Gee Campy, Do you think you could perhaps explain your comment "I'm anti-big-business"

Are you Anti Polaris, Honda, Yamaha, Bombardier, Coke, Pepsi, McDonalds, Subway, Dell, Ford Or GM?

That is a pretty broad comment and very liberal attitude...

I'm very certian, Honda is in fact giving their customers exactly what they want. Honda sales would be very poor if they wern't.

Maybe it's just not what YOU want? Which is fine too.

 

Campy, when your comparing ATVs with snowmobiles, it's like apples and oranges. Think about it, ever hopped on a sled that wasn't propped up at night and you didn't break the track free? ah yes, burning belt. Thats what an atv works against all the time when your mudding, thank goodness for hi-low ranges and the atv version of that trans is better adapted to the machine. also, if they are that great why aren't they installed on any autos or trucks?

 

Campy
My description of the Rincon being an suv was what I meant to say. Take a Lincoln Navigator for example LARGE smooth riding designed to cruise to the grocery store and back or a night out in Vegas but it is still labeled an suv, not much sport there. Honda has used the same mentality with the Rincon, smooth ride, reliable, and great for the trail cruiser but not designed for the hard core rock climber or anyone who pushes there quad really hard. I think Honda has hit a certain market and will do very well in it, but I would like to see them make a true sport utility machine as well as a new sport quad to add to there line up. In no way was I trying to bash Honda, I have owned virtually every brand of quad made and in no way am I brand loyal to any one make, The more variety the better in my opinion.
Bearman

 

hiofcer, when I say I'm anti-big-business, I mean that it angers me when a company, such as Honda, designs and manufactures something that's lacking in so many areas, and yet they KNOW it will sell simply because it's got their name on it.

It's like pop music. Much of the stuff they sell these days is absolute crap, but it sells because of the name on the cover. I hate the recording industry because they sell this crap, and I'm rather displeased with their minions for buying it, but to each their own.

Dell, and Gateway, also, are wonderful examples of a business that's giving it's customers exactly what they want. Most of the machines manufactured by these companies are custom made per the buyers choices.
There's that key word. Choice.
I want a gig of RAM for my new computer. Check the box, and I got it. I want a HUGE hard drive and the top of the line graphics card. Two clicks of the mouse, and these are mine. Why can't ATV manufacturers offer more choices like this? I want disc brakes, more gears to CHOOSE from (not a computer that does it for me), and a locking front differential on my Rincon, and I'm sure I'm not alone. But will I ever get these things? Aside from MAYBE the diff-lock, nope. Because Honda only cares enough about it's customers to know what will make them the most amount of money, with the least out of pocket.
"Drum brakes and unlockable differentials are cheaper, so let's use them; Everyone will buy it because it's got our name on the side!" Honda execs say. You know darn well that if a no-name manufacturer produced the EXACT same ATV as the Rincon, just as reliable as any Honda, it would not sell because not only does nobody recognize the name, but it's not giving the consumer just what they want, so why should they buy it?

Also, if Honda is giving their customers exactly what they want, why is it I always hear people saying, "Well, I wish it had disc brakes, and I could really use that locking differential, but I'm gonna stick with Honda anyway!" or, "Well, I want something faster and with reverse, but I'll buy the Honda anyway."
Sales are good because people will settle for something that has that red Wing on the side.

ostie, Honda (of all manufacturers) actually has used a CVT in their Civics before, and still does. Audi also uses a CVT, but it employs a metal belt because the engine puts out far more power than any snowmobile or Civic.

Bearman, yeah, I was pretty sure I knew what you were talking about, I just wanted to clarify.

As a side note, I've noticed something. I get waaayyy too long-winded...


Great debate guys, let's keep it going!
Ride safe!

 

Campy,

Honda has a very large research and development dept. The big wigs at Honda aren't in the smoke filled board room saying; "We'll build what we want and the consumer will just have to take it or leave it. After all it's a Honda."

They poll their customers and they know exactly what they want. It is a very select few that desire locking differentials and to be honest very few people care about disc brakes. Most people just want brakes.

As for ATV vs. computers, this is a slightly different. The technology is constantly evolving, to not offer bigger and better products would be ridiculous. Besides, more people in America own a PC of some sort than an ATV.

 

Campy, what are Polaris, Suzuki, Arctic Cat, Kawasaki and the rest doing different than Honda. You say Honda is lacking in so many areas, what are they? Couldn't there be a list made for every machine out there base on a persons prefrence? Be careful Campy that you don't fall into the pit of insecurity with so many others that don't own a Honda and don't have the faith they should in the machine they own. It's all personal taste, ride what fits you best and enjoy!

 

Campy makes some good points..

Nobody NOBODY who knows about brakes can even put up a logical argument about drum brakes. I dont care if there quadruple sealed. (And I love the term triple sealed.. Does this mean 3 seals, or 3 sealed drum brakes??...) All utility atv's started with drums, there is a reason most went away from it. Next thing I guess Dodge will be putting them on their vipers... and for the mud crowd probably all those modified jeeps and Monster trucks will be putting drums on. Not to beat a dead horse but disks are far superior. I do praise Honda for trying to come up with a different type of tranny, I think this is a good thing. The part that bothers me is this was a chance for them to REALLY shake things up, make this a machine that everyone wants. put a locker on it, put disks on it, make it sportier without sacrificing utility, put a low range in it, make it more powerfull than the other big bores. To ME they fell short. And there was a rubber band f1 car.. it was banned for several reasons, one being fuel economy. you will see more and more small cars with cvt's in the future. Nissan and Honda have them now.

 

Here's another review

https://atvconnection.com/atvconnection/2003-Rincon.cfm

 

Retired people are the number one group of people buying ATV's today. They are the group of people that have the money to walk in and buy anything they want and have the time to use them. This is who the Rincon was made for. People who want to take in the country side and enjoy the scenery. The Rubicon was made to address the utility end of the ATV business, along with the Rancher line up. Honda will sell more Rincons than any other manufacture will sell of any other single ATV. Honda hit the nail on the head with this one. It may not be the monster mudder or the fastest, but when you want the smoothest ride and the nicest driving ATV, there will be only one choice. I wonder how long it will be before the other manufacture catch on to this one. This has opened up a whole new market, like the ATV's being built for two.

 

Speaking of hitting the nail on the head, I think you did Specta!

Just think of the big Honda Goldwing. It's not as fast as those crotch-rockets, it doesn't handle as well as the smaller bikes, and they sure ain't no harley, but look at how many you see on the road. Honda makes quality products that appeal to a niche market. This time, the niche market happens to be people who don't need to climb rock walls, or go through hip-deep mud or blast off at 60 mph on a zooter. They will do well, not doubt about it!