It will be the same on the 2017.
The P700 is basically a Honda Rincon with a UTV body and a locking front diff. (Maybe some lower gearing?)
The manual shift control won't keep it from going fast down hill. That is because the first gear is relatively high.
Engine braking is using the drag of the engine to slow the vehicle down via the transmission. Just like if you were in your car/truck and you shift into a lower gear like is recommended when going down steep mountain roads.
Engine braking - Wikipedia
However, the total amount of slowing is more directly related to the the first gear ratio. If it is relatively high, like the P700 and the Honda Rincon, you won't notice anything until the speed has gotten relatively fast. Like 11-13 MPH, at that point the drag of the engine will be noticeable. If you need to keep your downhill speed at less than that without brakes, you will need to look at a different machine.
That is one of the advantages of the P500 (Like Honda Foreman)and the P1000. Both have low enough 1st gears that you can creep down very steep hills without needed to use the brakes.
That was one of the prime drivers for my getting the P1000 over the P700. I had a Rincon and I live on a steep hill and I wanted more effective engine braking.
TLDR:
If you want to go downhill without using brakes, the P700 is not the ride to be looking a
It will be the same on the 2017.
The P700 is basically a Honda Rincon with a UTV body and a locking front diff. (Maybe some lower gearing?)
The manual shift control won't keep it from going fast down hill. That is because the first gear is relatively high.
Engine braking is using the drag of the engine to slow the vehicle down via the transmission. Just like if you were in your car/truck and you shift into a lower gear like is recommended when going down steep mountain roads.
Engine braking - Wikipedia
However, the total amount of slowing is more directly related to the the first gear ratio. If it is relatively high, like the P700 and the Honda Rincon, you won't notice anything until the speed has gotten relatively fast. Like 11-13 MPH, at that point the drag of the engine will be noticeable. If you need to keep your downhill speed at less than that without brakes, you will need to look at a different machine.
That is one of the advantages of the P500 (Like Honda Foreman)and the P1000. Both have low enough 1st gears that you can creep down very steep hills without needed to use the brakes.
That was one of the prime drivers for my getting the P1000 over the P700. I had a Rincon and I live on a steep hill and I wanted more effective engine braking.
TLDR:
If you want to go downhill without using brakes, the P700 is not the ride to be looking at.
I was hoping for a change. Really like Honda ,quality machines. but I'm old school and like a set of gears when needed.I have looked at the Yamaha Wolverene but really hate to switch to CVT after years of Honda.I thinlk Ill keep the four wheeler and see what Honda comes out with 2018.