Honda Rubicon
 

Hello,

So i was planning on getting a rancher 420 this spring, but have been looking at the Rubicon 500. Just wondering if this model is worth the extra cost.

Thanks

Now it comes to fit and what you really like.
Or the foreman keeping you in the 500cc market and price closer to the 420...

I think the foreman is a better choice over Rubicon

The rubicon doesn’t have a low enough first gear imo.

The old Rubicon Hydrostatic transmission was excellent for towing or dragging, The new automatic transmission was a step backwards.

No way!

I had the old hydrostatic transmission and it went at about 2500km if I remember. At $3k to fix I just traded it in on a grizzly 660 at the same dealership and haven’t gone back to Honda.

If you hunt, travel a lot in tough country and at slow speed or pull a lot of weight even occasionally, like dragging out a moose, get the regular gear driven transmission in the Rancher 420 manual/foot shift version. They also have a 2 wheel to 4 wheel with locking front diff option that is worth looking at.

There isn't much difference in power, the smaller machine is easier to maneuver and they both ride about the same.

I had mine for several years, no issues at all. I dragged a lot of elk with it.

if you concerned about the power, i believe the 500 only has a couple more HP than the 420. so the weight to power ratio is better on the 420.

Absolutely correct. On top of that the 500 actually has a 475 CC motor so it is only 55 CC bigger than the 420. Add the Rubicons extra 150 pounds of weight and it is easy to see that the Rancher will not suffer from the smaller motor, 27 HP versus 28.7 HP on the Rubicon.

Ive had a 2008 420 and a 2016 rubicon. I definitely enjoy owning the rubicon more. Both had the manual gear box, which is the only way to go. Bull low first gear works excellent when towing or in thick mud, otherwise just take off in 2nd. The rubicon on paper doesnt have much more power, but it is very noticeable when driving, and handles a bigger trailer with ease.

Eric

Foreman 500 with manual shift. Nothing to fail. Had two of these units both had over 10,000kms on them when sold. Cant kill them.

I had a 2006 500 Rubicon Cdn Trail I liked the machine but it always seemed under powered to me.

I have a 2012 and a 2013 420 lots of power and you can still have a little fun when in 2 wheel payed 6100 each

I have a 2007 Foreman 500 with the electronic shift and have had no issues. Lots of power in lower gears. Wish it had the locking diffs, I would rather have that vs a bit more power.

I have 2-07s in the Rubicon

Bullet broof machines, have been trouble free.

Bought them in Montana with winches when the dollar was at par.

Best deal I could find in AB, was 10,700

Great Falls was like just over 7g.

Been very happy with both!! :)

Don't mistake a Rincon for a Rubicon. A Rubicon 500 was a Foreman 500 with slightly larger engine, liquid cooling, and some other widget upgrades. A Rincon 680 had a 3 speed auto and independent rear suspension. Gearing sucked on the Rincon if into the heavy stuff.

The newer Rubicon and Rancher now both have independent rear suspension. Foreman still runs with a solid rear axle. Any of the 3 are bullet proof. More about what needs need to be met. Same could be said for the Yammy's as well.

I had a 2001 rubicon and a 2006 canadian trail rubicon. 2001 transmission went at 5k. And I changed the oil regularly. 2006 had the shift motor seize at 4200 and destroy the mesh gear to the transmission. Loved both quads. Till the repairs cost almost more than the machines. I still have a 1999 450 es. Bullet proof. 11k on the machine a few bearings and some brake pads. I would stay away from the fancy transmissions.

How do the Honda ATVs stack up against other brands like yamaha/Suzuki? I have a few buddies that swear by these other brands, and love to pronounce these brands superiority. I ran Honda years ago on the farm, and when i worked in the patch. The only other quad ive had any experience with is a little Suzuki Eiger, and i was impressed with the little machine. Saying that it was borrowed, and i never had to deal with purchase/fixing.

I've got an '07 Rubicon, it's pretty good. Plow the driveway with it, it's geared plenty low enough for that, although the 27" tires on it are too big for it - previous owner installed them and i've been too cheap to shrink 'em. Only trouble i've had was the angle sensor that works in concert with the shift control motor. Cost a few bucks to replace, but hopefully I get another 12 years out of the machine.

My buddy has a Yamaha 450 kodiak that has been pretty dang reliable as well, he lost one axle seal, but it was an easy replacement and back to running shape in no time.

I'd buy either one again. They've both been in the ATV and motorcycle game forever. I've ridden his Kodiak and it feels "tiny" compared to my giant tank of a Rubicon.

There was a very extensive thread on this topic just a couple of weeks ago. Honda pretty much came out number 1 with Yamaha in second.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ht=Quad+advice