You referred me to your channel from Facebook Honda 520 group (glad you did BTW) but I noticed that first thing when I brought mine, i didn’t test ride it or anything before I bought it, but I just unloaded it when I got it home, it caught that 2nd gear and jerked my head off, and I started shifting it by hand like I do my 450ES, and that works great for me. However I do like how I can let less experienced people ride it, and not have to worry about them abusing it, I love that factor, for a single man, I go through inexperience girlfriends that can’t exactly see if Honda ATV, except for this one. lol. I love it so far, I use it in southern Alaska, and in this part of the world a dependable ATV can make the difference between life and death, that’s why I’ve always stuck with Honda, no matter what model Honda, a Honda is very known for their reliability.
@@poppymonroewild haven’t been out at night since I did the video but I absolutely love the Chusyyray’s headlight bulbs from Rusty Palmers. The other recommendation is the Auxbeam 9” lightbar I added to the front bar and wiring it into the factory high beam circuit. Super easy to wire, no extra switches and it throws out a ton of light. With that lightbar, the handlebar hi beam bulb I put in is a mute point other than the color matches all the other LEDs up front. Hope that helps 👍
Do you guys not warm your machine up? Mine shifts hard as well when it’s cold but I simply start it and let it run for 5 mins or more depending on the temps and shifts nice and smooth right away. I just put display on the temp gauge and let it warm up until it reaches one or two bars and then good to go. Awesome machines.
We had one of the first Honda 450 ES way back when, when they first come out, and it did the same thing back then, and every one we have had since then did the same thing. You just have to rock it, I don't understand why.
I have a 2013 honda rubicon dct solid rear axle 11 years laters its srill running with all original parts execpt oil and tires the most reliable quad ever built
I have never had a DCT and my first was a foot shift and the rest gave all been ES and I love the Electric Shift very much. I tried to buy a new Rubicon with the DCT and they couldn't get one (2021) so I bought a CF MOTO CFORCE 600 2021 and I have been pretty happy with it with over 1000 miles and no problems I have three Hondas and one being my 2004 Foreman with 9000+ miles with $86 in repairs in 20 years and I just had to put breaks on it $56 parts and $275 labor. I do love my Hondas
2003 trx 450 es, 15,000 km shifts perfect with good batteries. Loved the shifting in that bike just needed more hp. 2015 trx 500 dct rubicon. Shifting is not as reliable, and more clunky, but always works and gets you home. Amsoil 0 w 40 helps the shifting also. Worth the money. These bikes are never a speed demon but turns 27" tires just fine in the mud. Worst part about a honda is doing the valve adjustment at 10,000 km. But most quads never get that many km's anyways.
2008 honda 420 DCT Canadian Trail Edition. Rock solid. Keep a spare electric shift motor to swap (disassemble and clean the old one) and keep your battery in good shape. DCTs like good voltage.
I have a 2013 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 and I absolutely love it. I was looking at a new one earlier this year and was thinking of getting a new one but i decided to keep my old Honda instead.
I've got a '20 Rubicon and I had shift problems on occasion. Mine never happened in AUTO mode but most of the time I run manual mode. Out of nowhere it would just miss a shift and I would get the blinking dashes and it would be stuck in whatever gear you were in. If you pull to a stop and cycle the key the bike automatically would shift itself to neutral and would be fine again. This would happen once every ten rides or so. After I got the bike reprogrammed with the latest code I have only had it happen once. I could tell the shifts are different after the flash almost like they take a little longer. I feel like the issue is probably a shift motor that is not powerful enough. They do give you a manual shift lever that you can stick on the bike if you ever get in trouble but I have not had to use it. The dealer said things probably need to wear in and that maybe I am not riding aggressive enough. LoL. I also have a '16 Rancher DCT and it shifts flawlessly and the shifts are definately crisper and faster on it.
Ya i found a big difference after i broke mine in, and it took a lot longer than I thought it would. I also got the update and seems to run well. Thanks for watching.
I have a 2020 Rubicon DCT. I'm on the farm with cattle, a wild cow can outrun one of these. If you just want to toddle around, they are fine. In mud and snow, a gutless wonder. Transmission robs too much power. Buy an electric or foot shift.
My 2023 Rubicon EPS DCT clutch died at 20km. Went for repair.. then 29.9km milage, the electronic shifter quit! Back at the shop. Honda Customer Service doesn’t care if the machine quits in the first 5km… they’ll keep tearing it apart to fix without replacing the machine, even if it’s BRAND NEW.
I fought with customer service bc I had DCT issues. Ended up having to pay a bit more but I got a brand new machine in the end and it has been great with no issues and shifts perfectly. The dealer I dealt with was good and agreed with me on a new machine and pretty sure he was a big part of convincing Honda too.
I ended up going with Can AM because of so many complaints about the DCT with Honda, and I test drove a used 2022 Honda Rancher with DCT and the thing had such a delay in shifting, even after ten plus minutes of riding, I passed on it. I had a rancher DCT 2013 and it NEVER did that!
They can't all be winners! Might just need some break in time. The ride experience of the DCT isn't comparable to a CVT. It's all preference. Thanks for watching!
