[Chris84]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and I am looking into possibly buying a Rincon. I am tried and true Honda owner, I have a well taken care of 1988 Honda fourtrax 300 2wd and is an awesome 4wheeler and runs like a champ. Ever since I was little my dad has always had Honda 3wheelers, Honda lawnmowers and now a Honda generator and have always lasted forever. Why not huh?? My Dad and I took this safety course for the Texas Equi search team for when someone is missing well we go out and find them on our ATVs. I'm just looking for a bit bigger ATV with some more juice behind it.

Now that you know my reason, are the Rincons as up to snuff as they claim them to be? The Rincon I am looking at is an 03 650 for $3000, not sure on the hours and mileage. It has been well taken care of, used but not abused. My Dad is good friends with this guy and just got back from a 3 day trail ride and performed flaulessly. What should I be looking as this is quite a jump in the ATV cc class? Thanks, any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums. I've heard negative things about the Rincon, but I've never owned one. Personally, I would get the Foreman 500. I've heard a lot of people say that they have transmission problems and I've heard people say they don't really have the power they should have. Like I said, that's just what I've heard, I've never owned one. They probably aren't all like that.

 

[Chris84]

Yeah, I've always liked the foreman because they have been around forever and they are tough but this sounds like a pretty good deal so I'm just looking at getting different input on it before I go out and buy it. I just wish my 88 300 was 4wd, I'm also real u sure about these independent rear suspensions, I mean I've heard of the shafts breaking under high torque load and what not unlike the solid axles that won't break. Like you said it's just what I've heard. Honestly I'm not looking for the biggest and baddest ATV, I just came across this deal of a nice well taken care of Rincon. Thanks for your input.

 

[shadetree]

i say get the foreman 500 myself..and if posb..try to get manual shifting..stay clear of any elec shift..they are nothing but trouble..as long as your not hauling around 500 or 600 pounds of gear...lol..this should suit you well..the foreman's are a well built bike..dang..i've got a 89 trx350d foreman..and it's purring like new right now..of course..i had to give it new rings..over haul the carb..but hey..what do you expect from a bike that old ?..lol..it's all stock..never bored it..just honed the cylinder..new rings..and over hauled the carb..and it runs great !..oh...and welcome to the forums !

 

[Chris84]

Yeah, I havent really ever liked the electronic stuff. To me the less the better. Like I said this is a pretty good deal but still open to positive and negative input. I still drive a 92 Chevy pickup with 235000 on the ticker and still runs like a champ and an 88 Honda still running like a champ of course they have been well taken care of, like my pops always said, take care of it and it will take care of you.

Thanks again.

 

[shadetree]

well..for a 03 model..i'm sure it has some miles on it...sooo before you hand over the cash..you may want to inspect it reall well..most times..when a deal sounds to good to be true..there is a reason for it..check to see if it smokes..check the shocks for wear..check the brakes..check the bearings front and rear..yes..this can be done with alittle pulling on the racks..you should be able to tell if the bearings are bad by this..check the cv joints for any wear on the front axles..listen for any clicking or clunking sound..this is a sign of bad cv joints if there is any.and they aren't cheap to replace...listen for any ticking sound comming from the top end..could be the valves..or timming chain..the list goes on and on..just make sure you inspect it really good before you hand over the cash...what might be a good deal now...may cost you a fortune down the road.

 

[Chris84]

Oh yes thanks for the input, I am very picky when it comes to something like this. Now, I remember on my Dad's video of their 3 day trail ride, on the way back to camp it just died on him. It started right back up no problem but was just odd that it died on him just out of no where. It will definetly get a lookover by me and my Dad because I definetly dont want to buy something that could potentially have problems later because when you're out on the trail riding you need something that will not only get you out there but also get you back home as well and I know Honda can do that so right now I'm doing my homework and asking you guys and other owners as well.

I am a long winded person so you will find me typing up a lot sometimes and I do apologize, I am the same way in person. God made me that way, I thank Him for every breath He gives me.

 

[Helmut]

Transmission problems are mostly what I've been hearing about. People have been saying that they will just stop pulling sometimes, especially when it's cold out. They say when you first start them, sometimes you have to let them sit and warm up for a long time before they will pull. That's just what I've heard, but I know they're expensive to fix if they do go bad. They may not all be like that, but at least you know what to look for. I've also heard that the cams wear out quick.

 

[Chris84]

Now is the carrying capacity different between the swingarm axle and the IRS suspension??

 

[tomgodd]

I would have to agree with Helmut and Shade tree. I love Honda but their auto trans and electric shift models tend to be problematic. On the other hand I know a guy who has an 04 650 and it has be an excellent quad. He loves it and has had no issues with it. The only complaint he has is.... under a load it does not really have the power to pull like the other models he has owned.

Welcome to the Family!

 

[submarine 300]

^^^^i agree with them. And welcome to the forums

 

[Fourtrax]

Welcome to the forums! Pics of your 300? They are awesome especially the 88's

 

[MLR Synthetics]

Oh yes thanks for the input, I am very picky when it comes to something like this. Now, I remember on my Dad's video of their 3 day trail ride, on the way back to camp it just died on him. It started right back up no problem but was just odd that it died on him just out of no where. It will definetly get a lookover by me and my Dad because I definetly dont want to buy something that could potentially have problems later because when you're out on the trail riding you need something that will not only get you out there but also get you back home as well and I know Honda can do that so right now I'm doing my homework and asking you guys and other owners as well.

I am a long winded person so you will find me typing up a lot sometimes and I do apologize, I am the same way in person. God made me that way, I thank Him for every breath He gives me.

It might have died because he ran out of fuel then turned on reserve fuel. I don't know anything else why it would just die then fire right back up?

 

[Chris84]

Yeah I'm not sure either I think that may of what happened.

 

[Chris84]

Another question is ride quality between the foreman and rincon?? Solid axle verses IRS?? I'm 5'8 160lbs.

 

[JBGill06]

A lot of people on here are DIE HARD foreman and older honda utility fans, I myself don't like them. I could list a couple reasons why, but I'm sure that it will offend someone. It all depends on what your doing to do with it. I have a Rincon and it is just a champ. Brakes are awesome and the suspension is better than any foreman could dream of. They have enough power to pull the front wheels off the ground and keep them up there, and they are not light. For a 650 or 675, they have a lot of power. But its not a work horse. The foremans are going to be easier and cheaper to work on, if thats the route your looking for. If you want something that is going to handle well and have plenty of power to do what you want it to, get the Rincon. If not, get a newer Rancher (07 and up) with the manual trans and straight axle.

 

[Helmut]

the suspension is better than any foreman could dream of.

I would agree with this. The Foreman does have a harsher ride.

 

[JBGill06]

My buddies girlfriend has one, and I just feel sorry for her when we ride because it feels like a rigid or something. She's not a very big person and she gets beat up little. It doesn't help that it is all-time 4wd either though. But it does go through some sh#t, I'll give it that much.

 

[Helmut]

My buddies girlfriend has one, and I just feel sorry for her when we ride because it feels like a rigid or something. She's not a very big person and she gets beat up little. It doesn't help that it is all-time 4wd either though. But it does go through some sh#t, I'll give it that much.

The newer Foremans ride better, but they're still lacking in the ride quality. I doubt if a straight axle is ever going to have the ride quality that an IRS has.

 

[Chris84]

Being still a honda and everything, how's the duribility factor being that the rincons haven't been out for as long as the foremans have??