I just looked at the up and coming Rubicon on the Honda site and was very impressed. It looks like a new benchmark. But I also agree that some type of a locking front differential would be the way to go. And selectable 4wd would also have improved it. I really like the thought of choosing between fully auto or thumb shifting.

Too bad you can't just dump 'em all in bag and shake it up.

 

I;ve owned a 99 Sportsman for allmost a yr now.I disagree totally with the guy who said it feels tippy.And what do you mean it push like crazy?It better,with 500cc sitting under it.As for handling,nothing out there soaks up the bumps like the Sportsman either,and Honda has a long way to go in the handling department in comparing the comfort of rides between the two.I'd still buy one if it had Polaris AWD system and disk brakes though.Good day to all-------BILL

 

The nice thing about having a selectable 4WD to 2WD is that you can easily break the rearend free in 2WD. It is very beneficial going through tight trails. It also makes it alot more fun. I have ridden a 2WD many years and would really miss not being able to ride in 2WD most of the time. I only switch to 4WD when it is needed and don't have to slow down to do it. When I try to go fast in 4WD, it doesn't track as well. It is like push, but it is the front end pulling. It could be just my riding style.

 

Whats the big deal about shift on the fly 2WD to 4WD? Have you ever ridden a 4wd Polaris Sportsman or Yamaha Grizzly in 2wd? They push like crazy and feel really tippy. If Honda can make a 4wd handle good, that's all you'll ever need.

 

Well fella's you all have good points. Yes the Sportsman may ride nicer, and yes 2WD may be more fun (sometimes) but my point is that for a reliable hard working machine that can take a beating, get the job done and pull it's weight on my ranch, yet still be fun, the Honda 450es is still the machine for me. If I wanted a play toy the ultimate fun machine would be the 400ex.

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