First Ride... Results - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

whiskymud · 12-18-2011, 10:11 AM

Well I've had this new Foreman in the garage since 10/26 and only put 11 miles on it until yesterday. I met two friends who own a newish Rubicon and a Rincon and we headed to Michaux State Forrest ATV area.

This atv trail system is known for the brutal rocks... and they rocks are EVERYWHERE!!! I have ridden here many times in the past and just hate it due to the rocks.... but at least it is a place to go and spin the tires.

I'm not very good a writing... especially any kind of review but here goes....

Knowing the Foreman 500 isn't made to be a trail racing, rock taming type of atv I really liked the styling, reputation, belt free trans, and quality so with that said... I bought this atv NOT expecting the best of anything on the trails.

As we started down the trails I was very concerned with the lack of ground clearance as my last machine had 12"... would the rocks beat this machine to death on the under side?? To my surprise on the 30 miles I only remembered two instances where I could hear the clank of a rock underneath. I really expected alot of bumps and scrapes but it didn't happen.... Whewww!!!

The Foreman rode as expected on the exceptionally rocky terrain, by no means a smooth ride as I have heard a Polaris or others would give but I always felt like I had good traction. In most cases I crawled thru the worst sections in 2nd gear with the most xtreme crawling in 1st. I was surprised that even at a stand still I could crawl from a stop out of anything in second gear if I wished....

With that said, this machine felt geared very low. Having no low range at time of purchase was not really a conern as with the lack of Diff Lock as I never used it on the last machinge I had. So... I guess the lower gears were really what I expected but the higher range gears (4th and 5th) just seem to low. I've heard the top speed of this Foreman is 53 but on the one open dirt road we ran at one point I was cruising in the low 40 mph range and it was screaming pretty good. Not wanting to push it to hard to soon, I didn't go any faster.

Being used to a full size atv with IRS I was amazed at the ease and fun of being able to work this machine. Sliding thru corners with the straight axle was awesome and I really felt like I controlled this bike and I wasn't just along for the ride.

Another function that really impressed me was the electric shift. Over 30 miles of brutal rocky terrain and not one time did I shift the wrong way. Every shift was a bump of the button and it was precise and accurate everytime. I thought for sure at some point I would down shift by accident or vice versa but it never happend.

Over all I got what I expected for the price and I'm very pleased. I can't wait to visit some of the other atv areas that I frequent that have more to offer... mud, hill, etc...

I do appologize for not having pics... I promise I will have some the next time.

Tank · 12-18-2011, 10:41 AM

Thats great to hear. I have an 08 and trail ride it everywhere, from hills to rocks and anything in between. Its not a smooth ride, but I do get back to the truck everytime. So whiskymud dont be afraid to take her out and enjoy!

4MANS4EVER · 12-18-2011, 10:47 AM

great to here you like it so much, im sure it will continue to keep you happy for many years and miles to come, 3 of my freinds switched from honda to grizzlys and two of them have been through two drive belts each so far but they like the IRS thats why they switched, so now i haved named them the three stooges the rack on those yamahas dont come close to comparing to a honda rack they are very cheap and could be bent with just your hands!!! try doing that with a honda rack!, so now my buddy has a bent rack and im to blame because he said it couldnt be done

rich450es · 12-18-2011, 10:52 AM

the 2012 rear shock is 5 way adjustable and may be set too stif for your riding conditions . there should be a shock wrench in your tool bag .

Dcrockett05 · 12-18-2011, 01:11 PM

Can u adjust the rear schocks on the 2011's?

rich450es · 12-18-2011, 01:42 PM

i dont think so
you will need to look at the bottom of the shocks and see if it has the step notches
see below

Steve07 · 12-19-2011, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiskymud

Being used to a full size atv with IRS I was amazed at the ease and fun of being able to work this machine. Sliding thru corners with the straight axle was awesome and I really felt like I controlled this bike and I wasn't just along for the ride.

