P500 Project RAMBO - upgrades and adventures...

[SouthwestORV]

Hello Honda SxS friends. This past Saturday we purchased a new 2018 Pioneer 500 and named it Rambo. This thread will contain a video/photo log of our adventures and experiences with Rambo. Call it...an ownership experience thread. I'll be using my YouTube channel "Southwest ORV" to host the videos. There's a decent chance Rambo will attain prominence over the next few years. Let's get started: here are a few photos of Rambo, brand new at the dealer - newborn... an orphan. These photos were sent to me, by the dealer, before I ever laid eyes on the machine.

 

[SouthwestORV]

On Saturday, October 27th, I met my salesman, Ryan Bigham at the North Valley RideNow store in Phoenix, Arizona. He offered me the best out-the-door price in the state, and was zero-hassle with zero typical "sales" stuff. He had hot chocolate waiting, and the machine out front, clean and ready for me. He said the machine had been pulled out of the crate within the past 2 weeks, and I believe him because of the condition of the little Pioneer. Here are a few photos from when I picked Rambo up from the dealer that day...

 

[SouthwestORV]

That afternoon I got home and everybody - wife and four kids - were beyond excited about the new machine. We all agreed Rambo was the right name for the little rig, and of course, everybody wanted a ride - or to drive - especially mommy. First impression of the little Honda? "JUST RIGHT"

 

[SouthwestORV]

This morning, I created a short video to introduce my YouTube channel viewers to "Rambo". My channel - Southwest ORV - has a strong Honda ATV following, because of my tremendous 2016 Honda Rancher video series. The little Pioneer is already receiving a warm welcome from the channel viewers. I hope that in time, Rambo will become a sort of web ambassador for the P500. Here is the first video:

 

[BuckCreek01]

Welcome to the P5 Red Club. Let the mods begin.

 

[SouthwestORV]

Welcome to the P5 Red Club. Let the mods begin.

My new Maverick Advantage mirrors arrived in the mail yesterday, ...it begins. Next up, a roof.

 

[Neohio]

Looks like you have a good plan coming together!

 

[BuckCreek01]

My new Maverick Advantage mirrors arrived in the mail yesterday, ...it begins. Next up, a roof.

Next on my list = Honda roof and the Koplin rear rack outfitter storage box. Hard to keep the big items off the wife radar though.

ATV/UTV Rear Rack Outfitter Storage Box | Kolpin

 

[Chooglin]

I am looking forward to watching your build

 

[nctrailboss]

I am looking forward to watching your build

Me too!

 

[SouthwestORV]

Looks like you have a good plan coming together!

There's more out there...but trying not to get ahead of myself.

 

[SouthwestORV]

I am looking forward to watching your build

Thanks guys! It's fun to have somebody to share it with...dudes who appreciate, you know what I mean.

 

[SouthwestORV]

I love the sound of a Honda engine, especially a new one. This sound reminds me exactly of my beloved 2016 Honda Rancher. Here's a recording I took today, with 20 miles and 5.3 hours on the machine. Nothing wow, just curious if it will sound any different with 5000 miles on it...we'll see.

 

[SouthwestORV]

Here’s a video of the first time my wife got behind the wheel. She loves the new ride, especially the automatic transmission.

 

[SouthwestORV]

Here's a video of my first walk-around of the new Pioneer at the dealership the morning I picked it up. I always take a close-up walk around video at the dealer because as you all know, that brand new condition is gone after the first ride, and it never returns. I love these videos - and as my machines age I like to go back and remember how they looked new.

 

[SouthwestORV]

This afternoon I took the kids up to the hillside and goofed around with Rambo. Getting to know what the machine can and can't do...how it behaves, etc. Past break-in now, so getting more bold with the throttle, etc. The kids loved taking turns going on rides. I decided to test the effectiveness of the 4WD system on these P5's. So far I'm impressed, it claws along well in 4WD. Here a video showing the performance difference between 2WD and 4WD.

 

[Ichybod]

This afternoon I took the kids up to the hillside and goofed around with Rambo. Getting to know what the machine can and can't do...how it behaves, etc. Past break-in now, so getting more bold with the throttle, etc. The kids loved taking turns going on rides. I decided to test the effectiveness of the 4WD system on these P5's. So far I'm impressed, it claws along well in 4WD. Here a video showing the performance difference between 2WD and 4WD.

Put it in 2nd gear 2WD and try it. It'll probably make it.

 

[SouthwestORV]

Put it in 2nd gear 2WD and try it. It'll probably make it.

Oh yes, you’re absolutely right. In fact it’ll do it in first if I’m on it. My goal was to test the difference in ”gription” between 2wd and 4wd.

 

[Ichybod]

Oh yes, you’re absolutely right. In fact it’ll do it in first if I’m on it. My goal was to test the difference in ”gription” between 2wd and 4wd.

Gotcha.

 

[SouthwestORV]

40 miles, 10.2 hrs - Here it is...I love the magical moment (so fleeting) when you meet your machine for the first time, and start it for the first time, and know that this machine and this motor will power thousands of miles of adventure, hundreds of hours of fun, and foster memories. This video shows the first time I started my new 2018 Honda Pioneer 500 "Rambo."