I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work in regards to this video hear about the DCT making the banging noise when shifting I was wondering what year your quad is I have a 2014 rancher DCT has never made that noise at all. Just curious as to your year. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you so much and keep up the good work. Thank you Thomas.
Hey thanks!! The dct kinda sounds like a shotgun reload when it shifts. Especially the first cold shift of the day. My machine is a 2021. It smoothed out a lot. I'll probably do an update in the fall thanks for watching.
@@poppymonroewild thank you but like I said mine has never made that noise. I always let my machines warm up for five minutes before riding thats my own personal ritual I guess but I’ve never had a Honda fail me yet. 🤞
Interesting question!! I've only used it twice to pull a fairly heavy trailer and honestly the real limiting factor was the tires being able to grip enough. I could see it being really helpful if you had over sized tires and were knee deep in mud trying to turn them. I think @mudpuppy did a video on the low gear DCT and its advantages with mud and big tires. IMO for what I do its not really a feature i need or use. Thanks for watching!!
If you had to do it again, would you stick with the steel rims or go with the alloy? Terrain and usage would be for riding back country trails and hunting in the bush north west of where you are in Ottawa. I'm debating on whether the steel rims would be more forgiving vs the battle against corrosion/rust.
I have a 2013 Honda 420 with the DCT and it’s been a nightmare. I’ve changed sensors, shifter motor and after 100 kms same damn thing. I know a few people with same issues. Most are going to the foot shift 520 even though they lose the rear independant suspension
I’ve owned a couple Hondas in the past but for even general riding, just not enough power to be any fun. I’ve had an older Suzuki King Quad 750(08 model) that I bought used just over 5 years ago. Love this machine. Got just over 7000 miles or around 11k km on it and other than routine maintenance and 4th set of tires, no issues. Still original belt even. Plenty of power for most people, very capable and good range for a tank of fuel. I’d highly recommend one for anyone. I like the new Can Am 700 as well as I saw you mentioned it in another comment. Some can am fans are bummed the 650 twin is gone but the new single looks solid and will go head to head with the King Quad 750 and Grizzly 700 and will be strong competition for both. The 850 and 1000 are still available if you want to spend the extra money for ultimate performance.
Can-Am 650 isn't gone. It's still available in two models, the XMR and the 6x6. The new 500 is a replacement for the 450 and that 700 is replacement for the 570.
@@TheFarmallfarmer Ride anything else in the same price range(Grizzly 700, Brute Force 750, King Quad 750 and this new Outlander 700) and it’s no comparison. They all completely destroy anything Honda makes. The Rubicon is a nice machine but it’s not even close in performance. It would be a good platform for a more powerful engine. Pair that dct with one of their vtwin motorcycle engines like the 650 twin and you’d have a real contender.
The honda foot shifts dont shift good cold either, you have to ride around for 5-10 minutes before they shift good if it's cold at all. If you shift into reverse before it's warmed up on a cold day you cant shift out of it without coming right onto the shifter. Synthetic 5-40 oil helped but didnt cure the cold shifting issues. I have a foot shift and my brother has a dct 520 rubicon, I like the dct better, the foot shift was cheaper and should have less issues in mud/water but time will tell on that. The dct has better gear ratios than the foot shift for sure.
because HONDA has a wet clutch, their machines need to be turned on and let idle for several minutes, heating up the oil well, and i have noticed shifting is much easier on the rider and prob the machine as well
I have the foot shift 24 rancher and can tell you temp makes a big difference. I've seen several say that they totally cured it with amsoil 0w40 and that's what I'm going with on next oil change. Something else I believe makes a difference with me is my foot shifter seems so far up from where my foot is so I don't make good shifts. If I push my foot all the way to where it hits it's almost to my leg so I thought about adjusting it as low as I can.
Good idea. I'm certain it's fairly easy to adjust. Just a bolt and then the shaft has splines you can pull it off and rotate it. The auto clutch only engages at the top of the shift stroke. So if you don't make it all the way you'll strain the clutch pack.
Its likely that the clutch plates in the two multiplate clutches are stuck together from sitting pressed together. Pretty much all manual clutch motorcycles suffer from this same thing where when you pull the clutch in and put it in gear for the first time after starting, it usually slams into first gear because even though the spring pressure holding the clutch plates together has been removed, the plates are still stuck together from sitting pressed with high pressure together for so long. Once you go through a shift or two the plates get a chance to free up from each other and the problem disappears completely.
Honda really did FAIL with their computer programming setup for their machines, i have a 2019 Rubicon Deluxe, and when i switch to low gears, only a dash shows up on the display, and it will not shift above 1st gear, its a pain in the rear, i need to tow in hard places and would love to fix the issue.. also the lurching and clunking , its def not a consistently smooth ride always , and it should be for the prices we all pay to have these machines.. Step Up Honda!!
May need to adjust the clutch I'm not sure if it's the same with these as my manual shift but it helps and I'm about to go to amsoil 0w40 that is supposed to help too. Not something I naturally do or like doing but just to warm it on up when it's cold I run the rpms way up or what I consider way up.
Yes I 100% am. I did not notice any machine change in performance, but grip was way better. The bighorn 2.0s are a little soft, so if you road run a lot they'll wear out faster.
