You want a great quad -look at the ruby. This bike is smooth and quiet. No belt noise. Bottom line New Tech. This belt thing is old. Nothing quite like a true automatic trans. Better engine braking too. You would not buy a truck that was run by a belt...........

 

The Rubicon is a very nice machine but the transmission whines very loudly compared to the belt on my Magnum 325. We have two Rubicons in our club and they both whine.

The only machine that I've heard with a louder transmission is an older Explorer 400. I can hear the tranny whine long before the engine exhaust.

Your argument that belt drives are old technology is true, but by the same argument, we should all be driving vehicles with Wankel or Turbine engines because they are newer technology.

The transmission on the Rubicon has been around since the 1960's in one form or another. I would like to see a comparison of engine power transmission effiencies of the different transmissions before I claim one to be supperior to another.

I must applaud Honda on seeing the benefit of a large displacement, automatic transmission, utility machine. The entire industry will be better for their efforts.

 

I would not by a truck that was full time 3wd either.The snowmobile industry loves the belt dive system and compared in power quades are a joke compared to these machines. Whats a DS 650 or Raptor push, about 38HP? The 800 sleds push well over 100HP and the 400 sleds has about 60hp and the belts do fine.

 

If I could find a truck with a drive train run by a belt as reliable as the belts in my '89 and '00 Polaris quads, I'd buy that truck!

I put these quads through hell and have never had a belt problem in or out of mud, water, snow, etc. My '89 Trailboss is 11 years old now.

 

slickrock, I love my Rubicon but dont put down the belt system. With proper care and knowing when to use low, they do just fine. Like kevin_staton said the Rubicon tranny has been around for a while. All autos have a belt system in them. While it may not drive the tranny, it does drive some major components. There is also a Satrun SUV coming out with a CVT belt drive tranny. Here is the story:

http://www.autonet.ca/AutonetStories...m?storyID=1117

 

slick

I have managed to ignore your post in the Honda forum, but I guess you have made it your life goal to run down belt drive transmissions.

First - Congratulations on your new machine. You have bought a great machine that I am sure will provide you years of trouble free service. I am eager to try out the Rubicon transmission. (Anyone want to loan me one for a weekend)

Second - Have you ever owned a belt drive machine? I own two and have very little transmission noise on either one. The belt drive may be very simplistic and old technology, but it works. Is it foolproof? No, it definetly has limitations and belts do wear out. But at $35 per belt, not that much of a big deal.

Third - Just because you like your new machine, why do you need to run everyone elses machine down? Sure, several of these threads end up being "my quad is better than yours", but at the end of the day, who cares. You spend your money your way and I will spend mine my way. Not everyone wants the same thing in an atv. That is why we have different makes and models. That way, everyone can choose the model that best suits their needs.

If you still feel that you need to insult something to make your ego feel better, please insult Al Gore and leave the belt drives alone.

 

If there is a Rubicon that whines, there is something wrong with it - the owner should take it back to the dealer! My Rubicon's transmission stone quiet. I am also a Polaris fan and owner - I have no problem with belts.

 

Hey 3tv don,t take this belt thing to serious i was just rattling some chains. It is like being 16 all over again. (honda or Yamaha) This topic could get you in more trouble than a religious debate. I am like you I love all the machines. Go 650. You can,t believe the e-mails i have gotten. I would reccomend this forum to any lonely atver who wants neg. attention.............

 

I ride with two of them and they both whine. I'll let the guys know that they should have them checked.

Thanks,

 

Im on my second belt driven quad.I have NEVER had a belt related issue with either my 99 Sportsman or my current 00 Xplorer.Belts are so bad that the snowmobilers been using them trouble free for many yrs.I'd match my current belt driven 00 Xplorer anyday in any terrain with a Ruby!
Bill