Honda
- A new way to shift
After
steadfastly refusing to bow to market pressure and jump on the
automatic bandwagon, Honda has finally built an ATV that doesn’t
require manual shifting. But in typical Honda fashion, the company
did things a bit differently.
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| Foreman
TRX350 |
|
Instead of using a snowmobile-derived, belt-drive system like
most automatic ATVs, the new Foreman TRX500 Rubicon relies on
a compact, computer-controlled hydraulic pump to seamlessly
transfer engine power to the shafts that spin the front and
rear wheels. Think of it as a smaller, sportier version of the
hydraulic drive on a snowmobile trail groomer or other type
of heavy equipment—the engine drives the pump, and the
pump controls the speed at which the wheels turn.
Honda claims this continuously variable transmission requires
none of the regular maintenance or adjustment of a belt system,
and because it’s fully enclosed, it isn’t subject
to damage from water or dirt. As well, full engine braking is
maintained, and it uses regular engine oil rather than special
hydraulic fluid.
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| Sportrax
250EX |
|
Like most automatic or manual ATV transmissions, the Rubicon’s
hydraulic system also has high and low ranges, or its ratios
can be controlled by the rider by way of push buttons next to
the left handgrip. These are the same buttons that control the
ESP system on Honda’s gearbox-equipped models.
The Rubicon veers from the Honda norm in another way: the 499cc,
four-stroke engine is liquid cooled in part because of the increased
cooling requirements of the hydraulic system. Like the rest
of the Foreman line, the engine sits sideways in the frame so
the crankshaft points fore and aft, eliminating the 90-degree
bevel gears required with conventional mounting.
Honda’s Foreman TRX utility
line also includes air-cooled, 4x4 models in 450, 400 and 350
engine sizes, plus 2x4 versions measuring 350 and 250cc. The
400 4x4 and both 350s are available with either foot-shift or
ESP push-button control of their five-speed gearbox.
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| Foreman
TRX500 Rubicon |
|
In the sport category, the returning Sportrax 400EX and 300EX
welcome a smaller addition, the Sportrax 250EX. Powered by a
229cc, air-cooled, four-stroke engine, the smallest Sportrax
is designed primarily for recreational use, but it makes some
concessions to utility, too. A low-maintenance shaft drive replaces
the chain found on the bigger EXs, and there’s also an
automatic clutch, reverse drive and an optional trailer hitch.
For young riders, the pipsqueak
Fourtrax 90 returns with its 86cc, four-stroke engine, adjustable
throttle stop to control top speed, and ignition key to prevent
unwanted use. Just like full-sized ATVs, the little Fourtrax
has full suspension front and rear, and a four-speed gearbox
with automatic clutch. 
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