Looking at a 2020 Pioneer 500, they look like a nice buggy to just lay back and cruise the back roads. Can't beat the reliability of a Honda! Keep us posted on your adventures! Great seeing ya cruising around with your son!
I bought my 2018 June 2019 new and I love it. I placed a flat hardboard on the back then mounted using Electrical clamps and tubing to pinch the things into place. I then placed a pickup fender tool box facing forward and then placed a rumble seat without the legs screwed to the top of that. I placed a car rooftop over the front. Using clamps, pipes and all sorts of baskets and cut-up bed frames fill many gaps to add storage. There are so many other mods I've come up with that would fill a small book. The main point is to use your imagination and all sorts of bits of junk can go a long ways to overcome those shortcomings you find.
Good review. The short comings that you mentioned are common for this little bike. They do make aftermarket accessories to resolve the big issues you mentioned. I own one of these and love it because its small and a very capable trail riding machine. It's a tank. I know we all wish that there were power from the motor. Good luck.
We've taken our 72" wide Talon everywhere the 50-55" inch pioneer can go. I used to buy into the hype too until we bought some bigger machines and found out thats just bull used to sell them. Also the bigger rigs actually have a suspension and are much more comfortable to ride. Once you drive a bigger one or drive a different brand than honda you'll realize that these 500 pioneers aren't very good machines when compared to everything else. I've owned the 500 pioneer for nearly 4 years. Never have cared for it much. The auto shifting is also very annoying and it never does get it right. In my opinion its a very badly designed machine!
@@gonzobongo6669 Yeah, and they're rough as a tank on trails too. If you want it to bang around the farm and do work, it can be a good machine but still a very tight fit for a bigger guy. As for trailing, they really should'nt be considered a trail machine. Trail machines can be ridden in comfort all day long but the pioneer 500 is so rough like a bucking horse. If you you'd rather have whiplash instead of fun, then the pioneer 500 fits the bill. It is a good work machine for going slow and working on the farm. But if you want to be able to walk at the end of the day, this is the wrong machine to drive.
How do you feel like the noise level is in the cabin? I’m coming from an older sxs (teryx) that was very loud. I don’t expect any sxs to be quiet at wot but would like to be able to have a comfortable conversation with a passenger around 25 mph. What are your thoughts on the noise level in that range?
There is a torque locker you can add to the unit for sure however I’ve heard you can cheat if u tap the brake pedal hard a few times it will engage the other wheel
They are OK, but certainly not great. I used it for work all over the farm and it wasn't an issue. I think if you want all day riding I would swap out the seats
Great review of this. Thinking about getting one Do you think a custom made rear facing back seek bench like you see on golf carts would hold up in the back of those?
This may be a rather odd question, but how slow can it go? This machine may be better for a specific job I do on the farm every year that the Ranger I've been using if it can go slow enough.
... How do you think this vehicle would perform as just an option for running in town errands? ... I'm looking for options that would be used in the town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, know for their cobble stone streets. Several people online suggested a UTV in lieu of getting a car there.
Do you think the 2023 pioneer 1000-5 would be a good option as well? ... it looks like it gets up to 67MPH which could get me to the Costco in the town over 👍🏻
Thanks for the great review. Ive been looking to purchase a 500 or a 700. Cost wise the 500 would be better for me. Do you think that the 500 is powerful enough to plow snow from a driveway? I need it to haul things around the property and to clear my driveway in the winter. Nice tshirt - Go Army. Thanks again.
hello I am going to buy such a 2015 Honda Pioneer in Poland. is it good equipment? does it not fit? you probably have some experience with these machines? Im from Poland
Can you fit a medium/large size dog in the middle of the seat with a passenger? Me and my wife want one but we are afraid we might need the 1000 since its wider. I found a nice 500 with portals and other mods that i want.
