Got Rubicon this weekend!!!!! The dealer had let some people ride it, so it had 8 miles on it when we picked it up. Took it home and put the 27 inch. Vampires on it and went out this weekend. Took some getting use to the Tranny. Very connected feeling, but had to nail it good to get a first initial power surge. Little sluggish at first, but deceiving power was there. The ground clearance was awsome and the suspension was very good at keeping the tires on the ground. Ride, much better than the other Hondas we have. Out of the 300, Rancher, 400 and Rubicon, the Rubicon deffenitly is the best riding Honda yet made and rates up there with others. Power was there, but more of a torque engine than speed. Top speed was 52 (was loaded down with camping equipment). When in the mud bogs it is a must to be in LOW!! It kept the rpms right where they needed to be. Never got stuck until i hit some quick sand by a river bed we were crossing. MAN does it dig. Had to jump off and hit throttle and it backed out(had mud up to the front rack), new diff. really pulled well compared to our old 400. Noticed when it started to get stuck the front dug very quickly due to the AP diff. I was over all very impressed with it. The one draw back i found was that you can't shift it to D1 to D2 on fly. But what makes up for that is that you can shift the ESP mode without letting off the throttle(at least you don't rip up the clutch on this doing that), IT really is a awsome mudder then, might be better this way than auto mode when mudding? Everything was very well thought out and a complete 4X4. Oh, another nice thing, no Belt slips What are some others riding impresions?

 

ya right on, there weasel i got mine too. I am in Fbks i took mine out this weekend also. Say does yours start in any gear with the right hand brake lever depressed? From what i understand they are suppose to but mine does'nt. I found that side hilling was a little tippy more so than the 400 bayou i owned with spacers and 25" Vamps.Hey what about that plastic seems it scratches up by looking at it, id like to see a good arma coating over these machines. Later,Kewl

 

Kewl: Just rode with some guys this weekend from Frbks I also bought the Ruby up there and traded my 98 CBR off for it. I to was under the impresion you could start it with the right brake lever depressed. I to can't get it to work, am calling dealer later this week. Other than that it is a animal. Does not quit have the intial power of drive shaft, but for auto much better than the old belt drives. Email me: we can go ride some time up at Taylor Mt. or other places you know of. I come up your way all the time!! Coming this weekend infact. Later and Happy riding.

Some sort of armor coat would be nice!!

 

My "Ruby" starts in any gear by pulling the right brake. I didn't think it worked at first, I have to squeeze mine pretty hard. I put my 26" Vampires on and didn't feel a lot of power loss.I love this machine!!!!

 

I saw on the magazins that you hade to press the left hand brake,is all I can say is to try it.

 

gassygordo: Thanks for the tip, went and tried it, your right. Had to really grip it good and it did work. Before it would still turn over the starter but not start. Now i did get it to work. Thanks again. Oh, by the way, check the slack adjustment of your throttle. Checked mine and it needed adjustment. Got a bit more power out of it and the top end was bit better at 54 or so. Of course I also don't have any gear on it now either. But is did seem to need adjustment. Thanks again.

 

Does the Rubicon have an actual oil cooler in addition to the liquid cooling and engine mounted oil tank?

 

Yes,to that question as to whether or not the Rubicon had a oil cooler in conjunction with the liquid cooler. Its mounted in front of the radiator.My fan has come on a time or two since ive had it, but at least it doesnt run all the time like the new Artic cat 500 liquid. I heard they did that because so many were getting plugged up from muk etc, and the driver wouldnt know what was up until the engine got so hot they would quit. Later, Kewl,

 

So far this sounds like a very good machine cant wait to ride with one.

 

I hope to ride one this holiday weekend. One off our club members got the first one from the Honda dealer we use. I imagine alot of our club members will want to ride it.

It does sound pretty good machine.