Years ago i had a Honda Rubicon. It was a very similar setup with the transmission however, I didn’t really like it. It was kinda iffy on its shifts. Another thing I didn’t like is the engine and transmission shared engine oil which meant A LOT of oil upon oil changes. Now i have a 2009 Foreman 500 air cooled, foot shift, i like it. It’s simple and easy to operate. I’m keeping it till the wheels fall off. The new machines in my opinion are far too complicated than they need to be. (Edit) I’m 54 from Pennsylvania, I’ve had many makes and models over my years of riding ATV’s but i’ve always preferred a Honda. If i were to change up again, it might be a KTM/cfmoto simply because of price.
I think the more oil you have in an engine, the longer it lasts, so it's probably not a big downside. even if the oil change intervals are the same, then the engine life would be increased.
I have plowed with my Rubicon since 2013, low gear in Auto works the best, the bike is more efficient in Auto mode. The only time I use the ESP program is in low gear while hauling firewood, its nice to have power through the gears when towing heavy loads.
Thanks a lot for this video. I couldn’t decide between a Kodiak and this and I wanted to see it driven and this is exactly what I needed. Thanks a whole lot
yeah something about the Honda's make them feel really smooth and high quality. I've had 2 Foreman's ES machines. It might be the longitude mounted engine, all gears and straight drive shafts
@@trailblazeratv6306 i cant wait to get one the newer model comes in this black metallic red. So if there any in stock a year or 2 previous that all red. Ill get one of those.
Great video really shows and explains how it works and pros and cons ! If I shift mine in manual I try and let off the throttle just cuase I’m used to my ‘93 fourtrax 300’s. Also about reverse too. I try to have it at a complete stop for a sec before shifting to reverse
Nice video! I have the same exact machine, but not with the power steering. Love it. Mine also does that same thing with shifting a bit rough when it's cold. Let it warm up a bit and it's fine. Also, when shifting the high and low range lever, does yours make a loud clunk sound when shifting it back into high?
I fell my 22 DCT shifts better in ESP without letting off the throttle. Much better then the auto setting. When in auto the downshift always seems rough. Could be I’m still in the break in Period. We’ll test again after first oil change and valve adjustment.
It's basically an automatic car transmission, you dont let off the gas to shift. Just like an automatic 4x4 truck or jeep, you need to shift manually when in mud or snow as there's no way a computer can pick the right gear in those conditions.
Yes totally agree and it took over 500km of riding for mine to smooth out. I run exclusively in auto and just bang up and down when needed. Thanks for watching.
Okay so I was thinking when you first drive the bike can you drive it in electric shift and shifted by the thumb enter the bike in the oil is nice and warm then put it in automatic then maybe the DCT transmission will shift good just a suggestion I think that would work?
Yes it does when you switch it to electric shift, but I wish it indicated what gear it was in when in full auto instead of just displaying the D. It took a while to get used to, inwas hunting for gears in auto, but now its just second nature. Thanks for watching!
@@brucestephens1415 starting with mine that destroyed itself. Honda technical bulletin III-1-21. Email light touch tuning for screenshots of the technical data.
@@donaldlightfoot7968 The reason I asked the question about the DCT transmission is I have a Rubicon 2021 that I bought this past January and I haven’t had any trouble with it at all.
@@brucestephens1415 some 21s left production with the update. Do NOT neglect this update. I have 5k in repairs and been waiting since Feb to get it fixed as the parts are backordered for eternity. Please goto the dealer and have them apply the update. Mine drove fine until 5th gear stopped existing.
How has the dct been working ? I have a 23 on order. I went for the dct because of how convenient the reverse button is. I will primarily be using it for plowing. I’ve heard some ppl had problems with the 20-21’s but a software update came out and fixed the issues. Mine being a 23 should be good I hope
I think i have the update installed. It was like pulling teeth to get the dealer to do it. But so far its pretty good. The first two or three cold shifts feel aweful but after that its smooth like butter. It takes a while to smooth out, like over 500km of riding. I def love it, wish it was faster but its been really great so far.
Ya the first cold shift or two are a little rough but after that it's perfectly fine. I rode mine almost all winter here in the Ottawa Valley and it did great.
i just got 2023 honda rubicon deluxe dct still have to break it in :) Where do you ride in the ottawa valley? I ussualy ride in marlborough forest and ovrt to arnprior
How far you get on a tank of fuel on average? Just thinking on upgrading to a rubicon or a grizzly for some long trail rides. How have you found the stability on some off camber or side hill maneuvers.
I can get a full day ride out of a tank bit it really depends how hard your pushing it. I think i can easily hit 100km on one. Off camber is decent. The machine is pretty light, but the stocl shocks come adjusted to their softest setting so its a bit wobbly out of the box. The stock tires are terrible for side hilling. They slide, not the right tread pattern, they just slide sideways. Thanks for watching!
Hmmm interesting option. I don't find the steering numb, its more like assisted, still has good feel but at low speed you aren't working hard to turn. I love the power steering.
