The problem is going to find someone who will let me take one out for a day. Most places don'e even rent them.


This is us Thankgiving weekend in Moab 2007 on the Kokopelli Trail.

 

You are too far away from me... plus liability reasons generally prevent a person letting someone they don't know well ride their machines...

If I were in the market for something IRS, I'd look carefully at the big Griz. It has a belt drive, but it has a centrifugal clutch and sprag drive (so the belt has tension at idle and the driven pully doesn't spin, plus it transmits engine braking well). Power steering, low range, locker...

I don't think they handle quite as well as the Rincon, though. It sounds like you are trying to avoid the twin piston jobs?

 

I have a hard time giving up the transmission, I like the ESP.

When we first looked at ATVs we were considering either a Yamaha Kodiak or Polaris 500 HO.

We avoided the Rubicon because it was boxy, always in 4-wd and I thought the transmission was dumb
with it's rotary **** and push buttons.

A salesman finally talked me into riding one after riding the Polaris and the Kodiak. After only riding 100 yards
I turned around came back and told him I'd take one.

9000 miles and 1000 hours later with under $250 in mechanical repairs it's hard to give up or change.

I'll keep this one for a while and see what Honda does, I'll probably end up buying another Rubicon when and if this one dies.

 

Dude, you need to buy one for the old lady. Riding double sucks. Did it once on a long weekend ride in Canada. Was the last time I will ever do that.

The only downside is having to do the nasty stuff twice (since she understands her limitations). The upside to that is I get to do the nasty stuff twice.

As for the Rincon/Rubicon debate. My 2 cents. I went to Honda to buy the Rubicon and left with a Rincon.

I basically use it for hunting and trail riding. My previous atv was IRS and would cruise over the rocky stuff when my good buddy on the Rubicon was getting beat all to @#$%. So basically the reason I bought the Rincon was for the ride, though the ability to do a wheelie is also nice. I think the transmission/engine braking stuff is a little misleading. There are brakes for a reason, and the tranny is kinda fun. It feels like a car. Don't know about you guys, but my truck is an auto and the transmission has never had problems.

I do prefer the Foreman for work, that's why the plow is on that one (and I did have it first). I still prefer it on the foreman. Low end is sometimes useful. Though a faster reverse option would sometimes be nice.

The Foreman is a better fit for the wife as well. It's very stable and a little slower. She really digs the ES. That was a must when I bought. No major problems yet!!

 

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

Dude, you need to buy one for the old lady. Riding double sucks. Did it once on a long weekend ride in Canada. Was the last time I will ever do that. </end quote></div>

The year after we bought the Rubicon we bought a new Rancher 4x4 ES, it sat home and never got rode. After keeping it for 4 years and only putting 550 miles on it we sold it.

We enjoy riding together. After 9000 miles we still enjoy it.

 

To each his own, I guess I am fortunate enough to have one that likes to drive herself (for my own selfish purposes). I wanted to buy a side by side for a while, but she kept asking if I was going to let her drive ever. The answer was probably not much, so we have two ATV's now.

Glad you all enjoy riding together. 9000 miles is impressive. I wish I had places to ride often enough to do that.

How come you don't have issues riding two-up? Most places around here strictly prohibit that unless the ATV was built for it.

 

I've done two up on the Rincon too, but it puts so much weight nearly on top of the rear axle that I wouldn't want to attempt any of the rocky steep areas I like to ride.

I got a chance to ride a BPR Outlander max xt, and I was really surprised that the extra wheel base didn't effect it's ability to get around tight trails as much as I would have thought.

Suspension wise it felt like it needed steeper progressive rate springs, and I hated the linked brakes. If I had to ride 2 up a lot, though, I would probably get one- and see if I can correct those two issues.

 

Buy a Rincon you will not be dissapointed. I have never had an issue with the lack of engine breaking. Use the brakes thats why they are there, More than enough power, handles great i love the transmission and its honda reliable. Best machine ive ever owned

 

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

How come you don't have issues riding two-up? Most places around here strictly prohibit that unless the ATV was built for it.</end quote></div>


We do enjoy riding together, I know a lot of people who couldn't stand it but we enjoy it a lot.

Here in Utah there are no laws that prohibit riding 2up on an ATV, Utah is very ATV friendly.


Here's the group less one other couple that we usually ride with.
This picture was taken in front of Moore's Old Pine Inn in Marysvale, Utah;
the center of the Paiute ATV Trail.

I also question how bad the Rincon would squat with two riders.

 

Here are the general rules for riding your ATV in the towns that are part of the Paiute ATV Trails.