Only thing is, it beats the grizzly 700 also. The grizz and rincon have much better low end grunt though

 

If you didn't notice the difference between the irs rincon and the SRA rancher, then you must not be very observant. If that's truly the case, then skip PS,dif lock and efi. Chances are you won't notice any of those things either .

 

If he's saying the suspension on the Rincon has very little travel and rides like a brick, I agree with him. Until I rode one for a day I had always wondered why they don't have (or at least didn't have) adjustable shocks. It might ride just fine for a person of a certain weight but the non-adjustability of the shocks means someone is going to have a harsh ride. I honestly have been on straight axle machines that I felt had a better ride than the Rincon. It's just his opinion. It doesn't deserve you saying "you must not be very observant." Stop the personal attacks. -Moderator

 

Like I mentioned before...I've owned all of the Jap brands at one time or another and none of them are as well made as Hondas stuff. A side by side comparison is all it takes.

People whine about features but would you buy a Chinese-made ATV because it had more features? I wouldn't...and other brands seem like they are Chinese quality when time has its way with them. IMO Yamaha is the most Chinese like w/Suzi and Kawi being a little better. Polaris is just lame...I've had some of their 400cc two strokes and other utilitiy models - and have some hours in their newer Side bys. They perform REALLY well, but only until they break. If you stay close to home and have Moms wallet or a good job to keep you going then by all means buy based on sales hype and pure performance - but I'm too poor to buy cheap stuff. Particularly when it isn't actually cheaper.

IMO - Honda tends to be goal oriented when they design their equipment. What does it need to get the job done for most of the intended audience. Honda wasn't targeting the relatively tiny number of people that snorkel and sink their ATVs - or they would ship one equipped with such. They tend to overbuild their stuff because that begets reliability and durability....the new Pioneer Side by uses the same engine/trans as the Rincon but weighs and hauls and tows a huge amount more. They didn't need the design a new drivetrain because the Rincons was overbuilt enough to handle it.
The Rincon is ideal for the intended type of riding.
It isn't three wheel drive, saying so is simply childish lying. There is a reason the front diff on the Rincon doesn't lock...it makes them hard to steer at trail speeds the Rincon is intended for. Lockers are cheap and simple...Honda would have saved money by doing it but they didn't. They took a more expensive route to get power to both front wheels when needed while still providing good steering. If you want a locker...add one...or buy one of their other less sport orieneted models that have it. but don't buy a cheapo machine just to get it.
If you dislike the transmission, then I suggest you buy road trucks/vehicles w/belt driven CVTs....oh wait, they don't hold up well enough for use in "REAL" vehicles like the RIncons tranny design does. Even lightweight econobox cars w/CVTs don't use belts for it.

My Rincon will be under its own power after its competition has been parted out on Ebay - that is how I roll.

I'll be donning my asbestos suit now....

 

No need to don an asbestos suit. You're entitled to your opinion. Personally, I've had Polaris machines that treated me very well with only a couple minor issues. Only went to the Can-Am for more power on winter rides where we're on groomed trails that are wide open. 500cc Polaris didn't keep up with the 700's and 800's. I NEED a 2-up machine so my wife can come along if she'd like too and have a comfortable ride. I wish Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha would step up to the plate and offer 2-up machines that aren't side by sides. I would consider any of them along with Polaris or Can-Am. I've never been a fan of Arctic Cats so I don't really look at them but I've seen plenty of people out on the trails enjoying them. If I was just a speed freak I'd definetly look at a Can-Am 800 or 1000 but, again, I don't NEED that much speed. Competition drives the market and gives us more choices. I know NEED doesn't always enter the equation when people are considering what machine they want but my decision was based on experience and what would work best for my needs.

Back to Honda. All of the above, along with non-adjustable rear shocks, no power steering, and a too firm ride for my back leaves the Rincon out of the question for my needs. Ideally, I'd like to have a Can-Am Rotax engine with either a Polaris CVT or a Honda 5 speed, Honda's reliability, (even though I haven't had any major issues with any of my Polaris or Can-Ams) Polaris' on board storage (love their under-rack front storage) Polaris' ride comfort (again I have a bad back), power steering, (once you have it you may never go back) and Polaris Sportsman X2's toting and towing abilities. If I had been able to find a X2 850 when I bought the Outlander I would have. There is no quad width ATV that has its abilities work-wise, short of the Polaris Big Boss 6x6 (which is not a 2-up machine).

Plus, I have seen Hondas coming through mud, up sandy hills, and in the snow, in 4wd and have personally witnessed only one tire spinning. Including a couple weeks ago up in Maine where a guy had to back down and get up a lot more speed to make it over what others' machines crawled over. Given the rocky trails we have up here mixed in with the mud, I've seen where that little bit of extra traction has meant the difference between a quad making it over a steep rock face, up a rocky hill, and through the mud and snow. Sometimes it's only been a matter of a few feet where a quad with full 4wd has made it and one with a limited slip front end didn't. These are just observations that I base my buying decisions on. I've also seen this on Suzukis and Yamahas where the rider didn't know they had to stop, move a lever, and push a button to get full 4wd. Once they did that they had just enough traction to pull them over or through.

I like Honda. I have a Honda car. Personally, I don't mind losing a very little bit of reliability to get the extra features that I don't find on any one machine in Honda's lineup. It's kind of like do I buy a Nissan Titan or a Toyota Tundra? I believe Toyota is a little more reliable than Nissan but I'm not willing to spend $5000 or $6000 more for that little bit.

So, to sum up my feelings about it all. Honda, come on!!! You can build a quad that is just as reliable as the machines you have with all the other features the other makers have. You have the R + D. Make us a 2-up with adjustable suspension, IRS with good wheel travel for the uneven terrain we face, power steering, more storage on-board for those long back country rides, full locker for the nasty stuff, competitive engine power....

 

that's completely different. most car/truck transmissions can be repaired/rebuilt, the tranny on that Honda can't and it costs like $2000

yes features aren't everything but neither is reliability when you happen to hit a mud hole and your stuck there spinning because you got stuck with that god awful straight axle. same goes for diff lock, when you end up not being able to get over that hill or rocks because you only got 1 front wheel spinning and it's not even on the ground


i regularly ride 3 hours or more from home and i have never had any doubts about my Suzuki getting me home. in fact i've ended up towing tons of Hondas and Can-Ams out of that same trail. in the event i do have a brake down i carry around a kit that includes a few spare parts, tools, oil and of course zip ties and duct tape are pretty much priceless on the trails

 

The rincons transmission is very repairable It's the rubicons transmission that isn't repairable although people have actually rebuilt them as well

 

ah right, the rincon uses that 5 speed with the auto and electronic manual right? rode a few of those and liked it but i've heard the early versions had some issues, my cousins 04 actually just went but no idea how bad it is yet. now that i have more experience with the CVT on my suzuki i kinda prefer it tho

 

I think the Rincon still has the 3 speed transmission while the Rubicon has a 5 speed.

 

yep just looked it up, Rincon is the 3 speed and Rubicon is the 5 speed