Top 10 Honda ATV and UTV Innovations

Story by Rick Sosebee. 11

Engine Mounting

Twisting the engine sideways in the frame is something that Honda started years ago. The first ATV for Honda to use this feature in was in the 1995 Honda Foreman 400. Longitudinal mounting not only aligns the transmission with the front and rear drivelines but it makes the best use of space and weight centralization for the machine. This gives the rider better seating position and uses fewer parts (45% to be exact) that traditionally were needed to make the transfer of power possible. You will find this feature on models such as the Foreman 450, Recon, Rancher, Rubicon and Rincon.

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  • rcas

    I always thought honda had there stuff together and was a leader and also provided you with a well thought out machine that would last!I have a older 3 wheeler with original tires althought it doesn’t see the use that alot of other bikes get I still love it and it runs well.Thanks honda!!

  • Edward Hakanson

    I think Honda has the best bikes on the market, I only have one problem was the engine braking system on the UTV, I have had a 1986 4 wheel drive Honda that has over 25,000 miles and I have only replaced tires on it, a great machine and very relieable.
     

  • Frank

    That is a picture of the rubicon. It has a hydrostatic style transmission similar to a tractor not the trams you are describing.   You are referring to a trans like what is in the Rancher.   

  • Frank

    The pioneer does not have a hi or low gear selection as you are calling out here.  

  • Jared

    While I love Honda! I have a 400ex and a Foreman 400 both in my Garage and ride them regularly. Unless honda makes some serious changes to keep up with the market I won’t be buying another one. Sadly they have stuck with less competitive Sport Utility Machines. While my Foreman is insanely reliable it and it’s predecessors do not compare to the bigger Utility Machines. Before a Utility ATVs were slow and built mostly for work and slow trail riding. But Machines like the Grizzly, Brute Force, King Quad, and Outlander work hard and are a blast to drive very sporty and have incredible off-road capabilities. The Foreman and Rancher just do not compare.  While the Pioneer has an innovative rear seat it needs a much bigger motor at least a 900 to stack up against the Ranger XP. I love Honda and hope they use their solid engineering to give back to a loyal fan base soon otherwise the old guys that are their bread and butter will be me and I will have been riding something else for 20 years. 

  • davidex400

    independent suspension wasn’t a Honda innovation…

  • gordon Vogell

    I’ve had two Hondas, the latest and last is a 420 Cdn Trail Edition. Honda isn’t keeping up with their competition. no power steering one the 680, no adjustable shocks, no DC outlet, to name a few. Our club in the East Kootenays have over 100 members, 90% are other brands, and this past week I’ve made it 91%

  • Mark

    So in your top ten list of Honda’s ATV innovations, besides teasing us with a cover photo, you didn’t think to mention the ATC? Honda’s brand of 3 wheel All Terrain Vehicle. I would have to say that many of the ATC’s honda made pretty much gave way to the modern ATV’s we now know. 

  • Degoragon

    Even as a Honda fan, I have to state that some of these did not start on Hondas, for example, the first shaft driven ATV was the Yamaha Tri-Moto YTM200E “yamahauler” of 1983, a full year before Honda’s “Big Red” ATC200es got the shaft. Also, independent suspension, not a Honda first, granted, Honda did have a first in independent front suspension in its 1984 Trx200, the first full independent suspension on an ATV was thanks to Arctic Cat, in 2002. The first sport ATV, yes, with the 200x ATC, but the first sport quad? No. The 1985 Suzuki QuadSport 230 was first there. And the first utvs were from Kawasaki and John Deere. (Mule and Gator respectively) I love my Honda, but get your facts straight, unless you meant just firsts for Honda, then OK.

  • Degoragon

    Even as a Honda fan, I have to state that some of these did not start on Hondas, for example, the first shaft driven ATV was the Yamaha Tri-Moto YTM200E “yamahauler” of 1983, a full year before Honda’s “Big Red” ATC200es got the shaft. Also, independent suspension, not a Honda first, granted, Honda did have a first in independent front suspension in its 1984 Trx200, the first full independent suspension on an ATV was thanks to Arctic Cat, in 2002. Also, the first utvs were the John Deere Gator and the Kawasaki Mule.