Awesome machine but they are to expensive for being a 4Wheelers with steering wheel. I have a 2002 Polaris Ranger 500cc 4x4 I love it so reliable but my is full size 3 people so is way wider and my boss thinks is to big wide for workI want a Honda pioneer 500 but They wants $7000 or $8000 for used ones or Polaris Ace500 are cheaper and amazing machines too
We are selling ours. Its just too small for any decent sized man and it bucks like a mule on the trails. Its also 20 years behind polaris, yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki and can am when it comes to technology and design. That goes for Honda 4 wheelers too. I own all of them and have for years. Honda was reliable in the past but not really anymore. Our 2019 honda talon 1000X with 1,200 miles is now sitting in the dealership service department waiting on honda to approve a replacement for our transmission which is stripped out after 11 months. And before anyone says, well you just mistreated it, no we are 50 years old, we just do casual trail riding in the mountains. Its been well taken care of and we do not abuse our machines, don't believe in tearing up things we worked hard to get! Owned honda's since the early 80's, and in my personal opinion the newer honda's aren't built any better than the others rigs on the market. Everyone gripes about polaris and their belts, well , a belt is a lot cheaper than a whole DCT transmission. In my opinion honda really laid an egg with the 500. 700 is crap too. Their 1000 is good. As far as being narrow, our talon is 72 inches wide at the front tires (32" tires) and we have no problem going anywhere the 55" wide pioneer 500 goes.
You might not mistreat your equipment overtly, maybe you just don't maintain it properly. I've had a lot of Honda equipment and it has been flawless. If your going to sell your unit, just do so. Bitching about it makes you sound like a whiner...
Bullsht!! You are not taking a Talon thru 50” gates. At least make apples to apples comparison. If you don’t ride restricted width trails, then you are stupid for buying a P500.
@@jamesbecker3420 Yeah well it turns out the transmission is a well known problem that honda knows about but continues to build because they just don't care about their customers. Honda Mechanic told me that. As for whining, its called an honest unbiased opinion and I paid $20k for that opinion! If you don't like it, then go jump off a cliff James Pecker!
11:34 i just bought a 2019 Honda pioneer 500 in amazing almost perfect condition. Only 600 miles. I hate the clonks transmission shifts terrible I tested ride 4 and all of them shifts like crap
I'm a long time Honda motorcycle fan... Fabulous products... But this is a pathetic product by Honda. It's loud as hell, and pathetically terrible top speed.
Attention: if you are critical of something it is now considered complaining as per this comment. Feedback or opinions are not allowed. Clearly we had fun with this machine. It wasn't all negative feedback.
Looking at a 2020 Pioneer 500, they look like a nice buggy to just lay back and cruise the back roads. Can't beat the reliability of a Honda! Keep us posted on your adventures! Great seeing ya cruising around with your son!
I bought my 2018 June 2019 new and I love it. I placed a flat hardboard on the back then mounted using Electrical clamps and tubing to pinch the things into place. I then placed a pickup fender tool box facing forward and then placed a rumble seat without the legs screwed to the top of that. I placed a car rooftop over the front. Using clamps, pipes and all sorts of baskets and cut-up bed frames fill many gaps to add storage. There are so many other mods I've come up with that would fill a small book. The main point is to use your imagination and all sorts of bits of junk can go a long ways to overcome those shortcomings you find.
Great Machines !
Thanks for the review! Awesome
I love the excitement of your son lol. Thanks for the video.
Great review. Thank you!
Hooah Brother. Thanks for the review.
Nice unit!
Cool video .. thanks
Time to join the HondaSxS forum to get the most out of that machine. Aftermarket Power Steering and front locker recommended.
yes sir Torq locker makes a good one
good video, thanks
Nice video. Informative
Glad you liked it!
Tap the brake to help stop spinning front wheel and transfer drive to other wheel in soft ground.
I purchased a 2016 700, waiting for delivery next week.
Good review. The short comings that you mentioned are common for this little bike. They do make aftermarket accessories to resolve the big issues you mentioned. I own one of these and love it because its small and a very capable trail riding machine. It's a tank. I know we all wish that there were power from the motor. Good luck.
