After some discussion on the RINCON, I am still not certain what I should do about an '03 purchase now or wait for an '04 purchase in the summer but I'm getting close. A couple of things I think I need to consider and any related comments you have would be appreciated.

1) I am not certain that the few weaknesses it has will have a dramatic impact on what I will be using it for. Basically, I will simply be riding/cruising in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Obviously, I will be at high elevations with some fairly steep hills to climb and come down. Therefore, the really only main concern I have is with the engine braking and I am not exactly convinced that what the RINCON currently provides in this area is not enough. The front brakes may also be problematic but not to a great extent. There is not much mud around here so the low end & front difflock weakness may not be an issue for me.

2) The current price I can get the RINCON at (~$6,500-$6,800 walk out) is probably $1,500 to $2,000 less than what the new '04's will be selling for this summer assuming they will get list (or close to) plus $600-$800 in destination/handling charges. I suppose I could wait until next winter to get a good deal on an '04 but I'm not sure I have the patience.

3) The RINCON as it stands is a great machine. Based on the fact that no one really knows what changes (if any) the '04 will have, is it worth the extra time/money to wait for an '04 with uncertain improvements. Also, with the great price I can currently get an '03 for, assuming Honda does make some significant improvements, I may be able to "trade up" for an '04 next winter with minimal additional cost. Essentially, I can buy an '04 in the winter and sell my '03 in the spring to take advantage of the pricing with supply/demand.

Finally, if I do in fact decide to get an '03 now, are their any accessories that you guys recommend I get (ie. Tires/Wheels, Winches, Exhaust) to improve the machine.

One more thing....what would be a good drive out price without sales tax? As I mentioned above, I think I can get one for around $6,500-$6,800 (without sales tax). Has anyone bought one via the internet (ie. out-of-state) and had it shipped? Wondering if this is really a viable option...I know there wouldn't be any sales tax this way but also realize the shipping cost might be expensive as well as the set up.

Your comments are appreciated. Thanks!

 

Expect the Rincon to engine break at 8mph, highlander, the upshift for second is around 11mph. But of course if you are in the manual mode, it will stay in first til you hit the button. As Maui pointed out on another post , "you always got the brakes". Just about every Rincon we have seen for first checks, the idle speed is way high, suppose to be 1400 and they come in idling at 3000, has alot to do with the low speed performance. Also, people been running way too heavy oil in the cold, and expecting too much out of the tranny before it is even warmed up. They have a primer on the carb and they start good in sub zero weather. Haven't had any big ugly problems on the Rincon at all, We've sold many too. Have had some come back with over 1K miles, none the worse for wear. The ride and power are great. Also I know the 04 will have some improvements, even if it looks the same and has the same features. Sounds like you got a dilemna on your hands. Probably a toss up. Have fun making up your mind.

 

The Rincon upshifts to 2nd gear at about 14-15MPH- not 11-and ESP is amazing. Buy a Rincon and get an '04 trade-in if there are vast improvements.

 

Thanks for the comment J. Gonna check that out next time I can ride one. But we both forgot to mention that it will vary, at wide open think shift point around 25.

 

MileHighRider, One thing about Honda is that when they release a new model whether it is an AVT, motorcycle, car, or lawn mower that item is usually pretty close to being technically flawless. I understand that Honda my lack in features but they make up for this in the quality department. In other words Honda is known to perform in-depth analysis and countless tests on new machines in order to identify and address any problems before they release the product to the customer. Having said this, if I were you I would be confident in a purchase of a 2003 model year Rincon. Save yourself the money and the agony of enduring the wait to purchase a 2004 and just get the 2003 and ride in confidence.

 

I have 3 of the '03 Rincons. Once you get used to the way the engine breaking works it shouldn't be a problem. The gears are so high that engine breaking is not something you can compare to other bikes like the foreman. What would feel like third in the foreman is like first on the rincon. For a compare, try running down grade in third on a foreman and see what you get outa it.

I was riding in auto mode today coming down a little grade pretty hot and got the back tires off the ground rolling on the front brakes maybe about 30' or so. The front brakes had plenty of feel enough that I didn't endo. Rolling stoppies are certainly not the best way to slow down for trail riding, but you can do'em if you want. If you are really concerned with the drum brakes hilifter has a disc conversion. Can't say that I'm ready for that just yet. I'd rather go with more suspension (ohlins has a listing for the rincon) or more power.

In auto mode you can certainly feel when the down shifts hit. I seldom use this mode though because I like to choose when the gear hits. Auto can be really fast and fun on the fly though. When I hit the power line roads which are very rough, the power is seemless. Riding 40ish over very rough terrain some times shifting is not something you want to mess with. The bike responds instantly to this kind of riding even when you over shoot and lock it up back to first gear. Often times it will carry the front end while getting back on the trail.

As far as what mph the bike shifts at I couldn't care less. It shifts whe it does. If I'm manual shifting I don't go at any set mph for the shift, I watch the terrain. Some times its better to carry first gear if you know you're coming into a tight area, some times you short to second if you know the trail opens up.

If you're gonna really ride hard you're gonna spend a bunch of time draggin the belly pan. I'm either gonna make a diamond plate skid my self or buy one. I kinda rather make it my self though because I'd like the front to be conected part way back to under chassis.

 

I also changed the main jet on my bike, I ride between 4000'-8000' ele....

I dropped it five steps from stock and it seems to be pretty clean.

 

Great post Maui. Agree that manual mode shifting a blast. Highlander, you don't have to let up on the throttle and there's no mechanical noise when you hit the button, it just shifts. Seems the consensus here is that you shouldn't deny yourself all this great fun waiting for the 04. Unless your local dealership(s) are really crappy, Why don't you buy it locally? Ask to check out their service department if you are not wrenching on it yourself. Try to meet the techs. Make sure they got at least one shop guy with experience. Ask how much their first service is, what maintenance is required, etc. That two hundred dollars you saved might not mean much when you get back your wheeler from a service and it's all messed up. Or if they can't or won't take the time to answer a few simple questions for you.

 

maui -- I noticed you said you changed the main jet on your Rincon, running between 4,000 and 8,000 ft. I was told by my Honda mechanic last year before a high country Elk hunt in Colorado, that they didn't make a high altitude jet for the Rincon at that point. The book reccomended changing the jet when above 3,500 ft. I took the breather top off and had no problem, but had noticably more exhaust noise, which I didn't care for. The young guys thought it was cool, but I wanted to be less obvious while hunting. The question is, did you get a factory jet, or build your own. I would like to rejet my Rincon before this year hunting trip. Good riding.

 

You're right honda does not make a Hi alt jet but you can order factory ones. I just went to the honda shop and asked what the stock jet size was (153?) and dropped 5 steps from there.