Doesn't seem to me Honda is even marketing the Rincon as a utility quad, it's listed as a "recretional" vehicle, not a utility. My G/F recently rode my Rincon for the first time, she was a little apprehensive because it's a 650 and she is used to riding my 330, she hopped on, punched the gas and it leaped forward and nearly stalled, she did it again, same thing, I was like "WTF is she doing"........LOL, left the parking brake on! Anyway, she had NO problems adjusting to the increase in power which I think is what Honda is aiming for. There is a LOT of power in this engine if properly tapped, I'm keeping mine mostly stock except I'm getting a 2" exhaust tip and I think I'm gonna cut the spring inside the carb. that I've seen suggested in a few forums.

As many have stated here if you want a true Honda utility get the Rubicon or Foreman, this is what these quads were made for. I think Honda has done a good job keeping the weight at 600 lbs while similarily equipped A/C and Polaris go well over 700 lbs. I think going over 600 lbs on an ATV is really pushing it, why do they have to be this heavy?

IMO the best ATV out there right now is probably the Outlander 800, it's at least 100 lbs lighter then the Polaris and features 40 more CC's, a true 800. If it came down to paying full MSRP I'd go with an Outlander over the Rincon for only $800 more but I just got my 05 Rincon for $6299, as much as I wanted the Outlander 800 I couldn't pass up this deal on a brand new Rincon.

 

PROPNUT,
Im glad to see that your loyality still exsists in the Rincon,even with the expected minimal changes to it..

Im certain you feel completely confident with ALL the new features that Honda added to the Rincon for 2006..

MYSELF,
I guess I just got to tired of watching my other ATV club members do everything else so much easier on their big bore 4x4s, to just settle for the Rincon..But thats just IMO..Others who cherish the Rincon should stay with it..Happiness is all that counts in the end.

Happy trailing my friend!

 

Actually its 44cc, the Bomb is a true 804cc

 

but I have no loyalty to the Rincon MUD, it feels good too

obviously I feel better than you with your emotional attachment to the Rincon

I think the changes are exactly what a X-country cruiser should get. One thing is likely, the new features have been well though out and well tested.

 

propnut, I agree and it does make me think a little about going back to Honda (what I originally wanted) vs an '06 KQ. I think the KQ is going to be hard to pass up though on price....and I really think that the engine braking is something I am going to need here in MO...we have a decent amount of hills.

I am a little hesitant on a 1st yr model too though, which is also steering me to an '06 KQ....if the price was the exact same between the 2, it would be a tough decision. From what I can tell it is the same transmission on the Rincon as they had on the '05, is this correct?

 

Same 3 speed tranny on the Rincon..I really did not miss the engine braking on the Rincon UNTIL I bought my KQ..The more time I spent on my new KQ,the more appearant the shortcomings were on the Rincon,its that simple..

But thats not to say that the Rincon wont do the job,its just harder to acchomplish the same tasks that are done easier on the KQ..

 

Theres a fair chance the Rincon could be our next ATV unless Honda makes the Rubicon CTE available here in the US.

Just because the new Rincon is not what YOU wanted, does not make it or Honda bad. With all the ATVs on the market I am sure there is one that fits your needs, sorry its not a Honda.

For our riding style and the reliabilty our two Hondas have provided, when its time for a new ATV I won't even bother looking at any other brand.

 

Honda does not advertise all changes from year to year. The Rubicon went up on carb size this year, you have to look to find it. They may have made a change, but I do not know. Everyone thinks the 03 and 04 Rubi are the same but my rim bead is beefier than the 03. Subtle improvements are more the norm for Honda. Sucks if you are impatient.

I ride where I prefer strong engine braking, so the previous Rincon did not sound suitable for me.

I looked at the KQ and it fit me nice. Not so nice with the fit and finish, but not cheap like some others. Lot of features that you may or may not use. Can't get past the belt performance though. Also see that they aren't anything special as far as utility goes. Go check out the post on the Utility forum for pull results. What really suprised me was the Bombardier bombing out. I checked one out and had figured they would be hard to beat. Maybe it needed a little clutch tweaking. Notice the Rincon isn't there as it really wasn't meant to be a worker.

 

I will pull/haul ANYTHING that ANY other utility ATV on the trail will with EITHER my Bomb 800 OR my 700 Suzuki...What I wont be doing is pulling some 4500lb sled behind my *** while im riding a trail here in Michigan,so your sled stats mean nothing to me..

Now,on the other hand,IF I were to enter a pulling contest like the one you mention,than I may have to look for some clutching mods,I suspect.

 

yeah, me too