I have one too and love it. One more gear would be awesome lol
We've taken our 72" wide Talon everywhere the 50-55" inch pioneer can go. I used to buy into the hype too until we bought some bigger machines and found out thats just bull used to sell them. Also the bigger rigs actually have a suspension and are much more comfortable to ride. Once you drive a bigger one or drive a different brand than honda you'll realize that these 500 pioneers aren't very good machines when compared to everything else. I've owned the 500 pioneer for nearly 4 years. Never have cared for it much. The auto shifting is also very annoying and it never does get it right. In my opinion its a very badly designed machine!
@@jtarman70 They are bulletproof, unlike Polaris/Can-am which we see both manufacturers in the shop more than quite often- cvt belt drive=No thanks.
@@gonzobongo6669 Yeah, and they're rough as a tank on trails too. If you want it to bang around the farm and do work, it can be a good machine but still a very tight fit for a bigger guy. As for trailing, they really should'nt be considered a trail machine. Trail machines can be ridden in comfort all day long but the pioneer 500 is so rough like a bucking horse. If you you'd rather have whiplash instead of fun, then the pioneer 500 fits the bill. It is a good work machine for going slow and working on the farm. But if you want to be able to walk at the end of the day, this is the wrong machine to drive.
It's not a bike
Nice. I have a Polaris Ranger 800 EFI. I have did a few videos of that on my channel.
What did you pay for it if you don’t mind me asking? Local dealer near me had one left for $9500
That's a nice unit, hard to get one new
You mention you purchased the roof at Amazon what did you look under to find
Tap the break when your stuck it will help engage the wheel that’s not spinning
Are you sure? I thought that was just on old dodges. Yes I'm serious.
@@JoeMama-vj8es ya it does it for these also lol
Tapping the brake pedal works if done properly. I’ve done it with my Willys wagon many times.
Luke I thank you for mentioning the sway bar , that’s one thing I intended to do but forgot thanks.
How do you feel like the noise level is in the cabin? I’m coming from an older sxs (teryx) that was very loud. I don’t expect any sxs to be quiet at wot but would like to be able to have a comfortable conversation with a passenger around 25 mph. What are your thoughts on the noise level in that range?
Very tolerable. My son and I talked in it all the time.
Slap 27s on it locker and wrap exhaust with exhaust heat tape that thing cook’s rear end then it pulls water in when you submerge it a cools fast
There is a torque locker you can add to the unit for sure however I’ve heard you can cheat if u tap the brake pedal hard a few times it will engage the other wheel
Lol I was gonna tell him the same thing
i didt know tis i got stuck also
Only 500 initial thoughts?? I know. I couldn't resist.
How are the seats? In your opinion would they be ok for a whole day or possibly a weekend of riding? Thanks.
They are OK, but certainly not great. I used it for work all over the farm and it wasn't an issue. I think if you want all day riding I would swap out the seats
Great review of this. Thinking about getting one Do you think a custom made rear facing back seek bench like you see on golf carts would hold up in the back of those?
I do. Originally that was my plan.
This may be a rather odd question, but how slow can it go? This machine may be better for a specific job I do on the farm every year that the Ranger I've been using if it can go slow enough.
These creep… they act like a quad…
@@Synic08 Since I left this comment I have bought one, and yes they do.
Your son is awsome by the way. I'm thinking of buying this but come on honda diff lock is a must.
I agree to both points
I would purchase a Kawasaki mule 4x4 xc.
Its the entry level baby, what do you expect
... How do you think this vehicle would perform as just an option for running in town errands? ... I'm looking for options that would be used in the town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, know for their cobble stone streets. Several people online suggested a UTV in lieu of getting a car there.
It would be just fine, it's top speed isn't that impressive but in town it would work fine
Do you think the 2023 pioneer 1000-5 would be a good option as well? ... it looks like it gets up to 67MPH which could get me to the Costco in the town over 👍🏻
Its a big back rack u could build a box of something
Thanks for the great review. Ive been looking to purchase a 500 or a 700. Cost wise the 500 would be better for me. Do you think that the 500 is powerful enough to plow snow from a driveway? I need it to haul things around the property and to clear my driveway in the winter. Nice tshirt - Go Army. Thanks again.
