Rubicon VS The Rincon

34501 Views 49 Replies 18 Participants Last post by rdharper, Apr 5, 2007

Hondaman

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2007

I was in the market for buying a new rincon untill I read some of the posts. I use my fourwheeler for hunting and work around the farm. Why is the rubicon stronger than the rincon.
When I read some of the posts it made me think that I should buy a rubicon. Could someone explain why the rubicon is better for work.
I have a 98 forman now and it does fine but its getting worn out. Out of all the hondas what would be the best working ATV for me. I need one to drag small trees and haul a good load on a small trailer.

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big.alex.falls

· #2 · Jan 11, 2007

it has low gear and a five speed and strate axle the rincon has a three speed
no low and a indepent rear end. sow the rubi i heavy duty work horse and the rincon is a sport'e rig.

Yooperforeman

· #3 · Jan 11, 2007

I think for hard work and heavy loads that the Foreman 500 would be even better than a Rubicon.

Bigvick

· #4 · Jan 11, 2007

QUOTE ("Yooperforeman":2ogctebs)

I think for hard work and heavy loads that the Foreman 500 would be even better than a Rubicon.

Got that right! I like the Rubi's but for strictly working on the farm and such, I would go with the ForemanS 500 or the ES.

Hondaman

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 12, 2007

Thanks that helps

rdharper

· #6 · Jan 12, 2007

QUOTE ("big.alex.falls":eguqfvlz)

it has low gear and a five speed and strate axle the rincon has a three speed
no low and a indepent rear end. sow the rubi i heavy duty work horse and the rincon is a sport'e rig.

Rincon is the top of the line in Honda's "working class".

Also, the torque-converter gives a very low first gear, plus the superior control of an automatic transmission.

As to whether the difference is worth the higher cost of the Rincon, if you have to ask....

Yooperforeman

· #7 · Jan 12, 2007

I'd like to know if a Rincon could outpull a Foreman 500.I'm curious about that automatic and torque converter if it's any advantage over a manual transmission.I'd like to compare the two pulling the same load like skidding logs in the woods and see which one makes it look easier.I saw a Rincon at the ATV challenge this summer in the mud run and he was really having a tough time in the thick mud,The engine sounded like it was laboring hard and the tires were barely spinning

mac102004

· #8 · Jan 12, 2007

I know my Rinny will drag my 350 all over humanity and then some.

It depends on the "work" your doing around the farm, if your going to be towing heavy loads get the Rubicon. Or if your going to have a lot of weight on the racks. But if you want something with a awsome ride, awsome handling, and something that can handle a good bit of work get a Rinny. I have a small dairy farm here and I use my ATV's for general work on a regular basis. The Rincon is more of my play bike though.

Yooperforeman

· #9 · Jan 13, 2007

Thanks,that's good to know.I have never driven a Rincon so I can't speak from experience.I sure would like to try one out for a day though.

chump jr.

· #10 · Jan 15, 2007

QUOTE ("Bigvick":2ifbypz3)

QUOTE ("Yooperforeman":2ifbypz3)

I think for hard work and heavy loads that the Foreman 500 would be even better than a Rubicon.

Got that right! I like the Rubi's but for strictly working on the farm and such, I would go with the ForemanS 500 or the ES.[/quote]

Correct me if i am wrong but the 500 class foreman is actually a 475.. they just put it under the 500 class

Yooperforeman

· #11 · Jan 15, 2007

Yes,the foreman 500 is actually 475cc.

CardRon

· #12 · Jan 20, 2007

Hi, I think I can give you a good opinion. I have both, a 2004 Rubicon and a 2003 Rincon.

Heres the deal, the Rubicon is a workhorse. It has a good powerband for work with the 5 speeds and the auto tranny works great. One thing regardless of bikes is if your towing anything you dont really want a bike with IRS like the Rincon, it puts all the weight on the suspension and drags the backend down, the straight axle on the rubicon takes the weight on the tires instead of suspension.
Now the Rincon has plenty of power and will pull fine, the tranny is designed after an automatic car trans and can handle alot more than most ATV's but the powerband is designed more for recreation than work.

Bottom line is the Rubicon for more work than play, the Rincon for more Play than Work.

As far as the Foreman, They are very strong, but I would not waste a minute worrying about the strength difference between the two. After all a Rubicon is a Foreman, its there top of the line Foreman model to be exact, and the rubicon gives you the automatic or can switch to ES if you need to tow in a single gear for some reason plus offers the water-cooled engine which keeps the bike cooler under harsh conditions.

Hope this helps.

Best of all you cant go wrong with Honda

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rubicon9116

· #13 · Mar 28, 2007

QUOTE

Correct me if i am wrong but the 500 class foreman is actually a 475.. they just put it under the 500 class

least its not like a popo. they call it an 800cc but its actually a 760cc.

rdharper

· #14 · Mar 28, 2007

QUOTE ("CardRon":2braydrz)

Hi, I think I can give you a good opinion. I have both, a 2004 Rubicon and a 2003 Rincon.

As far as the Foreman, They are very strong, but I would not waste a minute worrying about the strength difference between the two. After all a Rubicon is a Foreman, its there top of the line Foreman model to be exact, and the rubicon gives you the automatic or can switch to ES if you need to tow in a single gear for some reason plus offers the water-cooled engine which keeps the bike cooler under harsh conditions.

Hope this helps.

Best of all you cant go wrong with Honda

Your summation is probably pretty much accurate, but I'm wondering if you meant Rincon as opposed to Rubicon in your sentence in the quote. ESP is only on Rincon, not Rubicon... correct?

