DG Rider
Member: Triple Clutch Club
Lifetime Member
OK...went to GoAZ in Scottsdale today...and they had a 2 seater...so i finally got a test ride!!
This was only on pavement, so only a few observations can be made here...
1) Unlike most who have posted, my first impression was that the Pioneer actually looks smaller in person than on paper/screen. Perhaps this was due to it being a two seater.
The salesman ( Tommi ) i and got just under 60 inches wheel-to-wheel width by eyeballing a tape measure. Rear actually seems slightly smaller. Honda lists 60. Perhaps the fender flares are the widest. This is good news...as i'm hoping it will fit on my 5x8 trailer ( which measures about 62 wide ).
2) Ergo's are awesome!! I've only driven only 3 SxS's now ( Rhino, RZR 570 ), and the Honda is by far the most comfy. You sit higher than probably any SxS save perhaps a Can-Am Maverick, and are up over the front wheels ( i think this was key to getting a 4 seater in a 2 seat wheel base ). Legroom is good with no ankle twisting to rest your foot on the gas pedal, and the steering wheel seems about perfect. Seats seem great as well.
I never noticed until today that the Pioneer has no external door handles, only inside. They are super easy to work, so this would only be an issue if you plan on running a full cab. For reference, i am 6'1" and about 260...so i ain't no shrimp.
3) Drivetrain: Quiet exhaust note, and very little mechanical racket getting to the driver. Only some drive train noise when decelerating. Brakes seen good enough for anything but road-racing.
This was may first experience with the Honda 3-speed drive-train save for a very short test ride on the Rincon in its first year. This will take some getting used to...and i don't mean that in a bad way. I was surprised how quickly the Pion got into 3rd ( about 18MPH under light throttle ), and from there it's pure RPM to top speed ( which i didn't have room to test, most are saying 40-45Mph ).
I was hoping for a little more relaxed RPM cruising in the 30 MPH range than my old 450 Foreman has. I've never been the type who likes to rev the pee out of things, and in this regard, i think this drive-train will be both great, and disappointing. Disappointing due to the above mentioned 3rd gear shift speed and RPM from there up, yet at the same time at other casual trail speeds, the machine will be putting along in a relaxed manner due to the fact that it doesn't have a CVT and the accompanying constant revs that go along with it. This has always been my biggest complaint about CVT's ( except, of course, the Rubicon Hondamatic, which only gives you revs when you need them ). I love to short shift my old 450 and just ride that torque along...
But...with a 3 speed, you can only get so much, and only a real test ride on trails will tell the true story of gearing. The gearing thing will not stop me from getting one...
One thing i did notice was that the 3 speed eagerly shifts down in response to braking with the pedal....sometimes with a small amount of jerk. I don't know if Honda uses fuzzy logic for its tranny programming ( adjusting to rider style ) and it was just too new to "know" my habits, or if it was just the new machine syndrome, but i expect this would go away with some miles...and at its worst, was only noticeable. Engine braking seemed good to me.
Power seems great. I did an unscientific power test by applying the brakes and giving the machine throttle from a stop. The brakes would not stop the machine from taking off, no matter how hard they were mashed. Took very little throttle to do so, either. Detractors will point out that these new brakes are not at anywhere near full power, yet i would also point out that neither is the engine. I just don't think power is a concern here for us adults who don't want to jump every dune we can find.
4) Handling: Can't really report much on this due to only riding pavement. Judging from the width and low center of gravity, i don't see stability being a problem.
From what small bumps where encountered, it seems nice and cushy riding, but i will need real terrain to know.
Perhaps the most telling thing about its handling was the fact that i just plain forgot to pay attention to the steering effort. Since i was doing circles on pavement, i think that my lack of attention to it is very telling, and that the steering effort is just as Honda promised....light!
Summary: I wan't one!
If you're looking at the Pioneer in the first place, then i think you are of the right mindset to be very pleased with this machine. Like most Honda's, it will contribute to the ride...errr, i mean DRIVE , but never get in the way of your enjoyment of it. It's well built, bullet proof, and comfy as heck. At $9999 and $11699, they are steals. These things will sell like crazy.
Soon as i can swing it, i will have one.
