2008 Honda TRX700XX Preview

Honda has taken a significant step in 2008 with the introduction of its TRX700XX.

Powered by a 686cc SOHC liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 4-stroke engine, the TRX700XX is Honda’s biggest sport ATV ever, but it certainly isn’t an industry first. The fact that it has independent rear suspension is how Honda plans to make a splash.

“You’re not really going to find an independent rear suspension in a big-bore sport class anywhere else,” Nick Smirniw of Honda Canada told ATV.com. “One of the limitations with sport ATVs typically is that the chain, because they are generally using a motorcycle engine, is off-set to one side, which means that you couldn’t actually put an IRS system in place.”

With the chain off-set to one side, the arms would be different sizes, which would lead to poor stability. To resolve this issue, Honda centered the chain drive, which allows for equal-length arms.

Thanks to the independent rear suspension, Honda says the TRX700XX is more agile than other big-bore sport ATV machines. It also has an impressive 10.5 inches of ground clearance.

“What we have is the stability that the sports guys want and a little bit of comfort to go with it,” says Smirniw.

Beyond the unique suspension, the TRX700XX comes equipped with fuel injection, which helps maximize power and efficiency. Honda also says its new quad has smooth and predictable acceleration.

“If the guy who buys the 700XX is riding around at half-throttle and never accelerating fully and then one day decides to give it entirely, he knows exactly what full throttle is going to feel like,” says Smirniw. “Half-throttle feels like half acceleration and full throttle feels like full acceleration—it’s a very linear relationship from bottom to top.”

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