Verdict is in. Gears are the best mod I have done on the thing to date. We road about 30 miles, lots of loose sugar sand, some sloppy clay, a few mud holes. I prefer the taller gearing and using L/1st in the slop vs. stock gearing and second. Everything just feels more sorted and less buzzy. Can cruise around at a nice clip and not get annoyed by excessive RPMs. I also think there is less 'clunking' going on, and far less gear-on-gear noise coming from the rear-end. All in all, exactly what I was hoping for!
Garmin says top speed was 38.1mph. That sounds about right. I opened it up twice, but the roads were snotty clay--so top speed run wasnt happening. Could hardly see in the rain. That said, I'm running 27" 'Zillas. They actually measure 26" at my preferred pressure--I think around 5.5psi. I wouldnt change a thing. Turns them fine. I can break them loose in 3rd no sweat. Big reason I went with this buggy, I cant stand CVTs and the constant revs they seem to force the driver to maintain. Maybe I'm just old school, but I love to lug this little tractor around.
I wish Honda would combine the things I love about the P5 and P7 into one awesome small/mid-sized machine. 700cc, suicide doors and nets, 5 speed manual (no torque converter), factory locker, a dumpbox, and more suspension travel--I'd trade in right now. Until then, the 906UP P5 scratches the itch.
Kudos and thanks to
@906UP ,
@Duckhunt and the others on this thread who had some input. What an awesome mod!