I've read a lot of topics on the Rincon vs Rubicon. I understand that the Rincon is not designed for work. How does it do on the trails though, like a slow technical trail and pretty steep up hill and down hill? Will the first gear hold up? or does it try to slip. Any information or experiences will help. I'm pretty much set on the Rubicon but hate to pass up the Rincon's ride and power if it will work for me. I don't pull anything but do ride some technical trails sometimes and haul a deer or another passenger occasionally. Thanks for the response

 

I have owned the rincon and it was a nice ride but it is not made for techinal trails. I hade to climb a pretty steep and long hill and almost didn't make it. I had it in first gear but it started slipping at the top of the hill. There was something I read somewhere there is some kind of sensor that if you're climbing a steep hill the transmission will start to slip.
I would rather climb a hill rather than descend because of very little engine braking. If you where going down a hill going 10 mph or faster engine braking would kick in but there was none slower than that. Another bad thing about the rincon, when you are climbing a hill and let off the gas for any reason it likes to stall. I have seen that happen. One other thing I didn't like, if you're sitting still and barely give it gas it will just rev and not move. Now I have a rubicon and love it. I do not miss the rincon at all. Just wish they would make both SRA and IRS on the Rubicon. If I were you I would get the rubicon. I have an 05 rubicon with 2300 miles with no problems yet. If the rincon had a low 3 speed or a 5 speed I would probably have kept the rincon. Hope this helps

 

Thanks angler, that's what I was looking for. Any more advice from other owners is appreciated.

 

my buddy has the new 680 rincon with the 3 speed .. i dont know much about it, but it has lots of power, he says it will stand up at 70km/h im not sure if this is true but it very well could be, and there isnt much for long stretches or anything around here, it is all slow trails and technical stuff, he seems to love it, and his dad just uses it for puttin around hunting, so it might be ok, im not sure of any problems hes had. Sorry i cant give you anymore info

 

I had the 650 so I can't comment on the new power of the Rincon but I believe you would do better with the Rubicon. I was very disappointed in the Rincon when it came to technical riding. My friends with their great EBS would be crawling down a hill, sometimes giving their quads gas while I was white knuckling it, working the brakes like crazy. I'm not bashing here but if you plan anything steep, do not get the Rincon. It can be downright dangerous on steep inclines. As soon as rocks start getting slick then it was a battle to try to keep the backend from slipping sideways.

My friend and I did a test one day. We stood at the top of a dirt road..about 20-30% incline. From a dead stop we let go of the brakes....he slowly crawled down the hill and I actually picked up speed!

It was a great trail bike and very dependable but having gain some experience riding, Engine breaking is very important for me. It's more a a safety thing then anything else. Maybe a better driver could handle steep hills without a problem but it just scared the hell out of me.

That's my 2 cents.

 

I also had a 03 Rincon and dont miss it a bit. Poor downhill engine braking, no adjustable shocks, no low range, no EFI, no front locker, drum brakes in the front, and the highest MSRP in its class. Drove it two years and bought a new 2005 King Quad. After driving the KQ for awhile, I really did'nt miss much at all about the Rincon.

I know the new 2006 Rincons have more features, but I still would'nt buy one when you compare what else is available for alot less money.

 

The old 650 rincon my pal has rides him as much as he rides it[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img] On big hills he locks the brakes and SKIS down the hill. If the is a turn
at the bottom it turns over an eats him. Maybe the new rincons got a granny gear but them ol 650's are not a good plan in Appalacian Country. OUCH!

beagles

 

Raptor5,

I have been doing a ton of research on this '06 Rincon....assuming '06 is the year you are speaking of because the differences between the '05 & '06 are fairly extensive with the EFI, better engine braking, disc brakes, and a little more power. There are a few other smaller details like tires but I can't remember all of them.

I think the Rincon def has its faults but it also has its positives. I hear and read that it handles better than any quad out there and on trails you can only go so fast. I have also heard and read many times over that it many cases you are able to go just as fast, if not faster, than quads with more "get up" because of the great handling characteristics of the Rincon.

Sorry that I don't own one but I want one, an '06 that is. I have read about all you can read on them. I like this website a lot but if you TRULY want to do fair research I would ALSO listen to those at ridethered.net (Rincon forum), atv.dnsalias.com (Rincon forum), and the longgg ongoing (but great!) Rincon thread at atvscene.com. Talk to those that own the '06 about what they like and dislike. ALL quads have more than one thing the owner would change about it so to me it is about getting exactly what you want. I will give up a locker for great handling, plenty of power, great IRS, EFI, and reliability. For what you want maybe it isn't a fit....I will say one thing though....your eyes will open up to its capabilities if you go read from owners out riding the '06. Just my two cents as I also like the KQ!

 

Well said Stocks.
Raptor5, some of these posts are correct and some are just bashing the Rincon. I have the 680 and I love it. I also own a 05 Rancher AT, an 03 Polaris Sportsman, and a 2000 Foreman. Yes the Rincon has less engine braking than the others. I got used to it. I also got more confident about going down steep hill because the Rincon gives you just that.....confidence. My brakes are outstanding. The ride is unreal! I have never needed a locker on any atv!!!!! My 1st gear will pull me through thick mud up to my seat as long as the frame is not bottomed out.(locker cant help you there) The Rincon can outrun any utility quad on tight trails, including the Bomb 800. I have ridden that also. A friend has one. We got on a MX track with them recently. He got the jump on me, but I passed him on the inside of the 2nd or 3rd turn (forgot which) and he never caught up.
I have ridden at Tellico 3 times. There are no more technical trails than that. That was before the Rincon, but I know I would not have any trouble there with it.
As far as price. I got mine for around $6750 at Southern Honda in Chattanooga. Who cares what MSRP is!

That said, if engine braking is the most important thing to you, get the Rubicon. I dont think you will go wrong with either one.

 

Thanks for all of the information. My main concern is going very slow.... Up trails with obstacles in the way, rocks , roots , etc. Not as much worried about the engine braking but I know that helps. Coming down backwards is even worse if you can't make it up. Just wasn't sure if the 1st gear would creep in the bad stuff. Keep them coming, this is great info for many riders.