Does anyone know why Honda are sticking with the solid axle, most other ATVs have gone to
something like a double wishbone in back, to get more clearance.

I just sold my Rubicon and got a 05 Trail Edition for a softer ride.

All input will help.

SAMEE

 

.Not sure but its prob because it still sells well. Sra is better for pulling things, because when the load is hooked to the axle the tires take the load not your suspension

 

SAMEE, So whats your opinion and comparison on the 05 trail edition compared to the Rubi you just sold?

 

HI FARMKING;

I listed most things on a previous post to TrailBlazer.

But, the ride on a Trail Edition is better, but not like a full independant suspension.

Swithching from 2 x4 to 4 x4 is a good feature , gas mi. But, could live without it,
My prev. Ruby did not have it, Have Not done a gas mileage check yet.

But, what can go wrong is a friend riding a Yamaha almost killed himself and his niece.
He was angling up a ridge and it was turning dusky out.

He got caught forgetting to switch to 4 x 4, and powered out, grabbed the brake and
flipped, very lucky, niece OK, THE dreiver suffered a bad back injury.

So, anyone reading this if in rough terrain at all, do not ever switch out of 4 x 4

The GPS IS OK, but I have my own, but will probably still use the GPS SCAPE on the Trail Edition.

Other than that, The Rubicon is identical Power wise, handling etc. etc. Gas tank is approx. quart
bigger.

Hope this helps a bit. Any other questions I will be glad to help out, whatever I know I will
be glad to share with anyone.

SAMEE

 

Thanks for your info SAMEE, I had heard the trail edition puts out more power and was faster. I really like my Rubicon, the Hondamatic is what sets it apart from the rest in my opinion, the ride is a little stiff but better than my 450 formeman, but for farm use the 450 is a great quad.

 

HI FARMKING;

The Trail Edition is also Hondamatic. Thats what I liked about it when I demo'd it, everthing
was so similar to the Ruby. The 4 strokes are good for a 100,000 mi. so I was told by my
mechanic.

SAMEE

 

HI FARMKING;

Also, as you may know, The Trail Edition, is a Ruby, I should have made it more clear.
You may have known , but other readers may have been confused. Honda say they made
it for Canadian tough use. I am from Manitoba, Canada, and wanted to test it to see if
there was a improvement in the ride. As I mentioned , not a whole lot, but still the great
Rubicon quality.
My profile says U.S. , not true.

Had fun reading other ATV sites, guys trying to decide between, Yamaha and Polaris.
I felt like putting my 2 cents worth in and "Be sure to demo a Rubicon" Purchase one and let us know in
2 yrs. what parts you have replaced. We have the experience. We have
put them thru everything. Zero parts, battery after 3 yrs., and the odd plastic connector
that pops out of the fender, when wacked by a tree or boulder. Simple to replace

BFN,

SAMEE

 

a honda salesman said they sell big in the bayou south states so honda keeps makin them , he said the people prefer them over irs bikes in mud bog loiusiana stuff, big market there dictates what honda builds.

 

OK. Just so you all know, I am a complete newbie here. This is my first post. But, this was something I am interested in as we just bought two new Rubicons. We looked mostly at the Yamaha 450 Kodiak and the Polaris Sportsman 450. I really liked the IRS on those two. It was a feature I was not sure I wanted to pass up.

However, I was told (and this is the part I wonder about and ask input on) that the solid axle is better in the mountains as it is less likely to roll on a sidehill incline/rough terrain. Personally, I thought this sounded odd. I would've thought the opposite was true - that IRS would be better in this way. What do you all think?

Ultimately, we went with the Hondas because of the deal we got and it was the only way my wife could get a black ATV in a brand we liked.

 

i just read your thread my opinion. in the terrain i ride i prefer the solid axel. i c other atv's with independant suspension they hit or bottem out alot more under load so i will stick with ruby untill honda changes that . 2502500