Honda Pioneer 700 vs Kubota RTV X900

[penokee]

How important is the Dealer? One Dealer doesn't appear to care if they sell a machine or not and the other is fairly responsive to my questions. I have a slight preference for one of the machines, but that is the Dealer who wont get back to me after I email them. If I need work on the machine at a later date can I expect the same type of "Don't give a darn attitude"? Appreciate any and all comments. I currently have a Kubota RTV 500 and a Honda ATV Foreman, so am aware of the quality of both machines. The Dealers I purchased them from are 2,000 miles away from my current location. I'm 78, so these "slower"machines are about all I care to handle. Both Manufacturer's have been extremely prompt with responding to my inquiries, things seem to fall apart at the Dealer level.

 

[dusty3030]

They aren't really comparable. The Kubota is going to be a lot more of a heavy hauler / puller than the Honda and in turn is more expensive.

I have a Pioneer 700-4 and it is probably more comparable to the RTV 500 than the 900.

Pioneers have a recall out so they can't be sold without a new skid plate and that dealers have to get the new plate on before they can sell one. Not a big deal but the old plate allegedly can trap debris near the muffler and be a fire hazard so the new plate is more open in that area. I will just be sure to check mine if I drive through a bunch of tall grass.

The Honda is nimble, runs great, goes just under or around 40mph wide open not loaded down. I like it, but it isn't in the same class as the RTV 900 in my opinion.

 

[SpudHauler]

My experience with dealers and the internet; Newer, younger employees and dealers are more internet savoy than others.

Don't judge a dealer by there internet accessibility.

Sometimes face to face and seeing what there parts and service departments look like is the true indicators.

As well as talking to some current customers.

IMHO.

 

[ruffdog]

It got so bad here with a Polaris dealer that people would drive 20 away for parts instead of the local dealer. Needless to say they are no longer a dealer. It sounds like you need to do a nice long second test drive to help with your decision.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Go with the machine you like the most. Shopping dealerships is important but what good is a great dealer when you have to live with a machine you don't like as much? You'll be thinking about that other machine all the time trust me. I recently bought a Ranger 570 and my local Polaris dealer isn't anything to write home about but it was the machine I wanted.

 

[penokee]

Thanks for all the replies. I talked to one salesman today and all he could do is try to get me to buy a more expensive model. It was actually a shame that he didn't know much about the product he was selling. Evidently they don't realize that we consumers have a wealth of information available to us on sites such as this one and numerous forums on the internet. Appreciate your comments.

 

[nc redneck]

I have Honda 700-4 it is a great choice for work and play. Need a work machine get the Kubota.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I'm not sure which model RTV it is but I saw a Kubota with independent rear suspension on a local dealers lot awhile back. I want to say it was a 1100 or 1140, something like that.

 

[Ken45101]

I agree, buy the machine that you really want....BUT buy it from a dealer that you want to work with!

IMO, that's one of the advantages of Kubota, plenty of competing dealers so you can get good sales help and service. There's one local Kubota dealer that is obnoxious, and six others that are great to deal with.

OTOH, I've gone 90 miles away to find a good Deere dealer...and bought from them.

 

[nybirdman]

Dealer support in my book is everything.Our Honda dealer is a joke;I like Honda all machines but don't own them anymore because of the dealer.Our local Yamaha dealer is very good,guess what I drive Yamaha's and have had excellent results with the machines and dealer.
Our Kubota dealer is also very good;their RTV's just aren't my style.Our Polaris dealer is notorious for selling and can't service,so they are out.