trail riding abilities? I am considering the Benz exhaust, I dont know about what tires to buy or if it will still be stable with a lift kit. If you have a utility with some upgrades let me know how you like or what you dislike about them. Real world seems to differ quite a bit from mags reports.

Here's what I have on my 2002 Rubicon and it's main use is for hunting and riding mountain trails here in Utah. Warn 2000lb winch, 26" Titan 589's, heated grips and thumb throttle, front and rear tow hooks, and a camo rack bag. A winch is simply worth it's weight in gold. I've used mine to unstuck myself and others, plus I've used it for stretching fence, moving rocks, and bringing downed deer out of a steep draw. If you ride where it's at all cold,you'll love heated grips/throttle. Aftermarket tires make all the difference in the world. I went with 26x9 on the front and 26x12 on the rear. I don't like the idea of a lift for the country I ride. One of the features I really like about Honda is their low center of gravity, and a lift will change that. By going to taller tires I altered the factory center of gravity a little, but not enough to outweigh the benefits of a more aggressive and puncture resisitant tire.

As a side note, I was really excited when Honda announced the Rincon 650 because I liked the idea of independent rear suspension, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why they didn't put a low range in it. Some guys will say you don't need it, while others say there's absolutely no engine braking. My thinking is that I'd rather have low and not use it, than need it and not have it. Anyway, my point is, in my opinion, you have the best machine currently available. There's not another ATV on the market currently that I'd trade for.

Take care.

"As a side note, I was really excited when Honda announced the Rincon 650 because I liked the idea of independent rear suspension, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why they didn't put a low range in it. Some guys will say you don't need it, while others say there's absolutely no engine braking. My thinking is that I'd rather have low and not use it, than need it and not have it. Anyway, my point is, in my opinion, you have the best machine currently available. There's not another ATV on the market currently that I'd trade for."

dito

We have an 01 and the only upgrade we have is Goodyear Mud Runners tires the same size as the originals. Love the trans. Rolled 3300 miles today, zero problems.

Thanks for your help! I was concerned about doing damage to the trans. with over sized tires. With all the miles you have on your rubicon I guess they havent hurt yours. The dealer wants 5950.00 for the 03 rubicon with a 3 yr honda warranty and a cover and gun rack. Does that sound like a good deal to you guys? Thanks again

We bought ours in 4/01, they were selling as fast as they came in. Like buying any new ATV when it is first released, you pay the most. Yours is priced several hundred dollars less than ours and we just got the factory 6 month warrenty. The same dealer sells them today for several hundred less than what we paid in 01, and that is for an 03. For $5950 and a three year warrenty, boy that would be a tough decision between the warrenty and what they are paying for it. Maybe with out the warrenty thry would onle want $5650? At that price I would sell our Rancher and buy a new Red Rubicon with the GPS. I think what the factory GPS offers and only being $200 and all the adventuring we do, I wouldn't buy one without it.

I have never had a need for more power, maybe the desire, but not the need. We don't "mud", but we do everything else the Rocky Mountain's have to offer. We have certainly enjoyed the dependability of our Rubicon and I give part of the credit from not altering it. I am just like that. The Goodyear Mud Runners are the same size 25" tire that came on it, but they are wider and most deffinatly more agressive in all conditions. They look better too.

Our Rubicon has carried about 400 lbs. of people and cargo for at least 3000 miles, and everywhere it has been pointed. Because of the transmission, all our friends that ride belt driven ATV's are in low range way before we are. It is like a manual tans in the ESP mode. It has surprised us places and hills it has climbed with no troubles in high because use can use "1st gear". And it is fun to drive in real rough and real steep conditions when low range is needed because you have 5 "gears" in low too, or select the auto mode and let the ATV do the shifting for you.

The only thing I would change is I do wish they would put a bigger gas tank in them.

Enjoy your new ride.

Agressive tires make a huge difference and with offset wheels you gain a lot of stability for the offcamber situations. My bike is more stable with 27" tires and offset wheels than it was stock with 25" tires. Look into getting some sort of CV and A-arm guard also, a winch will also come in handy from time to time as well.

To improve its hunting capabilities? Probably put a gun boot of some sort on there, and maybe some tie downs or rope if you need to strap anything down. Trail riding- the list is endless.

get a steath muffler for hunting.

You know Andy, I should have thought of that. I just got the rubicon back from the shop today so I will be going riding sunday, just email me if you want to go.

Tires and a winch will help you get there and back. Stick with stock size tires for ease of steering, and to minimize stress on the drive and suspension. A stealth exhaust if you want to make it super quiet... Then go hunting. Spend your time on the ATV not under it.