Have you check the TT results lately? How bout desert racing? Let's say, ohhh, I don't know, that little race hardly anyone knows about. What was it called again.........BAJA? Just because it didn't dominate mx, does not mean it was an unsuccessful machine.

 

Red Goblin,
You're totally right, they did win Baja and Farr is doing well in TT. Thing is, both I, and the majority ATV enthusiasts don't care about TT. As far as Baja goes, I don't want to take anything away from Honda, but really, is it that big of an accomplishment for Honda to win? They have dominated with the XR 650, won it with a utility quad, and now the 450R. Not much of a shock, I don't think. I know I sound negitive, not my intention, but it can be argued that Honda owns Baja simply because of the funds, pit stops, support teams and effort they put into it. They have Baja down to a science and other teams and manufactures have no where near the resources invested to compete on the same level. The fact they could win with a utility quad shoud say something about the incredible logistics they have in place.

It just strikes me as strange that Honda finally came out with a new "R" and it doesn't live up to the standards the original 250R set. Let's just say the 450R has had less than a steller impact. Anyway, I'm not impressed with Honda's efforts in the ATV market as of late. Both Yamaha and Suzuki have been doing a better job building quads that people want. Polaris is actually #2 in sales and I see them taking the top spot this year. I still can't comprehend how that can happen but Honda certianly isn't trying very hard to attract new customers.

 

Don't forget Baja shortcuts taken by the Mexican drivers.

 

0_o

 

Honda has been lacking for the last couple of years. It's not just the '05 lineup. Look at the Rubicon. Gee, they redesigned the front end to look like the Rincon. Big deal! It would have been the perfect opportunity to give it TraxLoc and maybe even some kind of locking differential. Nope...didn't happen. The new Foreman will be a hit though. It's a shame. As many years as I have religiously owned Hondas, I'm considering looking at the competition now. Honda just doesn't seem to care anymore.

 

Honda is doing JUST what Yamaha did since 97' with there snowmobiles. In 97' Yamaha built a Sled that NO OTHER MANUFACTURE could touch in performance, RELIABILITY, Fuel mileage, ride, handling, and fit and finish IN 1997. BUT since then yamaha has kinda sat around doing mild tweeks here and there and changed the body work around a bit but everyone else has caught up and surpassed them and they are finally on the move again. Honda looks to be doing the same with there ATV's now, The know they had the best and people are STILL buying them, WHY change the product if people are STILL buying them? They won't make any drastic changes until there SALES start hurting.

 

well i can see it...........it wants to bring me to the 04

 

Rubidude, you need to do a little more research on the '05 Hondas. The new Rubicon does indeed have Traxlok.

 

My bad...I was looking at Honda's initial press release which stated nothing about the Traxloc, or the disc brakes. All I can say is...it's about time!!! I'm sure gonna miss the 450S/ES though. You'd be pretty hard pressed to find a tougher utility ATV than the 450.

 

Hondanews.com has the specs on the Rubi.

Maybe Honda is listening too much to it's customers? Lots of people and mags have been complaining about no reverse gear on the 400ex. Honda simply put a reverse gear on it.

People wanted a 450R and Honda gave everyone just that. (No reverse or electric start) Simply a quad with the 450 motor in it.

People have been crying about the drum brakes on Hondas utes for a long time. Honda simply put disc brakes on the new Foreman and Rubi.

People want 2 to 4 wheel select on the Rubi. Well, Honda threw that on this year.

Sure people would like to have IRS on the Foreman's or liquid cooling on a 400ex. But it does seem like Honda has been listening a little and have been doing what people ask of them. (to a certain extent)

Maybe if Honda didn't listen to the people and magazines. Maybe there would be new and different Honda atv's. Honda has just been doing what people ask of them. So really, the askers only have themselves to blame. Just a thought.