This was only on pavement, so only a few observations can be made here...
1) Unlike most who have posted, my first impression was that the Pioneer actually looks smaller in person than on paper/screen. Perhaps this was due to it being a two seater.
The salesman ( Tommi ) i and got just under 60 inches wheel-to-wheel width by eyeballing a tape measure. Rear actually seems slightly smaller. Honda lists 60. Perhaps the fender flares are the widest. This is good news...as i'm hoping it will fit on my 5x8 trailer ( which measures about 62 wide ).
2) Ergo's are awesome!! I've only driven only 3 SxS's now ( Rhino, RZR 570 ), and the Honda is by far the most comfy. You sit higher than probably any SxS save perhaps a Can-Am Maverick, and are up over the front wheels ( i think this was key to getting a 4 seater in a 2 seat wheel base ). Legroom is good with no ankle twisting to rest your foot on the gas pedal, and the steering wheel seems about perfect. Seats seem great as well.
I never noticed until today that the Pioneer has no external door handles, only inside. They are super easy to work, so this would only be an issue if you plan on running a full cab. For reference, i am 6'1" and about 260...so i ain't no shrimp.
3) Drivetrain: Quiet exhaust note, and very little mechanical racket getting to the driver. Only some drive train noise when decelerating. Brakes seen good enough for anything but road-racing.
This was may first experience with the Honda 3-speed drive-train save for a very short test ride on the Rincon in its first year. This will take some getting used to...and i don't mean that in a bad way. I was surprised how quickly the Pion got into 3rd ( about 18MPH under light throttle ), and from there it's pure RPM to top speed ( which i didn't have room to test, most are saying 40-45Mph ).
I was hoping for a little more relaxed RPM cruising in the 30 MPH range than my old 450 Foreman has. I've never been the type who likes to rev the pee out of things, and in this regard, i think this drive-train will be both great, and disappointing. Disappointing due to the above mentioned 3rd gear shift speed and RPM from there up, yet at the same time at other casual trail speeds, the machine will be putting along in a relaxed manner due to the fact that it doesn't have a CVT and the accompanying constant revs that go along with it. This has always been my biggest complaint about CVT's ( except, of course, the Rubicon Hondamatic, which only gives you revs when you need them ). I love to short shift my old 450 and just ride that torque along...
But...with a 3 speed, you can only get so much, and only a real test ride on trails will tell the true story of gearing. The gearing thing will not stop me from getting one...
One thing i did notice was that the 3 speed eagerly shifts down in response to braking with the pedal....sometimes with a small amount of jerk. I don't know if Honda uses fuzzy logic for its tranny programming ( adjusting to rider style ) and it was just too new to "know" my habits, or if it was just the new machine syndrome, but i expect this would go away with some miles...and at its worst, was only noticeable. Engine braking seemed good to me.
Power seems great. I did an unscientific power test by applying the brakes and giving the machine throttle from a stop. The brakes would not stop the machine from taking off, no matter how hard they were mashed. Took very little throttle to do so, either. Detractors will point out that these new brakes are not at anywhere near full power, yet i would also point out that neither is the engine. I just don't think power is a concern here for us adults who don't want to jump every dune we can find.
4) Handling: Can't really report much on this due to only riding pavement. Judging from the width and low center of gravity, i don't see stability being a problem.
From what small bumps where encountered, it seems nice and cushy riding, but i will need real terrain to know.
Perhaps the most telling thing about its handling was the fact that i just plain forgot to pay attention to the steering effort. Since i was doing circles on pavement, i think that my lack of attention to it is very telling, and that the steering effort is just as Honda promised....light!
Summary: I wan't one!
If you're looking at the Pioneer in the first place, then i think you are of the right mindset to be very pleased with this machine. Like most Honda's, it will contribute to the ride...errr, i mean DRIVE , but never get in the way of your enjoyment of it. It's well built, bullet proof, and comfy as heck. At $9999 and $11699, they are steals. These things will sell like crazy.
Soon as i can swing it, i will have one.
I ordered the full plastic roof I really wanted the fabric w rear panel but it wasn't in stock yet. Not sure what the plastic roof looks like other than the few pics from honda but ill post some up later when I get it put on.
