one can be got for the likes of 2500 2nd hand.

After having a 350, would a 250 feel smaller or would it be the same thing ? Something nippy move sheep and control sheep is main requirement.

Timmaay

Green farmer wrote: »

After having a 350, would a 250 feel smaller or would it be the same thing ? Something nippy move sheep and control sheep is main requirement.

Depends on the make, Honda 250s feel tiny, my yamaha 250 isn't much smaller than a 350, but good bit lighter with no 4wd etc. In terms of herding, the smaller the better I think, easier to change direction etc.

Green farmer

There appears to be more deals to be had on the Hondas at the moment in comparison to the suzukis and yamahas. De ye reckon their all much of a muchness realibilty wise ?. Wouldn't really be interested in going outside those brands

jfh

we have an old honda 350 & was thinking off replacing ti this year with a new model, was advised by my quad mechanic to stick with it as the newer quads are bot build to the same standard.

if you look at BFF, you'll see everyone raving about Can-am.
pricey though

Green farmer

jfh wrote: »

we have an old honda 350 & was thinking off replacing ti this year with a new model, was advised by my quad mechanic to stick with it as the newer quads are bot build to the same standard.

if you look at BFF, you'll see everyone raving about Can-am.
pricey though

I was reading that the other day alright but never had heard of them before that. I see they've a dealer up north. Anyone have one ? Are they a relatively new brand ? Wonder what they'd be like after a few years ?

jfh

Green farmer wrote: »

I was reading that the other day alright but never had heard of them before that. I see they've a dealer up north. Anyone have one ? Are they a relatively new brand ? Wonder what they'd be like after a few years ?

My biggest worry would be to have a mechanic to fix, there's no one in the Republic as far as I know

Signpost

Do you use it to spread fertiliser? All wiring in a honda is at the back, from experience - thats bad... very very bad... even if you wash it after every use! Moved to Yamaha since, can't complain yet but would be a bit heavier in juice perhaps

Green farmer

Think I'm veering towards a 2wd Yamaha 350. I probably don't need anything bigger. Other them being a bit heavier on juice, there's not much to keep an eye on ? Thanks

Pete123456

Green farmer wrote: »

Think I'm veering towards a 2wd Yamaha 350. I probably don't need anything bigger. Other them being a bit heavier on juice, there's not much to keep an eye on ? Thanks

I think if you can stretch to a four wheel drive model it'll be worth it. If you're land is very dry you'll probably be grand but you'll be glad of the four wheel drive if it's wed or muddy at any stage. Anyone I spoke to around us who bought two wheel drive machines traded them in for the 4x4 models. You may never need it but at least you can push a button to get out of the mud. The difference in petrol will be tiny unless you're in four wheel all the time.

Tail painter

Pete123456 wrote: »

I think if you can stretch to a four wheel drive model it'll be worth it. If you're land is very dry you'll probably be grand but you'll be glad of the four wheel drive if it's wed or muddy at any stage. Anyone I spoke to around us who bought two wheel drive machines traded them in for the 4x4 models. You may never need it but at least you can push a button to get out of the mud. The difference in petrol will be tiny unless you're in four wheel all the time.

Bear in mind that a 2wd has a much tighter turning circle. Its probably safer as well due to the fact that it will spin rather than overturn. A quad is more likely to overturn in 4wd if turning at speed.

davidk1394

Green farmer wrote: »

Think I'm veering towards a 2wd Yamaha 350. I probably don't need anything bigger. Other them being a bit heavier on juice, there's not much to keep an eye on ? Thanks

Have a Yamaha bruin 350 here, 2wd. Fond of petrol but it's worked hard. Does spraying, fencing and a good bit of trailer work. Bought new in 04, no problems so far until now. Something to do with the wiring. But couldn't fault it

Green farmer

Tail painter wrote: »

Bear in mind that a 2wd has a much tighter turning circle. Its probably safer as well due to the fact that it will spin rather than overturn. A quad is more likely to overturn in 4wd if turning at speed.

That's a valid point. I'd often spin my one on slippery surfaces when chasing the sheep. That god never overturned it.