User friendly: designed for new entrants to the ATV market, Honda's Rincon has easy-to-use features that veterans will appreciate. And it all makes the work day that much more relaxing

Canadian Forest Industries, Sep/Oct 2003 by Elmer, Howard J

The column-style shift lever offers you Drive, Neutral or Reverse selections, while the handlebar holds a button for the Electric Shift Program (ESP). ESP allows the rider to manually select gears using two push-buttons mounted on the left handlebar - for those that just feel better shifting for themselves.

Light Steering

As for traction, Honda's TraxLok (an electromagnetic mechanical clutch unit) lets the rider shift between 2WD/4WD with a simple thumb-operated switch. The system employs a magnetic switching mechanism that engages when front and rear wheel speeds vary by less than 10 km/hr.

This noticeable feature results in light responsive steering, because the torque-sensing front differential (which is not always engaged) reduces the effects of torque steer while in 4WD mode. While a great comfort on long or rough rides, there are some situations where a fully locked differential is a benefit. Depending on the application this could be a minus.

For winter riding in particular the reduced weight of the Rincon will be a benefit - one that Honda worked hard to achieve by using lightweight forged aluminum components, and a double-wish-bone design with upper and lower A-arms in the Rincon's rear suspension. The soft ride is thanks in part to lightweight single-tube gas-charged rear shocks and a stabilizer bar that control damping. As an added bonus, the lack of a rear final drive case cuts weight and adds ground clearance.

For brakes, the Rincon has gone with triple-sealed front hydraulic drum brakes. Again, some consider this old technology - but then sealed drums are virtually impervious to dirt and water. In the rear you will find a disc; but this new hydraulic disc brake is mounted on the rear prop shaft, up out of the way.

The 275-kg Rincon has a 17-litre gas tank that includes a 4-litre reserve. Available in olive or red, it's MRSP is $11 499.

In the end, don't be fooled by Honda's assertion that this ATV is aimed at new riders. The Rincon is a unit everyone can appreciate, and one that should be very adept at work as well as play, with integrated skid plates protecting the under-carriage; front and rear cargo racks (rated at 66 and 133 lb), and an optional heavy-duty trailer hitch with towing capacity of 850 pounds.