Thanks everyone, I am going to buy the Rincon. I think I will wait for the demand to ease a bit, hopefully I will be able to get a little better price. I don't mind paying a little more for something I really want, but right now the the price spread is almost $1,000 difference for what I can get a new grizzly or prairie, that makes the decision a little harder!

 

The Rincon WILL come down in price, we experienced the same thing when the rubi first came out. I think the local dealer had 50 some already spoken for before they came in. I wish the Rincon would hurry up and get to canada! Does anyone in Canada have a rincon at their local dealer yet??

 

The rincon has a losey turning radius. It's over 10ft to turn that sucker around. The sportsman is a little over 6 1/2 the 700 even bettter.. Just a thought if you're going to be on tight trails.

 

MINE HAS BEEN THE EXACT OPPOSITE,YOU CAN TURN IT ON A DIME AND GET 9 CENTS IN CHANGE!!

 

From Skipshot earlier:

....."The engine braking isn't as good as the sportsman's. To get the best engine braking (for the Rincon) you need to be in 4wheel and ESP, then find the proper gear".......

From a non-HO Sportsman owner, I very much appreciate your perspective as well as DieselPro's when comparing the two.

Two questions, if you've got the time:

1) How does the Rincon engine braking compare when 'IN' 4-wheel and ESP 1st or 2nd depending on the grade?(As you would think it always 'should' be for those situations)

Have either one of you taken it down any steep grades (in the set-up described above) that you've also been down with your Sportsmans?

Is there so much difference that you're on the brakes more? (thankfully, they're split....)

2) One feature I like on my Sportsman (which maybe some of you wouldn't agree with) is just keeping the thing in 4-WD ALL the time and not experiencing a significant difference in steering effort on loose to hard surface changes (switch it off on pavement only).

How does this macine handle when you just 'leave it' in 4WD?

Thanks for your answers in advance. Unless this engine braking issue is more than just a matter of being in the right 'mode' down a steep hill; the 4-WD is significantly more difficult to handle at normal trail speeds and the drum brakes are a maintenance nightmare............I'm not sure if lack of a 'locker' will keep this machine from climbing to the top of most IRS fan's 'want' list.

John

 

<< MINE HAS BEEN THE EXACT OPPOSITE,YOU CAN TURN IT ON A DIME AND GET 9 CENTS IN CHANGE!! >>



THen you must truly have a one of a kind Rincon. All the others were designed from honda with over a 10ft turning radius. Check it out.

 

My Polaris won't turn nearly as tight as the Rincon...

Engine braking below 8 mph is nonexistent on the Rincon, but that's what brakes are for!

The engine braking is same in 2wd or 4wd. The only difference is that if you downshift hard, the rear tires will skid in 2wd and in 4wd, you had better hang on if you downshift hard!

The Rincon is quite mild mannered in 4wd also.

My own personal feeling is that the Rincon is jetted lean on the straight part of the needle, and likely again on the main. It doesn't like to rev so much, but short shift it and it scoots! In a drag, I'd hit 2nd by 10mph, and 3rd by 30mph would seem to be best. Maybe asphalt would have different results...

 

How is it possible that your sportsman doesnt' turn as tight as the rincon? It Is designed to turn tighter. Only other possible is operator error. about 6 1/2 turning ratio for sportsman HO. little over 10ft for the rincon and Grizz. The sp700 is tighter than all of them. Them is engineering FACTs not a matter of opinion. Stock machine to stock machine. Perceptions may be altered and you see what you want to see. But, the machines steering are made to go to a point and stop, you can't push it past there.

 

dustyrusty,
I hope you get this message before you go out and purchase a new ATV. I purchased a new Rincon about a month and a half ago. I am disappointed that it does not have a low range but I am impressed with the power and the fabulous ride.
I'm in the market for one more Sport/Utility ATV and was leaning very heavy towards the Prarie 650 because the reviews were so strong. Also, I have a Raptor so I have wondered about the new Grizzly since it came out. I was about to buy a Grizzly when the Rincon was announced and decided to wait for the Rincon.
Here's the news: I decided I would like to try before I buy so I called some of the rental places and there was one place that rented both Prarie's and Grizzly's. I asked if I could take one for half a day and the other for the other half and they said sure.
Last night I picked up the Prarie and returned it today at noon and picked up the Grizzly.
Here are my impressions: The Prarie is a very good 4 wheeler. It ride very well, it has a fabulous engine, it is like a sport machine in a utility package. However, the one I rented came down hill like it was free-wheeling and the belt made a horrible whine all the time. So loud that I could hardly hear the exhaust. I am wondering if all Prarie's are this way or just this one. One note: We raced the Prarie against the Rincon and it was no contest. It didn't matter who rode what the Prarie was much faster.
Now the Grizzly: You should ride this thing before you buy it. I like Yamaha but I did not like the Grizzly. It's tippy, it's very very loud (exhaust) there was a loose hill that it just wouldn't climb and I had to put it in differential lock to get up it. My Rubicon was stopped at the bottom and went up without even spinning. You may be sorry if you buy this bike.
Lastly, this was well worth the $115.00 I spent to test these two bikes. I would still consider a Prarie, however, I didn't realize how refined (smooth, quiet, sure footed) the Rubicon and the Rincon are.
I would go with the Rincon, no question if I were you.
4WheelRider

 

4wheelrider Thanks for the information, I had an opportunity to spend some time on a new prarie. I was impressed with the power but that noise that comes from the tranny is a normal thing on the prarie. Also, I spoke with the service department at a multiline dealer about them. They sell fewer p650's than anything else yet see more of them back for warranty issues than any other. Mostly tranny &amp; belt issues, but they also told me about some bearings that would fall out of the front end. I am not very mechanical so I didn't really understand where they came from. They said it was no big deal because Kawasaki covered it under warranty. When I asked exactly how many had been back for that issue this year he said it was about six. Well that is a big deal to me. That aside, I think people that can make their own belt changes and tranny adjustments shouldn't hesitate to buy the prarie if they really like the solid axle. For me, a couple hours in that saddle made me a real believer in the IRS machines. I don't plan on buying a new machine until after the first of the year. We have a big sportsman show close by in February. Dealers tend to give more of a discount at that show than if I were to walk into their store. Unless their is some real dissapointing news that comes up on the Rincon in the next few months I am sure that is what I will get. I can do without the locker, but I do wish it had a low range. I only used the low range on my sportsman twice so it probably wont be a big deal. The Rincons first gear is pretty high I am guessing, but I think it will be fine for me.

I appreciate everyones input, it has helped to make up my mind. I have not measured the turning radious on my sportsman, but I would bet $100 (monopoly money) that it is more than 6 1/2 feet! Anyway I really don't care what it is on the sportsman, Polaris isn't even being considered for my next purchase.

Diesel Great to hear from someone that owns both. Do you ride all those machines yourself or are they for the family?