P500 Test ride

[mywaytotalk]

The wife and I went yesterday to the local dealer and rode 2 P500’s. The first ride was a bit disappointing. The first unit seemed to gasp for gas, was jerky, and the gear change was very hard shifting and jerky. The sales guy in review and with a test ride with me agreed something was wrong with the unit. Onto the 2nd unit a better ride but the trans was still really clunky, a little like it lacked fuel in the start, and hard shifting.

I really like the idea of the P500 size and utility. I have a couple acres I like to pull my trailer around, haul a little wood, etc. I want to use it at the hunt property, and to pull some implements, etc.

The wife said in comparison to other machines we had she was not sold. She noted the golf cart was quite, smooth, and could haul multiple people but also noted we pulled the trailer, etc with it. She noted the Atv is fun, has the utility we needed, etc. she noted the P500 was rough, jerky, and lacked the fun factor.

What am I missing? Doing research on the clunky and jerky trans. Educate me. As I noted this seems to be the perfect machine for my needs at least in theory.


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[Admin]

 

[allgm1]

Maybe try a different dealer, it sounds like the one you went to doesn't really have their crap together. They let you test drive the first machine with it screwing up, maybe something (clutch adjustment) was a little off on the second one also. They will all feel a little off when they are new and not broken in. A lot of guys have them and love them so there must be something good about them.

 

[Montecresto]

The wife and I went yesterday to the local dealer and rode 2 P500’s. The first ride was a bit disappointing. The first unit seemed to gasp for gas, was jerky, and the gear change was very hard shifting and jerky. The sales guy in review and with a test ride with me agreed something was wrong with the unit. Onto the 2nd unit a better ride but the trans was still really clunky, a little like it lacked fuel in the start, and hard shifting.

I really like the idea of the P500 size and utility. I have a couple acres I like to pull my trailer around, haul a little wood, etc. I want to use it at the hunt property, and to pull some implements, etc.

The wife said in comparison to other machines we had she was not sold. She noted the golf cart was quite, smooth, and could haul multiple people but also noted we pulled the trailer, etc with it. She noted the Atv is fun, has the utility we needed, etc. she noted the P500 was rough, jerky, and lacked the fun factor.

What am I missing? Doing research on the clunky and jerky trans. Educate me. As I noted this seems to be the perfect machine for my needs at least in theory.


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I can’t speak to the “gasping for fuel” part, but the transmission/shifting smooths out with time and break in and a bit of learning curve in the sweet spots for speed and RPM’s in shifting. With 3,000 miles mine is smooth and quiet anymore. Quality synthetic lubricants help as well.

I don’t think you’ll be displeased with a purchase. If the dealer has one, ask to test drive a used model and see if you don’t notice a difference.

Good luck. And welcome to the forum!

 

[AlR]

Maybe you didn't have your seatbelt on and hit the speed limiter. That would give you the starved-for-gas feeling. My 2017 P5 is smooth.

 

[Montecresto]

Maybe you didn't have your seatbelt on and hit the speed limiter. That would give you the starved-for-gas feeling. My 2017 P5 is smooth.

Haha, didn’t think of that as I’ve got a 15 model. Seems like the dealer would have thought of that though....

 

[mywaytotalk]

Thanks for the feedback. Seatbelts were required to be worn while we test rode and the dealer did a demo for us as well on the safety belt rev limiter.


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[SpaceTroll]

Welcome to the forum. You're right the trannys clunky at first but after break in it smooths out. Mines a 17 with 2800 miles on it. 95 % of those miles are in manual shift mode and once you learn the machine it shifts smooth as silk in manual .For hunting riding and playing it's hard to beat . I've pulled many trailers loaded down with no problem. This thing is a tough little machine. If you want something to haul 4 or 5 people I'm going to say you won't be happy with a 500. Not sure what type of riding you plan on doing but if it's not on a golf course I'd go with the 500

 

[ShotgunClay]

Smooth shifting is part learning curve and part getting some miles in. Have 2100 miles on my '17 and it shifts smooth and easy (used the automatic transmission for about the first 15 minutes, all the rest is manual) The differential was noisy at first, but it's quieted down too.

