seems like honda always waites for other companies to release there bikes and then they introduce theres? then everyone brags how great they are hehehe
well if the other companies waited all the time and then copied what honda did and added other features then they would be top.
but then again we would wait forever because honda is to lazy to introduce a quad first.

 

Suzuki sure waited a while to release the Z400, which is just a 400EX KNOCK-OFF with a better engine. Then Suzuki released the Ozark/Z250 which is just a Recon/250EX KNOCK-OFF. IF ANYBODY IS PLAYING FOLLOWER HERE, IT IS SUZUKI. That's not to say it has not a good marketing tactic!

Yamaha does seem to do its own thing. Honda certainly didn't answer the big bore challange of the Raptor. I was hoping for an XR650 engine in a quad, but doesn't look like it will happen any time soon.

You have to admit that the Rancher AT, Rubicon, and Rincon are something that nobody else is even close to!! I think they have put all their efforts into trying to build a sport/ute (something that is physically impossible-nothing over 400 lbs deserves to have the word SPORT associated with it anyway!) that they got behind in sport development. Market research is showing a shift away from the ute toward the sport market. (Is the ute market getting saturated??) But, Honda sold 70,000 Ranchers in 02, so you can't argue with success.

Honda may be playing catchup with the 450???? Why is all they have to show us for a 450 some cheesy picture? You would think they would have at least a working prototype they could show us?? I am hoping they will blow our socks off, but not holding my breath.

 

lol

i guess that's why the 250R is THE benchmark. hmmmm, im trying to find a quad that other manufacturers made that honda copied on for the 250R.................nope, cant find anything. people find it pathetic how long it took honda to put out a 450, why? i find it pathetic how long it's taking everyone to release a quad that has the reliability, potential and handling reputation the 250R has, this includes honda.

 

In my opinion (and others Im sure) honda started what we call the sport quad industry back in 1986 when the first year 250Rs came out. Even after this long they are still one of the top quads out there. Sure they quit the sportquad market for 10 years but in 1999 they introduced the 400ex with was the most powerful sportquad out for 2 or years. Even though the EX is somewhat underpowered these days I think the new honda with make up for that.

 

thats where your wrong suzuki started the racing quad market in 85 honda followed because they knew suzuki had a good thing going [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
i have owned an 88 TRX250r and loved it regret selling it every day! but the 2 strokes are nearing there end. i can see the day GLAMIS and other riding spots stop 2 strokes from riding there. the ECCO's are winning the battle.
i just find it funny that yamaha drops there big gun the YFZ and honda is right there to put a drawing out of there's. it will make for a good racers market again cant wait to relive the 80's all over.. yes im older than most on here O well ;(

 

so you're saying that Honda copied the suzuki quad and came up with the 250R? are you a part time comedian?

 

Ok your right about the suzuki first thing sorry I forgot. But honda did not copy the LT in my opinion.

 

HA2
didnt say honda copied there design but they only had a 3 wheeler out before suzuki introduced the 4 wheeler. go figure
no hard feelings i hope [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

my honda usually follows everyone...when they get stuck i just push'm thru the mud far enuff they can get off my bumper....

 

There was no such thing as a sport quad until the Quad Sport was released in 1985. There was no such thing as a high performance quad until the Quad Racer came out in 1985. The 250R came out in '86 and it took Honda until '87 to come out with a 4 stroke sport quad, the 250X. Suzuki created the market, Honda followed. The original 250R and Quadracer were very similar in performance. They both had there good and bad points. The shootouts of the 80's reflected that. The 250R eventuall became the dominant quad because it had better front end geometry, stronger frame, and proved to be more durable and reliable in the long run. The aftermarket support was far greater for the 250R then the Quadracer which also led to the 250R's dominance.

As far as sport & high performace quads go, Honda was and is a follower. It could be said that Honda only came out with the 400EX after a 10 year break from sport quads to compete with the Banshee which has been produced non-stop since '87. However, the 400EX did ignite the recent explosion of sport quads. (sheeze, that last sentence sounded like a magazine editor)