Everyone talks about Honda's reliability and yes they were, thing is they was 20 years behind the other manufacturers with drum brakes and just a basic, air cooled engine and horrible suspension. Don't get me wrong, I like Honda and they are finally starting to add some technology to their machines but with technology comes problems, simple works but simple is comfy and easy. Good looking machine, I think those make great working use atvs and no doubt Honda will stand behind their product always.
Has yours smoothed out any while jn Auto? I just got a 2024 Rubicon and when I got home and rode it and realized how hard it shifted while in Auto, it was very concerning. I grew up riding a 2004 Honda Rancher and smooth as butter. When I called the dealer to ask him about it, he said it will break in and learn shift points and be butter smooth by 100 hour mark. Idk if I believe that….
Hey! Yes it has, the dealer is right, it does break in very well. I found i had to ride it hard for a while before it loosened up. Now it shifts like butter. But the first cold shift still has that lurch to it. When its cold I just premature shift it to smooth out that lurch a bit. Other than that its smooth once warmed up. Don't be too concerned just get as many hours in as possible in the first 6 months and it will be great. Ride it hard after the break in oill change and it will smooth out. Thanks for watching.
The polaris is way faster with more power. But build quality seems to be lacking. Right now all the new 570s have a "do not ride" recall for some wire issue. It all comes down to riding style. Open logging roads, fast riding i'd probably go polaris, or can am. Tight trails, farm use, deep mud, i'd stick to Honda. Thanks for watching!
The DCT and the foot shift are totally diferent transmissions. I hear the electric shift and the foot shift can be converted. You'd have to ask a tech from the dealer to confirm.
How big are those tires? Bighorns? 2.0 or regular? And were you able to fit bigger/wider tires on stock wheels? I just picked up the rubicon deluxe and I love it so far. Just need to replace the small tires it came with.
Does the rubicon 520 share dct with the pioneer 520? Because I have the pioneer 520 and it shifts reliably but it’s rough and clunky as hell. Which isn’t what Honda is typically known for. Just turned 200 hours and hasn’t gotten any better.
Hard question to answer. Here in Canada the Foreman is a single rear axel which typically is good for working but by specs the rubicon can tow more and has higher carrying capacity on the racks. The base foreman is about $1000 cheaper than the rubicon, but if you go with the electronic shifting they are really close in price. Honestly I would go Rubicon for better towing and the independemt suspension. The DCT has an extra low first gear. It's the better buy, especially if you're also going to trail ride. Thanks for watching.
Are those your and families birth years on the firewood? If your Canadian didn't you guys vote out pump shotguns? So they're illegal now? Nice video, do you think the Hondas have any weak points like towing/hard work? I would probably use it mostly for light work and fun but... Have a good one and be safe!
1. Yes they are! Good observation, 2. Oh boy, what a shit show, 3. Mechanically i think the rear brake on the rubicon needs imrpovement. Its small and shaft mounted and not hydraulic. Wishe there were disks to each wheel and hydraulically activated. The engine brake helps tremendously but just that extra piece of mind would be nice if you had a load on going downhill. Thanks for watching.
@@poppymonroewild Drive line breaks can be pretty awesome, but with the differential one wheel can spin backwards and the other forwards without the shaft moving. So no good Honda! I think everybody needs to talk so you can get your rights back, about the other thing.
I don't have an atv,i have the Pioneer with the dct. 2019 model and so far i've had the sub trans replaced,and 4 shift control motors and a new ecm or whatever honda calls it. it's been sitting in the shop since January waiting for parts.it's had nothing but issues.worn out doors.foot pedals,steering rack,fuel pump,injector wires.steaming pile of shit.i bought a new can am atv without even considering a rubicon.the Pioneer is a yard machine now.it will never see another trail.
That's a major bummer. The Pioneers seem to have a good reputation, I find it's very hit or miss these days. The new Canams look awesome. I'm really interested i that new 700 cc single pro model. Can am is definately taking Honda head on. Thanks for watching!
Hard to say, depends on riding style and conditions. Anywhere from 125km to 200km on a single tank and I don't usually run it to empty. I ride mostly forest trail, no mud or deep water. Sorry wish i could help more. Thanks for watching!!
@poppymonroewild no worries. Kinda my riding style as well. Some big hills sometimes, but mostly hard packed trails. Out in Alberta. Is the ride pretty smooth, for trail rising. I have an old foreman it's alright, but can be abit rough over 30km/h sometimes
They are 26 inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0s, fronts are 10 wide, rears are 11 wide. And I love them for trail riding, but they are a bit soft, so if you run asphalt a lot go with something harder to last.
I own a 2023 Rubicon and it's in the shop. It starts and it shifts into drive, neutral and reverse but won't go anywhere when you hit the gas. 20 hrs and 159km. Disappointed I am! Here's hoping I didn't get the lemon of the bunch.
I have had a can am and a Polaris hate both they have belts I live in British Columbia Canada I do serious riding in wet areas both have let me down because of water belts slip going back to manual shift
I've got a 2017 Honda Rancher with the DCT and it's a total piece of crap! As of April 8th of 2023 it's in the shop again with 300 miles and 70 hours usage. This is the second time it has broken down and won't start. The first time it was only a week old and it took the dealer 3 weeks to fix it. I can't tell you how many times that I've had to turn it on and off a dozen times to get it to go into neutral and start. Please don't tell people to buy these as everyone that I've talked to that has a Honda with DCT regrets buying it. I only use mine on occasion to check my fence line a couple of times per year thus the low miles, never swamped it or abused it in any way. Still looks brand new but after I get it back this time is going to be sold and I'm getting something else.
