Sad to see that Honda is ditching the Rincon

[WilliamBos]

When i bought my atv 02 rancher. the rubicon was a cheaper quad. it was built off the forman frame, and still needed manual shifting. it was also solid rear axle. and was around 5400 hundred if i remember, the rincon was an automatic and irs and bigger engine and faster. it was a trail bike, and retailed around 6k.

the Rincon was considered the best "trail" bike at the time, i believe it might have been a 650, but we are going years back. all i know was it fast and nimble, it was not a utility atv, more of a crossover with the sports

No longer the case, Rubicon is IRS. id rather have a footshift over the flimsy automatic transmission. Far more stout, and plenty of aftermarket upgrades.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Grew up on a good many Hondas. Then I went the Yamaha route with a Banshee and my brother the Polaris route with a 2-stroke 4wd Scrambler. That thing was f-ing nuts.

Today I own a Polaris Sportsman for around the property. Currently 10 years old, and I can see it easily going another 10.

These things are stupid costly nowadays.

 

[WilliamBos]

Grew up on a good many Hondas. Then I went the Yamaha route with a Banshee and my brother the Polaris route with a 2-stroke 4wd Scrambler. That thing was f-ing nuts.

Today I own a Polaris Sportsman for around the property. Currently 10 years old, and I can see it easily going another 10.

These things are stupid costly nowadays.

Im on my third atv, first was a 2012 Sprtsman 400HO, sold with 6,400km on it. No issues after 8 years, great atv.

My second was a 2021 Honda Rancher 420 footshift, awesome atv. Loved the footshift, sold it after a year.

Bought a new Sportsman 570 EPS last fall, absolutely love it. Cost twice as much as the 400HO, but over twice the machine.

Regardless of what brand you buy, maintenance is key.

 

[5030]

Why anyone needs a 100 horsepower machine for the woods or farm is beyond me. Same applies to go fast. I consider my wife's Kubota RTV to be too fast. In fact I usually run it in low range.

 

[Milo]

Honda's nomenclature was confusing, at least to me. There is "Rubicon Automatic" that is essentially what used to be called "Rincon". It has a 675cc engine, 3-speed automatic with no low range, and IRS.

Then there's the "Foreman Rubicon EPS DCT". This is about the same size as above but with a 520cc engine (same as Pioneer 520), 5-speed dual clutch geared transmission with manual and auto modes plus low range, IRS, and power steering. A friend just bought one and IMO this is a very nice ATV.

 

[JeepHead]

Honda's nomenclature was confusing, at least to me. There is "Rubicon Automatic" that is essentially what used to be called "Rincon". It has a 675cc engine, 3-speed automatic with no low range, and IRS.

Then there's the "Foreman Rubicon EPS DCT". This is about the same size as above but with a 520cc engine (same as Pioneer 520), 5-speed dual clutch geared transmission with manual and auto modes plus low range, IRS, and power steering. A friend just bought one and IMO this is a very nice ATV.

Have heard nothing but bad things about the DCT transmission in the Honda forums. I bought a new Rubicon last fall and went with the PS and manual foot shift model. Glad I did!

 

[5030]

My Foreman 400 just keeps chugging along and it's all I need anyway.

 

[Milo]

Have heard nothing but bad things about the DCT transmission in the Honda forums.

Sorry to hear this about the Rubicon. DCT has operated flawlessly on my 2016 Africa Twin and 2022 Goldwing.

 

[Blue Mule]

"I don't need 100 HP in a machine..."

Guys said that back in the 1990s when we were pulling huge loads with diesel pickups that made 225 HP on a good day. But, I don't hear ANYBODY complaining about the new trucks with 450 HP.

Almost every single competitor to Honda builds ATVs with 50+ horsepower. Most of them are offering their bread and butter units in 85ish horsepower trim. In addition to this, they use CVT transmissions that are stone age simple to use, put more effective power on the ground at every speed, and require little to no maintenance. Some CVTs even come with 10 year warranties. And, the suspension is fully adjustable for work or play. And, the power steering often has selectable modes to suit the task at hand. The fact is, Honda has fallen so far behind it's pitiful. They've become content selling 35 horsepower machines with poor gearing and fewer features for 25% more money because of their name, and that's why I stopped buying Hondas. I've had 100% success with quality on every other brand on the market with the exception of Can-Am. Even the new CFMoto ATVs are better than Honda now.

 

[WilliamBos]

"I don't need 100 HP in a machine..."

Guys said that back in the 1990s when we were pulling huge loads with diesel pickups that made 225 HP on a good day. But, I don't hear ANYBODY complaining about the new trucks with 450 HP.

Almost every single competitor to Honda builds ATVs with 50+ horsepower. Most of them are offering their bread and butter units in 85ish horsepower trim. In addition to this, they use CVT transmissions that are stone age simple to use, put more effective power on the ground at every speed, and require little to no maintenance. Some CVTs even come with 10 year warranties. And, the suspension is fully adjustable for work or play. And, the power steering often has selectable modes to suit the task at hand. The fact is, Honda has fallen so far behind it's pitiful. They've become content selling 35 horsepower machines with poor gearing and fewer features for 25% more money because of their name, and that's why I stopped buying Hondas. I've had 100% success with quality on every other brand on the market with the exception of Can-Am. Even the new CFMoto ATVs are better than Honda now.

I agree! I bought a new 21 Honda Rancher footshift, love the footshift. But the lack of power was one of the reasons I sold it. Honda is really behind the times.

I would not have an issue buying an Outlander 1000 XT!