My 2006 Rincon has ESP/Auto switch on right handlebar. With up/down shift switches under left thumb for when you are using ESP.

I like that option for going down steep hills for better control of shift points. Flat or uphill, I use auto. Love the Rincon.

kybmu

· #15 · Mar 28, 2007

QUOTE ("rdharper")

QUOTE ("big.alex.falls")

it has low gear and a five speed and strate axle the rincon has a three speed
no low and a indepent rear end. sow the rubi i heavy duty work horse and the rincon is a sport'e rig.

Rincon is the top of the line in Honda's "working class".

Also, the torque-converter gives a very low first gear, plus the superior control of an automatic transmission.

As to whether the difference is worth the higher cost of the Rincon, if you have to ask.... [/quote]
This is an incorrect statement. Rincon is the top of the line recreation class. The work quads start at the Rubicon and with the Rubicon, it's more of a duel purpose quad (trail and work). For pure work the foreman is the way to go. It's low end power is very strong. The Rincon is also a very powerful quad, but it's first gear is tall and I've heard that the torque converter doesn't stand up to work over time. I own a Rubicon, and it's strong, but you will(if you work it hard) see it's limits. For mostly work and a little trail riding, the Foreman is the best machine. The ride isn't soft like the Rincon, or even the Rubicon for that matter. However, for pure work, the geared driven foreman is the best choice from Honda.

When it comes to choosing a quad you will find that there are a lot of misconception out there. Honda makes the best work quads ,in my opinion, but in the power department there are strong machines out there, but just not has durable. Read lots, before you buy.

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kybmu

· #16 · Mar 28, 2007

QUOTE ("Yooperforeman")

I'd like to know if a Rincon could outpull a Foreman 500.I'm curious about that automatic and torque converter if it's any advantage over a manual transmission.I'd like to compare the two pulling the same load like skidding logs in the woods and see which one makes it look easier.I saw a Rincon at the ATV challenge this summer in the mud run and he was really having a tough time in the thick mud,The engine sounded like it was laboring hard and the tires were barely spinning

For a 650 Rincon, the Foreman would have no problem out pulling it. I've seen it out push a 660 grizzly. For speed or acceleration, the foreman isn't a great machine. For a 680, I still think it could out pull it.

#48FAN

· #17 · Mar 29, 2007

QUOTE ("kybmu":3q5sb0vz)

QUOTE ("Yooperforeman":3q5sb0vz)

I'd like to know if a Rincon could outpull a Foreman 500.I'm curious about that automatic and torque converter if it's any advantage over a manual transmission.I'd like to compare the two pulling the same load like skidding logs in the woods and see which one makes it look easier.I saw a Rincon at the ATV challenge this summer in the mud run and he was really having a tough time in the thick mud,The engine sounded like it was laboring hard and the tires were barely spinning

For a 650 Rincon, the Foreman would have no problem out pulling it. I've seen it out push a 660 grizzly. For speed or acceleration, the foreman isn't a great machine. For a 680, I still think it could out pull it.[/quote]

I still think it would be close, the main difference would be fuel injection. I would role with the Foreman, then the Rubicon and then the Rincon for what you are wanting to do. Sold axle will benefit you alot when working!

rdharper

· #18 · Mar 29, 2007

QUOTE ("kybmu":33vo5q0e)

Rincon is the top of the line in Honda's "working class".

This is an incorrect statement. Rincon is the top of the line recreation class. .

Not incorrect, exactly correct.

Rincon is top of the "Utility Class". It is meant to be used and compared to all of the other Foretrax products as a working class product.

See <a href="http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/utility/" target="_blank">http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/utility/</a>

kybmu

· #19 · Mar 30, 2007

QUOTE ("rdharper")

QUOTE ("kybmu")

Rincon is the top of the line in Honda's "working class".

This is an incorrect statement. Rincon is the top of the line recreation class. .

Not incorrect, exactly correct.

Rincon is top of the "Utility Class". It is meant to be used and compared to all of the other Foretrax products as a working class product.

See <a href="http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/utility/" target="_blank">http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/utility/</a>[/quote]

Well, the Honda website do list the rincon with the rest of the Utility Quads. However, If you go to the Hondanews.com website you will see that the Rincon, because of it sporty design and lack of Utilitarian features, Honda created a whole separated category which they called Recreational line. And if you think about it's that's exactly where it belongs. Because it's certainly not a sport quad. 600lbs, 4x4 and 10" of ground clearance eleminates it from that category. However, for different reasons, it certainly isn't a work machine either. Things like no low gear, IRS, small racks and only 3 speed with a tall first gear that is design for speed and acceleration eleminates it from the work group.

I'm not taken anything away from the Rincon. It's a great machine. Great for recreation and light work. However, for a pure utilility machine, Honda does think that it belongs with the rest of the work machines.

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rdharper

· #20 · Mar 30, 2007

QUOTE ("kybmu":30dab7vt)

I'm not taken anything away from the Rincon. It's a great machine. Great for recreation and light work. However, for a pure utilility machine, Honda does think that it belongs with the rest of the work machines.

Compared to the Rubicon for instance, the Rincon has several advantages in a pulling contest.

With a 275cc advantage, coupled with an excellent torque converter and more weight, I'd expect the Rincon to out pull the Rubicon every time. It comes down to traction and torque at the wheels, as you know.

It would be useful if Honda produced torque specifications... but alas.

Also, a well done IRS is an advantage in almost every situation, contrary to popular opinion. Honda knows that. It is not a coincidence that they put IRS on their best machine.

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