I can see a market for the TRX 700 in people that do lots of trail riding, and want something relatively lighter and more nimble than the current utility quads. It is 90 lbs lighter than my Grizzly 700 afterall, and the five speed would be fun when going on a 'spirited' trail ride. I'm not sure I would buy it over my Grizzly though. It doesn't have 4 wheel drive, and it wouldn't have the fuel range needed out west. And there is no place to carry spare fuel with you on the TRX 700. Last week I did a 275 mile trail ride, in one day, on me Grizzly 700. That TRX 700 would have been fun on that ride, but it wouldn't have made it from one fuel stop to the next.

I don't see the TRX 700 competing with traditional sport quads. At 508 lbs it is not in the same class as the 450s, or Outlaws, or Raptors. This looks like a manual transmission alternative to the KFX 700, and also has the IRS that trail riders will want.

DV.

 

Wow at all the misinformation and speculation.

Off the top, to the totally uninformed few who made mentions of Honda ATV sales slipping,.... recheck with your resources.

Regarding the 700XX, you who keep comparing this quad to the Outlaw should really check into the machines more thoroughly. NOTHING between the two IRS systems are even remotely similar other than the number of A-arms. The geometry, arm angles, balljoint centerlines, etc,etc. Honda engineers CLAIM that this machine exhibits none of the quirky characteristics that some Outlaw owners have griped about. No excess squat over a straight axle quad on acceleration. Very little body roll in the corners due to a harder swaybar than the Polaris, and the geometry of the A-arm "rake" is almost a copy of the front,...which by the way are both closely related to the 400EX.
Also a common Outlaw problem has been the feeling of torque steer to the left on acceleration due to the sprocket location. We have all seen that compressed left rear shock. Honda claims this is not possible on the XX due to the center sprocket location.
The 11" wheels? I agree. The appear odd and down right non attractive. And not many sport quad tires out there are available in this size...yet. But it's something owners cannot change because the larger wheel is to accomodate the inset hubs..which contribute to this new IRS design that is CLAIMED to mimc a straight axle setup through the turns.
The engine is both new, with a bit of used. From what I was told, everything in the bottom end is totally new. The topend is based from the XR650R engine, but reconfigured for more midrange power. Honda would not give HP numbers but said the detuning didnt rob much if any power from the initial engine it was copied from (XR650R) because of the displacement increase. Which would leave a very possible number of 48 to 52 HP at the crank considering that is where most XR650Rs read at in stock configuration.
By comparison,...The KTM525 engines are making around 52 to 54 at the crank.


I will not say that my opinion of this quad is indeed a better suited IRS sport quad than the Outlaw,...but I will say that enough is known about it that it requires an actual test ride and,...that on paper,...it should be a blast.
As for its appearance, Im not a fan of the design. However I also think the Kawasaki KFX450R is the ugliest thing to ever have a clutch. But thats just my opinion.

Also, it should be pointed out that at the rate things are going right now regarding orders for the 700XX from dealers and orders from dealer's customers, this quad will be sold out by the end of the year. The ONLY things I can best compare it to were the years that the 400EX and Raptor660 were introduced.
However it is obvious to me that no one participating in this topic is in that line. LOL

 

By chance, was there any mention of the tranny gears being serviceable without pulling the engine ?

-----gimpster-----

 

I can say from seeing friend's Hondas that they last forever and are pretty close to bulletproof. I think it is great that Honda is coming out with a sport quad with IRS rear. I've driven straight axles and IRS rears and have to say the IRS is a more comfortable ride in the technical slow stuff and is better in ruts and mud too. The straight axle is better at power slides and jumps, but the IRS isn't too bad. My only gripe with Honda is that they need to come out with a true 4wd system or AWD. Then they would sell more 4x4s.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TLC

You need some reading comprehension lessons. It meant sleeping with a persons own wife, not yours (a way of saying "Boring") get it now? Better buy up all the 5 speed utilities you can be cause at the rate they are being discontinued there will not be any made soon enough,which is strange for something thats so superior.</end quote></div>


The CVT auto caters to the novices and new-bees. That is why they sell. People dont want to shift. Anytime you make something for the masses of american public it is going to be just that....Something for the stupid people! I prefer a manual tranny any day over the rubber band drive. It has been proven that cvt's tranny robs 30% of the engines hp output. That is why these manufacturers have these giant engines to compensate for the power loss. I have ridden almost all these so called "big bore" utility quads with a CVT and am very unimpressed.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>The CVT auto caters to the novices and new-bees. That is why they sell. People dont want to shift. Anytime you make something for the masses of american public it is going to be just that....Something for the stupid people! I prefer a manual tranny any day over the rubber band drive. It has been proven that cvt's tranny robs 30% of the engines hp output. That is why these manufacturers have these giant engines to compensate for the power loss. I have ridden almost all these so called "big bore" utility quads with a CVT and am very unimpressed. </end quote></div>
Yeah, that 800 CanAm with its rubber band transmission sure is a dog. It must have at least 100 hp to be able to beat all those sport quad swith their 5 speeds.

 

Its sure is! For being an 800cc V-twin with fuel injection I am not impressed at all...Quads with CVT's are just big go-carts.

 

I rode a friends Honda 500 electric shift a couple of months ago. I thought I would like it better than I did. I tried to like it. No way. I understand why the standard transmission are losing market share to the CVT's.

A heavy 800 4WD rubber band transmissioned Can Am beating a lightweight 700 raptor impresses me. I guess I am easily impressed. LOL

 

Electric shift is pretty gay too. So what exactly did the 800 Can-Am beat the raptor in? Other than a mudbog or rockcrawling it will lose in every other category, especially a drag race.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> it will lose in every other category, especially a drag race.</end quote></div>
Not hardly.