Seems to be hit and miss with all brands. The honda is a good machine. I love the DCT but buying the extended warranty these days has some value in it. I'm not going to stop recommending the DCt, but appreciate your feedback. Thanks for watching.
@@poppymonroewild The mechanic that is currently working on my ATV told me that problems with Honda's DCT are extremely common and that most people that are into ATV's avoid them like the plague. The worst part is that when it goes down it gives you a code that tells you that the angle sensor is bad but once you replace it nothing happens it still won't start.
Honda killed itself when they said cvt was a terrible idea,and they would never use it. They are killing themselves,by not admitting their mistake. Polaris has taken over with their innovation and fearless attitude towards new machines. If it wasn’t for Polaris we would still be driving a two wheel drive 250.
@@jessepoorman2621 apparently everyone. Honda was too arrogant to give credit to the greatest idea to hit ATV markets. Everyone but Honda uses it. It cost Honda a ton of money trying to develop something as good as CVT. It set them back a long way.
I have 2021 rubicon dct it’s a pile of junk. I have a can am 650 xt also it eats the Honda. Yes I know it’s a 650. But we have always had Hondas on the farm. The old 300 was a better machine. Shifting is terrible. Stupid thing always shifts at the wrong time and seems gutless! Oh and currently at 200 miles it is all apart in the shop as it is stuck with code 32!
I've had a very bad experience with a brand new kodiak 450 2022( vibratiion and freeplay in the drive train) and even worst experience with an incompetant yamaha dealer. Plus the arrogancy of yamaha canada. Will be trading it for a 2023 rubicon eps footshift ....and losing a lot of money.
That just sounds like a shitty dealer and lack of knowledge on your part of the bike. Definitely not an issue with the actual bike itself. Usually a very simple fix. Yamaha is definitely number one when it comes to quality over top of everything else on the market right now. And that's coming from a Can-Am owner here. You'll definitely be downgrading going to a Honda from Yamaha.
What a useless review for someone wanting a long term machine of any kind. My Honda rancher still foot shifts fine after 20 years. The most important thing to me is dependability or longevity. You can’t judge this by just one year.
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You referred me to your channel from Facebook Honda 520 group (glad you did BTW) but I noticed that first thing when I brought mine, i didn’t test ride it or anything before I bought it, but I just unloaded it when I got it home, it caught that 2nd gear and jerked my head off, and I started shifting it by hand like I do my 450ES, and that works great for me. However I do like how I can let less experienced people ride it, and not have to worry about them abusing it, I love that factor, for a single man, I go through inexperience girlfriends that can’t exactly see if Honda ATV, except for this one. lol. I love it so far, I use it in southern Alaska, and in this part of the world a dependable ATV can make the difference between life and death, that’s why I’ve always stuck with Honda, no matter what model Honda, a Honda is very known for their reliability.
I too have the hard shift or two when it’s cold. After that it’s perfect. Would buy it again too in a heartbeat.
Ya it seems to be a normal thing. I love it too. So convenient.
How are those new lights working, i want to do the same to my machine.
@@poppymonroewild haven’t been out at night since I did the video but I absolutely love the Chusyyray’s headlight bulbs from Rusty Palmers. The other recommendation is the Auxbeam 9” lightbar I added to the front bar and wiring it into the factory high beam circuit. Super easy to wire, no extra switches and it throws out a ton of light. With that lightbar, the handlebar hi beam bulb I put in is a mute point other than the color matches all the other LEDs up front. Hope that helps 👍
Do you guys not warm your machine up? Mine shifts hard as well when it’s cold but I simply start it and let it run for 5 mins or more depending on the temps and shifts nice and smooth right away. I just put display on the temp gauge and let it warm up until it reaches one or two bars and then good to go. Awesome machines.
We had one of the first Honda 450 ES way back when, when they first come out, and it did the same thing back then, and every one we have had since then did the same thing. You just have to rock it, I don't understand why.
Seems like a Honda thing. I had to rock my old 86 trx 350. Thanks for watching!
I have a 2013 honda rubicon dct solid rear axle 11 years laters its srill running with all original parts execpt oil and tires the most reliable quad ever built
Nice!! Gotta love them Honda's. Solid Rear is a such a good work horse. Thanks for watching!
I have never had a DCT and my first was a foot shift and the rest gave all been ES and I love the Electric Shift very much. I tried to buy a new Rubicon with the DCT and they couldn't get one (2021) so I bought a CF MOTO CFORCE 600 2021 and I have been pretty happy with it with over 1000 miles and no problems I have three Hondas and one being my 2004 Foreman with 9000+ miles with $86 in repairs in 20 years and I just had to put breaks on it $56 parts and $275 labor. I do love my Hondas
2003 trx 450 es, 15,000 km shifts perfect with good batteries. Loved the shifting in that bike just needed more hp. 2015 trx 500 dct rubicon. Shifting is not as reliable, and more clunky, but always works and gets you home. Amsoil 0 w 40 helps the shifting also. Worth the money. These bikes are never a speed demon but turns 27" tires just fine in the mud. Worst part about a honda is doing the valve adjustment at 10,000 km. But most quads never get that many km's anyways.
