Some of you may remember me posing the question about which atv to buy. I have decided to go with the Honda Rubicon. I found a dealer not to far away from me offering the 05 Rubicon GPS for $6,033.00 However, when I arrived at the show room, I discovered he has 10 2004 Rubicon GPS in stock. He offered one of them to me for $5,200.00. My question to all of you is;
With the exception of change in body style, what is the difference between an 04 & 05 Rubicon?

Which I be better of purchasing? I know the 04 has a lot better price. And after comparing specs. The only change I noticed was BODY STYLE, and Disc Brakes on the front wheels of the 05.

Please give me any info you can. Right now I am leaning towards the 04. Figure with the difference in price I can purchase a winch.

 

The 04 is full time 4 wheel drive and the only way you can take it out is to buy a 424 kit

The 05 has traxlock so you just flip a switch

if it were me I would go with the 05 for the discs and the ride is supposed to be better and defenitly for the looks and the traxlock

 

the 05 is the way to go.
the 04s are full time 4 wheel drive and the 05s are 2 and 4 wheel drive.
plus the rear shocks are differant on the canadian trail edition.
but if youget the 04 you will be very happy with it also.
for the price of the 04 you can buy the 424 kit and still have money left over for a good sat of tires.

 

Get the 05 no question about it. Test drive the 2 and you wont hesitate for a second. The ride is better and so are the brakes. Honda has recalibtrated the Hondamatic tranny for improved response and you can definately feel the difference. The engine actually feels stronger and quicker thanks to the enhancements on the tranny. They have also added a throttle position sensor and throttle response is very crisp. I think you may be sorry if you don't spend the extra coin and get those improvements. Up here in Canada we also get the CTE which has even further improvement in the ride and handling thanks to even better shocks which are adjustable and more strategically angled.
Hey my brother lives in Bowling Green KTY, is that far from you Fedfuzz?

 

Bowling Green is only about 2 1/2 hours away. I have heard alot of good things the the CTE Rubicon. I wish Honda would come out with a similiar edition here in the states.

 

Like "PETE16" said, get the 05. Test ride both of them and you will see. The 05 has better suspension, better brakes and feels like it has more power. You will love the 05!!!

 

I made the decission and went and bought an 05 Rubi, Caterpillar Yellow. I went and drove an 04 model as well as the 05, and I will have to agree with all of you. The 05 is a lot better tuned machine. Being able to shift from 4wd to 2wd was the big selling point. I know the brakes are different also, however I was unable to notice much of a change. However for the 04 and 05 to have the same engine, the 05 has the feel of a lot more power and speed. I bought this ATV new at Ritchie Powersports in Athens, TN for $5777.00. Let me know is you think I got a pretty good deal. I thought it was worth a 2 hr drive for the difference in price.

http://www.ritchiepowersports.com

Once again thanks to all of you for your input. It helps to get advise from the ones who actually drive the machines.

 

Thumbs up! FedFuzz
-you won't be dissappointed. You just purchased the best all around 500 class bike on the market. Great looks, comfort, fit and finish, and Honda quality. No slooch in the power department either. The new Rubicon is Honda refinement at it's best....NO other atv can hold a candle in terms of smooth refinement.

 

This is kinda a noob question, but in ESP mode, does the Rubi have 5 gears or 3? .. Im pretty sure i was told 3 by someone on the forums earlier. ????
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2004 Polaris Sportsman 700
27' ITP 589 M/S Tires
3000 lb. Warn Winch
High Performance Dayco Belt

2001 Honda Rancher ES (2wd)
2.5 Warn Winch
(For Sale)

 

The Rubicon has 5 gears when in ESP mode.