I'm looking at the new Honda utility atvs and they all have a sideways motor in them. I used to have a 85 TRX 250 with the motor the conventional/ traditional way. Have there been any reliability issues with the new dasign? Als, what are the benefits to it?


Thanks
jwp2

 

There have been no reliability problems with the longitudinal mounted engine design.

In a shaft drive application having the drive shaft the same way as the engine's crank shaft eliminates the need for 90 degree bevel gear drive. This makes the drive train a little simpler, and a little more efficient.

Honda has been building utility machines like this for quite a while.

In the motorcycle world, Honda's Goldwing, CX500 and 650, ST1100 and others have been set up the same way. Moto Guzzi, BMW and several other companies have similar motorcycles. Cars with front engines and rear wheel drive with a drive shaft also generally have the engine mounted front to rear.

Welcome to the forum. What kind of ATV are you thinking about?

 

Reliability issues???? If you can count on any machine to get you home at the end of the day, it will be a Honda!

Anything specifically you looking at? I highly recommend the new Rancher 420's. Fuel injected and water cooled...great handling little machines! They can be had in either an SRA or an IRS model. (I would however avoid the ES shifting option on the SRA model, and pick a large model if your ego requires that you run monster tires.)

I have an old Rancher 350 that is 10 years old and has thousands of miles on it, and it runs as good as it did the day it was brand new!

 

Thanks for the replys. I'm looking at either a used (2004 or newer) 250 recon or a 420 rancher depending on condition, price etc...

Thanks again
jwp2

 

The Rancher 420 is an excellent machine. EFI, liquid cooling, and it's a completely different animal than the previuos Ranchers. Much more powerful, especially on the top end, nimble and sporty handling. Its physically smaller than the bigger displacement Hondas. Actually, it is notably smaller than the 400 Eiger. Not a bad thing in tight trails (some of the ATV trails in one of the riding areas here are barely widened former motorcycle trails).

If you can swing the price, it would be a lot more entertaining than the 250 Recon. Actually the 250 Recon is a great machine for what it is. Known to practically run forever if taken care of at all.

Good luck in your shopping, and let us know what you choose.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jwp2

Thanks for the replys. I'm looking at either a used (2004 or newer) 250 recon or a 420 rancher depending on condition, price etc...



Thanks again

jwp2</end quote></div>

You do know that the Recon is 2wd only??? Actually, the 250EX is a Recon in sport plastic. If you don't need big fenders for mud protection or the racks, the EX is a nice alternative, and a hefty 50 pounds lighter!

 

The 2 wheel drive I'm ok with. But I didnt knoe it was the same as the 250ex. And 50# lighter would make a heck of a difference. Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep you guys posted. I'm an old time dirtbike guy who can remember when Boyesen reeds first came out! Now as a dad and light trail rider I am getting back into it and having just as much fun as I did when I was 13! Off-roading is a wonderful thing. The best dirty/clean fun I have ever had!

Jwp2

 

Even at 50# lighter, the 250ex isn't going to thrill an adult with power (a buddy had one for his wife), but like pretty much everything Honda makes it is well engineered and known to be very reliable.

If you decide 2wd sport machine, the 400ex would IMHO be a good choice.