foggy1111
Elite Member
Those of you that already own a UTV are likely aware of all this....I'm no UTV expert....but I did promise a review of my initial ride on our Honda Pioneer. I got a golf-cart and a 4 wheeler to compare to....so this is all a bit new to me. Wrote this for another site....but thought I would share here too as some had expressed interest.
Got a few miles on the odo yesterday. Went over to my BIL's house and land. Three of us rode his trails to get his game camera chips....then drove over some Potlatch forest roads. The rear seats and doors on the Pioneer made this simple for the three of us to all ride in comfort....in a short wb machine. Nimble....smooth....nice fit.
Really a nice riding machine. We zipped along nicely on the trails and everyone remarked on the comfort of the ride....front and rear. Climbed up a rock-strewn hillside that also had some big roots and erosion-rut issues. Was surprised how effortlessly we traveled. Used 4WD a few times....but never used the front diff locker. Steers easily even without PS. Feels safe and secure with the 1/2 doors and roll cage. Feels like a good low center of gravity on the hills....nice and stable. Fairly nimble on any established trails....but it's not the machine to blaze lots of new trails....as you may do on a "wheeler". For my purposes....this is a great ride.
Later I went over to my land and rode my established trails. I have a tractor with a 5 foot rotary cutter.....and that is typically my minimum maintained trail size. I've been useing our golf cart on these trials. This Pioneer easily will fit on the trials my tractor makes. The Pioneer rides the trails with much less "jossling" around than the golf cart. Very smooth riding machine.....and we continued to remark how nice this was. Maybe were getting old?
A little louder than I expected, but the roof and windshield make it appear louder. Some heat comes up from the engine and will be welcome this fall / winter....but could prove excessive in the summer(?). Struggeled twice with the shift from REV to Fwd.....but I attributed it to a new machine. Sticky?
The 3 speed tranny with torque converter is the REAL DEAL! I really like this automotive type tranny and the way it shifts. NO belts to worry about. Seems very dependable and capable. I ran the speed up to the low 40's on one stretch....and this is fast enough. Cruising is more fun in the 30's.
Really liked the protection provided by the full glass windshield and the roof. Just lean-in and forward when encountering brush. A non-event. May have to remove the windshield in the summer months tho....or get a 1/2 windscreen for the summer to let some air thru. It had rained earlier in the morning.....so dust was a non-event. The roof is major nice.....lite rains proved no issue and the brush was no worry to my passengers: nice....and less to worry about when your the driver. I'd hate to put a stick in someones eye.
This was the ride(s) I wish I could have taken prior to my purchase (with a new model it's hard to be certain).....as it re-enforced my decision on this purchase. Nice, solid, well built, versatile machine. I'd buy it again.
Got a few miles on the odo yesterday. Went over to my BIL's house and land. Three of us rode his trails to get his game camera chips....then drove over some Potlatch forest roads. The rear seats and doors on the Pioneer made this simple for the three of us to all ride in comfort....in a short wb machine. Nimble....smooth....nice fit.
Really a nice riding machine. We zipped along nicely on the trails and everyone remarked on the comfort of the ride....front and rear. Climbed up a rock-strewn hillside that also had some big roots and erosion-rut issues. Was surprised how effortlessly we traveled. Used 4WD a few times....but never used the front diff locker. Steers easily even without PS. Feels safe and secure with the 1/2 doors and roll cage. Feels like a good low center of gravity on the hills....nice and stable. Fairly nimble on any established trails....but it's not the machine to blaze lots of new trails....as you may do on a "wheeler". For my purposes....this is a great ride.
Later I went over to my land and rode my established trails. I have a tractor with a 5 foot rotary cutter.....and that is typically my minimum maintained trail size. I've been useing our golf cart on these trials. This Pioneer easily will fit on the trials my tractor makes. The Pioneer rides the trails with much less "jossling" around than the golf cart. Very smooth riding machine.....and we continued to remark how nice this was. Maybe were getting old?
A little louder than I expected, but the roof and windshield make it appear louder. Some heat comes up from the engine and will be welcome this fall / winter....but could prove excessive in the summer(?). Struggeled twice with the shift from REV to Fwd.....but I attributed it to a new machine. Sticky?
The 3 speed tranny with torque converter is the REAL DEAL! I really like this automotive type tranny and the way it shifts. NO belts to worry about. Seems very dependable and capable. I ran the speed up to the low 40's on one stretch....and this is fast enough. Cruising is more fun in the 30's.
Really liked the protection provided by the full glass windshield and the roof. Just lean-in and forward when encountering brush. A non-event. May have to remove the windshield in the summer months tho....or get a 1/2 windscreen for the summer to let some air thru. It had rained earlier in the morning.....so dust was a non-event. The roof is major nice.....lite rains proved no issue and the brush was no worry to my passengers: nice....and less to worry about when your the driver. I'd hate to put a stick in someones eye.
This was the ride(s) I wish I could have taken prior to my purchase (with a new model it's hard to be certain).....as it re-enforced my decision on this purchase. Nice, solid, well built, versatile machine. I'd buy it again.