Sometimes I miss the looks I got on the big AC 650 coming out of turns. It would lean back, and with no sway bar, roll over and pick the front inside tire off the ground under acceleration. Couldn't really powerslide if you tried. The Honda is definitely more fun that way...

hoopty-cuztom · 12-20-2011, 08:28 PM

lol good luck finding that shock wrench mine didnt come with one,lol
i used the wrench for my valkyrie

sspeckerwood · 12-20-2011, 08:32 PM

they dont come with a spanner wrench.

i had one left over from my old vtx.

you can get them at your dealer or online. i doubt there more than $20.

i run my fronts at the lowest setting and the rear at the 3rd setting. i ride 2up all the time and love the smooth ride

07 foreman 500 · 12-20-2011, 10:48 PM

whiskymud sounds like you had a nice ride. I have gotten my foreman up to 58mph that was going down hill on flat ground I can get 55 out of it, but it does take some time to get up there. The foreman's do ride rough on the rocks from the dubble rear shocks just nature of the beast. But getting back to the truck every day and hauling other guys home is part of having a honda. I would have liked to see pictures try to get some next time. You'll have 1,000's and 1,000's of miles of fun

12-18-2011, 10:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
whiskymud Honda Rider Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 71	First Ride... Results Well I've had this new Foreman in the garage since 10/26 and only put 11 miles on it until yesterday. I met two friends who own a newish Rubicon and a Rincon and we headed to Michaux State Forrest ATV area. This atv trail system is known for the brutal rocks... and they rocks are EVERYWHERE!!! I have ridden here many times in the past and just hate it due to the rocks.... but at least it is a place to go and spin the tires. I'm not very good a writing... especially any kind of review but here goes.... Knowing the Foreman 500 isn't made to be a trail racing, rock taming type of atv I really liked the styling, reputation, belt free trans, and quality so with that said... I bought this atv NOT expecting the best of anything on the trails. As we started down the trails I was very concerned with the lack of ground clearance as my last machine had 12"... would the rocks beat this machine to death on the under side?? To my surprise on the 30 miles I only remembered two instances where I could hear the clank of a rock underneath. I really expected alot of bumps and scrapes but it didn't happen.... Whewww!!! The Foreman rode as expected on the exceptionally rocky terrain, by no means a smooth ride as I have heard a Polaris or others would give but I always felt like I had good traction. In most cases I crawled thru the worst sections in 2nd gear with the most xtreme crawling in 1st. I was surprised that even at a stand still I could crawl from a stop out of anything in second gear if I wished.... With that said, this machine felt geared very low. Having no low range at time of purchase was not really a conern as with the lack of Diff Lock as I never used it on the last machinge I had. So... I guess the lower gears were really what I expected but the higher range gears (4th and 5th) just seem to low. I've heard the top speed of this Foreman is 53 but on the one open dirt road we ran at one point I was cruising in the low 40 mph range and it was screaming pretty good. Not wanting to push it to hard to soon, I didn't go any faster. Being used to a full size atv with IRS I was amazed at the ease and fun of being able to work this machine. Sliding thru corners with the straight axle was awesome and I really felt like I controlled this bike and I wasn't just along for the ride. Another function that really impressed me was the electric shift. Over 30 miles of brutal rocky terrain and not one time did I shift the wrong way. Every shift was a bump of the button and it was precise and accurate everytime. I thought for sure at some point I would down shift by accident or vice versa but it never happend. Over all I got what I expected for the price and I'm very pleased. I can't wait to visit some of the other atv areas that I frequent that have more to offer... mud, hill, etc... I do appologize for not having pics... I promise I will have some the next time.

