I ride every weekend with my friend Ben who has the new Rubicon and absolutely loves everything about it. Another friend and his wife also ride with us and they own two Vinsons. The biggest draw back I personally would have with the Suzuki is the hard body panels and fenders. They crack and break , where the Honda Fenders and body just fold out of the way and pop back when brushing a tree or rock or whatever..Also I personally dont care for the belt drive on the Suzuki. Ben absolutely loves the transmission on the Honda. The Suzuki is very impressive with its powerband especially on top end..The Rubicon is no slouch either, but I do see that the Suzuki is faster.I ride a Foreman that I absolutely love, but if I could back up a few months and purchase again I would definately go with the Rubicon. Just my two cents worth.

 

I can't really compare the ride from the earlier model of Rubicon's. I did briefly ride an 03 (I believe that is what year it was) last year and it felt better than my Foreman. I can tell you this: I noticed the improved ride right away. The seat is comfy, didn't notice any harsh suspension action, and I love the ride of the Rubicon. I gave my Foreman 400 to my son and when we ride in our back woods, there is no comparison on the way they feel: The Rubicon is alot softer. I can't wait to hit the trails down in Arkansas this March with this Rubicon.

Rob

 

Thanks RCROB I appreciate the reply. Now the million dollar question...red or yellow?????

 

That WAS my million dollar question, too [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Unfortunately, they didn't have yellow when I went, and had just 2 reds. So, I got me a red one. My Foreman 400 is red, and thought maybe a yellow would be a nice change, but it wasn't to be.

Anyway, I have some pics of it if you want. Just PM me you email addy and I will get them off to you. I am trying to get a yahoo gallery up and running, but haven't had any luck yet. Anyway, let me know.

Rob

 

Go YELLOW man, yellow.. My foreman is yellow and hardly shows any scratches at all. My godson sportrax is red and it already looks like its a couple of years old. Both were purchased this past october. Now theres another two cents worth. One more and I spent my nickel.

 

I picked up my '05 Rubicon today! I too was going back and forth between red or yellow, but like rcrob, my dealer had two reds, so that made it easy. Besides, Hondas ought to be red.

My old quad is a 96 300 4x4. When I got the Rubicon home and parked it next to the 300, I was surprised at how small the 300 looked. The Rubicon did not look that big in the showroom.

I can't wait to get to get some seat time!

Kinda off the topic, but... I put the 300 in the yard yesterday with a 4 sale sign on it. It was out there for maybe four hours and four people stopped by. Today, two of those guys called and wanted it for the asking price. The first guy who called gets it. It books for about $2100, but I was asking $2500 because it is in very good shape. He'll be picking it up tomorrow. It'll be kinda sad to see it go. That thing was absolutely bullitproof.

RSeb

 

Our 01 Rubicon has 5000 miles on it. The only thing I wish was different is I wish it had 10,000 miles on it. The more we ride it the more we like it. When it does reach 10,000 miles we will buy a new one, another Red Rubicon.

The single greatest thing about the Rubicon is the Hondamatic Transmission. Every other ATV transmission takes the backseat to this one.

A couple of friends have Vinsons and love them. But the one that you butt fits the best.

 

hey propnut.
i put the perfex lift kit on mine when i first got it.
and i thought it was a little cheezy but ive had it on my rubicon since last may and it works great.
i found that it steers easyer because it lifts the body and makes the front wheels move in about an inch so its not as hard to steer now.
and with the wider tires its about as wide as it was with the stock tires.
great adition to the quad.
and i would take a honda over the suzuki and its belt driven tranny any day.
and as for it being the caddy of quads.
not.
my 03 500 cat road way better then the honda and its seat was softer then the hondas.
so its not a caddy but its could be called a vista cruiser.

 

I hate to say this because I love honda but the new suzuki vincent is a great utility and you have to agree. I have never rode a rubicon but the vincent is great and has plenty of power...... sorry guys but its the truth

 

I agree that the Suzuki VINSON is a great bike, but w/ the Hondamatic transmission, the Rubicon wins my vote (besides, belts are made to hold your pants up!). Just my opinion. The Rubicon has a gear for ANY situation (14 gears in all!):

D1: Drive and Low (that's 2)
D2: Drive and Low (another 2)
ESP: Drive and 5-speed (5 more)
ESP: Low and 5-speed (and another 5 more)

Total gears: 14