Not only does he provide a better review than some other UTV channels, he gives honest feedback on the units. good or bad. additionally, he's not like another off road channel that typically reviews trucks, then dabbles into UTVs, where they pretend to know UTVs. This channel should be more recognized. truly a class act.
I own a 2017 500 I have 6934 trouble free miles on it. Walker Evans shocks make it ride like a dream. Mine is use for nothing but trail riding. I own a pioneer 1000 but ride this one more.
Thanks for your comment, I've been looking into the WE shocks for my 2020 p500 and seeing your comment does help. Cheers! Looking forward to thousands of miles more!
So for the money the base 1000 vs 520 if all I plan to do is trail ride and ride my dog around the power lines. Would you suggest the 520 over the 1000 I’m just struggling to trying to pay 18k for the base model 1000
I’ve got a 2018 Pioneer 1000. It gets worked hard several times a week and so far zero issues at all. Two oil changes and that’s it. Has carried tons and tons of firewood the bed is excellent. Plows my long gravel driveway with a 72” Warn plow like a beast. I will keep it forever. I’ve got two Rubicons same deal. Love Honda quality and engineering.
I love my 520. Two quick points First forgot to mention that with the smiler size it just fits into a full size truck bed which was big for us and second on the shifting two things it’s important to let it warm up per the manual and I don’t know how many miles were on that one but as mine has broke n the shifting gets smoother Great video
I just purchased this machine 2023 model. I bought it for hunting. I moved the suspension to the softest mode and dropped the tire pressure to 4 psi. Made a huge difference in ride comfort.
I had a 2011 Yamaha Rhino 700 several years ago. It did fine out on trails but for utility purposes it wasn't great if you were trying to do chores around the house due to the rear axle being locked all the time. I hardly used the 4WD in it, and even more rarely used the front locker...so this Honda Pioneer 520 would probably do most of everything I'd need in a UTV. I don't want a huge UTV if you want one of those you may as well buy a nice used pickup and have a nice cab and heat and AC. I got rid of the Rhino 3 years later and bought a 2WD 1987 Ford Ranger 5 speed, does everything I used the Rhino for and its street legal and gets much better fuel economy than the UTV ever could.
I think if you're used to riding an ATV this might be a natural fit. If you're used to riding in larger UTVs then that might explain where he's coming from with the ride
He's 300 lbs. The 520 is a workhorse and will go anywhere you want it to go if you have it set up right. 5 gears with selectable AT or MT. The 700 is bigger but only has 3 gears and is only AT. The 700 sounds like it's going to explode the whole time.
Got to try a Pioneer 500 this week and it was a nice simple machine. When the market cools off I'll pick one up used, install better tires and build my own box on the back. Nice machine!
At 6ft 4in tall I hate sport sxs and utilities are my choice. 50 inches wide will fit in the bed of my truck, another plus. With the market so tight right now most of the machines that come in are pre-sold, and with people having them modified before they even take delivery it's a sellers market. I'll have to wait till one comes in for service to check one out. No salesman, listen to what the customer who paid a premium thinks about it, and give it a little shake down cruise out back. I might have to let one of my Brute Forces go, if that little 520 is up to snuff. Great review, thanks.
Thanks for the review. I think you missed having you and your dad sit in it and drive around though. If nothing more but for the comedic relief.... see who gets annoyed first...
Do you think he’s right about not buying it for fun but only for work? Because I want one for trail riding most of the time mixed in with odd and end work stuff. But mostly fun, with the justification of using it for work.
@@DrewCreate year late, but it's still fun for what he's doing. If you want to rip and expect this to rip than this isn't for you. This is a work horse that can be taken out and have fun with. Its why I want one as well.
Thanks for reviewing the 520. I test drove a 500 a few years ago and was surprised there was just a rack on the back instead of a bed. Where I live there are trails where your machine can't be more than 50" wide, so this works for that. Add a few accessories and the price jumps quickly. Not many will go out the door at $9,500, if any.
During covid and this backlog of so any products you bet your bippy they're going out the door at 9500. These dealers don't have to even deal they dictate the price and it's full retail plus setup plus this plus that and they get it no questions asked often times without even having someone in person there to buy it
I have the same machine and just had the first service done by the dealer, valves need adjustment so had them do it. $285 here in Canada. Overall love the machine, you are right it shifts a little rough I’m automatic mode but great in manual mode. I use the manual mode wife uses the Auto mode. Only one draw back no relief on corner ,turning on grass. Tears the lawn up, otherwise perfect.
Awesome no BS review as always ! I'm a big Honda fan as I'm more utility than sport anyway. That said at today's exchange rate of . 79c US = $1 C, why isn't $9500 US = $11495 C ?? That is a long way from $14000 and not in the good way.
