500/520 question

[Bmurray]

I’ve never been in one of these machines but they have my interest right now. My only question for you p5 owners, do you miss not have a low range? Are gears 1&2 low enough not to need it? Thanks for your replies.

 

[Bisley]

I had the same concerns before I bought mine. Luckily I have a 2000 ES Rancher to kind of gauge the 5 speed transmission by. There is ZERO concerns about it being low enough. It is so low that even in auto shift it only starts off in 2nd gear, not 1st.

I will clarify though that mine is running bone stock tires and rims, and this almost all desert sand and rock. I have absolutely no idea how it is with aftermarket tires and rims. Also I have no idea about the sticky mud, nor will I pretend to.

 

[JACKAL]

1st gear is definitely low enough, I ran a brush cutter behind mine for 5 years. Very easy to crawl at 4-6 mph.

 

[SILVER_ALERT]

Mine is paddle shift only. First gear is so low that I always start in 2nd gear, unless I am towing a trailer, or heavily loaded and attempting to climb something that I really should not.

 

[J80]

In most cases when you are in 1st gear you have to give it gas to move going downhill and you hardly ever have to touch the brakes unless you are on some very steep slopes

 

[Dave75]

You need to drive one. I find 1st too low most of time. Only use 1st for work or going up a hill. Like SILVER_ALERT I start in 2nd.

 

[crewcabrob]

Even with a jump in tire size from 24" to 27", I find 1st gear too low for anything other than what the group has said: climbing hills or heavy loads...

 

[Bmurray]

You need to drive one. I find 1st too low most of time. Only use 1st for work or going up a hill. Like SILVER_ALERT I start in 2nd.

I missed out on one here and can’t find anyone else around to test one out.

 

[Dave75]

Use p5 are hard to find and when you do they are almost the price of a new one. Hopefully Honda can start making more. If you can test drive one and see if it’s right for you.

 

[carlpop1]

Think if the P500 as not having a HIGH range.

 

[Montecresto]

I’ve never been in one of these machines but they have my interest right now. My only question for you p5 owners, do you miss not have a low range? Are gears 1&2 low enough not to need it? Thanks for your replies.

Low (1st gear) is so low I don’t even use it, starting off in second regularly, unless climbing steep…..