I just read the reviews (by Brian Mills and by Greg Hall) on the new Honda Foreman 500's, and I'd like to know what is different about the front differential. I had a '98 Honda Foreman ES, and didn't think much good about the front differential; the wheel in the air did all the spinning. Has Honda changed this on the new 2005's? The reviewer (on the front of this website) described the differential as "torque sensitive" rather than "limited slip". Anyone know if it has really been changed or improved?

 

Can't remember what they call it, but yes there has been a new differential that has been out for several years now. I have it on the Rancher, and it is excellent!

 

I too have it on my 02 rubicon, Dont know exaclty how it works but Many times Ive let friends ramble on about how my honda was only 3 wheel drive only to enjoy the look on there faces when I dug 4 ruts while pulling a log or yanking someone from the mud or just pushing snow and shoving a pile.

I will never say it is as good as a actual locker (thats my opinion) but its not just 3 wheels turning,and thats about all i know.

 

I know on my 03, and on 04 , the front diff is like the differential in this article. Its an old article, but has good details on the diff. Im assuming its the same diff in the 05. On page 2 and 3, of the article, it talks about the front diff.

pop mechs

And I agree, it works very well as long as both fronts have some traction. But as soon as one front tire goes air born( like going over a log), the one in the air does all the spinning. A torque baising diff, can transferr up to 5 times the torque, the other side has...but if the other side has zero( spinning in the air) then 5 times zero is still zero. Then youre back to the old honda locking differential...jam on the front brakes, and itll pull.

 

Two of my buds have Rubes and my Vinson front diff works just as good as theres. Like hondabuster said, as long as both tire have "some" traction it works, but as soon as one looses traction its no different from a standard Limited slip. My vinson digs all 4 tires in as long as all tires have good traction. When Im in the Mud they ALL 4 spin and dig too, until one comes off the ground.

 

I don't think they work that well....nothing is like it being locked...period.I wish I could get a pic in here from our trip last fall to H/M.One of our guys was on a brand new rancher.He was climbing some rocks and another guy happen to snap a pic of him trying to get up (#98 on Buff Mountain) In the pic there he is.....the right wheel FIRMLY planted on a smooth rock and the left front spinning like crazy in the air.Now....from what I have read because I was going to buy one was that when one wheel slips it transmits power to the one with traction?? hummmm
02 650 camo

 

Guess the "torque sensitive" differential is just a marketing gimmick after all. Thanks, all.

 

Hondabuster, I am glad to see that someone else knows the tricks of the trade! Someone had written in a while back about the differential not working with one wheel in the air. I replied to the thread telling them to lock the front brake and the other wheel would then pull...A couple of cocky people replied back telling me i was full of mud. Some people never learn huh? I read these threads to learn and am not ashamed to learn something new because I surely dont know it all, but this is one trick I did know..Thanks

 

yes just hit the front brake lever and itll lock up. Hondas are great but they are not smarter than we are, they dont know the diffance between traction on the ground and traction on brake shoes. they just work on resistance of the wheel turning. make it think it has good traction and it will go just about anyplace.
Tynes

 

Think Hummer!

Honda changed the Foreman 450 in 2002.