As Canadians we like to think we are treated the same as the Americans when it comes to pricing. It’s not the case. They charge whatever the think they can get.
@@coryr3967 I’d rather my Talon 1000 be a little bit slower than a rzr or xmr but have the quality of Honda. It’s a 1000 so it still has plenty of power.
Crossroads is a company that makes aftermarket glove boxes and bigger cup holders that drop-in so you can put tumblers in them instead of only a can of pop. Very happy with mine also I put switches I'm the left and right of the speedometer for the blinkers and the horn
Ah, yes, mornings are better with Truck King! That is a nice machine, and a great review! In my opinion, if it had a wind screen and a soft roof top, it would be perfect. 😀
They listened to feedback...right. That's why there's no locker in front, no power steering and still only a 500 engine. Don't get me wrong, I love my 2020 p5. It goes everywhere, with back rack the sky's limit on what you can do with it. I built a wood bed for mine. Great buggy, but it need more power. Polaris had razor trail that's 50 inch class. 900 motor and lockers. That's faster, better riding and has lockers. Only drawback is it's a belt drive. Those suck
A transmission with gears in my opinion is a better option. Yes a CVT is smooth, but gears give you options. A CVT gives you 1 option, while a 5 speed transmission gives you 5. Gears in my subjective opinion work better when it comes to what this vehicle was made for.
Fun! Really! I'm 82 years old and put putting down the trail is awesome! We don't need speed, dependable is the name of the game. Get me and my wife home safe! Love the lower horsepower to move along easy. Good job.
This is kind of unrelated to a review, but you can't buy these. I tried last week. Honda is slowly allocating a couple at a time every several weeks to whatever dealer they choose. I am told by two places, large places, that they don't even know for sure when they will get them. Yet, the dealerships keep running ads for them. I gave up and bought a good used Polaris. I am just saying, they should quit advertising what they don't have to sell, (and won't have to sell), for months.
Everything you say is true. I was thinking of buying one next year and my friend that is a salesman called me and said he had one coming in august and the buyer backed out. I told him I'll take it. I already own a pioneer 500 so I know what I"m getting. I'm passing the p500 to my son and he's happy
I hate the stock turf tires. Those would be the first to go. The tilting bed is ... meh. Honda really should have put in a diff lock and cab storage to make this model stand out from the P 500.
Speaking of CVT transmission - unless you're driving in good weather on flat pavement, you don't really want CVT. It's overheating, it's slipping and in any conditions that put strain on the belts will fail sooner rather than later. And all that for a hefty price tag (and the "repairs" are ridiculously expensive also). The "reliability" of CVT is a myth. CVT has not been around to build such a reputation - it'a all "hype".
i got a p520 an boy your wrong on the not having fun and trail riding part mine goes places you wont beleive me and my son go trail riding every weekend took it to mudbash and went through some deep holes hell i climbed hills that a can am and rzr wouldnt even attempt
@@Sheepletonreally same suspension same interior bigger engine and harder on fuel and yeah it has a dump bed. Sorry did I miss anything. No diff lock just put a 518 engine with same shocks and same 5.8 inches of travel and yeah the dump box. Did I hurt your feelings.
I like the machine, i've done some intense trail rides with guys on the older P500's and they run great in the tight trails, but as mentioned the suspension is garbage. Would someone pay $1500 more for some better factory suspension options, diff lock and alloy rims with a 26" tire package?.. i would (seriously... 24" stock tires?) Will honda do this? ..no. They already have the components from other models to use, however they pride themselves a little bit too much still on their name Alone. The Japanese manufactures don't put their names on things they know wont last long
@@hunt16 Don't buy into all the hype. I rode ATVs for 12 straight years and bought a new machine every year and went through unimaginable terrain getting stuck and pulling people out and everything else...winter, spring, summer and fall in western New York. I had Japanese machines mainly Yamaha and Suzuki and never once never once never once had any kind of a belt issue. Belt issues are for Polaris
At 320 hours I had to rebuild the front drive on my 400 ranger. It’s a good machine overall but I’ve had several Honda’s and they were used far harder than my ranger, with basically nothing more than oil and filters. I’m seriously considering selling my ranger and buying a 520 pioneer.
Here is a great inexpensive ($40) addition to your Honda side by side. This guy does a great review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EqVLWcftZnU.html
I like the Honda, but I got Ranger xp 1000 (winter prep too) for 20,500. The difference for another 6k is too much to pass up. Now that I have the size and space, I couldn’t go back to a 50 inch
We are polar opposites, after seeing where the 520 can go I would probobly never go back to a 1000. They're just so big and derpy which makes bush work a chore. Not to mention the defender 1000 was three times the price of the 520.
