I think that Honda would have a winner if they made a 700XX with a straight axle. It would be more capable of competing with the raptor 700. Thoughts?

 

The 700XX is 109 lbs heavier than a 700 Raptor. It really was not meant to be a race sport ATV, but more a recreational Sporty ATV.
People looking for a ATV like that are not out to do jumps, but want Ground Clearance, a smoother ride and no chain to constantly fool with. Both of which a IRS has the advantage over a SRA with chain drive.
The 700XX is more closely related to a Can Am Renegade and Kawi KFX 700 then a Raptor.

If some one wanted serious racer Honda ATV they would get a 450R.

I Trail ride with a guy who hates Utility ATVs and has a 500 Scrambler,but he does not like the wimpy 5" ground clearance and mantaining the chain. The 700XX would be the ATV for him and many others.

 

Well, Polaris makes an outlaw irs/straight axle, they seem to sell ok, Maybe if Honda put the 700 motor into a 450r-type frame :/

 

I always said Honda should put there XR650R motorcycle motor in the 450R ATV frame.

XR650R is nice

 

Same with Can-Am, Ithink they should make an updated Ds-650...

 

The 700x honda is a beast.. It does about 77-80 mph stock.. and it is chain drive..

 

It is a chain drive. Like the Polaris Outlaw IRS the chain is a good height up so it probably wouldn't get the kind of abuse a regular straight axle chain does. My own thought on the 700xx is that it is great in the kinds of conditions where you have rocky and/or rutted trails to clear obstacles like the Outlaw IRS. The 700xx isn't as stiffly sprung as the Outlaw though and probably not quite as good in corners. A straight axle version would rail in corners and would also lose some of the weight of the IRS system. Just random thoughts.

 

A chain on on a IRS ,that must suck. A chain you have to lube and re tighten every so many rides,a shaft or direct drive you don,t even think about it for 3 seasons of riding.

 

Yes, it is a chain drive, but the final drive is shaft..

 

Kevin-

It is a chain drive...there is no "final drive" The rear sprocket connects to the axle hub directly, there is no additional gearing like there would be with a differential or final drive. From there there are just IRS axle shafts. Principle is the same as a SRA, just with pivoting axles