I'm a hard-core Honda fan anyway, but I did look at the offerings from the other major brands and found them to be lacking in the fit/finish department. They all look chinese-made next to a Honda Lots of them outperform the Hondas in various areas and that is fine with me.

So, I'm going to purchase one of these two ATVs(NEW) in the next few days and I'm still struggling to decide. Honda has done a good job of spreading all the cool features out among their models so you have to make a sacrifice no matter which one you choose.

I had settled on the Rubicon on the basis of the power steering and "Hondamatic" CVT.
I'm sure I would be happy with it - but after more reading and pondering I'm now leaning tword the Rincon. Either way, I need something with an Automatic/CVT transmission due to my wife needing to be able to operate it on occasion. I'm 6'2" 250lbs and my riding will consist of LOTS of cruising around on dirt roads/trails with the occasional mud and sand - but a few times a year - I hit some rocky trails in the mountains that will be easier with IRS and the additional clearance the Rincon has at the rear. The higher top end will be handier in places too.
I won't be towing anything - at least not enough to warrant factoring it into my decision. I also won't be "working" the machine. It's for recreation, and a means to get to remote places.
I'll see plenty of mud and water but not for sport - for getting what it on the other side. I don't ever envision a snorkel, lift or oversize tires. Just a winch.
I've gotten used to the idea of no Power Steering...never had it before, so I can't miss it and people say the Rincon steering is light as-is.
The only real concern left is the transmission...I know it's bulletproof - but I've read people complaining that it needs a low range and lamenting it only has three gears. I may get in to some SERIOUS sticky/suction mud on occasion..I want to be able to putter around in it slow and ease around in rocky technical areas w/o any drama. I'm hoping the complaints about low range and problems in heavy mud are with oversize tires or heavy towing?

I welcome any opinions and advice...this is a big purchase I want to be happy with it. I don't have the option of test riding any beforehand unfortunately, I'm going to have to order whatever I get and own it when I see it in person the first time - so I've got to double down on the online sources of info.
I do have thousands of hours of ATV riding on various brands though....I'm not a noob.

Thanks for any input of any type....I need something to tip the scales between these two great ATVs.

 

The Rubicon is one of Honda's best quads, the Rincon is their worst by far. In Honda UK brochures the Rincon is listed alongside the 90 as a "leisure quad," the 500AT tops the range of "utility quads", there is a reason for this, the Rincon is too fragile to sell to farmers.

 

I did notice it is listed as a "recreational" quad but considering it has more engine and better suspension than any of the utilities that would make sense.
The transmission is the type used for regular vehicles all the way up to large trucks(lorries??) and it has a reputation for durability.
I'm not buying it to work it...just to explore the trails.

What exactly about it leads you to this conclusion?

 

The Rubicon has a better tranny for towing and thick mud with its low range. The Rincon only has a 3 speed with no low range so that's why it tow Capacity is only 850lb vs 1200lbs of most utility ATV.

The trouble with Honda Utilities is their low hp per cc due to their OHV motors vs OHC of the others and true 4wd no diff lock except on the 2014 foreman 500.

The 680 Rincon is 39 hp while the 700 (686cc) Grizzly is 46hp. The new 550cc make 40hp now.
The 500 Rubicon is 30hp while the Suzuki 500KQ is 36hp.

Honda 4x4 do not come in dead last in every shootout because they are to behind the curve in suspension, braking and power.

Here is the Rubicon in dead last 4x4 ATVs Comparison Test Report - What's the Best 500 Utility ATV?
Here is the Foreman dead last http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...ew.asp?code=85 its a 2005 but the foreman has not changed anyways.

If I was bent on a Honda I would look at the 500 Foreman atleast it has true AWD finally. But you stll have rear drum brakes and a straight axle with a 28hp OHV.

If you can show me a link with a Honda 4x4 ahead of the competition I sure would like to read it.

Don't kill the messenger.

 

I've owned several Dozen ATVs/motorcycles...from Yamaha, Honda, Polaris, Artic Cat, Suzuki and just about any other japanese brand you can name. I currently own Yamaha, Artic Cat and Honda ATVs along with KTM and Suzuki dirt bikes. They don't hold up and age as well as Hondas do. They generally have crappier fit and finish and don't hold their value as well. They market well...I admit it, but when it comes down to it, there is a reason they all aim at Honda.
I've shopped around and looked at the competition. They do a good job of besting the Hondas in various individual areas because they are aiming at Honda specifically with their designs and marketing. Similar to how Hyndai and Kia are always comparing themselves to Honda and Toyota - and have various features that make them look good when compared to them on paper.
With few individual exceptions - any other brand ATV looks like it is Chinese-made when sitting next to a Honda.
I'm not towing anything, putting a snorkel on it w/oversize tires to impress my friends....I'm using it to get to and back from VERY remote places. It will have the OEM tires on it till they are completely worn out I'm not going to trade it in in a year when something comes out with 3 more HP.
What I guess I'm saying is, I am more interested in quality and value than individual Specifications and marketing Hype.

