Howdy all,
after reading the latest Dirt Wheels mag. it seems that the Honda Rincon may be the future Edsel. They tested the 650 Kaw, 660 Grizz, and the 650 Rincon. They didnt like the brakes, engine braking, transmission, or power of the Rincon. As usual the 650 won the shoot out. The last words were "long live the king".

 

I've heard that the Rincon was a dud. Is it true that it has a car type transmission and a push rod engine?!?!? I think Honda's problem is that they feel they have something that their customers like so they don't feel the need to improve, while the rest are getting better and better.

 

Yep, a pushrod with a three speed on the column and a torque converter.

 

Again, what year model is this Rincon? 1970ish?

 

Hey, don't be mean. It is a fun ATV. Definitely Honda's best in the SUV arena. I think the Rubicon will be the edsel. A lot of honda owners are getting rid of the ruby to get Rincons or get 450ES.

You guys might not like it, but I think every "honda only" will be all over it. Some people feel the need to be "different". Some people feel the need to say "I have a honda". They will stay out of the mud, sacrifice fun a pleasure just to keep their noses in the air. Like a poodle with a rediculous haircut that thinks it is really a hot dog.

That may be mean, but I'm sure other people may find it is just the kind of smooth going ATV they need.

I rode one the other day. It drove nice. It was peppy. It handled well. It isn't bad at all. It doesn't deserve ridicule just because it falls short of the 650.

I'm not suggesting any of us gets one (unless for a casually riding spouse), I just believe that it is an OK machine.

 

Personally I love the look of the Rinny. I am also quite fond of the Ruby's transmission. If Honda could use the 500's transmission on the 650, keep the TraxLock, add a locker, and give it discs all around (at a minimum) I think the Rincon would be a real winner, sort of like the new Rancher with better brakes and a locker. With the exception of the locker Honda has all of the components necessary to make an industry leading machine, they just fail to put them into one package to do so.

However as the Rincon stands at this time I feel its overpriced by at least $1K and is lacking the features that big bore riders are looking for.

 

You are right, I think the workin crowd may love the ruby a lot more than the rincon.

However, I know of a few ruby owners who have gotten rid of their ruby's due to lack of pep. They loose lots of power to aftermarket tires. The rinny gives them some pretty good umph, gobs more power than the ruby.