I like my sportsman a lot but i alos like honda's. Please let me know what you like most about your honda's and what you dont like.

 

Have you checked out the thread on "Why did you choose Honda?" ?

 

I am no fan of automatic transmissions, either the belt drives or even the two different Honda automatics. Honda is the only one that makes a big bore with a bulletproof reliable good old time tested manual transmission.......the new Foreman 500. Our Ranchers, also with manual transmissions, have been used and abused for years, without even the slightest hickup. The Rancher is a nice size, big enough to do the job, but not a huge, heavy, hulking beast either.

 

Reconranger, I too was against buying any auto, particularly a belt drive on a quad (I've been tuning sled clutches for over 20 years, so I know belt drives pretty well). I even chose a 5 speed in my 03 Ram. But the Rubicon tranny has changed my view. There are 2 other 500cc manual utes I looked at, and their features just didn't line up the what I was looking for this time. I'll avoid critiquing other brands and just say that one of the reasons I didn't get the Arctic Cat 500i was just too big for the wooded areas I ride, and the Vinson floorboards/shifter configuration made it impossible to get a Sorel under the shifter. I like them both, they just had more negatives for my needs than the Honda.

What I like Parkerman:
The Rubicon transmission is electric feeling, and without a doubt (in my opinion), the best transmission I have ever seen on this type of vehicle. The only exception to this - it can be boring in the auto modes. I like to shift. Now that I am getting used to the push button (had to reprogram my head to stop kicking the floorboard with my left foot!!) I have that shifting back that, but still have the ability to go auto if the terrain is tough enough that I would rather pay attention to my line than shifting, or if my wife or a non-riding friend wants to try it. You are never in the wrong gear in auto. I have had and abused many Hondas, now that I change oil - this engine will probably run for decades. I don't live very close to a Honda dealer, which is fine because I know from experience I won't be needing to stop by for parts as often as some of the other brands I've owned. The Honda just feels right to me as well ~ good ergos, which is subjective. Everything is easy to get at (except the oil filter, I like my Suzuki spin on much better). The SRA is stable, not squishy with the body roll I've noticed with some of the IRS quads.

What I don't like: I do not like the idea of drums. They are working great now (remember, this is a utility quad...if I wanted to go fast I wouldn't be on quad), but disc are better [if/] they are working properly and are way easier to maintain. If I ever have trouble, I'm converting to discs. This isn't a problem with the new Foreman and Rubicon front brakes, and the cable actuated drum in the rear makes a better parking brake as you don't have to worry about bleed-down. My machine rides a little stiff, but that has been improved with the 2005, same with the full time 4X4. I wish it had a better back bumper and brake lights (lights fixed on the 05?), I've been bumped twice by friends being dummies while at a complete stop. It barely gets over 60 in full time 4X4, but again you don't buy a quad if you want to go fast, you buy a CR500.

 

I have an o5 Rubicon and love it! It has that solid,connected to the ground feel yet isn't too rough on the body. The engine braking is the best i've ever seen. It will hold you at 3mph all the way down the steepest of hills. I love to be able to use the esp,manual shift mode whenever I want. The low range is awesome.

When comparing it to my brothers sportsman, the only thing better on the sportsman is a smoother ride. We went riding in the snow yesterday and he was stuck all day long, 15-20 times, probably due to it's heaviness. Needless to say I got stuck twice and I was breaking trail. His sportsman was a little out of control as we went down the hills, while the rubicon just creeped down, no brakes needed.

good luck