I hesitate to post this message as these seem to always end up being a bashing session. I am not posting this as a bashing session, so I hope no Honda riders take it that way.

My thoughts on the new rubicon after reading the review in ATV connection.

At first glance, Honda seems to be incorporating a lot of features in this new machine that Polaris already has. The 500 cc engine, the full floorboards, the automatic, water cooling, etc. It is interesting that my buddies with Hondas all laughed at my idea of getting an automatic atv.

The second thing is the new automatic transmission. If this thing works a well as it is supposed to, it will be a hell of a machine. I think this is a definite challenge to Polaris to improve their auto tranny system. I wonder, though, how well the Honda transmission will hold up in the long term. Honda has been making the standard shift transmission for 30+ years and has gotten prettty damn good at it. I wonder if the new transmission will be as rock solid. I also wonder what the repair bill would be on replacing one of these transmissions should dirt/water enter it. My hydrostatic tractor is very sensitive to dirt and a small amount can ruin it. The belt system on my Polaris is not perfect, but a belt only runs around $30.

The last thing is the price. Around $7,000 for a new one and I doubt the dealers will be willing to deal with early demand figuring to be high. At that price, I would still stick with a Magnum 500 for around $1,000 less. I just wish I could put the Polaris ride, 4 wheel drive system, and looks on a Honda engine and transmission. That would be one hell of a machine.

Let me know your thoughts on this new machine.

 

I think it will be One HECK of a machine. And this will make all of the others head back to the drawing boards. Not that I think there is anything wrong with my Polaris. But thers always room for improvement even on the Rubicon its just going to take em a while to find out what they dont like.
Im very happy with my Sportsman but I think this will be very god for us atvers that like all atvs and just like to ride. I just hope Polaris is paying attention. I dont mind being second as long as I am close enough to pass.

 

i dont like the smaller fuel tank of the rubicon compired with the sp. Honda clames this transmission is very efficient but i dont know if its much more efficient than the polaris pvt. one good thing about the polaris pvt is that its a mechanical connection between the wheels and engine when the clutch is engaged.whereas the honda is always a fluid connection. i would think that that the temperature outside would affect the performance because of the viscosity of the oil.

Also we all should wait to see what polaris has for 2001(700cc twin) i think when they introduce the 2001 sportsman it will take a lot of attention away form the rubicon and people will line up at there polaris dealer.

Polaris wants to be #1 and u dont get that way just changing the colors and graphics each year. bye

 

Guess time will tell, I think the whole industry benefits with new innovation. I think Polaris has been a huge factor and they have forced others to change. But as respects your 700 twin idea, it's just a rumor and I know from very reliable sources that there is no truth to it. Anyway, do you really think the consumer needs a 800 pound quad? The sp500 needs a diet already.

 

Hey us Honda guys didn't take it as a slam. The transmission could be suspect, just like any NEW product. Look at the ESP that came out on the 450 it had a few bugs in it the first year. The second year they worked them & put the ESP on the Rancher & updated the 450.

You are right about it raising the bar to the other manufacturers. Polaris & Yamaha will have to improve their existing designs & Kawasaki is the last manufacturer that doesn't have a 500 or larger quad.

The bottom line is we all win with the new stuff coming out on these quads. The bad thing is the price is going up also

 

This Honda rider takes no exception...
With 5 sensors and cpu aboard can failure be far behind...THE switches...d1,d2,d3...what do they stand for...DUMB RIDERSs 1,2,3.!!
A loyal Honda owner who says...$7,000 for this..you must be on drugs to rush out and spend this much MONEY on something SO un-inspirational ,oh well...let the bashing begin...maybe ..someday Honda might listen ?
if it looks like an egg..smells like an egg...
bummed up north...

 

Im not getting all pumped up about this Rubicon just yet.It still dont have the things I personally find attractive for a 4wd quad like--

1-True 4x4
2-The ground clearance of the Polaris 4x4s
3-Disk brakes
4-Switchable 2wd-4wd

All this stuff is lacking on the Rubicon,but its MSRP is still going to be the highest of any 4x4 quad out there.

Its really got me wondering?I cant wait to find out how this tranny holds up to water/debree.It might just suprise a few of us,including me.===BILL

 

Well so far so good not alot of bashing going on here!! It's good that we can play together for once.LOL I think that the ruby will be a great machine for honda,It's just the price, That's alot of money!!

 

Yeah the todays quads are getting more & more expensive & complicated. Murphy's law will apply to all off the sensors one is bound to fail eventually.

Oh yeah if quads continue to get complicated then the dealer wins because you & I won't be able to repair these things.

How many people out there have the equipment to run diagnostics on the computer on a quad?

food for thought

 

MY THOUGHTS ARE HONDA NEEDS TO GET SOME NEW LAWYERS YET AGAIN ANOTHER MACHINE LEANED MORE TOWARD UTILITY. OH AND WHAT ABOUT SPEED I GUESS SOMEONE MIGHT SUE IF IT WOULD GO OVER 50MPH. I PERSONALLY THINK QUADS TOP SPEED SHOULD BE AROUND 60MPH ATLEAST THAT WAY WHEN YOUR CRUISING YOUR DONT HAVE TO HIT THE REV LIMITER. MAN I OWN HONDA BUT COME ON WAKE UP I DONT THINK ANY OF THE MANUFACTURERS ARE TAKING THIS MARKET SERIOUS. HONDA NEEDS A SPORT 4X4 400-500CC, POLARIS NEEDS MANUAL SHIFT SPORT MACHINE, KAWASAKI NEEDS TO WAKE UP, AS WELL AS SUZUKI AND ARCTIC CAT. I ONLY SEE GOOD THINGS COMING FROM BOMBARDIER. I BELEIVE THEY WILL MAYBE TAKE US MORE SERIOUS. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE NEWCOMERS BUT HONDA YAMAHA HONDA WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES. EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET TOGETHER AND STOP BUYING QUADS UNTIL THEY START TO LISTEN. QUADS OUTSELL MOTORCYCLES AND SNOWMOBILES BUT THEY SEEM TO GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT ON THEM GO FIGURE. GUESS THE BIG THREE ARE JUST PLAYING WITH OUR WALLETS. SORRY SO LONG BUT THIS IS TEEING ME OFF BAD.