No completely different tranny all together. Somehow 2 gears are engaged at any given time, ready to shift. You don't even need to let off the gas. The old electric shift was basically a motor on a footshift.
I didn't know there was ever a hydrostatic transmission in a rubicon? We don't get all the same models up here in Canada. I usually find hydrostatic transmissions on kubota products. Interesting, i'd like to get my hands on one.
@poppymonroewild the rubicon 500 was a type of hydrostatic(hondamatic) transmission. And an excellent one at that. Probably expensive for honda to make and sell compared to this DCT transmission. Apparently 2014 was the last year for the hydrostatic. 2001-2014
they are fun to ride winter and summer. thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day
Years ago i had a Honda Rubicon. It was a very similar setup with the transmission however, I didn’t really like it. It was kinda iffy on its shifts. Another thing I didn’t like is the engine and transmission shared engine oil which meant A LOT of oil upon oil changes. Now i have a 2009 Foreman 500 air cooled, foot shift, i like it. It’s simple and easy to operate. I’m keeping it till the wheels fall off.
The new machines in my opinion are far too complicated than they need to be. (Edit) I’m 54 from Pennsylvania, I’ve had many makes and models over my years of riding ATV’s but i’ve always preferred a Honda. If i were to change up again, it might be a KTM/cfmoto simply because of price.
I think the more oil you have in an engine, the longer it lasts, so it's probably not a big downside. even if the oil change intervals are the same, then the engine life would be increased.
I have plowed with my Rubicon since 2013, low gear in Auto works the best, the bike is more efficient in Auto mode. The only time I use the ESP program is in low gear while hauling firewood, its nice to have power through the gears when towing heavy loads.
Thanks a lot for this video. I couldn’t decide between a Kodiak and this and I wanted to see it driven and this is exactly what I needed. Thanks a whole lot
Thanks for watching! You'll love whatever yoh choose.
Es mucho mejor calidad Honda
Thanks for this video. I bought the foot shift model 😊
Enjoy it
Thanks for the info I just bought one
The Honda looks like it rides real smooth
Sure does!! Nothing like a Honda!!
yeah something about the Honda's make them feel really smooth and high quality. I've had 2 Foreman's ES machines. It might be the longitude mounted engine, all gears and straight drive shafts
@@trailblazeratv6306 i cant wait to get one the newer model comes in this black metallic red. So if there any in stock a year or 2 previous that all red. Ill get one of those.
Great video really shows and explains how it works and pros and cons ! If I shift mine in manual I try and let off the throttle just cuase I’m used to my ‘93 fourtrax 300’s. Also about reverse too. I try to have it at a complete stop for a sec before shifting to reverse
Same, its a bit of an adjustment when you first start riding it, but now i do it without thinking . Thanks for watching!
Great video and very helpful!
Great tutorial. Thx
Thanks for watching
Nice video! I have the same exact machine, but not with the power steering. Love it. Mine also does that same thing with shifting a bit rough when it's cold. Let it warm up a bit and it's fine. Also, when shifting the high and low range lever, does yours make a loud clunk sound when shifting it back into high?
Ya i get a bit of a clunk too. I don't use it often, it might need some time to break in. Thanks for watching!
How do you like it without the power steering? Was that out of necessity or choice?
When shifting into low range. Make sure you are in drive. If you are in neutral and shift into low then hit drive it will clunk. I have the same ATV.
I have the same ATV mines a 2015 model. I have right around 7000 miles. Still looks new and rides new.
@@backspace4093 thanks for the tip. Ill remember to do that instead of being in neutral first. 👌👍
I fell my 22 DCT shifts better in ESP without letting off the throttle. Much better then the auto setting. When in auto the downshift always seems rough. Could be I’m still in the break in Period. We’ll test again after first oil change and valve adjustment.
Ya you might be right. The shifts get better overall, but that first one of the say is always really hard.
Same man. It’s so strange not letting off the throttle to shift. I thought mine was messed up
It's basically an automatic car transmission, you dont let off the gas to shift.
Just like an automatic 4x4 truck or jeep, you need to shift manually when in mud or snow as there's no way a computer can pick the right gear in those conditions.
Yes totally agree and it took over 500km of riding for mine to smooth out. I run exclusively in auto and just bang up and down when needed. Thanks for watching.
After your initial break in, if you want gear change to be almost silent, use the Honda oil gn4 full synthetic. You will notice a HUGE difference
Okay so I was thinking when you first drive the bike can you drive it in electric shift and shifted by the thumb enter the bike in the oil is nice and warm then put it in automatic then maybe the DCT transmission will shift good just a suggestion I think that would work?
was it just me but you said you wish it would display the gear when you overide the shifter, but it does display it at 4:18
Yes it does when you switch it to electric shift, but I wish it indicated what gear it was in when in full auto instead of just displaying the D. It took a while to get used to, inwas hunting for gears in auto, but now its just second nature. Thanks for watching!
Thank's for this vidéo!
I just bought a 15 rubicon with this shifting program for 2500 I hope I don't run into problems 😬
Honda tough. You should be good. Hope you like it. Smoking price you got, super jelous.
