When walking past the mag section in our supermarket today, my girlfriend said to me, isnt that the rubicon and pointed to the July issue of 4-wheel atv action with the Raptor and Rubicon on the cover! Either I never got mine in the mail or the store screwed up by putting it on the shelf early, but I got to read it for 5 minutes before she drug me out of the section..They loved the Rubicon and gave 5 stars! Power wise only got 4 stars in all ranges and the lowest rateing was 3 stars in slideing precison. They said it was sporty and fun at speed! The suspention and shocks worked great too! Throttle responce was awesome. Thats as far as i got to read danget, I would have bought it if I had known mine wasnt in the mail, maybe it is worth a hour drive back to read more

 

JRM,

I haven't received my July subscription to 4 wheel atv action yet either!


I usually get them early. I can't wait to read the reviews. Whats that groan I here..............Oh nothing much its just the competion. LOL

 

i havent got mine either. I always get mine early.

 

JRM, after reading your post on the ATV Action article I decided to make the long journy into town to see if I could find the mag. The article is good, but it did'nt give much new info. All four and five stars except for sliding predictability, which was three stars. In the same issue was a ride on the Traxter XT500, so there is something to compare, however its not a side by side review. I think with this new tranny, engine power is going to be difficult to compare with other machines unless its a side by side comparison.

 

I did not get my mag yet either. Probably tomorrow, if I go buy it today! Sliding precision--is that a category now? For utilty ATVs? That's new. Did they rate MPG? LOL

 

Sliding percision on a all wheel drive bike ? I did not know it had any.

 

The Rancher received a three star rating in sliding. I really didn't know that was an "important" category, since its 4 time 4 wheel drive!

 

The rating was for sliding PREDICTABILITY. I don't know what this means for a utility type bike. I don't know why they would be concerned about a utility ATV's ability to slide. However, it was the only three star rating this mag gave the bike. The Traxter had 4 three star ratings and 1 two star. We still need side by side comps to realy know. And then it may still be driver prefrence as to which bike an individual likes. They list the weight on the Traxter as 806lb (wet) and the Rubicon as "claimed" dry weight of 600lb. BIG difference. The mag is in the stores now, so if you want more info, take the big trip into town and pick one up, or continue to wait by your mail box in hopes that your Postmaster didn't keep it for him/her self.

 

Well after hearing 4-wheel atv action did an article on the all new Rubicon. I immediately rushed to our local bookstore media play and purchased it. The article was very informative and it did mention that it was tested in the company of foreman and the ranchers. "Rest assured that the big 500 is faster than its little brothers". They did also mention that high range will drive the Rubicon over 50 mph, while low range tops out in the 30s. In summary of the Rubicon they said it was absolutely amazing and commented as to how Honda was willing to put such stunning technology into an atv.

Atv action ratings are as follows:
Motor
overall handling 5 stars
Low 4 stars
Mid 4 stars
High 4 stars
Throttle response 5 stars
Idling smoothness 4 stars
Shifting/tranny 5 stars

Handling & Chassis
Overall handling 5 stars
Turning precision 4 stars
Turning stability 5 stars
sliding predictability 3 stars
Steering ease 5 stars
Brakes: F 4 stars
Brakes: R 4 stars
Suspension: F 5 stars
Suspension: R 5 stars
Low speed plushness 4 stars
Traction 5 stars
Hillclimbing 5 stars
Off-Cambers 5 stars
High-speed straight line stability 5 stars
whoops 4 stars
Ground clearence 5 stars
Undercarriage protection 5 stars

Ride comfort & convenience
Overall ease of use 5 stars
Start-up ease 5 stars
seat comfort 5 stars
Vibration 5 stars
Bars/seat/footpeg/location 5 stars
Air filter access 5 stars
choke access 5 stars
Hand control ease 5 stars
Range selection Ease 4 stars
Storage box size 4 stars
Storage box access 5 stars
Front rack space 5 stars
Rear rack space 5 stars

Overall
Fit & finish 5 stars
Design 5 stars
overall utility 5 stars
overall sport 5 stars
overall rating 5 stars

 

Looks like by by sportsman .The honda is the new king!????