2008 honda 420 DCT Canadian Trail Edition. Rock solid. Keep a spare electric shift motor to swap (disassemble and clean the old one) and keep your battery in good shape. DCTs like good voltage.
I have a 2013 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 and I absolutely love it. I was looking at a new one earlier this year and was thinking of getting a new one but i decided to keep my old Honda instead.
I've got a '20 Rubicon and I had shift problems on occasion. Mine never happened in AUTO mode but most of the time I run manual mode. Out of nowhere it would just miss a shift and I would get the blinking dashes and it would be stuck in whatever gear you were in. If you pull to a stop and cycle the key the bike automatically would shift itself to neutral and would be fine again. This would happen once every ten rides or so. After I got the bike reprogrammed with the latest code I have only had it happen once. I could tell the shifts are different after the flash almost like they take a little longer. I feel like the issue is probably a shift motor that is not powerful enough. They do give you a manual shift lever that you can stick on the bike if you ever get in trouble but I have not had to use it. The dealer said things probably need to wear in and that maybe I am not riding aggressive enough. LoL. I also have a '16 Rancher DCT and it shifts flawlessly and the shifts are definately crisper and faster on it.
Ya i found a big difference after i broke mine in, and it took a lot longer than I thought it would. I also got the update and seems to run well. Thanks for watching.
I have a 2014 rancher DCT auto shift vary smooth and consistent shift every time.👍
Battery may be low,so I've heard.
Good video. Will be my next 4-wheeler for sure!
Don't waste your money. Go buy a real bike, either one of the 2 more reliable Japanese brands or a canam
I have a 2020 Rubicon DCT. I'm on the farm with cattle, a wild cow can outrun one of these. If you just want to toddle around, they are fine. In mud and snow, a gutless wonder. Transmission robs too much power. Buy an electric or foot shift.
My 2023 Rubicon EPS DCT clutch died at 20km. Went for repair.. then 29.9km milage, the electronic shifter quit! Back at the shop. Honda Customer Service doesn’t care if the machine quits in the first 5km… they’ll keep tearing it apart to fix without replacing the machine, even if it’s BRAND NEW.
Sorry to hear. That really sucks.
I fought with customer service bc I had DCT issues. Ended up having to pay a bit more but I got a brand new machine in the end and it has been great with no issues and shifts perfectly. The dealer I dealt with was good and agreed with me on a new machine and pretty sure he was a big part of convincing Honda too.
I ended up going with Can AM because of so many complaints about the DCT with Honda, and I test drove a used 2022 Honda Rancher with DCT and the thing had such a delay in shifting, even after ten plus minutes of riding, I passed on it. I had a rancher DCT 2013 and it NEVER did that!
They can't all be winners! Might just need some break in time. The ride experience of the DCT isn't comparable to a CVT. It's all preference. Thanks for watching!
@@poppymonroewild I have owned Ranchers in the past with DCT and NONE of them acted like that, and if you do research it is a known problem!
You bought a CanAm because you’re concerned with the reliability of a Honda??
I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work in regards to this video hear about the DCT making the banging noise when shifting I was wondering what year your quad is I have a 2014 rancher DCT has never made that noise at all. Just curious as to your year. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you so much and keep up the good work. Thank you Thomas.
Hey thanks!! The dct kinda sounds like a shotgun reload when it shifts. Especially the first cold shift of the day. My machine is a 2021. It smoothed out a lot. I'll probably do an update in the fall thanks for watching.
@@poppymonroewild thank you but like I said mine has never made that noise. I always let my machines warm up for five minutes before riding thats my own personal ritual I guess but I’ve never had a Honda fail me yet. 🤞
I got a 2013 Rancher IRS DCT and it rarely makes any clunky noises when shifting in auto, though I usually start it off in ESP mode instead
I grew up with Honda. I love my auto can am but if I buy another Honda I gotta have foot shift for my nostalgia
I feel ya. My old 1987 fourtrax 350 was foot shift. I thought about it too. Thanks for watching!
Nostalgic feet in water?
With the DCT you get the low/hi range function. How do you like having dual ranges? Is it worth getting the DCT in order to get the low range? Thanks!
Interesting question!! I've only used it twice to pull a fairly heavy trailer and honestly the real limiting factor was the tires being able to grip enough. I could see it being really helpful if you had over sized tires and were knee deep in mud trying to turn them. I think @mudpuppy did a video on the low gear DCT and its advantages with mud and big tires. IMO for what I do its not really a feature i need or use. Thanks for watching!!
If you had to do it again, would you stick with the steel rims or go with the alloy? Terrain and usage would be for riding back country trails and hunting in the bush north west of where you are in Ottawa. I'm debating on whether the steel rims would be more forgiving vs the battle against corrosion/rust.
I have a 2013 Honda 420 with the DCT and it’s been a nightmare. I’ve changed sensors, shifter motor and after 100 kms same damn thing. I know a few people with same issues. Most are going to the foot shift 520 even though they lose the rear independant suspension
Mine has 1278 km aka 1278 miles DCT floor shift and it only does it once in a while when I stop on a hill. And try to go again.
