ROOSTER,your right,I should'nt catagorize other manufactures brakes because of the poor luck I've had with the KQ.But as I've said before,there are alot of other forum users in here that have said they to have problems with drum brakes after serious mudding.That;s enough to keep me out of the mud if I do elect to buy a Rubicon.After owning the KQ,and locking it up in differetial lock,that thing really steered and turned hard.Im thinking,hows the AWD going to turn on the Polaris when its activated?I think it steers as well as any limited slip differential 4x4 I've ever ridden,no lie.I was very impressed.The only time it steers hard is if you get only one hub to lock.That rarely happens.Gotta GO------BILL

------------------

 

Rubicon sounds like it is going to be one h@ll of a machine but my opinion also goes with the other atver on the post why didn't the rubicon get the disc in the back...was it because Honda wants more profit or what. I have read close to just about every post on this forum before I decided on buying my AC 500 auto. There is at least 2 or more post on here from every maker that has disc on the back complaining about how they had trouble with there drum brake on the back. I have yet to read about just one that didn't leak letting stuff in where it would eventually screw up the back pads or they would have to be cleaned after heavy mudding.
So far the Artic Cat 500 back disc has worked great I have been in everything from deep mud to swamp mud and all I do is go home turn the hose on spray it off and it is ready for the next day. Have also noticed fellows when I was in the deep deep mud all 4 wheels spin on the Cat they are supposed to be something advanced in the front wheel drive unit on the Artic Cat 2000 does anybody know more about this??? All 4 wheels do spin...

Artic Cat 500...Hasn't got stuck yet

------------------

 

I have to agree, the drums are a bummer, but they will work as good as some other brands disks, it is how honda works. I think honda saw how much the thing was going to cost and said SH** we gotta cut down! Not only mud in the drums, but the thing weigs alot! just think of going down a steep hill with a trailer full of wood with drums! I think honda defently should throw disks on it.. Personly I just loosen the water drain on my drums and spray brake cleaner up in it to clean mine

 

Worried about brake failure after being parked for months at a time???? OK.. HOW many people ACTUALLY let their quad set for MONTHS at a time on a hill where they need to keep their brake set?
Ever seen what happens when you leave a drum brake set for too long with any moisture in it?. THey either glue themselves to the drum.. (HEY!!.. THERES a good parking brake!!!hehehe) or the first time you use them, they GRENADE!! and turn to dust..
My disk brakes work flawlessly in wet/muddy conditions up and down hills... (Polaris!)
Although I have a buddy that has disk on his Yamaha BigBear that quit working when he gets in the mud... Thats a Yamaha thing though.. I don't know of too many Yamahas that keep their brakes in mud/water. Drum brakes... mmmmmmmmmmm...

 

tdhusker, good one. That's hilarious. I could see how drum brakes would be bad when pulling a trailer load of wood and going downhill, without an engine helping! But the engine does so much, you hardly ever use the brakes. Did anyone of you people have any problems with Honda's drum brakes? You really shouldn't be categorizing their brakes if you had seen or heard of bad experiences with other manufacturers brakes. Like I said before, our Foreman is in water deeper than the brakes many times, never had the slightest of brake fade or water or debris getting in. However, I have to agree that disc brakes provide more stopping power.

 

THIS JUST IN!!!!

I just test rode a new 2001 Rubicon and you will be surprised at the results...

The transmission slips and whines LOUDLY under power. The engine won't start when it is under 30 degrees out. If you ride it into the water, it drowns out the ignition and dies. The suspension has 48 grease zerks that must be greased every time you ride it. The wiring harness is so primitive that it is constantly giving electrical problems that range from blown fuses to melted wires.

Other than that, I think it's a pretty good outfit. Honda is only a few years away from putting out a good machine here. In the meantime, I hope those that buy Rubicon's lose the warranty papers as well as the dealer's phone numbers.

 

I don't think much of Honda's answer to why they use drum brakes either. I know when trailering our machines somewhere, the Sportsman 500's parking brake will seem like it's not on after awhile. It seems like you have to repump the brake lever every once in awhile to get the pressure back up. I don't know if the bumps cause this or what. But we don't have to worry about the Honda's since they have the mechanical ones. By the way, a good trick I learned is to put a rubber band around the front brake lever (on machines without single lever brakes)when trailering. This applies the hydraulic brake to the front and the parking brake holds the rear. They really stay put after this. Also, don't leave your machine in gear when transporting (on machines without CVT transmissions)cause it can damage your transmission.

 

Rooster ,Im thinking you need to bleed your brake system.I've had my parking brake on for hrs with NO lose of any pressure ever.Just a thought-----BILL

------------------

 

wonder what the top speed will be?

 

I'm betting it will hit the "60" mark. Honda says it outperforms it's competition. Keep in mind this is a 500cc 4 valve engine with liquid cooling set in a very light chassis for a 4x4. Also, it has aluminum wheels which greatly reduces the power it takes to get the wheels turning. Hope I'm right!