Me and my cousin are debating if the Vinson is better or the Rincon, even though they are about 100cc diffrence. And by the way, anyone know how fast they both go?

 

My unmodified Vinson tops at about 62 MPH on the speedometer. I've not tested it with GPS. I really enjoy my Vinson. It has plenty of power and tons of aftermarket accessories available (if you can afford them). It is very stable (all of the tips and rolls have been operator error). It keeps up on the fire/logging roads with bigger machines and sport quads (for the most part). It can climb with the best of them on rocks and kicks butt in the mud (especially with mudlites or some comparable tire).

One question is whether you like independent rear suspension (IRS) or swingarm rear suspension. Both have advanatages. IRS is better for slow trail riding in smoothing out the bumps. Swingarm is more stable at speed, in corners and off-camber situations. Although, I understand that Honda has pretty much perfected IRS in the Rincon when compared to other machines. The Vinson is very comfortable to ride and has one of the best seats on the market.

There are numerous reports about Rincon being underpowered, but most are based on "feel" and not performance. Neither machine has a locker. Rincon does not have a low gear, though you can use their electronic shift to keep it in "first gear" (its automotive-type transmission does not compare apples to oranges with other transmissions). Also, Rincon has concerns about engine breaking on big and/or steep hills. The Vinson has great engine breaking.

The biggest factor is price. The Vinson is at least $1,000 (and likely more depending on your negotiations with dealers) less than the Rincon. For that money you can get a jet kit, pipe and detroit gearless locker and still come for less money than the Rincon. IMO the Rincon is overpriced. The biggest thing the Rincon has is the ability to get the GPScape (built in GPS on the dash). But, again, for the money savings you can buy a great handheld that lets you upload maps and download tracking data into a compter. The Honda GPS is little more than an arrow point to the next or last stop.

Overall, for the money, the Vinson is the better purchase. For the money of a Rincon, you would need to look at the 700 and 750 big bore machines that out perform the Rincon for power.

 

To make a long story short the Vinson is a better quad for the money. If you are going to fork out the $$$ for a Rincon I would choose a different quad.

 

Yeah, what they said! If you like IRS, the Rincon has the best rear suspension in this segment. Followed closely by the KQ. I'm a SRA advocate. Question to the "locker" guys: How often do you ~really~ need the locker?

 

I have been a Honda rider since I was 9 (am now 42), and have been riding Honda ATVs since 1994, so it was hard for me to commit to buying anything but a Big Red ride.

However, the two main considerations I had in buying my 2005 Vinson were that it was the largest displacement ATV with a 5-speed (I will never get used to an automatic...call me old-fashioned) AND that it had disc-brakes all around. I cannot imagine any valid reason for Honda to still put drum brakes on their big ATVs. (sealed my @ss...all they do is seal the water inside the drum...I have always had problems with the drums on my '95 TRX300, and if they were in fact as good and reliable as Honda salesmen claim them to be, why is Highlifter making a disc-brake conversion kit for all the 2000 and up Hondas?...by the way Highlifter...BIG mistake not to make the kit available for us TRX300 owners...you missed a big market)

In September I rode my Vinnie through the toughest parts of the Paiute Trail and it performed flawlessly. A few trails were nothing but paths over boulders, and there were several VERY HAIRY off-camber trails where the lower center of gravity helped out quite a bit. The seat was very comfortable, and the ability to shift gears at my discretion was instrumental in getting me out of some sticky situations.

Back at sea level, the Vinson has plenty of power, although it won't wheelie with ease (maybe my fault there) I think I have read 62 mph while blazing down a gravel road. The solid axle is great for power slides (my buddy can't do the same with his IRS Grizzly) and the suspension makes it handle and feel much lighter than it's true weight.

I've never ridden the Rincon, as I was never interested in an automatic with drum brakes, but being a Honda I'm sure it is a fine machine, although the ATV mags say it is seemingly underpowered by comparison to other ATVs in the class

 

Hey 'rage-

I am curious as to how you like the 26" Mud lites...I need to get some new skins for my Vinny, and have been back and forth between the Lites and the 589s

Can you tell me the pros and cons?

Do they have enough clearance, or can I go to a 27"?

 

to answer your question i think the vinson would be faster top end becasue ive raced a rincon with my Sp and i stayed right with him even in top end so the rincon doesnt do over 60 and ive raced a vinson also and got beat top end so im sure the vinson will be a little slower off the line to the rincon but will catch it and pass it with ease.

if i was to pick either of the 2 i would go with the vinson anyday over the rincon i dont care for the new trannys ive seen the slip when cold and its not pretty... the vinson has a simple belt and people say its junk but isnt simple better ... i think it is the suzuki engine is the most reliable engine on the market maybe 2nd to honda but id say its right there with honda. JMO

 

No problems out of my simple/junk tranny. Yammie uses the same. Must not be to junky. The Sp. 500 is a great quad too. I like it better than the 700.

 

Hey Tex,

I would go with the 26" Mud Lites, love them to death. Warning these things grip so you will lose some of the ability to power slide. The Mud Lites are lighter than the 589s and IMO are a better "all around" tire but they are awesome in the snow and mud too. I belive you can put 27"s on the Vinny but you will lose some power and only gain a little extra ground clearance. The best part about these tires is that they are 6-ply and I have NEVER had to use another plug again. I had to plug my stock tires over 6 times before they gave out on me.

 

I have 27" Mudlites on mine and I am well satisfied, although they did take some power away and they will scrub when turning with the bars under the floorboards.