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Honda, are you listening??

559 Views 15 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  JeffinTD
My goal in creating this thread is to see if Honda is listening/watching this forum (or anyone else for that matter lol)!!!! I’ve emailed American Honda a couple times over the years. Gave them a few realistic suggestions on what I’d like to see in a flagship ATV. Doubt they’ve listened as I’m still not seeing what was on my wish list.
Perhaps some of you other members might sound off as to what you think Honda’s flagship ATV should look like for 2023 and beyond. I know there are some purists who say the current Rincon offering is perfect as is (I’m in that camp as long as you’re using it for trail riding) but with any great machine, there’s always room for improvement.
That being said, here’s a few of my suggestions and comments on what needs to stay the same and what needs an upgrade. Keep the Rincon the same low-slung, stable, narrow machine that it currently is.
Keep it light, nimble and reliable. But please add the Honda Pro-Connect rack system and front differential lock. I don’t want a heavy, hot v-twin engine. I’d be happy with a 700cc single, but Honda…….Honda…….please give us the six speed dual range gear driven transmission that the Pioneer models enjoy. And for god sakes, when it’s in MANUAL SHIFT MODE, don’t allow the computer to shift for us when it feels like it’s lugging too much (current Rubicon models do this). The absolute last thing I want on a massively steep hillclimb is the machine to start shifting for me when I don’t want it to. Some of us are still fully capable of shifting completely on our own. The current 3 speed fluid driven offering is fine for recreation and trail riding but falls short when trying to pull a heavy load in slow going conditions. The first gear is just too high. Heck, I’d really love the current 3 speed fluid driven transmission if it had a low range to compliment what it already has. As for power steering, I could care less and would never spend the extra money for it. Offer it as an option for those who think they need it. Please include a trailer hitch as standard equipment. Lastly, increase the capacity of the cooling system or make it cool better somehow. My only real complaint in owning 3 new Rincon’s is that they overheat easily when pushed hard in the snow. My brand new 2023 is no exception. No, the radiators aren’t plugged with mud. Yes, the fans work fine. I’ve owned many wheelers over the last 36 years and these 3 Rincon’s are the only ones I’ve owned that overheat when ridden hard in the snow (I’ve ridden the exact same trails and conditions with all of them). My other buddies that have owned Rincon’s all experienced the exact same issue so I know it’s a design flaw with the wheeler. So hopefully some other members will chime in and give their thoughts. Let’s hear them!
In conclusion, hopefully Honda will give the enthusiasts what they want in a flagship ATV in the near future. Honda, are you listening??!!
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I read this post and smiled. Smiled at how well Honda got it right. I would like power steering. That’s about all.

Mine is a 2003. I don’t get much snow, but mine kicks the cooling fan on much less than my buddy’s Rancher.

Twenty years later, I am amazed I still am happy with my Rincon and that Honda is lazy enough to still be making it. Although they are sneaking in cheaper steel parts for the old aluminum forgings.
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They definitely got it right the first time around. Just think, that was 20 years ago and it’s still the best trail riding wheeler out there! I like my Rincon better than that new 2022 Grizzly I owned, that’s why I traded back to the Honda.
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I only use mine for trails and light farm work. I have a 4wd tractor for real work. It still looks pretty good too. Not bad for over 13,000 miles.
Wheel Tire Automotive tire Hood Vehicle
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That’s a great looking Rincon! Think I’ll get some 25” original Bighorns for mine in the future. Wish they still offered green.
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I will send a letter to honda customer relation if you would like
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It can only help. I’ve done that a couple times over the years.
Yeah, if I were king of Honda, the Rincon would get low range, eps, 3rd headlight.
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Sky Automotive tire Wood Tire Wheel

Low range would be a welcome addition when pulling a heavy wagon. That first gear is just a bit too high for work like this. It does it, but doesn’t really like it!
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I use my other ATV
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Yeah, if I were king of Honda, the Rincon would get low range, eps, 3rd headlight.
And locking diffs
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A locking front differential would be a welcome addition. I will say this: the front differential in the Rincon is far superior to the “open” diff in the Grizzly. The Rincon will spin and hold both front tires much longer and more reliably than the Grizzly will. When in four wheel drive, the Grizzly easily goes into the situation where one front wheel spins wildly and one tire just sits there stagnant. We all know that you can drag the front brake on the Rincon and get both front wheels to spin, almost as if it has a differential lock. Helps out in a lot of slow crawling situations. Yamaha equipped the Grizzly with a front differential lock option. You need to push a button, flip a switch and wait for it to engage etc etc. When it does engage you are limited to 20 mph before a rev limiter kicks in, then you have to hold an override button if you wish to go faster with diff lock engaged. In my experience, it’s way more of a pain in the shorts to use than what it’s worth. Mine never disengaged properly and you were left with the rev limiter kicking in when you were back in high range two wheel drive etc. I know Honda would build a better operating diff lock to engage/disengage smoother. I’ll gladly offer my 36 years and 75,000 miles of ATV riding experience (72,000 miles on Honda ATV’s) to help Honda make a better ATV for their customers. Honda of America, are you listening?
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Yeah I wouldn’t mind a manual lock option, but I actually like how Honda’s limited slip performs in the wild. In my experience using the front brake is only necessary when one front tire is in the air, or has next to zero traction.

I also like how the limited slip doesn’t abruptly engage, as I’ve seen another brand do. Sit there with 3 wheels spinning, then suddenly the wheel with weight on it locks kinda deal.
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Honda’s front differential is very good. I never thought a locker was needed. I’m more a trail rider though.
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Agreed. The front Honda differential is great for most all trail riding situations. I’ve only ever felt I needed a locker in the most extreme situations like rock crawling or off camber mud bog situations where you don’t want to have to think about dragging the front brake to “lock it up”. A good rider can make due and overcome the lack of a locker. If I could make one single change to the Rincon, and one change only, it would be the addition of a low range option. Other than that it’s perfect. All the other amenities that I asked Honda for are just wishes (locker, pro connect racks, hitch) etc. Low range would make it the perfect wheeler for every situation. The high temp light in deep snow issue is easily remedied by taking a break with a favorite trail beverage while it cools down lol.
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Agreed. It is especially baffling when you look at the forward/reverse gears. It doesn’t look like it would add much weight or complexity to have forward/reverse/low.

Honda also made a new version of the old Trail 110, the CT125, but for some reason did not include the low range. IMHO one of the neat features from the 110. I’ve heard it possible to get the CT125 into steep and loamy stuff where it won’t turn the rear wheel, and now they’ve updated the machine with more stroke/less bore to increase torque…
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