[kybmu]

QUOTE ("brando")

Hey guys. I am buying an atv early next year, and I was leaning heavily toward the Rubicon, but after reading posts on this sight the last few days, I'm having second thoughts about it.

Are these machines really as troublesome as some of these posts make them out to be? Are the transmissions really that fragile?

It seems like almost everyone has had transmission failure of some kind, and it seems that electric problems are pretty common.

So, what I want to know is, what is the real deal with these machines? Did I just focus on the bad posts and not read many of the good posts?

Please help.

If you are concerned about the reliability of this bike don't give it a second thought. I have a 1100 km's on my bike and it feels the same has the day that I purchased it. Now that isn't such a big deal, however, My brother recommended this bike to me and I just had some seat time on his. His Rubicon is a 2002 and has 14000 km's (8800 miles) and it has been driven by his son, who is nineteen and let me just say he doesn't baby this machine. He showed me some of the thing he does with the bike and lets just say he will not be getting my bike anytime soon.

Anyway, my brother told me that the quad is 100% original except for the tires. Only time in the shop was for oil changes (and that has only happened 4 times sense he had it.). And when I took it for a test drive it still felt tight, like a new bike. Amazine.

My buddy's Grizzly is an 2003 and it has 4000 km's on it. Had some fun when it was new with the diff loc and the IRS. However, now the machine is 4 years old and constant work on the ball joints and coolent system. Always get towed back to camp. He got tired of it and bought a new 700 Yamaha, but just wait in about 4 years or so.

The Rubicon do not have the features of the Grizzly, however, I go everywhere they go and have far less problems. Again, if you planning to keep your bike for a long time and you don't want to be spending lots of money on repairs, Honda is the only way to go. If you want features ( things like diff loc, IRS, EFI) than Grizzly, King Quad or Can Am are a better choices.

My opinion Go with the Rubicon. Its a great system.

 

[kybmu]

QUOTE ("putang59")

2006 rubi here. I love it. But there is some really good machines on the market now and honda better step up. They may risk losing the dependability factor to the competitor.

I agree with that statement. Honda better do something here fast. Why don't they put IRS on the Rubicon. It's Automatic, so you're half way to making a good trail machiine right now.They all ready have a good work bike in the Foreman. Why do you need two in the same class? Who else is doing this?

 

[kybmu]

QUOTE ("Newt")

I perfer sra to irs because a foreman is a real work horse and an irs is weak and can't tow a load. Give me a sra anytime over a weak irs.

I agree, a SRA certainly in an important feature on some bikes and for a lot of people this is the only way to go. However, there are a lot of people riding this machines now and everyones needs and wants are different. For me I need a machine that can plow snow do light yard work and be very corfortable on a long trail ride. I don't need, nor do I want, more than 500 cc of power and the Rubicon does nearly everthing that I require in a quad. However, I think that it would be a much better machine if it had IRS.

I don't want a Rincon, cause it does have low gear and just a 3 speed tranny.

I feel that Honda has a very good work machine in the Foreman and I don't think that they should change one thing on that bike. It is the perfect work machine, but to have another work machine in the 500 cc class that is very similar to the foreman in everyway except tranny and Liquid cooled is silly.

With it's auto tranny and the reputation of reliability the Rubicon has if they put IRS on this bike ( and maybe EFI) I would bet that it would be the best selling quad on the market. They would not beable to keep this thing on the showroom floor and the waiting list for a bike like this would be years. Once again, they HAVE a 500 cc work bike. A lot of Honda people are going to Yamaha, suzuki, Can Am ,Polaris and Artic Cat to get the 500cc Trail bike that they want. Most do not want to leave Honda but a lot of these people feel if Honda isn't willing to change than they have to.

The IRS system on the Rincon is second to none and it would work perfactly on the Rubicon.

 

[kybmu]

QUOTE ("07bluerubi")

I have owned 2 rubicon's. First was an 02 and i had absolutely no trouble at all with it. My newest is an 07 and it already has a 100 trouble free miles as well. I don't abuse them but by no means baby them either. I trail ride and mud occasionally as well too. Do the recommended maintenance and i think they are great machines. Like i said i have had 2 of them and and would buy a 3rd tomorrow if i was looking. The transmission is the selling point IMO. Excellent engine braking and very smooth.

I agree 100% ....Great bike.