What's everyones opinions on this model? How is the power, ride of the IRS vs SRA? I believe this a the same new style transmisssion as the rancher 420 has? Mostly trail ride, some steep hills,etc.. Considering this model or an 09 Grizzly 700 that my thinks has but he only likes Yamaha stuff so of course he is trying to convince me to go that route. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

No, the Rincon has an automotive style torque converter tranny. (The 420 is a gear-on-gear dual-clutch design, that can be left on automatic or shifted by pushbuttons). There is no low case subtransmission. It has no engine braking below 8 mph, so that is the killer for me.

It gets excellent reviews for ride quality/comfort! Honda calls it an SUV...not a utility. Honda keeps its IRS machines tight, so there isn't all the nasty body roll that you get with lots of other manufacturer's machines.

But....a recent review in Quad said the Rancher 420AT ride is just as good!!! That is where I would go looking.....

 

Its a nice ATV. I haven't put many miles on mine yet, but I am very happy with my purchase.

The transmission is kinda weird at first, feels like a car shifting (probably because they are pretty much the same).

The ride is fantastic, like Reconranger said, it doesn't have the excessive body roll that most other IRS systems do. Its feels really stable. It is only 600lbs, much lighter than most other ATV's with that size motor. It has the typical Honda glued to the ground feel.

I will be using it for mostly trail riding and getting to my tree stand in the fall. Also to carry out "Billy Big Buck" occasionally.

SUV is a good way to describe the machine. Plus it has Honda reliability. That is the number one reason to buy a Honda, IMO

 

Steep hills ?? the Rincon engine braking is not good. The Grizzly has HI/Low box, diff lock, power steering and better ground clearance. Honda and Yamaha reliability are about the same ----- and I have a Honda car, mowers, atvs. Ricon is a better fast trail bike -- but sit up on both before deciding.

 

Will have to agree with zitaron, take a ride on both. My second choice would have been a grizzly when I chose the Rincon. The Grizzly is a nice bike. The Rincon is just better suited for my riding.

BTW what is the big deal with engine braking. My arctic cats engine braking flipped me forward going down an incline when I let off the gas. That little bit of slow down by the engine and I was over. It was a slope that I had done many times, but this time for what ever reason I let of the gas a little (my fault), and the engine braking kicked in and I was eating grass. I was not real happy.

I like using the brakes to slow me down, I like being in control.

 

Engine braking only becomes a deal when you use trailers, fertilizer spreaders and so on - then it is nice not to be shunted into the valley below!!

 

I think these guys pretty well nailed it...

The Rincon has a 3 speed auto, with a torque converter (like a car's) which is unique in the ATV world. They are known to be extremely reliable. I'd also say that the Rincon's suspension is really well set up, spring rate and damping wise. It soaks up rough trails at high speed, yet doesn't wallow on off camber stuff or sidehills. IMHO the Rincon has the best suspension of any IRS machine I've ever ridden.

That being said, on a really steep down hill, my Foreman or a buddy's Rubicon could hold maybe 2-3 mph w/o brakes. The Rincon would be doing 12 w/o brakes. Having to use brakes really bothers some people, and other people don't mind. I'm in the middle, in that I wish it had a low range but feel the machine's strong points still has me feeling it is worth owning. On the other hand, when the steep downhill gets smoother, the Foreman can sometimes not want to shift up while under heavy engine braking, so I generally go faster on super steep downhills (and just about anywhere else) on the Rincon.

The Griz would also have been my 2nd choice. The CVT belt system has a centrifugal clutch- so the belt says under tension at all times, plus a sprag drive that provides engine braking. It has low range, a locker, and power steering. Also has a good reputation for reliability. Personally I think the Rincon handles better, and I like the style of the Rincon better, but then those are personal opinions.

Good luck with whatever you choose.