The rubicon rick idea holds true in the woods, but if the same thing is done out on a dirt road, the Rubicon will indeed be left wondering if the 650+ quads are the ones in question. Even with my 27"'s on, I absolutely left the Rubi, and it was night and day. Like the Rubi racing a 300 kind of difference. He would only lose ground and I would be gone easily. Not slamming honda. Their quads are excellent. Just saying that the 650+ quads do totally blow away the 500 in speed and acceleration. The Rincon will be out soon. Honda will have its day again.

 

Andy , I was talking about open road speed all along. Any of the new big bores will flat smoke a Rubicon at this. In the woods being equal riders they will leave it also. This is a whole different class of quads, even though the Rubi is priced with them it won't run with them. Anyone who thinks that a Rubicon or Cat 500 will keep up with a 660 or 650 in the woods or on the road is living in a fantasy land.
However the Cat will out perform the 650 and Rubicon on a real technical trail. The 660 will be right there if the sway bar is removed, which it should be if you ride trails like this.
I really like the Rubicon transmission, but it needs other things to make the whole package. The Cat also needs other things, I will be the first to admit. But FOR ME THE CAT IS THE ONE. The next quad that I buy will have a locking front end or have the gearless locker available for it. It also won't be belt drive. Right now that leaves me with one option, I'll let you guess.

 

I think I could keep up with a 660 in the woods if I was riding a Rubicon. Not enough places in the trails I ride to get over 30, and no real place to run off and leave a quad on the sheer principle of acceleration. Granted, if I made timed runs, I would go faster on the Grizzly, but the difference wouldn't be so much as it would be out of sight, and to run off and leave the Rubicon, you would have to travel a good distance. The only reason I ever leave anyone I ride with is because I will push it harder over the rocks and stuff than they will. This held true the same when I had the 500.

For fire roads, I agree, no contest. Hope you know the trail home.