12-18-2011, 10:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tank Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kennesaw Georgia Posts: 1,059	Thats great to hear. I have an 08 and trail ride it everywhere, from hills to rocks and anything in between. Its not a smooth ride, but I do get back to the truck everytime. So whiskymud dont be afraid to take her out and enjoy! __________________ F&AM Rockwell 191 PM 08 Foreman ES Camo XTREME 2" lift 26in Swamplites, ITP wheels Moose skid plate Tusk hand guards 1 1/2" wheel spacers 4" storage tube "Black" 2 50 cal ammo cans "Black" WARN XT2500 Hockey puck spring spacers 07 Recon ES Green 1 1/2" wheel spacers 2" lift Tusk hand Guards

12-18-2011, 10:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
4MANS4EVER Honda Lover Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UPSTATE NY mohawk valley Posts: 377	new foreman great to here you like it so much, im sure it will continue to keep you happy for many years and miles to come, 3 of my freinds switched from honda to grizzlys and two of them have been through two drive belts each so far but they like the IRS thats why they switched, so now i haved named them the three stooges the rack on those yamahas dont come close to comparing to a honda rack they are very cheap and could be bent with just your hands!!! try doing that with a honda rack!, so now my buddy has a bent rack and im to blame because he said it couldnt be done __________________ 2003 rubicon 26 in. mudweisers itp c-series type 7 wheels 2500 lb. ramsey winch aluminum products front guard 450 foreman headlight guard warn 424 kit 1987 foreman 350D 25 in. blackwaters 2000 lb. gorilla winch foot guards k&N filter

12-18-2011, 10:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,578	the 2012 rear shock is 5 way adjustable and may be set too stif for your riding conditions . there should be a shock wrench in your tool bag . __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

12-18-2011, 01:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dcrockett05 Honda Rider Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Western KY Posts: 64	Can u adjust the rear schocks on the 2011's? __________________ 2011 Honda Foreman 500 ES Red Warn RT2500 Winch yep..thats about it. Other Toys 2011 Chevy Silverado W/T 5.3L 4x4 2007 Mustang w/ few mods. 2008 Suzuki GSX650F stock

12-18-2011, 01:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,578	i dont think so you will need to look at the bottom of the shocks and see if it has the step notches see below __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

12-20-2011, 08:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
hoopty-cuztom Honda Rider Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 56	lol good luck finding that shock wrench mine didnt come with one,lol i used the wrench for my valkyrie

12-20-2011, 08:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
sspeckerwood Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: tooele, ut Posts: 8,718	they dont come with a spanner wrench. i had one left over from my old vtx. you can get them at your dealer or online. i doubt there more than $20. i run my fronts at the lowest setting and the rear at the 3rd setting. i ride 2up all the time and love the smooth ride __________________ 2012 TRX500FM FOREMAN. SSPECKERWOOD 3RD HEADLIGHT MOD QUAD BOSS REAR SEAT 26" SWAMPLITES KFI #3000 WINCH HOT GRIPS HEATED GRIPS & THUMB WARMER HONDA ALUMINUM A-ARM GUARDS 00' FOREMAN 450es HIGH LIFTER SPRINGS FRONT & REAR MAXXIS TIRES OFF A 2012 FOREMAN 500 SSPECKERWOOD 3RD HEADLIGHT MOD http://www.flickr.com/photos/sspeckerwood/ http://www.youtube.com/user/sspeckerwood Official hondaforeman.com stickers IF YOU WOULD LIKE OFFICIAL HONDAFOREMAN.COM STICKERS PM ME.

12-20-2011, 10:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
07 foreman 500 Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: maine Posts: 897	whiskymud sounds like you had a nice ride. I have gotten my foreman up to 58mph that was going down hill on flat ground I can get 55 out of it, but it does take some time to get up there. The foreman's do ride rough on the rocks from the dubble rear shocks just nature of the beast. But getting back to the truck every day and hauling other guys home is part of having a honda. I would have liked to see pictures try to get some next time. You'll have 1,000's and 1,000's of miles of fun __________________ 2007 Honda Foreman 500 4X4 S (Mine) 26's ITP Mud Lite XTR'S 4,000lbs Promark winch Warn skid plates + A-arm's duplicolor bed armored racks Polaris The way out... behind a Honda Best on Earth 2000 Honda Rancher 4x4 ES (Dad's) AMS Swamp Fox Tires 3,000lbs Promark winch 2000 Honda 90 (Brother's) stock Sold 1997 Honda Recon S 1998 Honda Foreman ES 450 6,100mi Youtube http://www.youtube.com/burnshpfan Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/68436721@N02/

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