I know you hear it all the time but I would like to know if any one can tell me if the 2006 Honda Foreman 500 M ( foot shift) is a better ,more dependable unit then the 2006 Honda Rubicon. I am going to buy two and take them to Costa Rica. When they get to Costa Rica i will not have anywhere to repair them and they need to be bullet proof!!!!! I have been told that the Rubicon tranny and electrical has had problem. i need this ATV to run for a long time. What is the right bike to get?

 

forman foot shift, although personally don't think the rubi is much worse, it is a much much more complex machine with a ton of electrical systems, my only reason saying is you saying you can't get parts

 

I think the Rubicon is a great all around ATV but if even one sensor goes out I will be down for a min. of two months. I also understand the the auto tranny in the Rubicon can be affected by water. How much of a power and ride difference is it between the foreman 500 foot shift and the Rubi. people love the auto but I grew up with a shifter and have no problem with it

 

there is no ride difference, its the same bike with a different motor and tranny

 

Owning a Foreman and having a buddy with a Rubicon, they are both very reliable. Water shouldn't effect either transmission, since both run inside the engine case and run in engine oil (unless you get so deep as to get water/dirt inside the engine case, in which case you have more than a transmission problem).

Seat of pants wise, both are pretty similar when it comes to power and handling. The Rubicon is 4 valve and liquid cooled, where the Foreman is air cooled.

If I were in your shoes, I'd pick the Foreman if you feel shifting is part of the fun of riding, or get the Rubicon if you feel shifting on your own is a bother...

I prefer my Foreman to the Rubicon, but that's a personal preference that not everyone shares. A test ride would be in order so you can get the feel of how they both run and shift. I don't think there is enough difference in reliability between the two to justify choosing one over the other, though the Foreman is simpler.

Also, maybe you might want to take one of those little zipper pouch crafstman tool kits, and a service manual. That way if some little thing does go out, you could get one shipped, and hopefully not be down for months.

 

Thanks Jeffin. I may go with the foreman now. i think it is time for a test ride to make the final call. Do you think the water cooled engine will last longer on the rubicon/

 

Though liquid cooled engines are generally built with tighter top end tolerances since their temps don't vary through as broad a range, in the end I don't think it will make much of a difference in longvity.

The downside to liquid cooling is that the radiator needs to be kept unclogged or it will overheat, the coolant needs to be changed periodically with a motorcycle specific anti-freeze, and if the water pump, radiator or hoses fail...

There are many Foremans and Rubicons that have thousands of hours on them with only routine service. Also, the Foreman does have an oil cooler, and an electric cooling fan in addition to the usual fins.

I think the Rubicon might do better if you are going to pull disks or other farm implements, and also in plowing in thight spaces the Rubicon might be handier since it is faster switch back and forth from forward to reverse.

For most other uses I think the Foreman would be my choice. You do get pretty fast with the reverse system once you get used to it.

Like I said above, some of it will be just plain personal preference, so you need to test ride each. IMHO If you are looking for a full size utility and reliability is top on your list, you are looking at two of the best choices, and are likely to be happy with either.

 

Personally, I would pick the manual shift any time, anywhere!

The Rubicon does have a good repuatation, but if the trans does go out you have to replace the whole thing ($$$$). It is not repairable by either the dealer or the owner. The manual one is "air/oil cooled", so be sure you don't leave the two oil coolers clogged with mud or anything.

If you don't actually need something that big, then a Rancher might be a better bet????