I have a new Honda Rincon and my biggest complaint is that it does not hold back coming down hill. The Rubicon is fabulous at coming downhills because you can put it in ESP and let 1st gear hold you back. I am considering a Prarie and I would like to know, truthfully, in low range and on a steep descent how well does the Prarie hold back coming downhill?

 

4WheelRider:
In high range it holds you back quite well...but in low range it's ridiculously slow. If I'm in low and going down a hill I usually have to give it gas , as I lose patience with the engine braking (It relly does a very effective job of slowing this beast down). Slow and technical climbs down over the steepest of grades are childs play. Hope this helps.

ROB

 

The engine brake holds well enough that if you're going down a steep enough grade and have good enough tires you may endo if you're if you're not prepared to blip the throttle. Takes getting used to.

 

I agree. High is perfect for any downhill I've been on so far. I usually am blipping the throttle a little. Low range is too low in most cases unless it's real tight technical stuff.

 

I agree that I prefer to use high range going down steep hills as well. In low range, the engine braking is too much. Also, it doesn't work when <2mph (~?), so sometimes the prarie surges when the engine braking turns on and off in low range.

 

I use low gear for decending on my Prairie, the key is to contantly feed it fuel or you'll end up sliding due to the engine brake holding you back so much.

For those of you that expeience the wheel slide on steep downhills try putting the machine in four wheel drive, this will allow your front end to help hold you back so that 100% of the weight isn't pulling on the back tires.

 

I travel down a lot of tight steep hills and I typically use Highrange and that's it so brakes and low range makes it really easy. I love it, going down hill because that's where I only like the engine braking.

 

I have found in four wheel high it will gain going down hill. With low 4x4 what ever speed your are traveling on the top you will travel down at the same rate. If you are just idling on the top before going down the bike will descend at just above idle holds back very well.

 

I have to agree with 3tv. On the really steep stuff that you find in West Virginia and Southern Ohio, if you rely only on engine breaking, even in low gear and 4x4, you will be down with your quad on top (been there).

That is why Kawi gave it great engine braking AND great wheel brakes, use them both to keep from wearing out either too soon.

 

If you're able to descend a hill and pick up speed on the engine brake without bumping the throttle you need steeper hills. On the hill behind my house, about half way down, you have to bump the throttle to keep the thing from standing on the front wheels and going over. How much steeper hills so I need? Anything more I'd have to winch down.