[Weaponeer]

The Pioneer and Viking are enticing options for consumers looking to balance both work and play off-roads. When considering the options, it's obvious that each of these beasts offers its own perks and looks. For anyone considering a new Side by Side, I have compared and contrasted the 2014 Yamaha Viking FI 4x4 and the 2014 Honda Pioneer 700-4 below:

- The Pioneer offers a single-cylinder, 4 stroke overhead engine while the Viking offers a liquid-cooled, 4 stroke, 4 valve, single overhead camshaft engine with fan
- Pioneer gets 675cc and the Viking displaces 686cc
- 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) while the Viking receives Yamaha's Ultramatic V-Belt with all-wheel engine breaking
- Pioneer offers 200 mm front and a 170mm rear hydraulic discs whereas the Viking comes with dual hydraulic front and rear brake discs
- The fuel capacity of the Pioneer is 8. 2 gallons while the Viking gets 9.7 gallons

These ATVs have very similar specs across the board, from dimensions and weight to tires and wheel size. However, the Pioneer can seat one more person than the Viking. I can say that the interior of the Viking seems very spacious, however that one extra seat can make all the difference. The Viking seems more desirable for working folk, whereas I can see myself and some buddies taking the Pioneer for a weekend in the country. Which do you find more impressive?

 

[hoops]

The more important question is what is the cost comparison between the two.

The Viking has better specs but how much does it cost?

 

[JMSimmons]

I can see people who need a side by side for work purposes (landscaping, famers) will go for a viking, seems like it will be the workman's ATV/side by side while the pioneer is more for someone who wants to have fun no matter what terrain it be.

 

[hoops]

I think they are both capable at doing work and being fun.

 

[mr.smith]

Starting price for the Pioneer is $9,999. Starting price for the Viking is $11,499. So there is a pretty big price difference.

Pioneer can fit one more person and costs $1,500 less. That is a large differential. Is there anything about the Viking that makes it warrant such a higher price point?

 

[hoops]

The Viking is already above my budget which steers me towards the Pioneer.

But I'm also interested where the increase in price pays off. Better suspension possibly?

 

[redhead]

Starting price for the Pioneer is $9,999. Starting price for the Viking is $11,499. So there is a pretty big price difference.

Pioneer can fit one more person and costs $1,500 less. That is a large differential. Is there anything about the Viking that makes it warrant such a higher price point?

The only big difference off the top of my head is Electronic Power Steering, but thats a $1000 option. I think the Viking may also have some differential features that the Pioneer doensnt but dont quote me.

I'm leaning towards the pioneer because its drivetrain set up is much similar to a car set up. the engine has its roots in the Honda Insight i believe.

 

[redhead]

So just did a little digging into the price discrepancies and it turns out its not as bad as we first thought. A non EPS equipped Viking will start at $11,499 while the Honda Pioneer 700-4 Price starts at $11,699. the 2 seater starts at $10,000. SO realistically i feel these two vehicles are pretty evenly matched.

 

[13th elevator]

Heard Yamaha did some cool stuff with the engine in the Viking actually. They moved it under the dump bed so you dont get that nasty heat leak like when the engine is mounted under the front seats, the Vikings engine position also helps keep noise down and makes it easier to get at for garage maintenance.

Yamaha also went and built a large capacity intake that burns un-combusted vapors in the exhaust, reducing emissions.

Although I think the Pioneer may have a better payload and a ground clearance advantage because the Viking engine is mounted right under the bed.

 

[hoops]

What are the ground clearance and suspension travel specs between the two?

I would assume the additional cost has to go SOMEWHERE.

 

[Liberty]

Heard Yamaha did some cool stuff with the engine in the Viking actually. They moved it under the dump bed so you dont get that nasty heat leak like when the engine is mounted under the front seats, the Vikings engine position also helps keep noise down and makes it easier to get at for garage maintenance.

Yamaha also went and built a large capacity intake that burns un-combusted vapors in the exhaust, reducing emissions.

Although I think the Pioneer may have a better payload and a ground clearance advantage because the Viking engine is mounted right under the bed.

heat leak is the worst. had it in my car, hate having my feet being constantly heated in the summer

being out in the hot sun, heat leak will be a PITA

 

[redhead]

What are the ground clearance and suspension travel specs between the two?

I would assume the additional cost has to go SOMEWHERE.

what additional cost? The Viking non EPS comes in at $11,499 while the Pioneer 4 comes in at $11,699. So you pay 200 dollars for an extra seat and if you want the 2 seat pioneer you pay $1,500 less for 1 less seat...

