Thinking of buying a 2005 Rubicon 500 with 1600 miles and 250 hours. Guy says it has been dealer maintained buy the 1st owner, of course he does not have any proof of this. My main question is the transmission in these quads, I know it is really expensive to repair. Any things to look for that show it is not working right or has not been maintained correctly.
I am of course going to listen to the valves to see if they are tapping.
Look over the bearings front and rear, as well as the brakes and see if the rear drum works, CV boots, and all the basics.
Any issues that these models are known for?
Guy has it priced alittle high and has been trying to sell it for awhile, so he might be willing to deal.
The only thing it has is a set if ITP rims and Muddlites that look about 3/4 tread. Says plastic and all is good. Around what have the rest of you been paying for these?
I just got burnt real bad on the last quad I bought. So I want to make sure I look this one over real good.
Thanks

 

I should probably mention that this would not be my first quad, but it would be my first Honda utility. I have had several King Quad 700s, a brute Force 750i, and a Vinson 500 auto just to name a few. All of course have been belt driven, simple easy to fix. That is why I want information on the trans on the honda.
The Kings and the Brute were just to big for some of the trails I ride, they also suck to much fuel.
The two quads I am looking to buy are another Vinson 500 or a Foreman 500.
I just happened to find this Honda first.
Please give me any of you opinions, or thoughts.

 

The Rubicon is a Full size atv like the 700KQ and 750 you had so I,m not sure what you mean by to big for you trails. The 700 KQ and Rubicon have the same dementions and weight. 2005 Honda FourTrax Foreman® Rubicon (TRX500FA) ATVs

Your going to notice a ATV with less power and rougher ride with SRA vs IRS but certainly not lighter or smaller.
The only down side of the Rubicon is the tranny is expensive and unservicable,if it ever goes bad it must be replaced with a complete new one and there not cheap.

I,m not big on Hondas because they have to lowest HP for there displacement with there OHV motors and have no AWD system(Diff lock) at all and most are SRA with a drum Brake.

The 500 Foreman makes 28hp while most 500s make 35hp even there 680 Rincon makes only 39hp the same as the new 550s do now.

 

If you park a Brute or a King beside a Foreman or a Vinson there is a considerable difference in size. On paper they maybe close to the same but on the trail they are way different. I am always rubbing a fender or rear rack on something my buddies are zipping through. I also have to back up on a lot of tight turns.
I believe that I am going to pass on this Rubicon, and probably any of them for that matter. I do not like the expensive trans, and the rear drum brake.
As far as the solid axle or IRS, thats a matter of opinion. I know the ride is smoother on the independent, but I always feel more planted on a soild. I ride a lot of sport quads so I am used to a rough ride.
My 750 Brute was the most powerful quad I have ever had, but drank more gas then any other too. The power and speed was great, but when I trail ride we all stick together 350cc or 750cc. My 500 Vinson was about the best trail rider I have had. I sold it because I thought I wanted more power. Wish I had kept it now.
I have been wanting to try a foreman for a couple of years now, they are hard to come buy at a good price around by me. I thought I would get some information on the Rubicon since none of my buddies own one.
I think I will continue to look for another Vinson or a Foreman ES or foot shifter.

 

I.m the same way I wanted a smaller more maneuverable ATV for trail rides that did not need a 17 point turn to turn around on a trail and could zig zag on the twisty sections.

Power and speed was not a concern when the trails will not allow any ATV to go faster then 30 mph anyways. I bought a Mid chassis 350 Grizzly but wanted a mid chassis 450 Grizzly but could not find a good deal on one.

I ride with two 500 Foreman E.Ss I find they look the the same Full size as my SP500 and 660 Grizzly and 800 Outlander we camp out with.

 

Just bought my son a 09 450 Grizzly and its size makes it a more nimble machine for sure. By the way,TLC,why are you on the Honda section bashing Hondas ? The Hondamatic may be unserviceable but with proper maintenance its bullet proof and will last longer than about any belt tranny. Ask Specta, He's got over 16,000 miles and over 1800 hrs on his Rubicon with nothing more than normal maintenance. Probably the smoothest tranny out there. As far as hp numbers,that isn't what Hondas are about.They're true utility machines. A Rubicon in low 1st gear will pull with alot bigger displacement bikes,and won't burn a belt doin' it.

 

I owned a Honda 450ES and this is a ATV site ,it does not have private property. I don,t bad mouth Honda's but there low powered OHV motors and being the one and "only" ATV manufacturer that does not offer a diff locker for true AWD is a major disadvantage for them.

You cant burn a belt in low range BTW.

45 seconds into this video shows what not having a true AWD system does. You just have one dead useless front wheel at all times. There really 3wd not 4wd.

Don,t kill the messenger.