[Redtape]

I'd sure like to here from some of you Pioneer owner's to see what you think of your machine.

We haven't had much owner feedback, and I for one would like to know your experiences. Do you like the machine? How does it ride, pull, drive, and compare with other machines you've encountered? Would you buy it again? Does it have enough power?

It is a big investment, and your feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[alloutdoors]

I have no experience with the Pioneer 500 or 1000, but owned a Pioneer 700. I owned one of the first ones with auto transmission and see now it's available with shift paddles, a nicer option in my opinion. My unit had the "flip up" seats, and keeping them reasonably clean was difficult and when you needed them, you literally couldn't bring a cooler along. I also did not like the locked rear end and would like a open/turf mode. I sold the unit and have a Kawasaki Mule, very nice, smoother and very quiet unit.

 

[Jeepwm69]

Have ridden with a couple of the 1000's.

Owners like them, for the most part.

The other day one of them said now that the temps are warming up that he's discovered that the cabs get HOT from engine heat.

I googled it and looks like a lot of people are having problems with hot cabs. Looks like most are making it tolerable by adding reflective materials on the underside of the seat.

 

[LBZ_Duramax]

I've got a 1000-5 deluxe. I bought it because it will seat 5 people without the extra length of the other 4 seater UTVs. Its got plenty of power, rides nice. The seat heat is noticeable but not unbearable to me. I haven't taken it on any day long trips or anything, just riding my little one around the farm and doing chores around the house.

 

[Redtape]

Wow! I wonder if Honda is addressing the heat in the cab/seat problem. I may have to rethink whether the 1000 is my dream machine. It almost sounds like they need a recall type fix for the machines previously sold.

Great engineering is why I've owned Honda ATV's for the past 35 years, and I find this heat problem very surprising.

 

[Jeepwm69]

A lot of SxS's habe this issue.

They'll fix it, or people on boards like this one will figure out how to fix it.

Would you rather be warm or broken down?

 

[fishfiles]

my neighbor bought the Pioneer and it was for sale 3 months after he got it , he owns and operates a ATV repair and parts business and is a hardcore Honda guy who rides every weekend , so that is saying a lot ----- my best friend bought a Kawasaki Mule extended cab end of last year and as far as a utility UTV I think it is the best one out there , he loads it up with 8 kids and adult and takes it thru the mud , a sight to see ------Honda has a lot to learn in the utility UTV game

 

[Jeepwm69]

my neighbor bought the Pioneer and it was for sale 3 months after he got it , he owns and operates a ATV repair and parts business and is a hardcore Honda guy who rides every weekend , so that is saying a lot ----- my best friend bought a Kawasaki Mule extended cab end of last year and as far as a utility UTV I think it is the best one out there , he loads it up with 8 kids and adult and takes it thru the mud , a sight to see ------Honda has a lot to learn in the utility UTV game

What were his issues with the Pioneer?

I'm too cheap to buy anything like that now. Figured I would wait a couple years for Honda to work out the kinks and then buy a fixer-upper

 

[fishfiles]

I'll ask him when he gets back from the Mud Nationals , he is on a free trip on HighLifer as he is dealer for them , he came by my house and rode with us one weekend when it was brand new , and he called it a piece of crap , he spent $3k on extras for it right off the bat , lift kits , tires and rims, sound system , light bars , etc and took a lost selling it , so that says something --- I recently had a chance to buy a 6 wheel John Deer for $1,800 that was pretty decent and past on it , there is a brand new Can-Am 1000 6 wheel drive that is a 2015 that didn't sell and the dealer has a big sale on it this weekend , that thing looks like a nightmare on the pocket book when it breaks ----- I think the Mule is the best thing out there right now for a utility UTV

 

[Manny]

Having cab heat issues is going to be a given when you have an engine between you and the passenger, this happens with every model. rhino, commander, teryx, etc.

that's unavoidable.

If the cost wasn't so high for the 1000 5 seater I would sell my rzr's and buy one, but I really don't think its worth 20k.

 

[Redtape]

I'll ask him when he gets back from the Mud Nationals , he is on a free trip on HighLifer as he is dealer for them , he came by my house and rode with us one weekend when it was brand new , and he called it a piece of crap , he spent $3k on extras for it right off the bat , lift kits , tires and rims, sound system , light bars , etc and took a lost selling it , so that says something --- I recently had a chance to buy a 6 wheel John Deer for $1,800 that was pretty decent and past on it , there is a brand new Can-Am 1000 6 wheel drive that is a 2015 that didn't sell and the dealer has a big sale on it this weekend , that thing looks like a nightmare on the pocket book when it breaks ----- I think the Mule is the best thing out there right now for a utility UTV

What Pioneer did he have - 500, 700, or 1000?

 

[teejk]

A lot of SxS's habe this issue.

They'll fix it, or people on boards like this one will figure out how to fix it.

Would you rather be warm or broken down?

My 700 hasn't even got to the initial service yet...but during deer season that heat was a nice thing to have when leaving the blind after the sun went down! It does have the half-doors so probably not as good as others on dissipating heat. I haven't exercised it in warmer temps (bought it in October and live in Wisconsin) but will see.

