P500 Pioneer Information

[Stinky]

I am thinking about buying a 500 or 520 Pioneer and am collecting information.

I am sticking w/the 50" wide models.

The Honda website absolutely sucks. For example, according to Honda, it has an automatic clutch w/an automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions, by definition have a Torque Converter and no clutch. The website doesn't even have a picture of the motor, or any information on the motor. One might assume, that it has an OHC....but, come to find out it is a pushrod motor, or is it?

What kind of transmission does it have? Most of the information, on the website says automatic, or paddle-shift.

How many valves does it have? Is it a Hemi?

It appears that the differentials don't lock....dat tru?

Electric Power Steering is an option?

Are the 500 and 520s the same basic engine w/dif Bore?

What sort of HP and Tq #'s do those motors have?

I went by the local Honda dealer/stealer and they didn't appear to have one....and they didn't have anybody that had the time to bother me (try to help me). Are they a special order item?

 

[Admin]

 

[Mopower58]

I am thinking about buying a 500 or 520 Pioneer and am collecting information.

I am sticking w/the 50" wide models.

The Honda website absolutely sucks. For example, according to Honda, it has an automatic clutch w/an automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions, by definition have a Torque Converter and no clutch. The website doesn't even have a picture of the motor, or any information on the motor. One might assume, that it has an OHC....but, come to find out it is a pushrod motor, or is it?

What kind of transmission does it have? Most of the information, on the website says automatic, or paddle-shift.

How many valves does it have? Is it a Hemi?

It appears that the differentials don't lock....dat tru?

Electric Power Steering is an option?

Are the 500 and 520s the same basic engine w/dif Bore?

What sort of HP and Tq #'s do those motors have?

I went by the local Honda dealer/stealer and they didn't appear to have one....and they didn't have anybody that had the time to bother me (try to help me). Are they a special order item?

Welcome from Mississippi. For all those technical questions maybe @906UP or @trigger can help you. Some people don't care about all that stuff, they just ride.
#NTC

 

[NTCPrezJB]

You can turn the 500 motor into a 520 with some work. If HP is a deciding factor for you then the P5’s are not the machines for you. ESP is only available aftermarket but the units work well. Rear diff is always locked. Front diff is open. Classic 3 wheel drive in that regard. Torq locker stepped up and you can put a ratcheting locker in the front though if you like. There is an automatic mode to the transmission. It is also a paddle shift manual. There is no clutch pedal. If you are familiar with the Foreman’s it’s basically the same Motor/Transmission setup.

 

[906UP]

Welcome from Mississippi. For all those technical questions maybe @906UP or @trigger can help you. Some people don't care about all that stuff, they just ride.
#NTC

I'm not really sure if this guy has legitimate question or is just b1tching about the Honda website

 

[NTCPrezJB]

I'm not really sure if this guy has legitimate question or is just b1tching about the Honda website

I thought about just saying red is the fastest color to try to help.

 

[Mudder]

Welcome. And will add the aftermarket Electric Power Steering units and Torq Master front locker work great. Several good how-to install posts here if interested.

2017 P500 has been bullet proof, and its geared transmission has excellent engine braking on down hills, but requires lower gears and crawling speed for hill climbing. Use the manual paddle shift transmission mode on hilly trails and auto mode for smoother terrain. No transmission complaints with pulling power for chores around the property.

 

[lee]

The P5 range uses an ATV engine/transmission.
The transmission has a centrifugal clutch to get started - this is the same as any utility ATV from Honda.
Then it uses an electric shift motor to change gears.
On the Honda ATVs there is a shift button on the handle bar to change gears.
On the P5 there are paddles to shift manually or the computer will shift for you in auto mode.
If you want more information on the shift mechanism it starts to get a little technical.

So, the engine drives through a (basically) manual transmission with discreet gear ratios.
In auto mode it sort of clunks it's way through the gears.
It's not what I would call refined by any means but it gets the job done and it seams to be pretty bullet proof.

The other option from other manufacturers is a rubber belt CVT that has high engine rpm and needs replaced (in my experiance the belt needs replaced trail side, not in my heated shop).

Edit: and yes, the honda web site dose suck.

 

[lee]

I went by the local Honda dealer/stealer and they didn't appear to have one....and they didn't have anybody that had the time to bother me (try to help me). Are they a special order item?

Sorry, I'm picking and choosing what questions to answer.
The P5s are not a special order.
My local mega powersports steelership has Polaris and Kawasaki SxS with incentives now.
But they only had a few honda ATVs, no SxS.
This seams to be the current condition with honda.
They are still having major supply issues.

My recommendation would be to make a list of dealers you would be willing to drive to, say 1/2 a days drive.
Then start calling them on a regular basis until one says they have one in stock.
If they have a list you could sign up but I really doubt they can "order' one in the sense of actually ordering one.
You may need to use a credit card to hold the unit until you get there.
And the smoking deals are nonexistent right now.