[newhondaguy]

I have a 2016 Honda Rubicon DCT with 27 inch mud bugs.


I'm going to put s gear reduction kit in.


I'm not looking to get back to stock torque. I'm looking at getting more than stock torque.


I don't care about top end speed as long as I can get 50-60 km/hr or so in 5th gear in high.


50% reduction?

I need the atv to tow heavy loads of fresh cut wood through snow and tow a 17 foot alumin boat with 50 horse on it down logging roads once in awhile.



To put it into perspective I had arctic cat 550 with 27 inch tires before. I swapped out the clutch weights (not the spring) and it was plenty of torque for my needs..

 

[SamUK]

50 to 60 percent GR would give you the torque you require but your top end speed will be around 30mph. Unfortunately top end is what you have to sacrifice in order to gain the torque from any Honda.

 

[mrbb]

I'd agree when you do a GR your loosing cruising speeds pretty good, and not to mention when cruising your screaming RPMS
you old Arctic cat 550 had more hp OVER this honda and the motor was made to run at higher rpm's than the honda is
its not this simple, but when you reduce gearing by 50% you about cut top speed in half and thats MAX speed
if you were doing a MAX of 60 MPH in stock trim, dump in a 50% GR and your now at a MAX of 30 mph( again this is NOT perfect science here, but gives you an idea where your going) the TALLER tires will help off set things some, and with a 37-50% GR I think you'll be OK at cruising at 30 MPH, but if your towing FAR, and often far, I think there would be better atv's for your intended use for one?
as spending money on mod's or just selling and buying a better fitting atv, is maybe a better option to be honest!, but again comes down to HOW far anfd how often you tow things IMO
and then also ask yourself, HOW much does atv struggle NOW, if just a little then a little GR might work fine , if its lacking a bunch now,?? then again back to maybe a better atv would fit your needs better over trying to make this one work and have it downfalls with doing so?
I'm ADMITTING I am NO GR expert here, and this is just my 2 cents

 

[newhondaguy]

I'd agree when you do a GR your loosing cruising speeds pretty good, and not to mention when cruising your screaming RPMS
you old Arctic cat 550 had more hp OVER this honda and the motor was made to run at higher rpm's than the honda is
its not this simple, but when you reduce gearing by 50% you about cut top speed in half and thats MAX speed
if you were doing a MAX of 60 MPH in stock trim, dump in a 50% GR and your now at a MAX of 30 mph( again this is NOT perfect science here, but gives you an idea where your going) the TALLER tires will help off set things some, and with a 37-50% GR I think you'll be OK at cruising at 30 MPH, but if your towing FAR, and often far, I think there would be better atv's for your intended use for one?
as spending money on mod's or just selling and buying a better fitting atv, is maybe a better option to be honest!, but again comes down to HOW far anfd how often you tow things IMO
and then also ask yourself, HOW much does atv struggle NOW, if just a little then a little GR might work fine , if its lacking a bunch now,?? then again back to maybe a better atv would fit your needs better over trying to make this one work and have it downfalls with doing so?
I'm ADMITTING I am NO GR expert here, and this is just my 2 cents

Thanks for the input! I appriciared it.

To start, I've owned the ATV for a year now and have yet to hit 30 mph lol... I didn't buy it to cruise. Where I live is all muskeg, tight trails, over grown cut blocks, mud etc.. There simply isn't a safe place to cruise over 30mp. I spend 95% of my time under 15mph. That is no exageration. I should post the hours I have on it compared to the miles to give you a idea.

Ive never been able to use 5th gear in high range on the honda. There's simply no situatuon or place Ive been in to use it.

I spend 85% of my time in low range. Anytime I'm able to cruise at a steady speed because the terrain allowes, I'm in 4th gear in low range.

Maybe this info will help give me advice

I bought the honda after a TON of research, asking questions driving other ATVs, spending time with other ATV owners etc.. I picked the right atv without a doubt. Keep in mind I owned the arctic cat for 7 years before buying the honda. I don't want a CVT anymore.

As of right now, yes the ATV doens't have the proper torque. I can always get my load moving, but it struggles and to me thats just setting myself up for mechanical issues.


I'd like to still be about to cruise at 25 an hour without the engine screamming. Maybe a 40% reduction?

 

[alloutdoors]

If memory serves me correctly, Mac1024 usually knows/has some very nice input on gear reduction suggestions, so hopefully he will weigh in or you might look him up.

 

[SamUK]

I’m pretty sure the available GR’s for a foreman/rubi are 35% 42% and 56% there is a bigger one too. If it were me I’d opt for the 42% with the type of use you intend however, will you ever go up in tyre size? If you do you’ll need the 56%, A 56% will be topped out at about 32mph though.

Edit: Find Ron Shaw on FB, he’s a nice guy and has a fast turn around, there’s also Jeremy Lee and Don Oglesby. Dicks Cycles will also help you out, he sources GR’s from Ron Shaw.

Hope that helps.

 

[mac102004]

20% and 39% for DCT models. Reduction Boss makes really nice stuff. Ron Shaw also.


I wouldn’t go more than 20% if your going to stick with the 27’s.

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[SamUK]

20% and 39% for DCT models. Reduction Boss makes really nice stuff. Ron Shaw also.


I wouldn’t go more than 20% if your going to stick with the 27’s.

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You wouldn’t go more? Why? Are DCT lower geared to start with?

 

[SamUK]

You’ll find this useful....

 

[mac102004]

20% and 39% for DCT models. Reduction Boss makes really nice stuff. Ron Shaw also.





I wouldn’t go more than 20% if your going to stick with the 27’s.



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You wouldn’t go more? Why? Are DCT lower geared to start with?

Yes they are somewhat, low is lower than 1st on a footshift by a little bit, and 27” Mud Bugs are about as light of a 27” tire as you’ll find. I run 27” Big Horns on mine and would personally rather add a pipe/filter/tuner/cam combo over the GR just to stick with the stock gearing and not loose speed. You’d gain all the power lost and then some with those mods. Cost would likely be a bit more though.


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[newhondaguy]

I’m pretty sure the available GR’s for a foreman/rubi are 35% 42% and 56% there is a bigger one too. If it were me I’d opt for the 42% with the type of use you intend however, will you ever go up in tyre size? If you do you’ll need the 56%, A 56% will be topped out at about 32mph though.

Edit: Find Ron Shaw on FB, he’s a nice guy and has a fast turn around, there’s also Jeremy Lee and Don Oglesby. Dicks Cycles will also help you out, he sources GR’s from Ron Shaw.

Hope that helps.

I doubt Ill go up past 27..

I just took a spin on the bike paying close attention to my speeds.

Honestly I dont think I ever even cruise in 5th gear low range. Just don't have the terrain to do so or use the ATV for that.

Being limited to 32 miles an hour would be just fine for me, but Ill try the 42%. I think I'll be fine with that.

Thanks!

 

[newhondaguy]

You’ll find this useful....

THanks. so no one makes anything bigger than 39%?

 

[newhondaguy]

20% and 39% for DCT models. Reduction Boss makes really nice stuff. Ron Shaw also.





I wouldn’t go more than 20% if your going to stick with the 27’s.



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You wouldn’t go more? Why? Are DCT lower geared to start with?

Yes they are somewhat, low is lower than 1st on a footshift by a little bit, and 27” Mud Bugs are about as light of a 27” tire as you’ll find. I run 27” Big Horns on mine and would personally rather add a pipe/filter/tuner/cam combo over the GR just to stick with the stock gearing and not loose speed. You’d gain all the power lost and then some with those mods. Cost would likely be a bit more though.


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I love the quiet putt putt putt of my honda.. I use it a lot for hunting...

Nothing against the mod guys, but I don't even like riding with piped bikes anymore. For one, they go too fast for me to enjoy myself. I don't mind speed, but I like taking things in more. And secondly, we don't wear helmets so the thumping of a pipe bike in front of me ruins my day riding. My one buddy has a piped grizzly and even he hates it.

 

[mac102004]

You wouldn’t go more? Why? Are DCT lower geared to start with?

Yes they are somewhat, low is lower than 1st on a footshift by a little bit, and 27” Mud Bugs are about as light of a 27” tire as you’ll find. I run 27” Big Horns on mine and would personally rather add a pipe/filter/tuner/cam combo over the GR just to stick with the stock gearing and not loose speed. You’d gain all the power lost and then some with those mods. Cost would likely be a bit more though.





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I love the quiet putt putt putt of my honda.. I use it a lot for hunting...



Nothing against the mod guys, but I don't even like riding with piped bikes anymore. For one, they go too fast for me to enjoy myself. I don't mind speed, but I like taking things in more. And secondly, we don't wear helmets so the thumping of a pipe bike in front of me ruins my day riding. My one buddy has a piped grizzly and even he hates it.

There are quieter options, the HMF Titan is actually not loud at all just a slightly different tone. You could still do engine internals and leave the stock pipe but it’s hard to find an aftermarket piston, even the cam is pretty hard to find. PCV Tuner will adjust fuel and timing so there’s a boost in power there also.

I have both, the Renegade is about as loud as it gets, awesome sound. But, I don’t always want to listen to it lol My Rubicon is all stock, with 27’s on it, I never found it to be that bad although these are the smallest tires I’ve ran on it, never had stock tires on it so I don’t know what I’m missing. Maybe that’s the key to adding big tires, don’t run it with stock tires first lol


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[newhondaguy]

Yes they are somewhat, low is lower than 1st on a footshift by a little bit, and 27” Mud Bugs are about as light of a 27” tire as you’ll find. I run 27” Big Horns on mine and would personally rather add a pipe/filter/tuner/cam combo over the GR just to stick with the stock gearing and not loose speed. You’d gain all the power lost and then some with those mods. Cost would likely be a bit more though.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love the quiet putt putt putt of my honda.. I use it a lot for hunting...



Nothing against the mod guys, but I don't even like riding with piped bikes anymore. For one, they go too fast for me to enjoy myself. I don't mind speed, but I like taking things in more. And secondly, we don't wear helmets so the thumping of a pipe bike in front of me ruins my day riding. My one buddy has a piped grizzly and even he hates it.

There are quieter options, the HMF Titan is actually not loud at all just a slightly different tone. You could still do engine internals and leave the stock pipe but it’s hard to find an aftermarket piston, even the cam is pretty hard to find. PCV Tuner will adjust fuel and timing so there’s a boost in power there also.

I have both, the Renegade is about as loud as it gets, awesome sound. But, I don’t always want to listen to it lol My Rubicon is all stock, with 27’s on it, I never found it to be that bad although these are the smallest tires I’ve ran on it, never had stock tires on it so I don’t know what I’m missing. Maybe that’s the key to adding big tires, don’t run it with stock tires first lol


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My ATV with 27s is probably fine for most ppl's uses, but for my uses and the terrain I use it in it makes no sense to keep stock ratio. I can't even use 5th gear in low range much.

If I spend all my time in low range 1-4th gear and never touch high range, why would I not lower the ratio to make more low end torque and use the power band more efficiently and at the same time turn the ATV into one more purposeful for my uses?

I dont' know if it makes a difference, but I'm also about 280-290lbs.

Thanks for the input everyone, I'll most likely go with the 42%.

 

[mac102004]

I suppose if you spend all your time in low range the GR would make more sense, I would expect with a 40% reduction you’ll be spending all your time in high range afterwards. Not sure how the DCT likes the GR’s either you may be force to stick with ESP mode.


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[newhondaguy]

I suppose if you spend all your time in low range the GR would make more sense, I would expect with a 40% reduction you’ll be spending all your time in high range afterwards. Not sure how the DCT likes the GR’s either you may be force to stick with ESP mode.


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Why do you say that?

I usually use manual mode, but when I take the kids for a ride I use the auto mode. And in the winter time when its -30 that shift button's don't work as well so I use the auto mode as well.



I'm fine with being in high most of the time and keep the low range for pulling.

When I did the clutch on my arctic cat, I went from using low range 90% of the time to using high range a lot more, but it was nice having low for pulling and going through the crappy trails.

 

[SamUK]

Sometimes GR’s cause minor issues with esp/dct models, I believe there is some kind of electronic trickery that is plug and play. I gather it plugs in and corrects the speedo/speed sensor or something along those lines.
I’ve no doubt the GR builders will know a lot more about it, Jeremy Lee (Reduction Boss) is who I would contact for more info.

 

[newhondaguy]

Sometimes GR’s cause minor issues with esp/dct models, I believe there is some kind of electronic trickery that is plug and play. I gather it plugs in and corrects the speedo/speed sensor or something along those lines.
I’ve no doubt the GR builders will know a lot more about it, Jeremy Lee (Reduction Boss) is who I would contact for more info.

Thanks, I'll get a hold of him.

I'd like to do it the right way for sure.

 

[mac102004]

Rapid Revolutions does the box to alter the shift points, I know they have them for the 420AT and Rincon but I’m not sure about the Rubicon.


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