Until this year, the TRX500 Rubicon has been Honda’s most elaborate ATV. Its strengths lie in the transmissions, which offer three gear selection modes, in the excellent low integration of the powertrain and in the chassis, which ensures a very low centre of gravity, in particular through the longitudinal mounting of the OHV engine. However, his strengths don’t stop there.
Honda has equipped the Rubicon with an independent and adjustable suspension for more precise grip on the terrain, increased comfort, and better control on rough trails.
Compared to the Foreman, the Rubicon, which is more geared towards recreational use, features a wider and thicker seat, a more natural driving position, innovative comfortable handles, and aggressive tires. The bodywork is of very high quality in the industry, and the machine comes standard with a front bumper. There are also new racks that are compatible with the Honda accessory tie-down system and a waterproof storage space under the front rack. All that is missing is an easily accessible tie-down hook so you can pull the stuck ATV, or secure it in the trailer. The body size has remained very compact, to the point where there is little room for the feet of two people with the installation of a booster seat.
The Honda TRX520 Rubicon, depending on the model, offers a revolutionary dual-clutch DCT automatic transmission with High / Low mode sub-transmission, whose gears are selected by a foot lever, or manually by thumb buttons, or automatic. The traction system is 2WD / 4WD multimode with a front differential lock. This transmission has been revised to improve the gear changes of the DCT transmission. But above all, the unpleasant handle for engaging reverse gear was finally abandoned.
The Rubicon can do the big jobs thanks to its 600 kg (1,322.7 lb) towing capacity, but this technical feature forced Honda to limit the top speed to 78 km / h. The increased engine size improved power and torque at low and mid-speed, but things remained the same for the high-speed range. When riding in a group in open forest paths, it can be painful for the pilot and his machine to keep pace. However, on a narrower trail, the general comfort of the machine, the precision of its power steering, and the responsiveness of the transmission ensure flawless driving pleasure. In addition, the compact size of the vehicle will allow it to squeeze into very tight spots.
WHAT’S NEW?
New colors.
The Pros:
- The skillfulness of the ATV which is designed to the highest quality standards and its legendary toughness will give you many years of worry-free service.
- Industry-unique DCT transmission, which delivers a flawless performance, allows the vehicle to be operated in either manual or automatic mode.
- Honda’s legendary quality of finish and reliability, guaranteeing excellent resale value.
The Cons:
- The compact bodywork leaves little room for two passengers after installing a booster seat.
- The below industry top speed will put you in pain when group riding on forest roads.
Skills:
