Jacob: I’m an old man, 70 with wife, who knows her age. Love your video. It tells me what I need to know. Experienced at 50 but not so much at 70. I bought this bike. Happy. You tell it like it is. Thanks.
@@robd1859You’re wrong bud. It may be a generation gap thing, but many people call their quads a bike! I’m in the group that calls them what they are, so for me, I call it a quad like you do.
I'm gonna be getting one soon. Your video just helped me make my choice on what kind of transmission I want. Thanks for uploading this video and keep up with the awesome videos.
Thanks. I'm considering one of these so this was really helpful. Would have liked watching you drive in manual shift mode too. My current quad has CVT which works very well. What I NEED is power steering because I have bad arthritis in my shoulder, which is why I'm considering this machine.
Great video man and I agree with every reason you stated on the pros and cons of the different trannys. There is no right or wrong, it depends on YOU and what you like and plan to do with it. I just bought my wife a 2022 Recon ES yesterday and if it was for myself, I'd get the ES too.
Im picking up my Foreman 520 foot shift with power steering and solid rear axle next week. I have a Rincon for riding and the Foreman will be the worker. I just wanted my new machine as plainly mechanical as possible. Love Honda.
Both are good. Can’t go wrong with either. As someone who owns a foreman 450es and has changed multiple angle sensors, I would still get a brand new es/ dct today
The best option is a CVT. But if your asking for a Honda only option... Both are meh. The auto, I know 3 people, all are 2018 and newer, I'm not familiar with models, but 2 are the same, one is the same as yours. They ALL have the same transmission issues where it doesn't shift when it should and almost always up hill when you need it to work right so you don't die. The dealership had the one a total of 13x over 4 years and approx 14000km if I recall. They always said they can't figure it out. Straight up said we will not replace the ATV. They even strapped a computer to the pod to analyze the issue. And it saw the problems. Finally after some calls to the better business bureau they replaced the ATV. The new one does it too and it's a 2022 lol. I think Honda reliability is a thing of the past and your better off buying a really old one than a new one.
Automatic most reliable. Honda is synonymous with reliable. Just got a 2019 Rubicon 500 with 800 miles on it.. with 3500 lb winch 2 up seat windshield extra led lights custom wheels for 7k. Never thought I’d get Honda.. thrilled
DCT is a complex transmission. It has two clutches. That’s two that can fail. Being new to ATVs it seems really funny to me that these things come with automatic/DCT and power steering!
You realize Power steering has been the thing since 2007 and the DCT has been around since 2009 right? This stuff is. Nothing new and honestly if you actually use your four wheeler every day like I do or have ever ridden one with power steering, you would really regret your decision of cheaping out because they “can fail” because I have never had any power steering issues or any issues with the DCT unless of course, you abuse them
I know someone with two 2007 ranchers with the ES and they have had no issues what so ever. It seems the ES is very reliable and non problematic, so if anyone was a little bit weary about the ES, don’t be. He beats the shit out of his because he lives in the snow, he uses them like tools, like they are used to be, they do just fine. He swears by his Honda’s. He got a rubicon, 2 ranchers, and a recon.
Hi Jacob, thanks for the vid. After having a very bad experience with a 1999 polaris 500 magnum ( bought brand new), I decided to go back home to honda. I did enjoy the cvt on the polaris so i decided to compromise with a new 2000 rancher 350 with electric shift. This was a work only atv ...hauling wood and plowing snow. I really liked the electric shift. When i asked the honda salesman if electic shift was long term relaible...like 10 years or more he said of course ...It's a Honda !! My rancher was relaible up to around 8 years old before having major issues related to the electric shift. I really got pissed off with the "buttons " and the "questionable" honda relaibilty. Up to 2013 I endured theses very costly and irritating issues until i had enough. So now I have a 2013 420 with ps and straight axle. No more electric issues. For me it all comes down to this question...How long do you want to keep your honda atv ? If the answer is around 8 years , then go ahead with the electric shift because they really are fun to operate. But if it's more than that, then i would stay away from them. Anyway thanks for taking the time to make theses videos and hopefully one day you will make a real long term video on a 15 year old electric shift !! haha
There is a new computer flash update for the 2021 Honda Rubicon DCT's that improves shifting in both auto and manual mode. May be worth looking into. Ask your dealer about it.
My 2020 foreman makes motor noise, you check the valves at 100 miles? I did and they were like 4 thou and 6 thou if I can remember right. I flushed the rear diff on mine at 100 miles and that dif fluid was black as tar and had plenty of shavings in it. Might be your diff noise
My Honda 420 with DCT has been an absolute $hitshow it's literally been in the shop more hours that it has on it. Mine is a 2017 model and it actually broke down the first week I owned it, took them 3 weeks to fix it. Now with 300 miles and 70 hours it's down again, same DCT problem that they can't seem to diagnose.
