[ButchersHook]

Just got back from the International Motorcycle/ATV/Dirtbike/UTV show in Chicago Il. All the new bikes are there accessories etc..

Nice Honda setup displaying the new 2014 models. P-4 with just about every Honda accessory on it. Had an Interesting chat with a Honda rep concerning the Pioneer Line-up and interesting tid-bits.

We chatted a while about availability and production before I drilled him on what the next Pioneer would be:

Q: So when will we see the next version of the Pioneer?
A: There will be one released this yr.

Q: Sport Version?
A: We have a few variations of a sport model but it will be a bit yet for that one.

Q: An updated Pioneer with suspension, EPS, etc..
A: NO.

Q: So its gonna be a more Utility version, more beefy Pioneer?
A: No, all I can tell ya is that it will be smaller.

Q: 2 seater?
A: Yes it will be a smaller 2 seater?

Q: Trail legal? Rancher engine?
A: Thats all I can tell ya.

Other points of interest:

-Production was down a few days due to the weather in South Carolina so they are starting to fall farther behind.
-I mentioned that New Zealand and Australia are starting to see them now, "Yea we are trying to keep as many as possible over here but we have World wide orders that we are haveing to start fill"
-A big kink in the production right now is alot of the automation on the lines is not set-up yet so more manual is required.
-I made a comment that I have been waiting since end of Dec. for my red p-4 to arrive. He said what they have been doing with the dealers in the South is if the dealer has a red one and the customer wants a green one, they are changing plastics and a $15 sticker from red to green. They DONT want people waiting.
-I asked about issues with kicking up mud/snow and the need for fender flares. "With all the testing we have done we have not seen that as an issue"

SO there ya have it thats all I could squeeze out of him. He was very tight lipped but was actually very cool once we started chatting.

 

[rich450es]

like i have said before .......i wont belive anything untill honda puts it on there web site

 

[Moose]

Nah I got it straight from my brothers wifes cousins neighbor. He had a buddy that worked at Honda. Well that was before he broke his arm and got fired in a failed attempt to defraud the company. Anyway. His nephew still works there and actually designed the new one. It has an 8 speed manual with hi/lo. 1800 cc's and factory NOS. It's a 6x6, but only when your hauling. Otherwise you can fold up the middle set of tires for better MPG.

That guy at the show was just running counter intelligence to throw us off from the real deal.

Wait, maybe I shouldn't of said anything. Now they might know that I know the source of the leak.... I hear choppers! Quick I have to find my aluminum foil hat.

 

[ButchersHook]

Seeing that its not everyday, you/we/I get the oppurtunity to discuss Honda products with reps from Honda, I thought it would be good to bring up issues that have been brought up on this forum (fender flares/ frame tube caps/etc. etc..)to these individuals and see what kind of response I get. Was he blowing smoke up my ass when he said the new Pioneer will be smaller? Only time will tell. Of course i'm gonna ask.

 

[carhartt61]

Let me try to name it

SmallPinteer? HalfRed? LittleRojo? I give up.
I see you are also waiting as I on a delivery. Weather delays eh?
I guess I'll give them one more week before I draw a line in the sand.
Now be good you saturday night PUI posters

 

[JJT]

SmallPinteer? HalfRed? LittleRojo? I give up.
I see you are also waiting as I on a delivery. Weather delays eh?
I guess I'll give them one more week before I draw a line in the sand.
Now be good you saturday night PUI posters

As some of you know, I took delivery of my 700-4 yesterday after being on a waiting list for a short 2 weeks. Prior to Xmas, there were 76 folks on that list, now down to 14. I asked the gal that owns the dealership how Honda is handling the order process. She explained that the Powerhouse dealers, which she is one of, are getting one of every color (3), and as soon as one is sold and registered with Honda, they send another of the same color. For those who have been waiting an excessive amount of time for one, you might want to check if you dealer is considered a Honda Powerhouse.
Just a thought......

 

[bdech15]

FYI, Power House dealers can only carry Honda products. Hopefully that saves you some time from calling around and asking. If you see they sell Honda and polaris, they aren't a power house dealer. The dealer I bought mine from was not a powerhouse dealer and he was having issues getting Pioneers from Honda.

 

[David]

I still believe that Honda will keep this model and develop it slowly with improvements each year based on feedback.
Regardless of what Moose' neighbors- ex girlfriend' - second cousin twice removed heard directly on the Maury Povich show.

 

[SteveEJ]

I bought mine from a dealer that sells more than Honda. I was on a list for a very short time. I think I was in the right place at the right time to get it as quick as I did.

 

[skorp1702]

I got mine from a power house dealer and the saleman told me they get 3 of each every 2 weeks. Which is 1 of each color p4 and 1 each color p2