I was a couple of days from buying a new Rincon, but while visiting the Texas State Fair with my wife, I stumbled on a Sportsman 700 EFI on display, of all places, in a trailer connected to a Tacoma in the Nissan booth. The SP700 blew me away. Later I discovered the following advantages of the SP700 over the Rincon:

Engine Braking
True low gear
Greater suspension travel
Shorter turning radius, 6’-4” vs 10’- 8”
Greater Ground Clearance, 11.3” vs 10”
Larger tires, 26” vs 25”
Innovative rack accessory system
Third headlight
Rear work light
Twin Cylinder (smoother?)

The only SP negatives are no pull starter, single lever brake handle and 150 pounds heavier which I consider minor.

So why should I buy the Rincon?

 

Unless you love honda or want a utility machine simply for trail cruising, I wouldnt. The Rincon is a great machine, it's just that there is so much out there that is better. And the 700 Sportsman isnt the top of the heap either, even in the polaris stable.

 

The Rincon is a overpriced ATV when you compare it to what the OTHER manufactures have to offer.

My new 2003 Rincon had no front locker,no adjustable shocks,no low range,poor downhill engine braking,no EFI,leaky front drum style brakes,and the HIGHEST MSRP in its class..I got bored with it after a year or so..My buddies on the other brand ATVs could do everything easier than I could do on my Rincon,and this made me a little sick..I sold it and bought a new 700cc King Quad and dont regret my purchase for a second.The KQ is two times the ATV of the Rincon IMO.

Look over the OTHER ATVs before you buy,the other manufactures offer so much more ATV for a fraction of what Honda wants for their Rincon.

 

Be sure you ride that Polaris before you lay down your money! The whole Polaris lineup is ridiculously heavy, and they carry their weight high up in the frame. All the ones I have ridden, handled big and heavy........more like a tank than a quad.

I am no big fan of the Rincon either. The lack of engine braking makes it useless on technical terrain. It is reputed to have great suspension however, so I fugure it is the ultimate prarie cruiser for senior citizens who demand a cush ride and don't want to shift.

 

You should get the sportsman 700 over the Rincon, but you should check other brands like Suzuki and Kawasaki before you finalize your descion because Suzuki's King Quad 700 EFI and Kawi's Prairie 700/BF750 are in the same class as the Polaris and they are faster and lighter and i think they are cheaper. I recommend the King Quad since the Kawi's don't have EFI.