I have done a search and read lots of posts but still have a question.

Has the engine breaking gotten any better or does it still free wheel below 8 mph???

If it does is there any fixes or aftermarket items to help???

Thanks for the reply.

 

Basically they reprogrammed the transmission shift points so the 680 seems to downshift more firmly and at higher RPM than the 650, but the gear ratios haven't changed and 1st is still tall...

Short answer, no, it doesn't really have much for compression braking below about 10.

There really isn't an aftermarket fix. There is a gear reduction kit that helps the big tire/sticky mud guys, but it probably isn't enough of a reduction to make much of a difference in compression braking.

Except for having to ride the brakes on technical decents, I really like my Rincon. It's ride and handling are great, but whoever decided it didn't need a low range should be flogged.

There are always rumors that Honda is about to release something better, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

If your Rincon free wheeles under 8 MPH you have an issue.
Most Rincon's I set up will shift down at 6. If you are riding along on a flat at 25mph and let off the throttle, letting the unit come to a stop on its own, not using brakes, the final shiftdown point should be right near 6 MPH. It will not skid the rear wheels but it will drop the front end as you feel the downshift.

----- Gimpster -----

 

Yeah, that's about what mine does, but when you get it on a steep downhill it will only hold 10ish to 12 without using the brakes, where my Foreman would be doing about 2 (in 1st) without using the brakes. Actually I think the 500 Foreman might have more compression hold back in 2nd than the Rincon does in 1st.

The 680's transmission seems to read my mind better than the 650 and I can usually get it to shift when and how I want with the throttle, but when decending in 1st they both seem to have the same amount of hold back. On long technical decents that require a crawl, it would be nice not to have to brake constantly.

To me the machine's ride, handling and reliability are worth the trade off, but I wish it had a gear with about 3x the reduction of it's 1st gear...

JMHO. Other owners I've talked to felt there was no need for a low range...

 

i'll agree with all the above.this 680 is my first rincon,i've always owned ranchers.
mine shifts very firm,doesnt matter up or down.a low range would be nice but i can live with it.the permenent grin everytime i ride it is worth it.

 

I don't want mine to downshift at any greater speed than 6mph. It would throw me off if it did. For those wanting more downhill braking, buy a Rubicon. I simply use my brakes on long descents. I have over 3,000 miles on my 07 Rincon and checked the brakes the other day and they look like new. I don't want to give up my comfortable ride of the Rincon for the extra engine braking of a Rubicon.

 

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

For those wanting more downhill braking, buy a Rubicon.

I don't want to give up my comfortable ride of the Rincon for the extra engine braking of a Rubicon.</end quote></div>

My point exactly... I wish Honda built something with both the engine braking of my Foreman and the IRS ride and ground clearance of the Rincon...