I like how you mentioned CVT. I was thinking the same thing, because I believe Honda actually makes a chain CVT for some of their cars. Why they can't scale that down and put it in their Foreman's, I don't know. They already scaled down an actual auto trans with a torque converter. That's what is in the Rencon.
Love the DCT in my 2021 Rubicon Deluxe. You mention Honda making a CVT. It’s interesting because our 2020 Honda CRV SUV has a CVT which works great. Surprised they haven’t tried to bring that down into their ATV line.
My 2015 TRX420FA6F is not shifting past 3rd. R,N,1,2 are all good and I can downshift my 2nd to 1st when going slow but once I'm in 3rd I need to come to a complete stop to get it to downshift. Once in 3rd and cruising I can hear it keep attempting to shift but it just won't go. I'll get a code 23 on the "-" symbol. I've already replaced the angle sensor and cleaned and re greased the shift motor gears in front with white lithium. Only 1200km on it.... somone help!!
I've been running Rotella t4 in my 2018 Rubicon since new. I haven't had one problem and the atv now has 3800 miles and 450 hrs there isn't nothing wrong with using this oil.
I just bought the 24 rubicon branew and right out of the box it's making a bad clanking noise in the rear end at high speed 20 mph do you have that problem
Are these still hondamatics or did they change the transmissions or make upgrades or something I have a rancher 400 is it’s transmiss still the same style ?
Ok if your only gonna be a weekend rider DCT is good but if your planing on having the a tank that last way longer and don’t have as much to go wrong go with it the foot shift way more reliable Honda has been making the foot shift for a lifetime before DCT came around I don’t see the DCT being around in 25 or 30 + years time working as good as the good old foot shift
@@mouseclicksforu9724 yea I know Honda don’t have as much power and not as fast as can am but theres a up side to that I know personally that Honda can get just anywhere and probably places the can am can not because of how much lighter the Honda is but it’s all about what you want and what kind of riding your into. I know to me I needs a good all around atv work and recreational use I can deal with being a bit slower
The footshift goes 1-2 mph faster, its geared a touch different. I like the gearing better on the dct, I have a footshift, my brother has a dct and we both have 27 inch tires. In high first and second is taller on the dct which I find better as we go 5-10 mph on rough trails which is great for first in high or second in low on the dct but in between gears on the footshift, im revving in first or lugging in second alot to go the speed I want in rough spots.
That valve noise when you get on it is from a low grade gas. I ran cheap gas in mine and it would do that, put the good stuff in after and it never did it again
I’ve got a 2009 500 and never once changed the oil I need to and idk why I haven’t I need to and just changed the spark plug and I’ve never had 1 problem with it it’s got 7000 miles
Instead of using the up button twice to shift into drive from reverse pull back the red finger switch you use for reverse and push the up button once it’ll put you strait into drive and skip neutral
Hey I would like to ask how is that simple clean soap for the bikes I have a red Honda rubicon and I didn’t know if it would take the paint off or anything I was just wondering
Bought mine last August. Been in the shop more than I have rode it. Dct would get stuck in a gear, have to turn it off to reset. Plus from day 1, it would sputter at low rpms. All kinds of codes are showing up. Now they say there is a recall on the program and mine will not except it. I have a case with honda, that they don't seem worried about that I have a new 4 wheeler that I can't ride. I feel like they just need to get me a new one but doubt that will happen. One of my worse decision to go buy a new honda. Now when everything is working right it is a awesome machine.
I have a 2020 DCT, and I've had a similar issue with it getting stuck in gear. From my experience and from what I've heard from other people with DCTs of various year models, it is an issue of getting stuck in 3rd gear. Generally caused by jumping into or dropping down into 3rd from too high of an RPM. Doesn't matter if you're in manual or auto. In my experience, I can ride for months and never have an issue, then randomly it could happen 2 or 3 times in a span of 15 to 20 minutes, then not happen again for months. I have a great dealer and they have seen similar issues roll into their service department. They seem to think its a faulty solenoid, but replacing a faulty factory part with another faulty factory part doesn't change anything beyond how much money you have in your pocket at the end of the day. The issue is not even guarantied to happen either. I know plenty of people who have DCTs with an absurd amount of hours on them and have never experienced any issues. To be honest, Honda probably just outsources the solenoids and the factory that makes them have poor quality inspections. I don't know. As for throwing codes, I have no idea. I've only ever experienced the common for wheel drive code that can easily be fixed and overridden by just starting the bike with the 4wd button already pushed. Maybe water got in your relays, which is quite easy to do. I got water in my relays once while washing it. The bike wouldn't run right so I left the relays unplugged and the bike sitting out in the yard for an afternoon and it fixed it right up.
