After reading these Honda boards for hour's and studying up on all the models I still don't know what I want. Please help me decide since I have to buy one this week to get an 03 deal! This post will be long, so bear with me. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I'm only going to buy a Honda this round, so other brands won't be in the mix on this purchase (I love the Yamaha Wolverine though and the Vinsion looks good as does the 650 Praire, but the local dealers prices are BAD) I just feel that going Honda is the right thing plus the prices are SWEET right now.


All prices are for new 2003 model OTD.

Pick 1: Honda Foreman 450 S (Price $4650)

Pros: Well built, reliable engine, 2/4wd option, super low first gear, great resell value, extra light, free hitch, low center of gravity. Looks and sounds basically bullet proof by going by the board members. Many aftermarket parts as well as great engine breaking

Cons: I don't like the electronic pod where it's located looks easy to break. Doesn't look like it would be a good trail bike.



Pick 2: Honda Rubicon (Price $5399)

Pros: Well built, I like the gearing on these compared to the Rincon, good engine breaking, nice strong racks, floorbaords, and a hitch.

Cons: I'm still skeptical about the Auto Tranny. I've owned two Polaris bikes and HATED them, but I've heard good things from the Honda Autos (Neutral on the Auto). I don't like the hand shifter where it's located. Doesn't have the 2/4wd select option.


Pick 3: Honda Rincon (Price $5899)

Pros: What can I say this bike is the best looking ATV on the market from an aesthetic standpoint IMO. I think I would like IRS on the bike for trail riding. Looks like it would be a good trail bike and it has great ground clearance.

Cons: Many negative posts on this board about having problems out of the Rincon, poor engine breaking, only three gears, no super low, only 2 lights, and no hitch as standard.



(The Rincon was going to be my main pick but after reading some of the posts I'm a bit afraid to go with this model.)



Here is what I'll be using it for:

We mainly ride fresh logging roads that sometimes get very muddy in the Fall (The most would be 18 to 20" of mud). We also ride on the gas lines that are sometimes very steep. This is what worries me on the Rincon about the engine breaking when we go down these big hills.



If I go with a Foreman vs the Rincon that is a $1250 variance (That could buy a Ramsey Winch, ITP 589's 26" BigFoot kit, skid plates, PIAA lights, pipe and K&N power kit. And still have a little money to spare.

We have the Wolverine now and we love it, but like the Rincon its not geared right on the bottom end and you're somewhat limited in where you go unless you have another ATV with a winch. Although, we still have the stock tires on the Wolverine.



Which of the three would you go with based on all the info that I gave you?

 

go with the cc's

 

Anyone else?

 

The 450 is bullet proof. I've had my 450ES for a little over 2 years without a single problem. It has done everything I've asked of it. I've had it in water so deep I had waves hitting the front rack. Mudd has not been a problem either. The only time I've stuck it was in a mud bog that had deep ruts. The bike high centered and all four wheels were turning in muck, thus no traction. Other than that one time it has gone through, over or under everything I've put in front of it. It is very good at pulling as well. On our deer lease I've pulled a few folks out of the mudd that were in trucks. With a good ****** strap its amazing what you can pull out of the mudd with it. Mine is bone stock except for drop basket rack on the back.

With that all said, I think the Rubicon would be worthy of consideration. With the Hondamatic transmission it should be very versatile.

 

I agree with Marty.

Two suggestions:
1. Keep the engine stock. These forums are full of threads where somebody thought they could improve on Honda's engineering and never got their ATV to run right again.
2. Stay with stock sizes on your tires. Big tires make steering harder, rob power and stress the drive train...all bad things.