I visited my Local Honda dealer and overheard him tell some guy that Honda will be releasing a Honda 650 Forman ES (electronic Shift) in late 2000 as a 2001 model, He said that they will be using the powerplant from the very successful dual sport bike the XR650L and the trans from the very popular Foreman 450ES. It will have an additional 88lbs over the current 450ES. Has anyone seen anything about this? I figured I would have heard about it from ATVconnection first? Grizzly better move over. What a combination, Grizzly power & Honda reliablity!!!

 

I don't think that this is true. Why, because Honda once stated that they would never make an atv over 600lbs. If you look up what atv stands for in your trusty federal or state regulation riding handbook. It definds an atv as follows. 3 or 4 wheel, motorizied offroad vehicle, weighting less than 600lbs. That doesen't mean that atv's over 600lbs are illegal. It just means that Honda isn't going to make this quad.

Chris "00" 300EX

 

As a XR600 owner, I dont think that honda would chop it to put a differnt tranney in it. The 4 valve RFVC engine is also not needed in a Foreman, but would be nice.. I would expect to see a bigger verson of the currant 450s pushrod engine pop up in a new/bigger quad.
my 2 cents, Joe

 

Honda says their new liquid cooled Rubicon 500 makes more power than everyone else's and it weighs under 600lbs. With that new no-maintenance hydro-whatever tranny, what else could you want?

The XR650 motor sounds good until you realize its built for a lightweight 2-wheeler and doesn't have to worry about a low cg. Most of Honda's ATVs now put the cam low in the case to lower engine height, and this new one is dry-sump too.

 

I know a 500 automatic is coming out in May.

 

I know a 500 automatic is coming out in May. Can this bike also be manual?

 

It has pushbutton manual override, like the ES I think.

 

here is the info page:http://www.hondamotorcycle.com/press...3.html#rubicon

 

The Rubicon sounds like a super 4x4 quad.Why dont Honda use Polaris AWD system instead of having it in 4x4 all the time,why not get rid of them useless drum brakes and go with disks?I'd buy that quad in a heartbeat than.

 

I agree with cstark comments. I am to pick up a new 2000 450ES this weekend. I was going for the S model at 1st, but changed my mind at the last minute. I trail ride and my Foreman 400 had all the power anyone would ever need. It only makes sense to me if you'd tie a chain to your bike with two people sitting on it and the other end of the chain to a pole, if it turns the tires over effortly (power to weight ratio)- you will have enough power for most encountered on the trail. I realize many riders are into the speed and desire the bigger/faster motors. Those riders should consider the "crotch-rocket" styles.