I have rode a Rubicon many times and as well as a 450 Foreman.The 450 Foreman seems to have more low end torque.The place were I ride,they have a mudhole to cross and I made it on the 450.Then a Vteran rider on a Rubicon tried to cross it and I had to pull him out.I think the reason was the automatic transmission.What do you think it is?

 

I have no clue which one is stonger or which one had better numbers. The 450 and the Rubicon ride differently. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. They are both very capable quads. I think what it comes down to on 2 close quads like that is rider skill. You almost have to "learn" to ride the Rubicon since the tranny is a little difference. Once you figure out the tricks you can do what ever you want.

 

I agree with texmud some things to think about would be, was he in high or low range or auto or esp these things make a difference in performance.The rubicon is geared quite high in high range but in low range it performs pretty well especially in esp where you can control your rpm's. Use the transmission to it's full potential and you will see the rubicon is a very versitile machine well designed.

 

I used to own a 98 450ES and I think the Rubicon has more power. The only thing is that the transmission does not always downshift properly under extreme loads which could hamper its performance. In extreme conditions using ESP would enable you to keep the engine in its powerband.

 

The Rubicon is much stronger than the 450. Almost everyone I ride with has either a Rubicon, a 450ES or a Rancher (I'm the only one smart enough to have a Wolverine) and the Rubicon will do every thing the 450 will do and alot more. It's quicker, faster, more powerful, climbs better, is better in snow (we'll find out about mud this weekend) rides better and is easier to ride due to it transmission.
I'm not a Honda fanatic, but I have no trouble giving credit where credit is due, and Honda did a good job with this transmission. The Automatic is so effecient that there is almost no need for the ESP. The only time my friend found the ESP to be an advantage so far (and we've been doing non-stop tests against my quad, and the stop watch) is climbing one hill that has a jump at the bottom, landing on a sandy hill that kept going up. In Auto, the quad would up-shift in the air, and then wouldn't be ready for the hill when he landed. In ESP he had no trouble getting to the top. In every other situation Auto was faster or as fast as ESP.

I really don't think Honda will continue to offer the 450ES for much longer. Here people who just bought 450's last fall talk about how they'd like to trade up to a Rubicon. All the Honda fans want one cause they're so much better in every measurable way, except of course, for price.

 

I have a bone stock 450S as well as a stock Rubicon and the Rubicon has noticeably more power in high when trail-riding and other low load activities. However, in deep, sticky mud and deep water I have noticed that the Rubicon in high(auto) seems to have only marginally more power than the 450. In ESP its not as bad, b/c the tranny is not searching for the best "ratio" and you can keep it in its powerband. But when you put it in low and set the transmission to ESP, it blows the 450 away. Not even close. Now some would probably say that it is an unfair comparison due to the fact that the 450 doesn't have a low range. But it does have the granny first gear. And that really limits your speed, b/c in the bad stuff you can't use second. While the Rubicon in low can just keep spinning the tires faster. Another thing to consider, is endurance. When pushing my 450 to its limits it gets REALLY hot. The Rubicon stays at pretty much the same temperature regardless of what I'm doing to it. Oh well, I've run enough...just my .02