The minute I heard the Rincon was racing Baja, I suspected they would be yanking out the front end drive (it's what I would have done!). Who would want to ride 1000 miles fighting a 4X4's front end?? I looked real hard at all the early pictures I saw of this machine, and couldn't see any front drive components. An article in the March Dirt Wheels finally confirms it! With all that extra stuff missing (axles, diferential, drive shaft, and 2/4wd selector) the bike comes up 60 lbs lighter than stock. And, that is 60 lbs lighter ON THE FRONT END, where weight does you the most harm.

The 2X4 and 4X4 Ranchers, are pretty different machines, so I can believe there are substantial differences between a 2X4 and 4X4 Rincon. So, the win isn't quiet as impressive as it might have seemed at first glance!!! But still, they did beat out a field of tricked out desert machines, so I guess they are still OK.

 

Winning on a 540 pound bike is still pretty freakin awesome to me!

 

It won agianst 2X4 Raptors, DS650............


I know what you mean, 2X4 to 4X4 is night and day, i find the weight of the 4X4 components makes it handle better. the lighter 2X4 seems too twitchy!

 

Honda initially didn't win, they were penalized for cutting the course, then after they protested they were reinstated... cheaters always lose??? not if you are Honda, it seems...

 

How are you so sure????????

Don't be jelous!!

 

I read it in a Baja race report, I'll try to source the site for you. Jealousy, or any other emotion, has nothing to do with it... Honda always has heavy sway with most of the race promoters, they are a huge funder, and they even have a company rep on the AMA Pro Racing board of directors.

 

I also heard about the Honda win being under protest by a few people who were actually there participating in the race.

 

Well even if it didn't win, it still did very good!

BTW, i was just joking about the jelousy part................

 

You are right there, especially pulling in third on 3 wheels!