I know this is a Honda forum...but from your experience which is best and why? Looking for opinions.

 

If you are looking for workmanship, fit and finish, I give the edge to the Honda

Reliability goes to the Honda. I'm not saying Suzuki is bad, just haven't seen anything that would dethrone the Honda yet. Have seen XRs outlast DRs though.

While I only have an 04 Rubicon, I did not hear of any suspension changes to the 05 so I would give smooth ride at speed to the Vinson. Man does the Rubi ride a little rough at speed. Enough that I noticed a difference on a test ride.

Tranmission goes to the Honda (never never thought I could like an automatic) best tranny I have ever experienced. Couldn't get a winter boot under the Vinson manual shifter, and I haven't warmed up to the belt drives yet.

Not sure how the plasma coat will hold up, or how the rings will hold up against the plasma coating Suzuki uses.

Now that Honda has discs in the front, Suzuki doesn't have the edge it did even if all 3 Suzuki brakes are disc. Same with the 2WD or 4WD switch - not an issue anymore.

Speed goes to Vinson. That motor is hot on top. I only test rode a Vinson, but a riding partner has an Arctic Cat with the Vinson motor and that thing is almost 10MPH faster on top.

Unloaded ride (nothing on racks) and speed go to Vinson, but I wanted a Honda because I new it was built like a rock and they are a capable workhorse.

just an opinion. I'd like to have both.

 

I have a 2004 Honda Rubicon. And boy is that thing powerfull and nice. I love it. I only use it for snow plowing. I put about 300 rough miles on it of pushing snow and I havent had a problem with it.

 

If you want a work & trail quad go with the Rubicon. If you will mainly trail/fun go with the Vinson. I love my Rubicon but fast/sporty it is not. By the way, ATV Televison for 2004 voted the Rubicon; 1)best transmision, 2)best work quad, & 3)best slow speed trail quad.

 

I forgot which magazine it was but it said the Rubicon is the Cadilac of the atv.

 

I have a 2005 Honda Rubicon. I was told by my dealer that the shocks are different on this year's model. I can tell you that it is alot smoother than my Foreman 400. And I like the looks of it. It's got great acceleration, and braking action is excellent. I haven't rode a Vinson, but one of my riding buddies has one and it is nice and fast.

I am sure whichever you choose, you will be happy.

Rob

 

Are you sure the Cadillac of ATVs isn't the Rincon?

 

Im sure. The Rincon doesnt have any low gear and some extras that the Rubicon has.

 

I wonder if the shock change will work on the earlier Rubicons?

I bought a PERFEX kit, just got it. Not sure I'm happy with the front brackets as the holes are drilled VERY close to the edge of the bracket and the brackets are pretty thin. Also worried that the back one may be vunerable to hits. I'm going to try it this weekend and see if it works as advertised.

 

Thanks for the reply RCROB. Its nice to hear from an owner. My thoughts are RINCON or RUBICON. I'm not sure I like the Rincon transmission, but I do like the Rincon IRS. RUBY trans is proven, but solid rear axel...rides like a dump truck???? A Rincon with the Ruby trans would be sweet. Any words about the ride? Same as past rubicons, or did they improve the suspension. At 42 yrs. old a day on the quad takes its toll on the back and kidneys. I currently have a 2000 rancher which will go to my 14 yr old son and we will sell his Recon.