 

[teejk]

Again not fully tested yet but the transmission on the 700 seems to take some time to "wind-up" and so far I would say it is not ideal for close quarter work. Once in motion it works great. Never experienced the other brands so don't know if that is a problem unique to Honda.

 

[Jeepwm69]

I'll ask him when he gets back from the Mud Nationals , he is on a free trip on HighLifer as he is dealer for them , he came by my house and rode with us one weekend when it was brand new , and he called it a piece of crap , he spent $3k on extras for it right off the bat , lift kits , tires and rims, sound system , light bars , etc and took a lost selling it , so that says something --- I recently had a chance to buy a 6 wheel John Deer for $1,800 that was pretty decent and past on it , there is a brand new Can-Am 1000 6 wheel drive that is a 2015 that didn't sell and the dealer has a big sale on it this weekend , that thing looks like a nightmare on the pocket book when it breaks ----- I think the Mule is the best thing out there right now for a utility UTV

Yeah, my doctor has a Can Am. He went from Polaris to Can Am, and said the Can Am is an even bigger POS than the Ranger was.

His is heavily modded, and he's hard on equipment.

He said his go to "I know it will get me home" to use around his property is still an old Honda 300.

Having cab heat issues is going to be a given when you have an engine between you and the passenger, this happens with every model. rhino, commander, teryx, etc.

that's unavoidable.

If the cost wasn't so high for the 1000 5 seater I would sell my rzr's and buy one, but I really don't think its worth 20k.

The 1000's are down around $12-13K here for the bench seat model.

 

[cuoutdoors]

I have the 3 seat 1000. I'm very happy with it. I live in Iowa and it does get hot under the seat and almost every side by side does that. You can bake a potato in the cup holder of a can am commander. ....and I'm a can am fan too! I used to race them. With out getting too long winded here I boiled it down to reliability/longevity VS. luxury/comfort options. .....so imo nobody offers a cab and other comforts that compare to a ranger. However I put my stock in reliability. The hounda tranny has been outstanding. It shifts incredibly smooth, it will hold in gear going down hills and down shifts flawlessly when slowing from 55mph. The motors are bulletproof and you just can't beat the mechanical reliability of a Honda. To address your heat concerns, I mounted a 4 inch bilge fan under the center of the seat with a vent cut through the plastic. It's been great because in the winter it blows hot air off the motor into the cab and in the summer I just switch the wires and blow the hot air back pulling cool air through the cab......but in Iowa I often use both options on the same day haha.

Just my two cents


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jeepwm69]

To address your heat concerns, I mounted a 4 inch bilge fan under the center of the seat with a vent cut through the plastic. It's been great because in the winter it blows hot air off the motor into the cab and in the summer I just switch the wires and blow the hot air back pulling cool air through the cab......but in Iowa I often use both options on the same day haha.

Just my two cents


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Genius.

Like I said, if Honda doesn't figure out a fix, owners will.

 

[Redtape]

fishfiles, you said your neighbor bought a the Pioneer and put it up for sale 3 months later. What Pioneer are you referring to - 500, 700, or 1000? They are very different machines and engines, and I wonder which one he had. I hope it wasn't the 1000 since I think I'll get one.

 

[Jmm24]

fishfiles, you said your neighbor bought a the Pioneer and put it up for sale 3 months later. What Pioneer are you referring to - 500, 700, or 1000? They are very different machines and engines, and I wonder which one he had. I hope it wasn't the 1000 since I think I'll get one.

I wouldn't put too much stock into one owners opinion, especially when he isn't here to speak for himself. Most 1000 owners love the machine but like they say, you can't please everyone. I doubt the riding in Louisiana is very similar to Wisconsin anyway.

 

[Argokiller]

I'd sure like to here from some of you Pioneer owner's to see what you think of your machine.

We haven't had much owner feedback, and I for one would like to know your experiences. Do you like the machine? How does it ride, pull, drive, and compare with other machines you've encountered? Would you buy it again? Does it have enough power?

It is a big investment, and your feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

I bought a 1000 last July . First trip, I smashed the skid plate and busted a calliper protector. I'm lucky to have my own shop and made a 1/4'' stainless skid plate and new 1/8 calliper protectors. I then put it on a trailer and went to Newfoundland. I took this machine up and down the roughest country Canada has to offer. I followed Argos up mountains ,through marshes ,rivers, ponds and dense scrub and forest. The Argo riders had sore necks because they kept looking back to see if I was still there. I WAS! Got stuck in one bawg hole. Was water up to bottom of steering wheel. Took 2 Argos to pull me out. (Driver error) I can say, this machine will go anywhere. I am not your normal owner. Most people wouldn't pay 20+ thousand dollars and test their machine to its limits. I did. Performance will not be outdone in my opinion. That being said' there are weak spots. I now have to replace floors with stainless as the where destroyed by stumps. The suspension is a bit stiff for steep ,rough inclines and body tears easily. I hear there is a new suspension kit and I can improve floors and body. Oh yeah, I pulled the Argos out all day!

 

[Redtape]

Wow! Remind me never to venture out with you. I'd wait at the bottom of the hill polishing my machine. LOL If you'd filmed your ventures, Honda would probably buy the adventure highlights. It's nice to know the 1000 can hack it albeit with a few problems.

You should consider selling your enhancements to the machine.