Yeah, my buddies is always messing up too
I’ve owned a couple Hondas in the past but for even general riding, just not enough power to be any fun. I’ve had an older Suzuki King Quad 750(08 model) that I bought used just over 5 years ago. Love this machine. Got just over 7000 miles or around 11k km on it and other than routine maintenance and 4th set of tires, no issues. Still original belt even. Plenty of power for most people, very capable and good range for a tank of fuel. I’d highly recommend one for anyone. I like the new Can Am 700 as well as I saw you mentioned it in another comment. Some can am fans are bummed the 650 twin is gone but the new single looks solid and will go head to head with the King Quad 750 and Grizzly 700 and will be strong competition for both. The 850 and 1000 are still available if you want to spend the extra money for ultimate performance.
Can-Am 650 isn't gone. It's still available in two models, the XMR and the 6x6. The new 500 is a replacement for the 450 and that 700 is replacement for the 570.
The Honda has plenty of power what are you talking about
@@TheFarmallfarmer Ride anything else in the same price range(Grizzly 700, Brute Force 750, King Quad 750 and this new Outlander 700) and it’s no comparison. They all completely destroy anything Honda makes. The Rubicon is a nice machine but it’s not even close in performance. It would be a good platform for a more powerful engine. Pair that dct with one of their vtwin motorcycle engines like the 650 twin and you’d have a real contender.
Thanks for this! Helped convince me to get the base foot shift.
The honda foot shifts dont shift good cold either, you have to ride around for 5-10 minutes before they shift good if it's cold at all. If you shift into reverse before it's warmed up on a cold day you cant shift out of it without coming right onto the shifter. Synthetic 5-40 oil helped but didnt cure the cold shifting issues.
I have a foot shift and my brother has a dct 520 rubicon, I like the dct better, the foot shift was cheaper and should have less issues in mud/water but time will tell on that. The dct has better gear ratios than the foot shift for sure.
I had no idea the foot shift did the same thing. Good to know. It feels weird, but you get used to it. Thanks for watching.
because HONDA has a wet clutch, their machines need to be turned on and let idle for several minutes, heating up the oil well, and i have noticed shifting is much easier on the rider and prob the machine as well
I have the foot shift 24 rancher and can tell you temp makes a big difference. I've seen several say that they totally cured it with amsoil 0w40 and that's what I'm going with on next oil change. Something else I believe makes a difference with me is my foot shifter seems so far up from where my foot is so I don't make good shifts. If I push my foot all the way to where it hits it's almost to my leg so I thought about adjusting it as low as I can.
Good idea. I'm certain it's fairly easy to adjust. Just a bolt and then the shaft has splines you can pull it off and rotate it. The auto clutch only engages at the top of the shift stroke. So if you don't make it all the way you'll strain the clutch pack.
Does the fluid /pump circulate in park? If not put it in neutral during warmup and let the fluid get moving and warm.
Its likely that the clutch plates in the two multiplate clutches are stuck together from sitting pressed together. Pretty much all manual clutch motorcycles suffer from this same thing where when you pull the clutch in and put it in gear for the first time after starting, it usually slams into first gear because even though the spring pressure holding the clutch plates together has been removed, the plates are still stuck together from sitting pressed with high pressure together for so long. Once you go through a shift or two the plates get a chance to free up from each other and the problem disappears completely.
Interesting idea. There is no park. The machine is in neutral, and no amount of idling seems to fix it.
Honda really did FAIL with their computer programming setup for their machines, i have a 2019 Rubicon Deluxe, and when i switch to low gears, only a dash shows up on the display, and it will not shift above 1st gear, its a pain in the rear, i need to tow in hard places and would love to fix the issue.. also the lurching and clunking , its def not a consistently smooth ride always , and it should be for the prices we all pay to have these machines.. Step Up Honda!!
Thats rough, the shift map update really helped. The lurch smooths out after a bit and is butter when warmed up. Thanks for watching.
May need to adjust the clutch I'm not sure if it's the same with these as my manual shift but it helps and I'm about to go to amsoil 0w40 that is supposed to help too. Not something I naturally do or like doing but just to warm it on up when it's cold I run the rpms way up or what I consider way up.
Are you still happy with the 26 inch tires ? Did they rob any performance or handling from the stock size ?
Yes I 100% am. I did not notice any machine change in performance, but grip was way better. The bighorn 2.0s are a little soft, so if you road run a lot they'll wear out faster.
Can't Rob what isn't there to start with
Everyone talks about Honda's reliability and yes they were, thing is they was 20 years behind the other manufacturers with drum brakes and just a basic, air cooled engine and horrible suspension. Don't get me wrong, I like Honda and they are finally starting to add some technology to their machines but with technology comes problems, simple works but simple is comfy and easy. Good looking machine, I think those make great working use atvs and no doubt Honda will stand behind their product always.
Has yours smoothed out any while jn Auto? I just got a 2024 Rubicon and when I got home and rode it and realized how hard it shifted while in Auto, it was very concerning. I grew up riding a 2004 Honda Rancher and smooth as butter. When I called the dealer to ask him about it, he said it will break in and learn shift points and be butter smooth by 100 hour mark. Idk if I believe that….