You should add the info about the technical bulletin on these. all 20-21 DCT models will destroy themselves. TSB III-1-21
I’m just curious where did you read that the 2021 DCT models destroy themselves?😊
@@brucestephens1415 starting with mine that destroyed itself. Honda technical bulletin III-1-21. Email light touch tuning for screenshots of the technical data.
@@donaldlightfoot7968 The reason I asked the question about the DCT transmission is I have a Rubicon 2021 that I bought this past January and I haven’t had any trouble with it at all.
@@brucestephens1415 some 21s left production with the update. Do NOT neglect this update. I have 5k in repairs and been waiting since Feb to get it fixed as the parts are backordered for eternity. Please goto the dealer and have them apply the update. Mine drove fine until 5th gear stopped existing.
@@donaldlightfoot7968 thanx for the info Donald. I appreciate it. 😊👍
My Honda pioneer shift crazy in auto
Ya, is it the same clunky shift at the start of any ride? It smooths out after two or three shifts.
How has the dct been working ? I have a 23 on order. I went for the dct because of how convenient the reverse button is. I will primarily be using it for plowing. I’ve heard some ppl had problems with the 20-21’s but a software update came out and fixed the issues. Mine being a 23 should be good I hope
I think i have the update installed. It was like pulling teeth to get the dealer to do it. But so far its pretty good. The first two or three cold shifts feel aweful but after that its smooth like butter. It takes a while to smooth out, like over 500km of riding. I def love it, wish it was faster but its been really great so far.
Yours be fine I have a 2022 shifts absolutely fine all day long !
i have always let off the throttle when shifting. My dealership told me too when i bought my 1st Honda
😂 foot shift I get it but not for DCT
We would be using in for November hunting in northern alberta it gets cold
From -15 to -25 celsius i wonder how it will shift
Ya the first cold shift or two are a little rough but after that it's perfectly fine. I rode mine almost all winter here in the Ottawa Valley and it did great.
i just got 2023 honda rubicon deluxe dct still have to break it in :) Where do you ride in the ottawa valley? I ussualy ride in marlborough forest and ovrt to arnprior
That's awesome! Nice machine. I ride the OVRT between whitewater and Pembroke. I like the trails towards the park. Thanks for watching!
How far you get on a tank of fuel on average? Just thinking on upgrading to a rubicon or a grizzly for some long trail rides. How have you found the stability on some off camber or side hill maneuvers.
I can get a full day ride out of a tank bit it really depends how hard your pushing it. I think i can easily hit 100km on one. Off camber is decent. The machine is pretty light, but the stocl shocks come adjusted to their softest setting so its a bit wobbly out of the box. The stock tires are terrible for side hilling. They slide, not the right tread pattern, they just slide sideways. Thanks for watching!
@@poppymonroewild thanks for the input and impressions on your experience. Take care.
I’m getting about 100 miles to the tank.
Everyone can thank volkswagen for the sacrifice they made for us back in 2005 with DCT
Thanks VW. I like our Jetta.
10C is 50F
I have not had any issues even at 20F
That's great to hear!
I wish you could get the manual footshift without the power steering , powersteering takes away from the feel of a four wheeler.
Hmmm interesting option. I don't find the steering numb, its more like assisted, still has good feel but at low speed you aren't working hard to turn. I love the power steering.
Not used to powered steering yet. At low speeds I use way too much force to turn expecting resistance.
So basically it does not have a regular manual mode?
Affraid it's not exactly like a foot shift in manual mode. Still works well but does the down shifting for you.
if you keep it on esp then you manually make all gear changes
So, dct is basically the old ES model combined with a computer that can make the shifts for you ?
No completely different tranny all together. Somehow 2 gears are engaged at any given time, ready to shift. You don't even need to let off the gas. The old electric shift was basically a motor on a footshift.
@@poppymonroewild so. Did honda eliminate the hydrostatic transmission rubicon completely?
I didn't know there was ever a hydrostatic transmission in a rubicon? We don't get all the same models up here in Canada. I usually find hydrostatic transmissions on kubota products. Interesting, i'd like to get my hands on one.
@poppymonroewild the rubicon 500 was a type of hydrostatic(hondamatic) transmission. And an excellent one at that. Probably expensive for honda to make and sell compared to this DCT transmission. Apparently 2014 was the last year for the hydrostatic. 2001-2014
Next time show the gears not shifting well.
I'll try, it's hard to film. I've been considering using the drone to capture it.
Communists in NY State would ban you riding that fourwheeler every place they can.
Allllrighty then! Good thing i'm Canadian. Thanks for watching.
MOVE !! Like I did 45 years ago.
@@poppymonroewildyour rights ain’t safe up there either that commie tradtoe will get ya
We don't know what Celsius means. You're going to put dead in fahrenheit so I'll understand. Speak english
Hahahaha I'm Canadian! Sorry eh!
Junk junk junk and about 5 to 6 thousand to replace
Alrighty then!
Fm1>dct es
very helpful
@@poppymonroewild youre welcome. Youll know better next time