How many of you have really checked the difference between D2 and D1? I didn't really pay much attention to it until a couple of weeks ago when I was hunting. D2 is reall nice if you want to just plug along real quiet and stay in a higher gear. You have to get on it pretty good to get it to shift down. I like it.

 

there is a noticable difference in the way it runs between the 2. the rpms really stay up in d1 and d2 it likes to lug around. .......question here ..... how many rubi riders feel the trans shift when in d1 or d2 i can feel mine shift all the time.

 

I never could really tell the difference so I always leave mine in D1. Unless I am using ESP. I could not figure the difference by reading the owners manual either.

 

The main thing to remember is it won't switch from DI to D2 or D2 to D1 or either D modes to ESP unless you come to a complete stop. If you can't tell the difference, try this. Pay attention to engine RPM sound. Start in D1, half throttle up to about 2o mph, then back off the throttle to about 1/4 and note engine RPM at 10 mph or so. Now, stop completely, put it in D2, do the same test up to 20 MPH. You will notice that when you slow down it is staying shifted up and your RPMs are much lower than in D1. If you're climbing slight inclines, it also stays shifted up a lot longer and lugs the engine a lot more. I like it because the engine doesn't get to the RATTLE stage unles you're hauling *** WOT top speed.

 

Would you say less fuel is used in D2?

 

yea i would say it would use less in d2. but best economy would be esp in my opinion.

 

Mine does a little better on the open road or faster trails in D2, and also just putting along slow while hunting. In the rough stuff where you cannot maintain a constant speed, I would say D1 is better. The owner's manual doesn't do a very good job of explaining the difference. They just say that D2 should be used in icy slick conditions because it lessens the torque o the wheels by staying in higher gears, which is by the way true.

 

I am nearly 75 and just bought a used 2002 TRX500FA (I'm reading that off the title.) I'm not really sure just what it is except that seems to have a lot of power and goes fast enough for me. I did buy an owners manual with the names Rubicon and Foreman on it and it says that normal operation is in D2 and D1 is used for heavy work. I like the ESP also for use on a road. I usually just putter around the farm and use it to run over to the neighbors. Every once in awhile I get a vertical display of D1, D2, ESP all at one time and it just wont shift out of low gear. After shutting down completely it will again function normally. From the short forum reading I have done I suspect that the gear angle sensor is going bad. How hard is it to change and what adjustments should I be concerned about? I also have a problem with the engine quitting and refusing to start unless I go to reserve on the fuel. I know that the tank is nearly full. I suspect that I have a bad fuel filter because of the way the engine dies. Is is possible that the fuel filter is bypassed by going to reserve?
Opa

 

I can't help with the shifting problem, but it sounds like a sensor has gone bad somewhere. As far as your fuel problem, check your vent line. Mine got pinched one time and it kept dying like that. You may not be fixing it by switching to reserve, but rather maybe the tank has time enough to suck in some air while you're doing the reserve switch. I found my problem by loosening the fuel cap when it starved out and it came back, that told me the vent line was pinched.

 

Hey Opa: I have the same machine as yours and had the same problem as yours (near as I can tell) before buying any parts try to reprogram the gear position sensor...it seems to get lost in space and needs to be reset. The instructions are in a manual, I have a Clymer manual. It took me about 6 times before I got it to work so be patient. If you don't have the manual let me know and I can maybe write out the instructuons.. (where are you at??)
the shutting off and then restarting is probably a clogged slow speed jet in the carb, again which can be fixed with a bit of patience, carb has to come off and be cleaned, the manual explains this as well....I been thru this one too
let me know how you make out