Good Day All:

This is a follow up to one of my earlier posts regarding the new Honda Rincon. Although there was quite a bit of good information, I thought I would throw this out to get everyones feed back.

Many of you responded to my earlier post and from what I can see, many of you ride different machines. Kawasaki P650's, Sportsman, Rubicon's, Artic Cats, etc., to name a few, these machines all cost big bucks ($$$$)! With all of the various features each machine has, only a few of you talked about the "Low Range" on your machines.

My questions are as follows, since the majority of you have these machines with a "Low Range", how or when do you use it? As we have discussed eariler, the new Honda Rincon does not have this feature. Many of you responded with, "I dont' use low range." Well that's great, so why did you buy a quad with it in the first place? I know most machines have this feature as standard and there is no way around it but, is it really mandatory that a 4x4 have "Low Range"?

You know I was told once way back when, the only difference between 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive is about 50 feet ! Does this then apply to ATV's?

Let the games begin.............[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Good questions...

In my experience A four wheel drive does make a difference. I have been in some Hellish places that I would have never reached if I only had 2wd. (Most of these places were arrived at in low gear) After saying all that I am amazed where the 2wd can go with an experienced driver.

I also feel 4wd can be safer in some of those tricky locations....However 4wd ususally gets you in those tricky locations.

I guess it depends on your style of riding. My brothers and I often ride with the old man. We all have 4wd and he has a 2wd big bear. We always end up in the same place just some of us choose the more challenging routes.

As far a low gear in concerned I think it makes a big difference in snow, mud, rocks and towing.

One last comment.... Nothing gets you down an steep incline like low gear/4wd and engine braking


Just one mans opinion

 

i only used low once, it was up a very slow, steep hill. other than that one time i feel low range is not needed. in the mud i feel it holds you back (it revs out too quick) but i don't do any towing, hauling,plowing, or any type of work with my kodiak.





<< You know I was told once way back when, the only difference between 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive is about 50 feet ! Does this then apply to ATV's? >>


yes! very true. where i live the 2X4's make it to the edge of a mudhole and get stuck, and the 4by make it a little further and get stuck. but like said before a 4by is good for more than just mud ridding, for example going up a long steep slippery hill in 2WD is nerve wrecking, and down them aint much better. (in 2WD)





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you make a good point about the rincon, (about the no low, engine breaking issue) i agree, because if i leave my kodiak in high going down a hill it can get away from me in a heartbeat. (well i just made a lyer outta me!) but i hope that honda made the first gear low sped, cause breaks can get expensive (especially shoes)

 

I use low range frequently on the SP.

To see if you need low or not on the Rincon, do an ESP second gear start. It's quite eye opening.

Haven't had any mud experience yet, just quick jaunts down the gravel roads followed by a thorough cooldown. Fluid changes up next...

 

Here in Utah when I ride Moab low range is a must.
I will usally use it when I want to crawl up really step hills.

 

not too many honda have hi lo range (rancher,450,300,recon) and i'm sure they do just fine. low range is needed more for a belt driven quad, because on a 3speed 1st gear can be low sped. i think if you can take off in second (on a 3 speed) than first gear must be fairly low sped, either that or it has A LOT of power!!

my only reason for complaining would be down hills, low works really good here, as far as up hills go i think the rincon (or any other monster 4BY) has enough power to handle it.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

My opinion,

3 speed tranny's in ANYTHING do not provide enough of a range of ratio's for all situations. My old jeep 3speed, even with a v-8 behind it was too doggy in some situations. Maybe the rincon 1st gear is super low, but if second is too tall, then you loose when you need just a little more wheel spin. I believe this machine was made to be a trail machine. On belt driven Autos, any time you are constantly traveling under 10 mph, use low. Your belt will thank you for it.

I use low all the time, on technical sections, all mud sections and all towing.. Guess thats why I have over 1500 miles on the original belt.

 

so do i! i rarely use low.

just something i thought you should know, a rincon will spinn the tire when you take off in 2nd gear........so i think it'll do alllllll-right

 

Rincon,
It may spin them in mud or loose gravel but not on anything hard.

Does it need a low? I don't think so, not from what I've been in so far...and I've been in some slop. Please keep in mind that I'm running stock tires, but even with with larger tires I think it will be just fine.

 

well i don't run on anything hard, but anyways it's still impressive!! i mean 2nd gear starts on a rubi (5 speed) isn't that amazing, but remember this is only a 3 speed!