What about the Rubicon compare to the Sportsman?

 

The Rubicon comes in last place in this 500 shootout. 4x4 ATVs Comparison Test Report - What's the Best 500 Utility ATV?
Honda Utilities are long on the tooth compared to other makes.
They are the only company with no AWD system like diff lock, they still use straight axles and rear drum brakes and are the only ones using low reving OHV motors vs OHC motors.

 

I would choose a Rubicon over a Sportsman any day. Personally, I just don't like belt drives. My uncle used to have a Sportsman and I did not like how it felt.

Again, it all depends what you what to do with it. If you are just going to be trail riding, then I would consider the Polaris. If you are going to be using this machine daily for work, then I would choose the Rubicon. No brand will match the reliability of a Honda. I have owned a Polaris and I know people that have owned Polaris and it seems like they are always doing something to it. And those machines are not used everyday like out Rubicon.

 

i'll make it simple for you... ANY current 4x4 ute is better than any antiquated honda. you cant get better than a cvt drive clutch. every 4x4 ute over 400cc is a cvt with exception to honda- you'd be better off with a cvt than anything else imho.

 

If you do not want a Polaris they get any other brand. Diff lock,low range,IRS,OHC motors and disc brakes are almost standard on any newer 4x4 (even the smaller ones).

You have to get the most exspensive top of the line flag ship big bore Rincon to get most of that (Not all of them).

You do not see many Hondas entering dead weight pulls and Mud bog events. The belt drives are fine the designed for snowmobiles that put out 160hp so there really underworked in ATVs.

 

Might want to look at Yamaha and Suzuki. Then make the comparison to the Sportsman.

I really like the brand Honda...but they are just way...way out of date...IMHO. The closest is the Rancher 420 with IRS.


biz

 

Here is a Honda Machine Honda has the parts for..
-Take the 680 Rincon
-Add diff lock like they have on there SxS Big Red.
-Replace the weak OHV680 with Hondas XR650 OHC.
-Put the Much more visatile Rubicon Tranny with low range in it.

But even with doing all that, it just going to be caught up not surpassing anyone.

 

Dude some people could give 2 craps about some fruitcake magazine article. While some harp on hondas for being antiques and consider their low tech features a huge hinderance, I feel like its tried and true and I value tech that has proven itself for years, even decades. So people's perspectives can vary greatly. I've been very happy with my 500 bc I value all the things it does so well. And, even though they are still running rear drums, they have greatly improved in function over the previous versions.

 

the article isn't an opinion on honda features- it's states facts on why they are so antiquated. Using the "tried & trued" statement is hogwash- every atv is "tired & trued"
I had two fairly new honda rincons and both had tranny & cooling issues.
honda, just like every other brand, has had their fair share of failures. but honda seems to ignore common industry standards you'd find on current 4x4 atv's. it's fine to be a loyal honda fan- but don't kid yourself by thinking they are any more or less reliable than any other brand- cause they are not.

 

that's like a company that want's to improve on toaster's... there's only so many "improvements" you can make on a device that heat's an element to toast bread...