It could push it but I think weight could be your problem. It won't take long until the snow being pushed weighs more than the wheeler
@@lukedaoutdoorguy7639 Thank you for the quick response. Much appreciated.
hello I am going to buy such a 2015 Honda Pioneer in Poland. is it good equipment? does it not fit? you probably have some experience with these machines? Im from Poland
Great machine
Can you fit a medium/large size dog in the middle of the seat with a passenger? Me and my wife want one but we are afraid we might need the 1000 since its wider. I found a nice 500 with portals and other mods that i want.
I don't think you could fit comfortably
@lukedaoutdoorguy7639 thanks for your honest input. That kinda bums me out. I have a chance to get a 500 for a sweet deal.
Hello, I'm from Poland. I want to buy a Honda from 2015, I have a question is it a good machine? does it have any failures?
I own one …the only problem I found is the heat off the engine will burn your ass… other than that fantastic machine.
@@antoniobriggs9180 hehe Yes alone . burns in the ass. but that's a plus in winter
Awesome machine but they are to expensive for being a 4Wheelers with steering wheel. I have a 2002 Polaris Ranger 500cc 4x4 I love it so reliable but my is full size 3 people so is way wider and my boss thinks is to big wide for workI want a Honda pioneer 500 but They wants $7000 or $8000 for used ones or Polaris Ace500 are cheaper and amazing machines too
Midwest boi
We are selling ours. Its just too small for any decent sized man and it bucks like a mule on the trails. Its also 20 years behind polaris, yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki and can am when it comes to technology and design. That goes for Honda 4 wheelers too. I own all of them and have for years. Honda was reliable in the past but not really anymore. Our 2019 honda talon 1000X with 1,200 miles is now sitting in the dealership service department waiting on honda to approve a replacement for our transmission which is stripped out after 11 months. And before anyone says, well you just mistreated it, no we are 50 years old, we just do casual trail riding in the mountains. Its been well taken care of and we do not abuse our machines, don't believe in tearing up things we worked hard to get! Owned honda's since the early 80's, and in my personal opinion the newer honda's aren't built any better than the others rigs on the market. Everyone gripes about polaris and their belts, well , a belt is a lot cheaper than a whole DCT transmission. In my opinion honda really laid an egg with the 500. 700 is crap too. Their 1000 is good. As far as being narrow, our talon is 72 inches wide at the front tires (32" tires) and we have no problem going anywhere the 55" wide pioneer 500 goes.
You might not mistreat your equipment overtly, maybe you just don't maintain it properly. I've had a lot of Honda equipment and it has been flawless. If your going to sell your unit, just do so. Bitching about it makes you sound like a whiner...
Bullsht!! You are not taking a Talon thru 50” gates. At least make apples to apples comparison. If you don’t ride restricted width trails, then you are stupid for buying a P500.
Should have taken 2 minutes to adjust the clutch.
I wouldn't buy a Polaris with "your" money!... I'd rather walk....all my friends have had them....all junk..but hey, what do I know 🤔
@@jamesbecker3420 Yeah well it turns out the transmission is a well known problem that honda knows about but continues to build because they just don't care about their customers. Honda Mechanic told me that. As for whining, its called an honest unbiased opinion and I paid $20k for that opinion! If you don't like it, then go jump off a cliff James Pecker!
11:34 i just bought a 2019 Honda pioneer 500 in amazing almost perfect condition. Only 600 miles. I hate the clonks transmission shifts terrible I tested ride 4 and all of them shifts like crap
If i had the money id get the honda over that Axis 500
Get you mike closer to you when you speak; can't hear most of your video even with my computer turned all the way up!
your too far away from the person doing the recording
I'm a long time Honda motorcycle fan... Fabulous products... But this is a pathetic product by Honda. It's loud as hell, and pathetically terrible top speed.
they arent built for top speed! my gosh aint designed for that shit
Love mine up in the wv mountains don't need anything else for climbing 🐐
Complain, complain, complain.. then buy something different!
Attention: if you are critical of something it is now considered complaining as per this comment. Feedback or opinions are not allowed.
Clearly we had fun with this machine. It wasn't all negative feedback.