Minimum turning radius is 65 inches (10' 10") diameter circle - not specified is inside or outside of the vehicle footprint.

 

That is the printed info. I can't believe Polaris 450 turns in a circle about half the diameter of a Honda 420 Rancher. I'm seeking actual user tested info.

 

Polaris will turn tighter because it's front only drives one wheel in a turn and with turf mode only the inside wheels drive turning even tighter. TTBOMK, the Honda drives all 4 wheels all the time and each wheel turns at the same speed regardless if it's on the inside or outside of the circle.

 

I appreciate your response. I am surprised the Honda differential doesn't unlock in a turn. (Actually, if it does not unlock then it is not really a differential, is it?). Still, I have to actually see a turning diameter that small before I believe it. I thought my Honda turning was tight compared to my Polaris 6X6.

 

I just checked the Honda specs - they do not publish the turn radius, but the front gear case is a locking differential thus becoming a 3 wheel drive in a turn, so the turn radius is determined by geometry. The longer the wheelbase and the maximum angle from parallel of the wheel base will determine the diameter of the turning circle. However the Polaris is ON DEMAND AWD and when turned off is two wheel drive. Honda's AWD is full time and cannot be turned off.

 

My 2004 Honda 420 Rancher has a lever to place it in either 2WD or 4WD. The old ones were full time 4WD.

I just received this answer from Polaris re: turning diameter: "Unfortunately, that is not something that we have information on. If that is a specification that people are interested in, I will be sure to pass this along to our ATV team for review. Maybe that is something they will start adding to the spec list on our website!"(Polaris Owner Connections Case ID:006268197410)

Incredible! They give you ridiculously minutely detailed information to the fraction of an inch and fraction of a pound, but the turning radius is not important?! That is one of my top concerns when looking at an ATV.

 

But, that is not a major concern for the majority of those that are looking o buy an ATV. In most cases it is reliability, power , size and maintenance not to mention cost and price.

 

ATV's (three wheelers) were created for kids to ride on desert and ranch lands to increase the customer base and demand. ATC's were deemed dangerous because the adults that bought them used them as baby sitters and failed to supervise, advise, provide protective gear and train the kids that they gave them to. The manufacturers did not want to lose their sales revenue and the market was strong for the lazy people who wanted to participate in off road recreation, but did not want to learn how to control a motorcycle, so they add ed a 4th wheel to the ATC and rebranded it an ATV. With 4 wheels, no new skills needed to be learned to operate one, but roads were needed be able to go where where the motorcyclist and other active people went. It's kind of like getting off a horse and into a automobile. The horse only needed a single track to go where it wanted to go. It could negotiate steep hills, cross streams and stop and turn quickly. Cars needed two tracks with relatively no obstructions between the tracks. They needed special tires and compliant suspension to go where the horse rider could go and even then the vehicle was limited by the fuel available, changes in altitude and even the weather. Horses were relatively unaffected by those variables.

ATV's are small cars. They need two tracks with relatively no obstructions between the tracks. They were primarily designed for desert and ranch land operation. Maneuverability is not high on the list. If you want to turn tight and negotiate obstructions, get a motorcycle or a horse. If you want to operate on relatively clear landscape and need the work performance a four wheeled vehicle provides over a motorcycle or horse and you don't have the clearance for a full sized truck, then get an ATV.

While referred to as ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES remember, they are marketed as RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. You don't use a motor home to haul logs out of the timber and neither should you use a RV ATV.

I am well aware of the benefits and shortcomings of both motorcycles and ATV's and own both, but while I may use an off highway motorcycle to make a quick trip to a remote store or restaurant overland as the crow flies, the off highway ATV is not used on public roads to get to the same place. The roads are for vehicles intended for on road use.

Same as tools; screwdrivers are not pry bars, motorcycles are not horses, ATV's are not boats, but that does not stop us from using them for unintended purposes. Just stay aware of the limitations, use them as your ability allows you to and don't complain that it doesn't suit the application. If you need an very agile ATV find one currently manufactured or make your own. Does anyone manufacture an ATV with all wheel steering? Maybe there is your market niche and you could manufacture a vehicle to fill that niche. What would it cost and how much demand is there?

 

Reading, understanding, and responding to my initial query might have negated your long winded and preachy diatribe.

I am guessing you live in some posh suburban environs where you play with your machines. I live in a remote setting where ATV's are tools, and we also use them for travel on our dirt and gravel roads.

 

No - I live in a small farming community the middle of corn country. We have it all here, flat ground, hills and trees - what riding is not done in the fields is done in the timbers and river right-of-ways or old strip mines. ATV's are illegal to use on public roads in IL.

I have operated an independent motorcycle and ATV repair shop for over 40 years - I refuse to work on side by sides, snowmobiles, jet skis and fueling problems of EFI vehicles. I have never had anyone concerned about the turning radius of any ATV other than the Asian made youth models, but those are entry level machines and neither performance or precision steering is a requirement.

 

OK, you've made your point, adamantly. You do not know anyone concerned with turning radius.

We are still concerned with turning radius.

mbavers, 80 yr old homesteader, auto and tracked vehicle mechanic, heavy equipment operator, carpenter, with 61 years experience.