This Month's Releases

(Courtesy "Warhawk"):

Check em out at www.hondamotorcycle.com
If asked for a userid and password, try
HRCA and NEWORLEANS00 (all caps).




[This message has been edited by atvbbs (edited 09-10-1999).]

 

pretty interesting. If the price is competitive with the Grizly, AC500 and such, it will be an instant success. A full automatic with the over-ride like an 450ES would be nice.

I wonder if the 'twin shock solid axle' will be semi-independant?? after riding a Bayou and an AC400, I really like the semi-independant rear.

Also, I found it odd that it will have drum brakes front & back. Is there an advantage to drums that Honda knows and no-one else does?? I know they work, but.....


Raul

 

Sounded good until you got to the full-time 4-wheel drive part. I would really rather have a quad that I didn't have to ride around in 4-wheel drive all the time. And why does Honda need another 4x4 utility bike. Let's see, now we have a 300 4x4, 350 4x4,400 4x4,450 4x4 & 500 4x4. What happened to the sport 4x4. Oh well, just forget it.

 

The Rubicon sounds close to what I've been waiting for from Honda. I'm curious about the front differential though.

From the release: "The Foreman Rubicon features full-time four wheel
drive and an AP-type front differential that
substantially reduces torque-steer for improved
handling in all riding conditions. ".

What does "AP-type" mean? Does anyone know if this type of differential works well in other applications? does it work better than a limited slip front differential? Also, there is no mentioned of the Rubicon having Real 4-wheel drive; (or AWD as Polaris' have). I'm curious if this AP-type differential is moving closer to a "real 4-wheel drive system" or does it just help the steering effort as the release implies. Any thoughts???

 

I thought you all may find this interesting. It's the Merriam-Webster word of the day, 9/12/99.

The Word of the Day for September 12 is:

Rubicon \ROO-bi-kahn\ (noun)
: a bounding or limiting line; especially : one that when crossed
commits a person irrevocably

Example sentence:
Scott had hinted that he might run for office, but had not yet
crossed the Rubicon by formally announcing his candidacy.

Did you know?
In 49 B.C., Julius Caesar led his army to the banks of the
Rubicon, a small river that marked the boundary between Italy and
Gaul. Caesar knew Roman law forbade a general from leading his
army out of the province to which he was assigned. By crossing
the Rubicon, he would violate that law. "The die is cast," he
said, wading in. That act of defiance sparked a three-year civil
war that ultimately left Julius Caesar the undisputed ruler of
the Roman world. It also inspired English speakers to adopt two
popular sayings ("crossing the Rubicon" and "the die is cast")
centuries later. "Rubicon" has been used in English as the name
of a significant figurative boundary since at least the early
1600s.

----------------
Brought to you by Merriam-Webster Inc. http://www.m-w.com
----------------

 

The AP diff is a technology Honda licensed from AP Lockheed in the UK. I think Arctic Cat uses it too. Its supposed to put all of the torque on the wheel with the best traction - really pulls you through the turns.

As for on demand 2wd - ever notice Hondas use different tires for their 2wd and 4wd models? Methinks they like to engineer a model for each application, instead of just putting a market-driven push-button on a 4wd. Anyway, if the AP diff works and makes the thing steer like a 2wd, what difference does it make?

 

Thats great, I wish we could find out more about it.

 

Good etymological work, Giff! (Might as well wipe off the Arctic Cat riders in the first sentence!)

However, rather than Caesar's legion's incursion, I believe Honda's referent in chosing "Rubicon" as a new quad name is the famous "Rubicon Trail," a challenging rocky path, in California.

Hallowed to Jeep riders, I believe the Rubicon Trail terminates at a place called Rubicon. Further, I understand the path is an old stagecoach route.

With primitive suspension systems and fragile wooden-spoked wheels, this Jeep-eater must have challenged stagecoaches in their day. However, stagecoaches DO boast high ground clearance, as well as "true four-leg drive" for each horsepower!

Tree Farmer

[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 09-16-1999).]