 

[jwfirebird]

everyone says they smooth out. i would look at the 700 bunch more stuff you get with that if your purpose is hunting and work mostly, ton more room for people and stuff, way more room in the bed, locking front, glove box, more stable without having to mod it, plus its not much more i paid 10 and ive seen a few around that have them for 9300

 

[Mudder]

A few quick notes. Agree with above.
Clunky transmission at first, after a break in period an easy clutch adjustment helps greatly.
Ride can be improved with larger aftermarket tires, but it is a short wheel base machine.
Geared transmission and pulling power seems on target for your intended use, rock solid and dependable.
Fun factor with paddle shifting is there, its not the fastest, but the terrain of trails in my area prevents greater than 20 mph anyway.
That said, I was disappointed with the test drive also, but it gets better as said above, and the wife and I enjoy it for doing chores on the property and taking trail rides. The idea of driving a few used different models sounds good, especially if they have been modded by prior owners. Good luck.

 

[mywaytotalk]

Feedback is good. I need to track down a used model and give it a try. Is the P500 a cold starter, takes a little bit when cold to seem like it’s getting good fuel flow? With a fuel injection I wouldn’t think this to be the case but curious. Because I use mine to hunt I am accustomed to starting it and going with very little warm up time. Thanks again for the feedback keep it coming.


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[Mudder]

This was a good surprise on cold temps. Hope it helps. P500 - Coldest temps for cold engine start up?
And Welcome to the forum.

 

[trigger]

Smooth shift point is at about 1750 rpms, which you can't see without a tach so it's a sound thing. If you take it too far past that it'll seem starved for fuel or the next gear. The P5 is essentially a utility machine and will easily tackle the tasks you're asking it to do. As for the fun factor, it's going to take a few extra bucks. Throw a few upgrades into it and then hit some tight and winding trails. Guarantee you'll both come back with smiles. Above all, this is the quintessential Honda, you'll play hell trying to break it.

 

[ehart814]

3400 miles or so on mine. The 500 is characteristically not as smooth as a belt machine. You’re slamming metal gears together at every shift, kinda. It absolutely does smooth out a bit over time but it’s never going to be as smooth as a rubber band machine. But once you get used to it, you will find that having a real transmission is a huge benefit when doing work, trying to go slow, and descending hills. And the durability is amazing. Get into some twisty trails and start banging gears and the small machine really shines! And it’s overbuilt so 26” or 27” tires have no effect on durability. Good radial tires make such a huge difference in so many ways! Once you make that upgrade it’s like having a new machine all over again.


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[ShotgunClay]

it’s never going to be as smooth as a rubber band machine.

Nothing beats the Honda for slow speed control, all the Polaris etc I've tried are very jumpy.

 

[Chuckie3]

Agree with the others, tranny Smooths out in time. Have a p5 17 and I love it .once you drive it for a while and get use to it your gonna like it . And if you keep listening to the guys in this forum your gonna start spending a lot of $ on accessories because it gets addicting

 

[Badblubug]

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I agree with prior statements about the trans shifting better with miles, I’ve had zero problems with my stock 500 since new and it’s a fun little workhorse, mine plowed all this snow this year, how did the piles get so big...seemed like it never stopped snowing

 

[Bullseye]

An opposite viewpoint, trying to sell mine for all those reasons. I realized all that when I bought it but thought I would get used to it and it would be okay, never did. It's a good machine , just not for everybody.

 

[DG Rider]

The wife and I went yesterday to the local dealer and rode 2 P500’s. The first ride was a bit disappointing. The first unit seemed to gasp for gas, was jerky, and the gear change was very hard shifting and jerky. The sales guy in review and with a test ride with me agreed something was wrong with the unit. Onto the 2nd unit a better ride but the trans was still really clunky, a little like it lacked fuel in the start, and hard shifting.

I really like the idea of the P500 size and utility. I have a couple acres I like to pull my trailer around, haul a little wood, etc. I want to use it at the hunt property, and to pull some implements, etc.

The wife said in comparison to other machines we had she was not sold. She noted the golf cart was quite, smooth, and could haul multiple people but also noted we pulled the trailer, etc with it. She noted the Atv is fun, has the utility we needed, etc. she noted the P500 was rough, jerky, and lacked the fun factor.

What am I missing? Doing research on the clunky and jerky trans. Educate me. As I noted this seems to be the perfect machine for my needs at least in theory.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The trans will get better.

Do you have an atv already?

As I said in a recent review, you have to be honest with yourself about what you need. You like the ideal of the 500...but why? Size? That size helps with tight trails and loading into pickups, but most everything else, bigger machines work better. Maybe try the 700 and see what you think.

 

[mywaytotalk]

Bullseye can you elaborate more of what was not the right fit and/or what problems or challenges you have encountered?


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