I bought a new Recon 5 months ago... it has been back to the shop 4 times for a total of 59 days. I just got it back last week and the problem is still not fixed. Here's the problem from day one: when I'm cruising along in say 3rd gear the first gear light starts flashing and I am not able to shift up or down... I need to stop the bike, turn off the switch and then restart the bike. Sometimes the problem doesn't show up again for a while but most often the first gear light will start flashing and I'm unable to shift. At one point I was unable to clear the problem (even after turning the key on and off 3 times as the shop recommended) and had to limp home using the manual shift wrench. The problem seems to show up after the bike has warmed up… usually after about 20-30 minutes of pretty easy riding. The first gear light flashes in a series of 8 or most often 12 times. So far the shop has replaced the electronic circuit board, they have checked the wiring harness, and checked everything else they can think of … The dealership here says they have now been instructed by Honda to take the ATV apart and check each and every wire for a wire that might be shorting out…. As the Honda mechanic says, “It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.” Has anyone out there heard of this problem or does anyone have any ideas? This is my first Honda ATV… I had a Suzuki for over 15 years and it never once went to the shop… needless to say I’m more than a little disappointed.

 

You may want to check the lemon laws, in your state, and maybe even see a lemon law attorney. Seems to me, honda has 3 tries to fix something, if its still not fixed...its a lemon.

 

Unfortunately Hawaii’s Lemon Law does not cover ATV’s and Motorcycles.

 

Please have them check the angle sensor. Trust me on this one.

 

also check into the search area of this site. look up recon es and youll be suprised.

Also check your battery connections that they are clean and secure.

My wifes did the the exact same thing and it was the angle sensor.

 

Thanks for the advice... I just got a call from the Honda shop... they spoke to a District Manager... he suggested replacing the Angle Sensor too… maybe he reads this forum. They have ordered the part… I hope it works.

 

I've also had the same exact problem. It only happened in the winter time though. I would just shake the bike a little and I'd be able to use the electronic shift again. Annoying problem though...