Hey! Yes it has, the dealer is right, it does break in very well. I found i had to ride it hard for a while before it loosened up. Now it shifts like butter. But the first cold shift still has that lurch to it. When its cold I just premature shift it to smooth out that lurch a bit. Other than that its smooth once warmed up. Don't be too concerned just get as many hours in as possible in the first 6 months and it will be great. Ride it hard after the break in oill change and it will smooth out. Thanks for watching.
@@poppymonroewild Awesome! Thats good to hear and makes me feel better. Thank you for the fast response and tips!!
Bangs like butter ❤
thanks for the video really appreciate it
Thanks for watching
I'm between a 570 sportsman or this Rubicon 520, what's your input on polaris to this Rubicon. Thanks
The polaris is way faster with more power. But build quality seems to be lacking. Right now all the new 570s have a "do not ride" recall for some wire issue. It all comes down to riding style. Open logging roads, fast riding i'd probably go polaris, or can am. Tight trails, farm use, deep mud, i'd stick to Honda. Thanks for watching!
I was between these as well...... Rubicon !00% Unless you like to fix cheap builds ....a lot.
Could you swap a foot shift into a dct or would you need to drill and tap the case
The DCT and the foot shift are totally diferent transmissions. I hear the electric shift and the foot shift can be converted. You'd have to ask a tech from the dealer to confirm.
I have the same atv just wondering what kind and size of tires you are using thanks
They are bighorn 2.0's. The fronts are 26x9x12 and the rears are 26x11x12. Thanks for watching!
I have an older model, how much shorter are the seats on the newer models, than those older ones?
How big are those tires? Bighorns? 2.0 or regular? And were you able to fit bigger/wider tires on stock wheels? I just picked up the rubicon deluxe and I love it so far. Just need to replace the small tires it came with.
Ya they are bighorne 2.0's fronts are 26x9x12 rrar 26x11x12 and yes they fit fine on the stock rims. Thanks for watching, enjoy your new ride!
Perfect. That’s exactly the size I was looking at too. Thanks!
I wish Honda would have a foot shift model with a low range
That would be awesome. Not sure why the DCT has the sub tranny, but it is great to have when you need it. Thanks for watching!
Does the rubicon 520 share dct with the pioneer 520? Because I have the pioneer 520 and it shifts reliably but it’s rough and clunky as hell. Which isn’t what Honda is typically known for. Just turned 200 hours and hasn’t gotten any better.
What is best for doing yard work and trail riding, foreman or rubicon?
Hard question to answer. Here in Canada the Foreman is a single rear axel which typically is good for working but by specs the rubicon can tow more and has higher carrying capacity on the racks. The base foreman is about $1000 cheaper than the rubicon, but if you go with the electronic shifting they are really close in price. Honestly I would go Rubicon for better towing and the independemt suspension. The DCT has an extra low first gear. It's the better buy, especially if you're also going to trail ride. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for your reply 👍
@@poppymonroewild the foot shift one also has that super low first gear
lol dude you have my same name
mine craped out at 1,500 miles, trans problems
Anywhere to buy after market accessories for it?
Are those your and families birth years on the firewood? If your Canadian didn't you guys vote out pump shotguns? So they're illegal now? Nice video, do you think the Hondas have any weak points like towing/hard work? I would probably use it mostly for light work and fun but... Have a good one and be safe!
1. Yes they are! Good observation, 2. Oh boy, what a shit show, 3. Mechanically i think the rear brake on the rubicon needs imrpovement. Its small and shaft mounted and not hydraulic. Wishe there were disks to each wheel and hydraulically activated. The engine brake helps tremendously but just that extra piece of mind would be nice if you had a load on going downhill. Thanks for watching.
@@poppymonroewild Drive line breaks can be pretty awesome, but with the differential one wheel can spin backwards and the other forwards without the shaft moving. So no good Honda! I think everybody needs to talk so you can get your rights back, about the other thing.
I don't have an atv,i have the Pioneer with the dct. 2019 model and so far i've had the sub trans replaced,and 4 shift control motors and a new ecm or whatever honda calls it. it's been sitting in the shop since January waiting for parts.it's had nothing but issues.worn out doors.foot pedals,steering rack,fuel pump,injector wires.steaming pile of shit.i bought a new can am atv without even considering a rubicon.the Pioneer is a yard machine now.it will never see another trail.
That's a major bummer. The Pioneers seem to have a good reputation, I find it's very hit or miss these days. The new Canams look awesome. I'm really interested i that new 700 cc single pro model. Can am is definately taking Honda head on. Thanks for watching!
The electric shift is not meant for the cold the angle sensors always give out get a foot shift
Very helpful advice considering I already own the DCT
How many kms do you get per tank roughly?
Hard to say, depends on riding style and conditions. Anywhere from 125km to 200km on a single tank and I don't usually run it to empty. I ride mostly forest trail, no mud or deep water. Sorry wish i could help more. Thanks for watching!!
@poppymonroewild no worries. Kinda my riding style as well. Some big hills sometimes, but mostly hard packed trails. Out in Alberta. Is the ride pretty smooth, for trail rising. I have an old foreman it's alright, but can be abit rough over 30km/h sometimes
Full synthetic 5w30 hp4s helps tremendously with the cold shifting.
