The editor of Dirt Wheels were camped by me a couple of weeks ago (at Diaz Lake, near Lonepine in the Owens Valley). They had a bunch of Rhinos, and some weird looking things (looked like a small dune buggy type thing) as well. I didn't get a good look at them. I was going to go back later and check them out, but they were gone by then. Might this have been the new Honda???? I know magazines get models early to test, so they will go to press the same time they get released.

Like I said, I didn't get a good look, but the machines looked radical from a distance! The return of the Pilot/Odyssey????

 

Sounds very interesting. But I doubt it was anything new from Honda,...going by Honda's traditional methods of model introductions anyway.

Unlike Yamaha, Honda has NEVER introduced a new machine that far along with magazines before the dealer show.

Everything is kept secret other than pictures.... which even then are ony given to the press in a timely manner to be on the newstands as soon as possible after the dealer show. This is the case every year.

Then, the press gets the test ride 2 to 3 months afterwards,....then the public can buy it 2 or more months after that. 400EX, 250EX, Rubicon, Rincon, 450R.......all of these models took months and months to go to production after their introductions. Even the popular Rancher was released this way,....and it's delay was THE reason that the TRX300 stuck around for 2000 because all those who were around remember quite well,...it was axed at the show and wasnt even available for order. They added it at the last minute when they realized their mistake in the time of the Rancher's production. There big secrecy mission sometimes bites them in the ****. LOL

Honda has always worked this way as long as I can remember. If someone knows of a model that wasnt introduced in that fashion, I would like my memory refreshened.

So,..unless Honda is doing things different in the side-by-side business,....I say it was a YerfDog Buggy or maybe even some other brand's vehicle yet to be discovered. No one knows.

We may even come back to this thread a few weeks from now and realize you were correct on all counts.

By the way,...Good Scout Work!! : )

 

I only thought of this because someone posted in another thread that they had "heard" about a sport, 2wd Honda side by side.

See motox26's comments http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/499760.cfm

I do recall the magazines saying they get models early, and are sworn to secrecy, etc., but those weren't necessarily Hondas.

 

That would totally kick um, tail! Especially if it has decent suspension and a big 4 stroke engine tuned for speed.

 

I would think that Honda would wait 2 more years or so, so that they could put a more powerful engine in their side by side. I just dont think that the 680 engine would be powerful enough for a side by side.. SO when Honda comes out with their next new big bore, i think they'll put that engine in their first sidebyside. IMO.

 

Sounds interesting. There was a article in dirt wheels a while ago that mentioned that honda was making their own version of the Rhino. Although I didn't think it would be any thing in the near future. I have two Odysseys and they were not a bad ride. But they do need shocks.

 

I dont think Honda lets any magazine see anything until after the release date. I know other manufacturers do though. I ran into some guys from ATV Rider last November that had the new Bomb 650. The dealers didn't even know it was coming and I got to ride it!

Also, I doubt that Honda would put the 680 in a side by side, but there is no reason that they couldn't come out with a new engine just for the UTV.