Hey, I agree with you.

I like to control where my machine shifts, shifting is part of the fun in riding, and 5 speeds are more simple.

You do see posts about 5 speeds with failed sprag clutch, not shifting right due to bent fork, and even occasional posts about a 5 speed that broke a gear.

Also, I think you and I are in the minority when it comes to autos, and a lot of the market would have walked right out of the Honda dealership and went with one of the other brands where every single one of their big bore machines are autos.

I do wish SOMEBODY would offer ONE 700 class machine with a foot shift. If Honda made 5 speed an option on the Rincon, I'd be down there right now with my check book waiting for the dealer to open.

I think the facts in the market, though, is very few people would be in that line with me...

 

reconranger, I see what your saying, I read some ware about (I'm pretty sure its HONDA) that Honda made couple of prototype ATV(Not sure when either?) Studies found that Americans complained about how they didn't feel any shift at all in the Honda Automatic prototype. So they take that info to the engineers and remade them so that you can feel the shift points on the Auto. So the shift points you feel on Honda automatic ATV are their on purpose to satisfy American ATV owners. I'll try to find it if I can, I read this a while back but not sure if true though. I would take a manual vs automatic any day! I wish they made 09 Rancher 420 4x4 with IRS and the same gearing as the 07 Rancher now that would be a beast!

 

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

reconranger, I see what your saying, I read some ware about (I'm pretty sure its HONDA) that Honda made couple of prototype ATV(Not sure when either?) Studies found that Americans complained about how they didn't feel any shift at all in the Honda Automatic prototype. So they take that info to the engineers and remade them so that you can feel the shift points on the Auto. So the shift points you feel on Honda automatic ATV are their on purpose to satisfy American ATV owners. I'll try to find it if I can, I read this a while back but not sure if true though. I would take a manual vs automatic any day! I wish they made 09 Rancher 420 4x4 with IRS and the same gearing as the 07 Rancher now that would be a beast!</end quote></div>

Seems to me that the new Rancher 420AT dual-clutch transmission, should be the ultimate solution! It is gear-on-gear, and can be left in auto mode, or shifted by pushbutton for those of us who insist. The AT is considerably heavier than the standard Rancher, so I am wondering if that is because of the IRS components, or the transmission.

I have not ridden the AT yet, but I am meeting tomorrow with Honda R&D at a local track to ride and evaluate some "new designs" (I'm even getting paid!). They gave me no details, but had a lot of questions about how I liked my 420, so I am suspecting that these will be utilities. I am sure hoping they have an AT along, that I can throw a leg over!

 

On Highlifter, A lot of 09 Rancher AT owner said that the only flaw is that the AT has bit higher gearing then the 07 or 08 modal but other then that its a great ATV. Like me and those AT owner we love to mud so they install 26", 27", and 28" tires so the AT really bogs down. That's pretty much what AT owner had to comment on the new 09 Rancher AT.

 

The Rubicon doesn't have any detectable shift points either... (in auto mode)


Anyway, the point I was trying to make: If you assume Honda isn't going to tell the majority of people who want an auto big bore that they don't want their business and they should take their money somewhere else, and that Honda isn't going to build a CVT belt drive auto, what else would they do?

In other words, can you think of an automatic type transmission system that isn't a belt and is simpler than the Rincon and Rubicon?

I can't.


That is assuming you aren't saying they should eliminate low range on the Rubicon, or make the Rincon a 2 speed....



Also, it just struck me funny to recommend the new Rancher auto, then say the Rubicon and Rincon's tranmissions are needlessly complex.

If anything, I'd like the Rincon's transmission to be more complex- IE a 4 speed w/low range would be nice.

I also agree that the double clutch transmission on the Rancher may be the hot ticket. Though not simple, it should be the auto that could match the efficiency of a manual.

 

Alot of people use yheir quads for more than pleasure riding. I use my rubi's for plowing snow. I have over 90 accounts and would get really tired of shifting. The rubi tranny is perfect for those of us that use them for work. And if you want to play you have ESP. I wish they could get more speed out of the rubi though. Also the foot shifting thing would br pretty tough with 1600 gram pack boots!! It's great there is all of this competition it makes better more useful quads for us all.

 

That's kind of the same reason tractors sometimes come with hydrostat drive.

They can change gear ratio with no dip in power, so you can shift w/o lifting the disks, ripper, or whatever.

 

My New Holland tc 33d is hydro. all of my 8 commercial zero turn mowers are hydro, I even have a hydro fertilizer spreader. Hydros unnlimited ratios are the shiznit for people who use them for work. Before the hydro we were limited to gears that had to be shifted. I agree it takes more power just to run a hydro so yes gears are more efficient in terms of engine power making it to the wheels. But thats as far as it goes, the infinate ratio makes up for that by offering the operator the option to back off speed wise without changing engine RPM. Therefore the engine can operate at its peak perfomance range to keep work getting done. Like when going up a steep hill you just ease back on the controls as soon as you hear it bog and you keep going. With gears you take the chance of breaking traction in that situation, Not good been there done that. Trust me, landscape equipment don't like baths like atv's do. Other than that we have far less trouble with hydros that we have had with gears/ belts. Though if you do take out a hydro it's going to cost some coin. JeffinTD has some good insight.

 

I think the Rancher AT would be better with a low range option. It would fill the gap on what a 420 or 400 could actually do. That would make the 420 tranny really complicated. They could put a two speed rear end in but I'm thinking that would further reduce ground clearance. What do you do? DEEZ what are you leaning toward? As a dirt biker you would most likely be happy with a rincon or a rancher 420 with IRS. I think from all the posts about es models you should steer clear of those. I would highly recommend the rubi it will take some abuse. The problem is the rubi dishes it back with it "3/4 ton ride".