Did anybody here read the review on the Rubicon in Dirt Wheels. I usually Don't Say much But MY GOD!!!! That article was Pathetic. I Did not read one bad thing about the Ruby, I mean I'm sure it is a good Quad but Come on. They went as far to say that it has INCREDIBLE GROUND CLEARANCE. When there are quads out there with more clearance. And they said that The Water temp light is a first for ATV's. When other quads have had them for a while. And everything was compared to the Sportsman. They never looked at any of the negatives of this machine like fuel capacity, It only holds 3.7 gal. or the fact that it still has drum brakes or it dosen't have as much suspension travel as "other" quads or you can't take it out of 4WD, or that it isn't a true 4WD, as "other" quads, I am not trying to start a big B!tch session, I mean it is great that honda has a new machine but give it a fair review, Anything negative about the machine they wouldn't even talk about it. Hey I am willing to give anything a chance, But Even my DIE HARD Honda friends thought the article was a bunch of B.S. We can't wait to read the new shootout with the RUBY, We are all sure of the outcome already. RUBICON the best 4X4 Ever built, EVER!!! (as quoten in dirt wheels oops I mean Honda Wheels)

Signed Bosty22 Former suscriber of Honda Wheels

 

Bosty, I understand where you are coming from. I did'nt want a Foreman so with nothing in the wings---not even a rumor---from Honda I bought a '99sp500. I would never have even thought about leaving BIG RED if there was as much as a rumor about the Ruby. Well I am pleased now I bought my sp500 and I think it will still whup their new offering. They started talking about the new offering right after I bought in July '99
That is almost a year and I don't think they have hit the dealers yet.
Have you seen the new Dirt Wheels----the new Yamaha Raptor looks awsome---bet there will be some people wishing they had waited on it.
gardner 10

 

I am not one to say much about the ATV industry as I am still new, but everywhere I read the Polaris seems to be dumped on and the Hondas seem to be raised as a God. I'm not sure what to make of it. Everyone I know has a Polaris, and not one of em complain. Main reason I bought Polaris, along with how easy it is to ride. I can't pass judgement, maybe the Rubicon is the best thing since Sliced Bread, but I won't know until one of my friends give up their Polaris for a Honda...

 

Bosty, you are a Polaris owner, correct? Then I can see why you didn't like the Rubicon article. For the ground clearance part, maybe they meant it had incredible ground clearance-for a Honda. About the water temp light, it is new to atving. The light itself isn't, but where it gets it's information on is. It takes readings from both the oil and coolant, whereas all other quads take from either the oil or coolant. Fuel: a bigger tank doesn't always mean it's better, sometimes it means the machine is more of a gas hog. My 300EX has a 2.2 gallon tank and I can go as long on one tank of fuel as a Sportsman 500 with 5¼ gal. on a long trailride. I would have thought they would have some negative things to say about it, but they didn't. That must mean it's a pretty cool machine. 4 Wheel ATV Action said they probably could have did without D1, D2, and ESP modes, made it too complicated. Relax, the first time they tested the Sportsman 500 in '96 they had pretty much the same review, it was all good things to say about it and were impressed with it.

 

I Have to admit that the new Raptor has to be the coolest sport quad out there on the market right now. The motor on that thing sounds like it is Serious Speed!! I agree that some people are really kicken them selves for buying a New Banshee when they could have had the Raptor. The Price isn't that much more than a Banshee either.

On another note (I am still steamed about the rubicon review) How could Dirt wheels say that this is the Best 4X4 Quad they have ever tested in 15 Years, All Honda Did was put an auto tranny in a Forman, I mean what Did they say when Polaris came out with the Sportsman It Had Floorboards, Liquid Cooled, Switchable 4WD to 2WD, 500 cc's, auto tranny, Individual rear suspension, most ground clearance ever, True 4WD, Composit Racks, Disk Brakes, Tight turning Radius, Just to Name a few of the Polaris First. All I ask for is give Credit where Credit is due. You can Pick apart a Honda the same way you can pick apart a Polaris. I know Polaris has a few faults, But so does everyone else.
I'm sorry for taking up valuable space on this post. Ididn't mean to vent in front of everyone, But I just Had to Get it out!!! Sorry.

Bosty22

 

Every one seems to praise Honda for “this and that”. Yes, they do make an excellent product but so does almost every other company. It all depends one a person’s wants and needs. I’ve considered buying a Honda many times but have always decided against it. The main reason being other quads offer more for less. My Kawasaki Bayou might not be the best but it gets me around without any problems. The next wheeler I buy will be a Polaris due to the fact they offer true four wheel drive, great ground clearance, more seat room, grease fittings, and a loyal following even though they get dumped on by other riders. The Ruby is a nice looking machine, and has some new features but for $7000 I can get a time proven SP500 with a few extra goodies. My personal opinion… right or wrong.

 

Honda must be major shareholder in Dirtwheels. Hondas always do better in their tests.

 

most of the mags are honda brown-nosers,I came very close to getting a 400ex because of the great write-up and the sport always lost to it in drag racing.. well i got a sport 400 for my wife and are frist trip to the dunes i raced a few 400ex's and guess what...neck to neck all the why up the hill..even pulled a few on the top.then came the HPD pipe and clutch kit. now 400ex's are a easy to put a whoopin on and even with the price of the mods the sport was much cheaper than the 400ex now iam doing a few more hop-ups maybe a can play with a few banshees [just maybe] yea maybe the 400ex would win on a mx track but were i ride here in the open desert and at the dunes iam having a blast beating on these 400ex owners its great to see there face when a 500lbs polaris walks them like there on a trx90. bet you dirtwheels didnt tell them that could happin. by the why my wife never go the sport 400...thats mine now.she has a 2000 scrambler 400 2x4(sport 400)


ps I know the post wasnt about the 400ex..that was a older issue of dirtwheels just reminded me of it. they even said it won out over the banshee.....I say the one to the finsh first wins
sorry sometime i cant control myself

 

Bosty, here's another thing to consider: how could Dirtwheels get so excited about the Sportsman when all it was was an Xplorer 400 with a bigger Magnum engine and IRS?

 

Why don't you ladies actually post this thread in the Honda forum...