Yes, sounds just like mine and it flashes with the dashs. Flashes twice slow then twice fast, think that makes it code 22, which is something with the shift module, like its forgets where it is. You would think after 15+ years they would have it working flawlessly or just do away with the junk. But thanks for the feedback, great info.Ethan
Not sure if you'll answer this it's a long time since you posted this but your tires how do you like them and how do you find the ride? I was told it gives you a pretty rough ride I'm looking to put some on my new Can-Am
I don't know if you know this or not but you have to adjust the valves after The 1st oil change They can be loose or they can be too tight try that see if it fixes it
You have a decent review but I wish you would’ve covered more of how the electric shift handles. Bc I grew up on a 1998 Foreman ES and a 2001 Honda Rancher ES and I loveeee the electric shift. And if I bought a Rubi (thinking hard about it) I truly believe the majority of my riding would be in Electric Shift mode. Also is the drive/low range only a ‘thing’ in Automatic mode? How does the Electric shift handle in water/mud? I know it won’t be as reliable as the foot shift in that regard but I’m still interested in that nonetheless.
Footshift doesn’t have high or low range like the DCT. I wish I could have gave you a better review. In the mud it’s hit and miss. I have a buddy been mud and water riding over 1 1/2 with his and never had an issue. I had a 17 rancher and never had an issue. My 21 hasn’t had an issue. But I have heard of people having problems with it. In my experience they have been great.
The electric shift is even more improved over what you have, I bought a rubicon and thought “I’ll never use the auto shift” well that’s all I use, I don’t do any shifting anymore myself. As far as the low range, you have two different sets of gears in the transmission for high and low, it’s a true low range, so 5 gears of high range and 5 separate gears of low range. I have been in Colorado for a testing out my new rubicon on the mountain trails. I found myself using 2 wheel high, 2 wheel low, 4 wheel high and low and only needed the diff lock once or twice the whole trip. It’s an extremely capable quad, however, the power level is noticeably low, I grew up on sport quads though but across the board people seem to all mostly feel it’s low on power
I grew up foot shift and never had electronic shifting and am really schetchy about the electric shift ever since it came out. I’m about to buy a new Honda rubicon. Can’t make my mind up
Same. I also grew up with the foot shift. I drove my bosses 2006 rancher with the electric shift. That thing was worthless. You need both hands to shift up and down through every gear. You can't carry your rifle, tools or your small children.
Tracks are great for traveling over snow, but you’re definitely not going to have fun with it. Snow mobile all the way over tracks for anything deeper than a foot of base.
my dad has the og at. I really like some aspects of it alot. but i still prefer a foot shift. im in control not a computer. but as far as like Sunday cruise riding the at is the way to go.
Honda ATVs have had overheating issues/fan failure issues for decades. I fixed another one today because fan would not come on. Troubleshooting, not parts replaced. I pretend what I work on is MINE. How would I do it. Do I want to get stranded out in the sasquach woods at 0300? No. CVT, yes. Easy, durable, and dumbass,can drive it, and easier on drive components as it is smooth.
I’m also surprised people shift while letting off the gas on these dct’s. It’s not like the old transmission on the rancher. You must’ve noticed in auto mode it doesn’t lift the throttle when you shift, so why should you in manual mode?
@@leeallenbeal ? Isn’t a dct different from an auto-clutch? Every time you shift an auto clutch, you briefly shift into nuetral. A dct has 2 clutches engaged at all times. You just switch clutches.
unless ya have some kind of handicap that pevents ya from shiftin with your foot that dct shit is fine but otherwise foot shift is far superior in every way
Yours only does 47mph? Mine does 67mph...and I'm not a liar. Lol I've got an 2018 with DCT. For a while my tranny was notchy but it's super smooth now. 80% of the time I keep it in auto mode. Quad certainly isn't fast but otherwise I love it. But I really wish I had newer 520 because I love the reflectors just like I love them on my Huffy 10 spd. I would feel so much safer. I'm so happy that the safety people made reflectors mandatory on ATV's because it only makes sense. I'm not lying!
Thanks made me laugh about the feminine feet or his feminine feet 🤣 - anyways I’m a beginner and not willing into mud but easy riding, but getting a deal on the feet transmission so I hope I do the right choice but I like the point of it might last longer = less issues (electronic) thanks again and God bless
i have been riding a 500 foreman with footshift for 15 years. Im use to it, and have zero complaint. I bought a 400 four trax with electronic shift. Im getting use to the up/down arrows, for shifting, but i really do not like the full auto shift feature. it seems like it cant find the correct gear ever. i rev the engine. nothing happens till full rev.
I want the footshift in red. But they quit making red this year. Which is stupid because honda's color are red. But the only problem is the footshift is not offered without power steering. It's like you're forced to have to have power steering. If you buy the footship and I don't understand why to me It's just something else to break. I want the foot shift without power steering.
I will only buy a footshift transmission. A Honda fourwheeler will last you the rest of your life, so you had better get exactly what you want. I bought my 2006 and 2008 Honda rancher 4x4s brand new. The 2008 is still on the original battery here in 2013.
