[Moss]

I am considering buying my first ATV/Quad/Side by Side rider and I have narrowed my search down to two new options: The 2014 Yamaha Viking FI 4x4 or the 2014 Honda Pioneer 700-4. I don't know much about either, and was wondering what advice might be available in this forum.

A quick comparison:

- The Viking offers a liquid-cooled, 4 stroke, 4 valve, single overhead camshaft engine with fan. The Pioneer offers a single-cylinder, 4 stroke overhead engine.
- Viking displaces 686cc and the Pioneer pumps 675cc
- Yamaha Ultramatic V-Belt with all-wheel engine breaking (low, high, neutral, reverse) for the Viking. The Pioneer offers automotive-style w/hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears and reverse and three drive modes (2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock)
- Viking comes with dual hydraulic front and rear brake discs whereas the Pioneer offers 200 mm front and a 170mm rear hydraulic discs.
- Viking fuel capacity: 9.7 gallons. Pioneer fuel capacity: 8. 2 gallons

For the most part the rest of the specs (dimensions, weight, tires, etc.) are relatively the same, aside from the seating capacity (Pioneer is 4 passenger, Viking is 3). So what do you think of this comparison? I don't believe the Pioneer pricing is out yet, so it's difficult to tell right now, but I do know the Viking is around 13K and before I spend that kind of money I need to know that this is the right decision. Thanks for any help.

 

[Holmes]

The Pioneer is actually starting at 10K. You can request a quote here. I'd consider the engines above anything else; the Viking comes with a SOHC whereas the Pioneer has an OHV. Higher speeds in the Pioneer could result in problems with your balancing. In general, overhead cams are more efficient as they have more valves per cylinder.

 

[Moss]

Thanks Holmes. I did some research into the engine and it looks like Yamaha built a large capacity intake system that also burns un-combusted vapors in the exhaust, to reduce emissions. I also found out the engine has been moved under the dump bed, which would make things easier to access and keep the noise down. The Viking is looking pretty promising..

 

[Hunter]

The Viking will keep the cab area much cooler in the summer months I have a Commander and it pours out heat into the cab because the motor sits between the seats under you. Plus Yamaha make one of the most reliable machines in the business as long as you take care of them.

 

[VikingRyder]

The Viking will keep the cab area much cooler in the summer months I have a Commander and it pours out heat into the cab because the motor sits between the seats under you. Plus Yamaha make one of the most reliable machines in the business as long as you take care of them.

engine heat is the worst especially on hot days where the heat and humidity is already high enough.

 

[vixx]

The Viking will keep the cab area much cooler in the summer months I have a Commander and it pours out heat into the cab because the motor sits between the seats under you. Plus Yamaha make one of the most reliable machines in the business as long as you take care of them.

So the engine on the Viking was moved under the bed, isnt there a trade off on payload and ground clearance? I always just assumed heat leak was a side effect of owning a SxS...

 

[VikingRyder]

The Viking will keep the cab area much cooler in the summer months I have a Commander and it pours out heat into the cab because the motor sits between the seats under you. Plus Yamaha make one of the most reliable machines in the business as long as you take care of them.

Can't that be said about a lot of machines?....do the maintenance and they will live?

 

[Hunter]

Can't that be said about a lot of machines?....do the maintenance and they will live?

Yes it is but Yamaha is one of the most dependable I've ever owned. Yamaha is an engine builder first and the rest of the machine is built around it. They might not be as fast as others but 99% of the time you will never have to worry about getting to your destination and back. Can't say that about other top manufacturers.

 

[300]

Yes it is but Yamaha is one of the most dependable I've ever owned. Yamaha is an engine builder first and the rest of the machine is built around it. They might not be as fast as others but 99% of the time you will never have to worry about getting to your destination and back. Can't say that about other top manufacturers.

yup, their bikes are known to be bulletproof. nearly everywhere you go you'll see a Yamaha Ninja, just like how there are CBR's everywhere.

they even make musical instruments and developed an exhaust system for the Lexus LFA......Yamaha is good.

 

[mr.smith]

I found this video online that compares the Yamaha Viking with the Honda pioneer. Granted, the video is posted on YouTube by Yamaha Canada so i'm sure that there is a bit of bias in it, but its still worth the watch if you are doing some research on which to buy.

Hope you guys find this useful.

 

[Quack addict]

The Viking will keep the cab area much cooler in the summer months I have a Commander and it pours out heat into the cab because the motor sits between the seats under you. Plus Yamaha make one of the most reliable machines in the business as long as you take care of them.

This is the main reason I purchased the Viking....^^^^^^^