Looking at possibly getting a Rincon and would like some feedback.

I know Honda has a good reputation for reliability. How have the Rincon's been holding up?

How's the gas mileage?

The power?

The ride?

The transmission?

I have heard of a few cases of coolant leaks at the water pump? Has this really been an issue or just a few limited cases?

Any other issues on the '03 models that need to be corrected? I'm not concerned about the tires. I will replace them eventually.

The machine will be for the wife and kids as well as safety training/demonstrations.

So far, I have seen good things about the machine. This would be my first Honda. I like the looks, the ergonomics, and the reliability reputation. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Lep,
Ok I am starting to feel like a Honda Advocate... I try to answer Rincon questions because when I bought my rincon no one had anything but hear-say to tell me. So here goes...

How's the gas mileage?
I am going to have to guess here because I never kept track of it... I rode cheese counrty trail in WI last weekend (very Flat and about 50 miles) and I used a little less then 1/2 tank. So I am going to guess 100+ miles per tank (just under 5 gallon tank including reserve)

The power?
I am a BIG man and it has no trouble hauling my A$$ up hills and over rocks. I got it up to 65mph and ran out of dirt road. I think it had some more left in it. Lets face it ATV's are not fast... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] But then again I think FAST starts at 100mph anything else is quick...

The ride?
Like a dream. My wife has a rancher without IRS and there is a huge diffrence... Cadaliac... The ride makes the speed your doing seem alot slower, but your not...

The transmission?
No problems. I seldom use ESP except when I think I may need more control (like steep desends).

I have heard of a few cases of coolant leaks at the water pump? Has this really been an issue or just a few limited cases?
No leaks here...

Any other issues on the '03 models that need to be corrected? I'm not concerned about the tires. I will replace them eventually.
I had a recall for some a-arms bolts not being torqued correctly in the factory. They took care of it at the Break-in check up... You want to rethink getting rid of the tires before you need too. They are radials and give a great ride. Remember if you go with over sized Mudders they rob any ATV of power...

The machine will be for the wife and kids as well as safety training/demonstrations.
My Wife, Mom, Dad, and Nephiew have all ridden on it and tehy seemed to handle it easily...

Here is what I think is it's short commings...

Needs Better bumpers... Buying myself some tonight!

I would of rather of seem Black Racks on my Red Rincon. I am going to have them Coated in LINE-X next week...

Adjustable Suspension. Only because I would like to be able to fine tune it for my size... Dont get me wrong it has an awesome ride!

I love my Rincon and think it's a great machine. I would highly recomend it to anyone... I hope this helps...

 

How have the Rincon's been holding up?

1500 miles so far, no problems

How's the gas mileage?

Seems to be pretty good, about 81 miles before ya hit reserve

The power?

I like it but if your coming from a DS you will feel it is short on some. a jet kit, K&N filter and a slip on will make it romp as i understand

The ride?

The ride on this thing is incredible. i have gone 55-60MPH up a river bottom over rock of all sizes. it sucks it up and feels in control.

The transmission?

Transmission is the most talked about (good or bad) thing on this bike. it is different being a three speed. there is no low gear. you do feel it shift under full throttle. you can lift the front off the ground from a dead stop. it just takes some getting used to. no different then going from a stick shift car to an automatic. i like it and dont miss low gear.

I have heard of a few cases of coolant leaks at the water pump? Has this really been an issue or just a few limited cases?

I have two rincons, no leakage from the pumps. i have been out on days where it was 115 and ride for 50 miles or so, no overheating under speed or at a crawl.

Any other issues on the '03 models that need to be corrected? I'm not concerned about the tires. I will replace them eventually.

I personnaly dont think there are any items that need corrected, there are some nice to haves (mainly adjustable shocks).

The machine will be for the wife and kids as well as safety training/demonstrations.

My wife rides the other Rincon, she loves it. after the initial "OMG this thing is huge" she did great and loves to ride it.

So far, I have seen good things about the machine. This would be my first Honda. I like the looks, the ergonomics, and the reliability reputation. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

if you are going to change your oil on your own, buy the filters online from somplace like service honda (much cheaper). you will also want to pick up one of those funnels that has a long flexible tube and maybe even a valve to control flow (got mine at walmart for about $5 maybe). it is a slow job filling the oil back in this thing.

other than that. this is a great ride. it really wakes up after 100-200 miles.

enjoy.

 

There have been a fair number of posts on the bike stalling on steep hills (the worst possible time!!). I think bvstone is on to something. Honda jets everything LEAN at the factory to meet emissions standards. Sounds like a lean carb might be the problem. Honda is always so worried about liability, you would think a stalled bike on some killer hill would get their lawyers attention. They sould jump right on getting this problem fixed and do a recall.

See http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/355459.cfm

 

Another issue owners might want to comment on is ENGINE BRAKING. The magazines say the Rincon has little or none, unless you hold it in low gear with ESP.

Where I ride, "stop you dead" engine braking is a must. Free wheeling down a rocky, technical descent is asking for trouble.

 

I thought I did comment (well Kinda [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] )...
"I seldom use ESP except when I think I may need more control (like steep desends)."

It as easy as flipping a switch with your thumb. Although my engine does infact Break in Auto... I havn't doneany extremely technical decends like the " Jack and Sledge Hammer trails" (just havn't come accross any like it yet) but I have been on some pretty steep hills...

I have never encountered stalling on steep hills. Maybe they fixed something durring the model year?

 

My Rincon is an 04, and I did get it to stall on a hill (I tried to make it happen). If servicehonda had that slide spring and some pilot jets I get em at experiment, but I don't see anything there yet.

As for engine breaking, the mags are clueless as usual. It has great engine breaking, even in auto.

 

i have been very happy even on the steep downhills with the engine breaking. i think the only stalling problem i have had was related to the altitude i was riding at (~7000feet). did the pilot screw adjustment and it went away.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I don't plan on replacing the DS with the Rincon. It will be an addition to the stable. As far as the EBS, I'm not concerned with this as it only slows you down [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img].

It sounds as though the issues everyone has stated are relatively minor and don't bother me much. Will be looking forward to the addition.

Thanks again.

 

Also remember that if you are in a situation where you want the maximum engine braking effect, pop it into 4WD (that makes a huge difference on my Grizzly)...