I finally got to see the new Rubicon at Tousley Motorsports over the weekend and wish it would have been available for a test ride. (It was sold)

In looking the machine over, I compared the suspension to the 450ES which was also on the showroom floor and noticed the following. The shocks/springs are .8 inches longer on the Rubicon . In addition the springs of the 450ES are progressively wound with a tighter wind on the top of the spring vs the Rubicon which are wound straight from top to bottom.

Pushing down on the suspension of both machines was interesting. The 450ES compressed more easily than the Rubicon, yet riders have indicated that the Rubicon has a softer ride.

My question is this. Does the Rubicon ride more softly because the springs are wound straight or does the 450ES use up most of it's initial softness during set-in because of rider weight loading up the suspension?

It would appear that a demo ride is definitely called for before putting down $7,000 on this machine to find out.

 

Thor,
You've got my curiosity aroused; do you think the Ruby's shocks would fit on a 450 Foreman to
give the longer travel suspension benefit to Foreman 450 owners? I suspect the shock mounts
may be very similar/the same, and only the shock lengths different.

 

Thor,

I agree with your last statement. I would test ride any quad whether it is a Rubicon, Sportsman, Grizzly, Traxter, etc before spending a dime much less $7,000.

Our toys sure are getting expensive!

 

I didn't have calipers in my pocket but the bolt mountings sure looked the same. I'll bet they would fit on there.

 

The dealers around here won't let you try anything....I don't know how they expect a person to buy a $7,000 atv.

 

larrytenna,

Find another dealer. Would you buy a car without first test driving it?

There is no way I would put money down on a quad without first getting a test ride. You could always take a road trip to Seattle there are a bunch of Honda dealers there.

 

I measured both (still have my 450ES). The width of the shock where it mounts to the rear axel and to the front swing arm is .750" for the 450ES and .925" on the Rubicon. It would be an easy mod to do however. For your info the lenght of the shock on the Rubicon as it sits on the floor is approx. 14.25" front, 15.5" rear. I could not compare this to the 450ES because I have Works shocks on the bike. However the length of the stock shocks UNINSTALLED is 14.125" front, 15.0" rear.