Hello everyone I need your input on this one..........BAD........... :-)

I have a 2004 HONDA FOURTRAX RANCHER 4X4 ES, TRX350FE this 4wheeler has been a work horse and it has served me well.  Lately I have been doing alot of trail riding, big pot holes, lots of rocks, mud, logs and so on. I have been finding that the 2004 HONDA FOURTRAX RANCHER 4X4 ES, TRX350FE with it's solid axle is not being very kind to my back.   What ATV has the smoothest ride and can absorb shock better.
I love Honda but if I have to change to another ATV to get the ride I will..... my back will thank me later for it.  I was looking at new Honda FourTrax Rincon and 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Quad. Which one of these two or any other ATV would give me:

(1) Over all smooth ride (rock,logs, pot holes ect)
(2) Easy steering
(3) Power

Thanks for your time  

polaris has a pretty good selection of quads with independant rear suspension wich would give u a smoother rider and still have good power so u mite want to find a dealer near u and sit on a few and see how u like them  

I'm riding an 04 Arctic Cat 300 4x4, it has independant suspension on all 4.  The trans has a sub trans that lets me go into "super low".  I've only used it once to pull some tree limbs out of the way and even then I did it just to try it out, really didn't need to go that low.
I ride on Stone Mountain in Lee County Virgina... hardly any flat land here and I'm no lightweight person.  It has tons of power to go up any hill I've seen so far and doesn't bog down.  Smooth ride.. really smooth ride for the conditions I'm on.  And I have disk problems big time, and will do 30-50 mile ride in a day and can still walk afterwards.  

The Grizzly will give you much easier steering considering you get the power steering model. I say test drive a Grizz and see how you like it.  

has your suspension been setup for your atv?

the honda fourtrax i had would beat you to death until you setup the shocks.

they don't come from the factory setup, just basically bolted on, and if you buy a used atv the shocks need to be dialed in for the rider.  

go on ahead and get you a grizzly 700 they are the smoothest riding and power stering makes every thing so much eazy when your working or playing!!! suspenchion is very smooth and the seat is unbelivable i bought one about 5 months ago and its still running like new... i can ride it all day long and still be ready for more.  

I'd have to 3rd the suggestion of the Grizzly 700 with EPS.   The power steering not only lightens the steering effort, but it works in reverse too, acting like a steering damper and smoothing your ride out even more.  Plus the seat is soft and the suspension is plush.  I've spent a good deal of time on the Grizzly 700, along with other big bore 4x4's, and the Grizzly has the smoothest overall ride in my opinion.  

The Rincon has as smooth ride as well, but I think it's hindered by the 3-speed transmission.  Not a smooth delivery of power like the Hondamatic found on the Rubicon, or a CVT.  

Polaris ATV's are definitely comfortable, but being more of a sport-oriented rider, I don't care so much for their larger size, and single lever braking.

Hope that helps, feel free to hit me up with any other questions.

-Ray
Photographer/Contributing Editor
ATV Rider  

Those are some great suggestions and excellent remarks from Ray. I love the Grizz 700. The Honda has pretty good suspension, but the power is soft.

Hope all of this helped.

TJ
ATVR Editor  

Superg507 brought up the Polaris and I have to agree that the Sportsman has an extremely plush ride and great power. I don't think you would go wrong with any of those three machines.

Newsom
ATVR Associate Editor  

The Yam Grizz 700 w/EPS will give you the best overall machine incl for comfy riding. It is the only one with true diff lock--ie, power to all 4 at all times. The seat is the softest and I believe the shocks have the most IRS travel in ute category.
Pick up the 2008 Grizz brochure. It has a DVD which goes over everything as well as real world head-to-head comparison to all the popular big bores.  

as you can see the grizzly 700 has won out. My brother bought one a couple of months ago and after riding it I had to have a bike with independent rear sus. I went with the polaris because I got a good deal,but if I had it to do again I would go with the grizzly hands down.