[318]

My name's Sawyer and I work at a Honda/Yamaha dealership in South Dakota. Figured I'd jump on board here to see what people have to say about the Pioneer. From my end of things, they seem really popular. We can't keep one at the store for longer than two weeks. And our next four 2-seaters are already spoken for. I'm mostly here to lurk and read up on owner response. Good and bad.

 

[Thunderstix]

That is awesome! you won't find a lot of truly negative stuff, but there are some things that most will agree could be better, and seeing as I am at work and busy I am sure others will jump on with their 2 cents. Click on "active topics" and see what our latest discussions have been about.

 

[skorp1702]

one thing id change on them is maybe add some sort of stripping above the back tire on the 4 seater version where the door frame is at. when you spin backswards it hits the bottom of the door and goes in the floor board. other than that not a thing. am hoping they will come out with maybe a different trans or bigger motor sometime in the next couple years to satisfy a couple of the sportier guys. but for me it does great. if they made all the gears a lil lower and added a 4th gear i feel it might add to the gap difference of most. just my opinion

 

[318]

@skorp - We've heard from our Honda rep to keep an eye out for a sporty lineup to hit the market in the next couple years. He was pretty tight lipped about what that may entail though. Or perhaps he doesn't even know.

 

[skorp1702]

well they have been lingering on this motor a while and trans for a while too as long as they stay away from the belts ill be getting Hondas. if not im going to the joyner's

 

[318]

I have a feeling that with the success they see using the DCT five speed in the Rancher and Foreman lines as well as the three speed in the Rincon and Pioneer, we won't be seeing any belt driven transmissions. It'd be interesting to see the hydrostatic in the Rubicon used in a sporty unit.

 

[skorp1702]

I have a feeling that with the success they see using the DCT five speed in the Rancher and Foreman lines as well as the three speed in the Rincon and Pioneer, we won't be seeing any belt driven transmissions. It'd be interesting to see the hydrostatic in the Rubicon used in a sporty unit.

whats the difference in the rubicon trans I thought it was the at/ esc like in the foreman?

 

[skorp1702]

I thought the foreman and rubicon trans were the same

 

[carhartt61]

Welcome 318

blackhills are cool!
I'll hold off on my wish list until I have had alittle time in the woods with my new ride.

 

[toodeep]

Welcome to the forum Sawyer. It would be nice to have the Rubicon transmission in one of these but it robs so much power that I don't think we will ever see it. I see the 5 speed DCT being the one we will see. I can't say I'm a big fan of it but I also haven't had the chance to take the new ones out and test the dual shift modes. It was a improvement on the Pioneer over the BigRed.

The 13- Rancher AT shifts unpredictable at times, usually when needed the most. Just a few weeks ago I was climbing a steep, frozen and muddy hill with mine (09) and when just at the top it went to down shift and hesitated. That's not a good feeling when it takes everything you have to get there. Good thing I had new tires on and it had enough traction to get to the top.

 

[Utard]

toodeep thats one thing I have noticed with the pioneer so far is it really seems to want to hold a gear. If anything almost too long. Buts that ok by me. I know what you are talking about on a steep hill thats the last thing you want is an upshift.

 

[toodeep]

It wasn't the up shift, it was a down shift into first. I'm use to my manual shift and riding in some places that I shouldn't probably be. The auto made it, just gave that pucker feeling when it didn't shift fast enough... lol Sometimes that second is the difference between making it or breaking it.

 

[David]

Welcome 318, maybe we all have a contact now for some good deals on accessories ??

 

[Tritonman]

What is available for trail riding in the black hills for riding the pioneer on. Is there a dedicated trail for atvs

 

[318]

I'm going to try to answer all these questions in one shot. If I missed yours post it up again.

whats the difference in the rubicon trans I thought it was the at/ esc like in the foreman?

The Rubicon's transmission is the "Hondamatic" also known as a hydrostatic

I thought the foreman and rubicon trans were the same

See above

Welcome to the forum Sawyer. It would be nice to have the Rubicon transmission in one of these but it robs so much power that I don't think we will ever see it. I see the 5 speed DCT being the one we will see. I can't say I'm a big fan of it but I also haven't had the chance to take the new ones out and test the dual shift modes. It was a improvement on the Pioneer over the BigRed.

The 13- Rancher AT shifts unpredictable at times, usually when needed the most. Just a few weeks ago I was climbing a steep, frozen and muddy hill with mine (09) and when just at the top it went to down shift and hesitated. That's not a good feeling when it takes everything you have to get there. Good thing I had new tires on and it had enough traction to get to the top.

The '14 Rancher DCT AT is a lot smoother compared to the '13. Downfall to getting that smoother transmission is it is only available in the solid rear axle Rancher. Which may be a selling point to guys who use them for work. But as for guys who use their AT Rancher for recreational purposes, it seems that the '14 Rancher AT IRS still has the notchy AT. I haven't ridden a '14 Rancher AT yet though. So it could have the smoother transmission.

Welcome 318, maybe we all have a contact now for some good deals on accessories ??

I've already tried that with some friends. They kind of frown down upon me using my discount for people other than myself.

What is available for trail riding in the black hills for riding the pioneer on. Is there a dedicated trail for atvs

There are tons of trails available for recreational purposes. The best thing I can recommend is to get in touch with a Forest Service office and request a trail map.

 

[skorp1702]

oh ok id like to not see the pioneer with a hydrastatic trans. maybe the 5 speed auto with a manual shift mode like on the foreman or a new motor design maybe.oh well we can only hope