 

[hoops]

Yea I missed that. I've been doing some more reading and they both seem pretty comparable. I think it just comes down to brand preference

 

[Liberty]

Yea I missed that. I've been doing some more reading and they both seem pretty comparable. I think it just comes down to brand preference

that whats it seems like to me as well, Both brands are great, Honda has a long powersports history and being a big Honda fan I would go with Honda.

Not sure how long Yamaha has been in the powersports industry

 

[Cschwankl]

The practical differences are as follows:

Engine braking/4x4 capability: Edge to the Viking.

The Viking has a bulletproof Yamaha exclusive belt driven drivetrain with true diff-lock. Yamaha's design is the best in the industry. I've ridden over 4000 miles in Alaska on very dofficult trails and noticed when friends Polaris, AC, and Can-Am machines slip and smoke.

The Y is one of the very few SXS machines (if not the only one) that has automatic engine braking. When you go down a steep slope the machine keeps you from riding the breaks and slipping on loose rocks. The automotive style tyranny in the Pioneer might be better than other manufacturers like Polaris that have zero engine braking in their belt design because you can conceivably manually put the Pioneer in 1st gear or even 1st/Low, but Yamaha has a definite industry advantage built in w almost flawless auto engine braking. The last thing on Earth you want is to dump, crash, or roll your family because your machine sucks at going down big hills.

Price: Tie.

The Viking rides 3 adults at the same price as the pioneer 4. The Pioneer 4 holds 4 adults BUT the rear 2 seats are built into the cargo bed, so if you use them you give up cargo space.

General Performance: ?.

They both have about the same power. Neither is the sportiest/fastest machine in the SXS market, but both brands have a reputation for ruggedness and reliability that the likes of Polaris, AC, and Can-Am can't touch. The Viking has ~11.5 inches of ground clearance and the Pioneer ~10.5. They both have diff lock which is critical for very difficult terrain. The Poneer has a steel cargo bed that is rated to hold more weight than the Vike, but if you have passengers in the back your space will be limited.

Better machine: Depends

If you need the ability to seat 4 people in 1 machine, the Pioneer MIGHT be the way to go, but pay close attention to the limited cargo space when the back 2 seats are deployed. If 3 seats wil suffice, the Viking gets the edge.

 

[Colorado 700-4]

The Y is one of the very few SXS machines (if not the only one) that has automatic engine braking. When you go down a steep slope the machine keeps you from riding the breaks and slipping on loose rocks.

I'm not too sure, but the Pioneer has some kind of engine or tranny braking when going down hills. When going down steeper hills in first or second gear, you have to let completely off the gas and in about a 2 second delay, the engine pulls way down and you slow, then it will let off, then slow again. I have gone down some pretty steep trail and don't really need to touch the brakes. One thing is for sure, you do not need to ride the brakes. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? If not, maybe my machine is defective ..LOL I was thinking it might go from an idle to complete fuel shut down...just a theory.

 

[toodeep]

Welcome to the forum Cscwankl. The BR and Pioneer drive train is based off of the Rincon which has been out since 2003. It has been a bullet proof setup with atv's out there with well over 30,000 miles on them and still going strong. The gearing is different in the SxS line but the basics are the same.

There is a clutch built into the torque converter that does the engine braking. Just like on the atv line that clutch spins free one way but locks up the other. It pretty much just reverses everything you could say. To drive the crankshaft powers the transmission, for engine braking the transmission powers the crankshaft. You shut the fuel down so the compression of the motor slows you.

 

[Colorado 700-4]

Ahh Ok, I also just read this in 2 different a articles about "Positive Engine Braking"
-- Torque converter with three hydraulic clutches and positive engine braking--
Now if you give it just any amount of gas pedal, it won't come on I noticed. If you want to deactivate and go a bit faster, just give it a slight amount of throttle. I think it pretty slick.

 

[rich450es]

if you think the engin braking is good on the rincon (BR or pioneer is the same) then you need to ride a honda rubicon 500 or the foreman 500 .....it will almost send you over the bars going down a steep grade ....lol

 

[OLT]

if you think the engin braking is good on the rincon (BR or pioneer is the same) then you need to ride a honda rubicon 500 or the foreman 500 .....it will almost send you over the bars going down a steep grade ....lol

That's pretty crazy, i wouldn't want engine braking that is that crazy, at least the pioneer isn't like that.