 

I work on quads every day, almost exclusively for farmers, and mostly Hondas and Suzukis. You can get an odd "rogue bike" of any type but we got a 650 Rincon in for service, it was difficult to get into gear without grinding and made a clacking sound from the rear end, so we checked if these were known problems with a Honda mechanic. His reply was "they all grind gears, slow the tickover right down, you're lucky it's not a 680 because you can't slow them down, and don't sell one to a farmer because they won't stand work". The clacking was the rear brake disc loose on it's sliders and we were told to ignore it too.
Regarding the Rubicon coming last in a comparison test, in the real world, Rubicons seem to keep going, the old air cooled Honda 500FM had gearbox problems, cured in about 2007. The Suzuki 450/700 frames all break. The Suzuki 500/750 frames seem stronger.

 

I appreciate the input from someone who wrenches on them. Did the guy mention what about them made them not hold up to work?
I have another 48 hours before I have to commit to something
I know the earlier Rincons had some orings in the tranny that would leak when it was cold causing some slippage. That is supposed to be fixed in the newer models. The only standing complaint with the 3 speed is that is doesn't do adequate engine braking in certain situations.
I really like the Hondamatic on the Rubicon along with it having Power steering....I seriously don't like the CV carb and less flexible suspension. The Rincon does seem tailor-made to my riding style and the extra power isn't exactly a negative
I also have quotes that put the Rincon only $300ish more than a Rubicon for me.

 

So you base your opinion off of a UK honda Brochure listing?Im also on a honda forum, Plenty of "farmers" using the rincon for chores. I have a rincon, bought new in 05 that gets used nearly everyday. Haven't spent a dime outside of normal maintenance and I replaced the battery last year. I went to adjust the valves at 4k miles and they were still in spec. Honda mechanics seem to think the rincon is Hondas most reliable 4x4. I wouldn't argue that.

Not being biased btw, also have a 08 rubicon. Both are great bikes. Haven't had any trouble out of either one but the rincon has had the harder life. Its been crashed and rolled over a few times over the years, twice by inexperience riders who had no business being on the machine. No bends in the frame, axles or a-arms. Believe me we searched and searched. I've even had the plastics apart during the valve inspection. All went back on perfect.
I've had it stuck in the rocky mud around here more times than I could ever count. I hit every small/medium sized jump I could find when it was "newer". Hill climbs, holeshots, donuts and wheelies. I've towed a few trailers and hooked a plow to it a few times before I got the rubicon. Never missed a beat

 

So, I did a lot of research and found that the only legitmate/verifyable gripes about the Rincon are it has less power than the competition and doesn't have a true locker up front. The locker issue isn't really an issue because - as Hirohito designed it - it does allow you to run in 4wd full time if you want w/o any drama trying to turn. The limited slip up front sends power to both wheels in limited traction situations. If you have a wheel off the ground you can give the front brake a light squeeze and get the power to the wheel on the ground.

There were some reviews that lamented the engine braking when in auto-mode...I'm not sure if they have made a software change or what but it has engine braking in spades...in fact - coasting w/o any throttle results in a downshift and plenty of engine braking.

It does have less "seat of the pants" power than i expected for a 680cc w/Fuel injection but it is still WAY PLENTY.
The ride is very good and it handles the rough stuff at speed w/o any concern.

Here are some pics from when I got it home...it will never be that clean again.
2014rincon

 

Don,t kid yourself its 3 speed without a low range is also a down side. Why else does it have only a 850lb tow rating. Low gearing is handy in the thick mud and slow twisty steep trail riding.
Maybe why it does not come with a tow hitch from the crate.

You can play with the front brake all you want but without a locking front end a limited slip is a 3wd not a 4wd.

Here is a ATV Television review where they call the 3 speed tranny "Silly" ,Its a 2003 but the 3 speed tranny is unchanged to this day.

ATV Television Test - 2003 Honda Rincon - YouTube Just skip to 5:00min into vid if your in a hurry.

ATV Television contacted Honda (At end of Video 5:59) and were told the Rincon was a trail machine and never intended for work and the Rubicon or Foreman was a better choice.

Can you imagine a 680cc that can,t do heavier slugging?