DCT is fine and durable if used with common sense.
My 2008 forman shifts same when its cold ! I guess its normal!!!
What are those tires?
They are 26 inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0s, fronts are 10 wide, rears are 11 wide. And I love them for trail riding, but they are a bit soft, so if you run asphalt a lot go with something harder to last.
WHAT SIZE ARE THE TIRES?
26x11x12 rear, 26x10x12 front.
I own a 2023 Rubicon and it's in the shop. It starts and it shifts into drive, neutral and reverse but won't go anywhere when you hit the gas.
20 hrs and 159km. Disappointed I am! Here's hoping I didn't get the lemon of the bunch.
Was it splines?
I have had a can am and a Polaris hate both they have belts I live in British Columbia Canada I do serious riding in wet areas both have let me down because of water belts slip going back to manual shift
My 2020 520 deluxe shifts like shit but when it warms up its fine
Love my foot shift foreman
I have several Honda quads, none with DCT.
A 2 clutch system?? More complicated system, the more potential for problems....
True. Doesn't make it easy
I've got a 2017 Honda Rancher with the DCT and it's a total piece of crap! As of April 8th of 2023 it's in the shop again with 300 miles and 70 hours usage. This is the second time it has broken down and won't start. The first time it was only a week old and it took the dealer 3 weeks to fix it. I can't tell you how many times that I've had to turn it on and off a dozen times to get it to go into neutral and start. Please don't tell people to buy these as everyone that I've talked to that has a Honda with DCT regrets buying it. I only use mine on occasion to check my fence line a couple of times per year thus the low miles, never swamped it or abused it in any way. Still looks brand new but after I get it back this time is going to be sold and I'm getting something else.
Seems to be hit and miss with all brands. The honda is a good machine. I love the DCT but buying the extended warranty these days has some value in it. I'm not going to stop recommending the DCt, but appreciate your feedback. Thanks for watching.
@@poppymonroewild The mechanic that is currently working on my ATV told me that problems with Honda's DCT are extremely common and that most people that are into ATV's avoid them like the plague. The worst part is that when it goes down it gives you a code that tells you that the angle sensor is bad but once you replace it nothing happens it still won't start.
My wheels fell off. The engine blew up. The dealer said it's normal. LOL.
Yikes!! Sounds normal. Dealers. Can't live with them can't live without them.
Those transmissions are garbage. Get the Rincon.
Hahaha great advice!
you should by a yamaha my friend they are best machine on the market
I will for sure. Can I borrow some cash?
I got the foot shifter hopfully thats better
Hard to listen to someone that has the screws turned up on there odi grips. Lol jk. Good video
Lol!! Thanks man. I've been following your channel for a while. Montana looks unreal!
@@poppymonroewild it sure is. I just recently started really exploring. Putting the miles on now
Do not use the dct mode will save your trans a million
Run like hell from DCT,
tried and true HONDA
You know it!!!
Honda killed itself when they said cvt was a terrible idea,and they would never use it. They are killing themselves,by not admitting their mistake. Polaris has taken over with their innovation and fearless attitude towards new machines. If it wasn’t for Polaris we would still be driving a two wheel drive 250.
Ya you may be right. Saw some sportmans in a shop the other day. They had some really nice features.
Polaris is the worst brand on the market. Tell me your joke and who the hell wants a CVT.???
@@jessepoorman2621 apparently everyone. Honda was too arrogant to give credit to the greatest idea to hit ATV markets. Everyone but Honda uses it. It cost Honda a ton of money trying to develop something as good as CVT. It set them back a long way.
I have 2021 rubicon dct it’s a pile of junk. I have a can am 650 xt also it eats the Honda. Yes I know it’s a 650. But we have always had Hondas on the farm. The old 300 was a better machine. Shifting is terrible. Stupid thing always shifts at the wrong time and seems gutless! Oh and currently at 200 miles it is all apart in the shop as it is stuck with code 32!
That sucks. Sounds like its hit or miss with these things
I have a 2020 Rubicon. It's a love hate relationship. Love the reverse, hate the transmission
I've had a very bad experience with a brand new kodiak 450 2022( vibratiion and freeplay in the drive train) and even worst experience with an incompetant yamaha dealer. Plus the arrogancy of yamaha canada. Will be trading it for a 2023 rubicon eps footshift ....and losing a lot of money.
Thats a bummer. Yammy was on my short list. Sucks to lose cash, but I think you'll like the Rubi. Thanks for watching.
That just sounds like a shitty dealer and lack of knowledge on your part of the bike. Definitely not an issue with the actual bike itself. Usually a very simple fix. Yamaha is definitely number one when it comes to quality over top of everything else on the market right now. And that's coming from a Can-Am owner here. You'll definitely be downgrading going to a Honda from Yamaha.
stay out of the mud and water with those the mud and water will mess up all the electronic connections and shit on it
Weak battery
Please speak english. I don't know what a kelo meter is. I know what a mile per hour is. This is America we speak english
Hahahha sorry eh!!
What a useless review for someone wanting a long term machine of any kind. My Honda rancher still foot shifts fine after 20 years. The most important thing to me is dependability or longevity. You can’t judge this by just one year.
Awesome. Thanks for watching.
Fm1>dct