@@WilliamStewart1 I’ve actually had a friend buy a 520 and I really do like it a lot. It’s simple and it’s nice. But, it’s a tight fit, there’s no storage inside, the accessories aren’t the best, the automatic transmission isn’t the smoothest, anyway I don’t want to beat up on it. I do really like it. The Honda has two major advantages width and price. But, if had both the Ranger would be used 95% of the time.
@@milkman69x If I lived on an open Farm or flat land then yes I would stick with the Defender, it's got tons of power and pulls really well on flatish ground. I live in Middle/Northern Ontario though so the terrain is all rock shelfs and tight forrests. I tried to make the Defender work but it just doesn't. It's too wide and always gets hung up on stuff plus it doesn't like uneven/rocky terrain.
why can't you have fun with it,, not everyone drives atv's like evil knievel, we have a 2015 can-am outlander max xt 1000 2 up in camo, 86 stock horsepower, we just site see and go for casual rides on the trails, it has more power then we'll ever need or use, i wouldn't mind having that pioneer 520,
We have had the 2017 Pioneer 500 since it was new. The only thing we have done to it is put 27 inch tires and a winch. A huge improvement in ground clearance ( much better than the polaris rzr 800 we used to have) It's bouncy though. Like driving the CJ I had back in the day. A blast on trails as long as your not going to fast.
I have the exact same model and love it! I actually use this as my daily driver because UTVs are legal to drive on the roads where I live. Best machine ever. It only cost $20 to fill the tank and it last me 2 weeks between fill ups. It also is a Beast for plowing snow.
We bought aa new P500 in 2018. Originally my concern was not being to do some trails due to ground clearance. What actually happened is we go more places than we ever have due to 50". I installed 26" tires.
Now if honda would put power steering and suspension that won’t cause you to need back surgery then it would be so much better for this pioneer and anyone who uses it
I've got a Pioneer 500. The transmission smooths out after you break it in. It's really harsh the first couple hundred miles so maybe that's what you were experiencing was a new unit.
that is why they call them entry level 50 inch wide you are not going to get rides like the Polaris canam great review but cannot compare to belt drive drive it is not a car trans like Honda well enough of my bs everbody have a great day and be safe
He has a thorough review on it. Only caution is I see conflicting data points Between trustworthy RU-vidrs on what size of person can be comfortable for what period of time in the back jump seats.
The Honda Pioneer is a great machine. If you have kids for the rear I will say the seats are terrible. There’s a lot going on in the back to transform from bed to seats and the seats are basically creepers you’d slide around on your garage floor with…. If you’re not planning on taking kids with you it’s fine. For a family of 4 I would highly recommend a Kawasaki Teryx 4…. very reliable machine and seating for 4 adults…. All in a short wheelbase package like the Honda…. there’s the wolverine from Yamaha as well but if back seat comfort is a requirement you won’t beat the Teryx! Once you compare prices and warranties the Teryx is even more appealing. We recently installed a bump seat in the rear and 3 kids can ride in comfort in the back now. Very nice machines
What the hell is wrong with the Canadian pricing? It's $2000 over what you would expect with the current exchange rate, may as well go buy it in USA in a state with no income tax.
The problem with Canadian pricing is that it has nothing to do with the exchange rate. All manufacturers in Canada price according "to what the market will bear". If we keep buying them at inflated prices don't be surprised that we get hosed.
Your review is spot on!!! I have a 2018 Honda Pioneer 500 and love snow plowing with it in the winter and some trail riding in the summer. It is miserly on gas but adding a couple of 2 gallon RotoPax tanks on the side helps to ensure you have outstanding range. Super reliable and outstanding resale helps to make the P500 a great little UTV. Thx again!
I HAVE The 2020 Honda Pioneer 500 BLUE, "T BUCKET" We Call It,, Got Winch, Split Honda Windshield and Rear, CB, 27x10x14 Super Swampers, it's 78" Tall with Roof and 55" Wide With Tires, I RIDE WITH ALL The SXS Makes, And This P500 Keeps Up With Them ALL.. YES, It May Only Max Out at 40mph, BUT The Trails We're ON Here in Central ARKANSAS That's PERFECT For Me, IT's Bouncy for Sure, BUT I Can GO Up and Down Ever Trail Those BIG SXS Can Go, And EASIER on Most Trails, Cause They Are to WIDE. And get Caught Up in the Tree's. LOVE MY "T BUCKET". And NO Dump Bed.. Just a Nice TOOL BOX That Holds My Small Cooler and Room For, Snacks etc, .
A few questions: What is Top Speed? Does it have a Turf Mode? And Is there enough Engine Heat Shielding to keep the seats and cab from getting hot like many other UTVs?
Stick the cvt drives where they fit. Honda is the only 1 with some sort of transmission. They are sold out in Australia. Must be doing something right.
