Personally I think the dealership service departments need more training to get up to par with all this new technology. I had to fix my own quad once at my dealer because they didn't seem to be able to. I got so frustrated with them I took off half a day to go down and show them how to fix it. If I told you the whole story probably wouldn't beleive it. As long as I work on my Own bike I have no problems. Honda needs to put some more training out there thats the only problem I see.


98 Honda Foreman 450ES
99 Honda Fourtrax 400EX

 

I think Honda will stick behind their atv. They will get the bug out but its gonna take time every new atv like this is gonna have a bug or two.

 

Rubytuesday, believe me, as a rider of both a Rubicon and 450ES, you WILL be making a mistake getting a 450. They are just nothing compared to the Rubicon.

So far with 110 miles our Rubicon is performing flawlessly. The oil change light did come on at 100 miles. Now, does the Rubicon use a different oil filter than the 450ES/300EX/400EX? And if so, would it be ok to change just the oil? At 300 miles it is going in to the dealer for a tune-up.
Also, does anyone have an annoying rattle on the Rubicon at times?

 

a oil change light, oh no

 

hmmm.. new technology resulting in bugs, and dealers not up on the repairs. Starting to sound like a Polaris. Welcome to the cutting edge.

 

I should say, the oil change light did come on and is still on, until it is reset. I'm leaving it on until the oil is changed.

 

Yes, I have experienced a rattle with my Ruby. It appears to be coming from near the exhaust manifold. Also, it seems to disappear a bit as the machine warms up. Does this sound familiar?

 

Rooster-the filter is bigger than the 300. And, you have two oil drain plugs to remove.

 

ZIceman, yes, that sounds familiar. Ours only occurs when it's cold, then seems to go away. It is definitely a metal on metal rattle. I'll have to take a look at it and find what's doing it.

 

This might not be a rubicon only problem. My '99 Recon does it too. But it goes away after a few seconds of idling.