Well, here I am in the Honda forum. I've been wanting a Kodiak for years. Loved the Honda reliability, but didn't like the full-time four wheel drive of Honda's older models. Now Honda comes out with the Rancher AT, which, to my understanding, has ability to just go two wheel drive, fully auto transmission, and a 400cc (roughly) motor. I looked at the Rubicon a couple of years ago and ruled it out - no part time 4 wheel drive capability. I'm hearing now that the Rancher AT has the same transmission as the Rubicon. If so, what's the difference between that tranny and the "automotive-type" tranny in the new Rincon? (I thought the Rubicon's was supposed to be some revolutionary automobile like gadget when it came out.) Can anyone assist? Any known problems with the Rancher/Rubicon tranny that I should be aware of before I buy? Thanks!

 

The Rubicon and the Rancher AT share the same transmission. A Hydro-mechanicl constant variable Transmission. The Rincon has the Automotive Torque Converter. The choice of bike depends on the application you are using the bike for...
Do not expect to buy a Rincon and put on big heavy mud tires and expect it to run around and act normal, they become pigs, so stick with stock tire sizes and a light aftermarket tire. The Rubicon and AT can handle any tire you throw at it. There will be a drop in acceleration, but it does not affect these two like the rincon, think of the rincon like a truck, put huge tires on an auto truck and it does hamper the units performance. The rincon has no issues with the transmission. It has been a grat bike and can out drag a grizzley in ESP mode.