My very new 2000 450ES is giving me some grief.When ridden hard for a few hours my ES and speedometer start acting irratically.The ES stops working and I get stuck in gear.The gear display registers a line only.The ES resets itself when I turn the ignition off and back on again and I'm able to gear down to neutral to start her up again.The problem starts up right away after a few minutes of riding.The speedometer also begins acting up when the ES goes out.I don't know if the two are directly related but they seem to be.I took it in to Honda and they replaced an "angle sensor" which is something that they have a service bullitin out on apparently.(pertains to ES only)I took her out for a ride when I got home and same problem immediately when she got really hot.Both the ES and speedometer began acting up.Now,when allowed to cool for several hours, the speedometer and ES are fine and function normally but when I have ridden hard for a few hours, same problem all over again.My quad is back at Honda and they haven't been able to reproduce the problem but are reassuring me Honda will stand behind me until the problem is resolved,no matter how long it takes.I'm being patient but I don't want to keep shuttling my unit back and forth to Honda.I love this thing despite the glitch I'm having.Is there anyone out there who has had a similar problem?If so,please let me know what was done to fix the situation.
Thanks.

2000 450ES.

 

Never heard of or had this problem. Hopefully they'll get it figured, I am glad to hear Honda standing behind you on this. Sound like the dealer is really taking care of you too.

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Gap Arrington Dickson TN Honda ForemanES "and Yeller at that!"

 

Have one in my shop right now that I posted on here friday of last week on the 450s in General post. got no responses to it. This one is on its second Shifter motor. the original failed within the first month of the owner purchasing it , warranty replaced it. The 4wheeler is now out of warranty and the guy brought it to me to fix. It is suffering from a delay in the shifte esspecially in higher gears it is a long delay . I have been given several ideas to try by the Honda dealers service dept. Have only checked a few as yet . This is my first ES I have worked on so I need the learning experience. There are several around here now and I have already turned one down before this one .That owner just made his into a manual shift and let it go. I figure if I want these guys buisness I better learn about the ES. When you find out the problem please post it here I would like to know what it was. We seem to have diffrent trouble but it would add to the knowledge of these systems for me and I better learn it because roughly half or more of my customers ride Honda 4 wheelers

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Kevin Gowdy AKA-Kagey1999 Polaris Magnum 500

 

Wow! Good job Honda. Too bad all companies don't stand behind their products and support their customers like that.

 

Re: Gap Arringtons post.
I am very fortunate to have this dealer stand behind me.The impressive thing is it is not my dealership where I purchased my unit.The dealership I'm at is in Canada near my family's home.I was there on a visit.Honda Canada is covering my repairs and the dealership I'm working with is outstanding.Unfortunately, I wouldn't come near the place where I purchased my quad because the service there was HORRIFIC! They only cared about one thing and that was selling.Customer service was the worst I've ever dealt with in any vehicle purchase.I was wooed into purchasing my quad there by the salesman who has since been fired.(I did get a good deal but ultimately would have been glad to spend more money for better,service)LONG story. Anyone up here in the Northwest(Seattle)interested in finding out who not to buy their quad from,let me know and I'll E mail you some info...
PS.The dealership sold Yamaha,Honda,Suzuki, and Ducati bikes.

2000 450ES Red.

 

I would also like to hear what the soultion was. Perhaps you could e-mail me. ahillyard@divosta.com or Phoenix1@peganet.net

Yesterday, when I was riding, one time my 450ES shifted from 5th to 4th by itself as I was slowing down, that is the only time it has done it.

 

Fishbone,
My to hunting pals bought new 450ES's and are currently having all the problems you described. Still waiting to hear from our local Honda dealer what is wrong with the ES systems on these machines. They were initially told it had to do with all the digtal displays honda uses on the 450ES. TF

 

Fishbone, I just bought a '00 450ES and am very curious as to the outcome of your situation. With only 25 miles on my new quad, I have yet to experience any glitches. Keep us posted!

 

I own a 98 foreman 450es. it now has 5500 kms and have had no problems with it. But i have heard of a problem with the shift from the newer models. I would say most dealers do not set the linkage right
when they check it out. And also mine came straight from the factory with the
front end out of alignment and was very displeased with the steering effort until I figured the problem out. If you are having the same problem check the alignment and I found that toeing it in 1/8 of an inch or lineing it up even does wonders. Remember driving a 4x4 means lineing it up more often if you are pulling anything from the front like your buddys out of a really deep thick mudhole. drive hard drive HONDA!!!

 

Great news!!!My problem was directly related to a faulty speedometer sensor.The dealership I was at was unable to duplicate the problem despite a few hours of riding time.The mechanic decided to replace the sensor even though it wasn't faulting when he tested it.Corrected the problem right away.Apparently the ECU or "brain" was getting a fault signal from the speedo sensor when it started acting up when hot and it would somehow default the ES program.The speedo sensor and ES function together.Apparently the ECU can tell when the ES is in R,N,1st and maybe 2nd without info from the speedo sensor.The remaining gears are displayed in the rider display based on the speedo sensors info the ECU is translating combined with engine speed that the ECU is measuring.I believe that is the relationship between the two.When the speedo sensor failed after being stressed, the ECU couldn't translate the info and therefore faulted the ES program.Makes sense but is a bit worrisome.High tech translates to expensive problems if a system fails.The diagnosing on the dealerships part involved around 6-8 hours of inspecting.They checked all wiring connections,inspected harnesses,tested system with meters, etc etc and test rode for a few hours.All of which was covered under warranty thank god.The dealers words echo in my head."Intermittant electrical problems can take a while to diagnose and cure". So far I've put over 200 additional miles on and not a glitch.The ES shifts every time and smoothly.No matter how hot she gets.I'm warrented until Jan 2000.Kind of thinking about getting the extended service contract.Gun shy I guess...Got until Jan to decide.

2000 450ES Red.