One of the most frequent emails and questions we receive from our viewers and readers is regarding Hondas seeming unwillingness to get competitive in the big bore ATV market.
In 2015 Honda brought the media out to ride its new Pioneer 1000 with a 999cc longitudinally mounted Unicam parallel twin engine featuring Dual Clutch Transmission and paddle shifters. This powerful engine was a huge step forward for Honda and proved the companys commitment to the Big Bore Utility Sport UTV class.
Like you, were seriously wondering when Honda will tuck a 1000 under the seat of the Rincon. Currently, the existing 680 in the Rincon is Hondas biggest bore engine in its ATV lineup putting itself in competition only with Yamahas 708cc single (which is another article in itself) giving Can-Am, Polaris and Arctic Cat free run of any consumer interested in power.
The Rincons bodywork hasnt changed in a decade either and compared to competitive models and even models in Hondas own lineup appears dated.
Wed like to see a new Rincon 1000 boasting the beefier bodywork of the Rubicon, and DCT to get the company on track with competitive models like the Sportsman 1000 XP and Outlander 1000.
Further to this, Honda needs to jump into the pure sport side-x-side category with an offering thats as aggressive as Yamahas YXZ1000R. This unit could feature a sport tuned exhaust, long travel suspension and the same 1000 mill and paddle shifters found in the Pioneer. The TRX 450 dominated the pure sport ATV race circuit and its about time Honda rekindles that competitive spirit with a pure sport UTV offering.
Theres really no telling what Honda will do in the next little while, but one thing wed like is for the company to start giving the market what it wants instead of telling the market what it wants.
