2020 Honda Rubicon 520 Review & walk around. Differences & driving impressions
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Upgraded from a 2016 Rubicon to the 2020 Rubicon. Initial part goes over features & new changes. Around 6min I go over the driving impressions & my opinion to upgrade or not. As always if you have any questions feel free to ask when I bought the bike there was no initial review walk around videos so hope this helps!
Good stuff man! Enjoy your new machine
Very wise choice. However you don’t have to worry about keeping a newer up to date bike so part A or B doesn’t break on a long trail ride. It’s a Honda!!! LOL 😎. I rode one I bought new in 2001 for 15 years. Nothing but tires and oil changes.
I can see Honda ditching the rincon because of this sexy beast
Having seat time on both I would!
Nice quad U need better tires though Mud lites or Zillas and it will go anywhere
Iv always had Honda's and loved them They never left me afoot this time I went with grizzly 700 I do lot of long distance riding top speed is 69 on fire roads and highways I can get on down the road I don't like the belt drive it's louder than honda if Honda made 700 I would trade in for sure.
@Will M honda has ignored the Rincon for years. It was tough, but lacked features when it was introduced. Now, all these years have passed, and all the other atvs have improved, but not the Rincon...
@Grizzy Bear I'm not positive that is accurate. The 600-700 class atvs are everywhere. I agree that the 850 and up arent seen nearly as often, but in the class range of the Rincon, there are a ton of them. Honda has always built some great machines. They just need to put a little more attention to the fun stuff, not just the reliability side of things. They absolutely can do it. I just hope they will.
Honda full of shit give us two different twins cylinders engines! Small and large!
if you want speed u buy a big heavy 1000 cc can am not everyone has to do 70 miles an hour or burry there quad in mud I ride trails hunt in Northern Canada go over beaver dams never use it where I need a snorkeling system I've got an Argo for that they are a t v s not a bloody boat they cost a lot of money I've had Hondas my whole life they will always get u home they may not have 75 0r 100 horse power but they are the most reliable machines u can buy
I agree that's why I keep getting Honda
Really nice bike man! Ive got a 2015 Honda Foreman 500 with only 1060 or so hours on it! I love it because its solid and so reliable! I reckon I'll keep it until they bring out a 750cc as long as they stick to DCT haha. Hope you're still having fun with your bike man!
Mine is identical as yours it’s the FA6 FM6 except mine is the molasses brown and I absolutely love the color you’d have to see it in person to appreciate it it’s my favorite look and their new decals best looking Rubicon yet. five-speed with this new motor that independent suspension and power steering I absolutely love it I’ve had big bore atvs with double the power but I prefer the new Rubicon over any other but I would like to see Honda make a 750 Rubicon that would be outstanding be safe and have fun buddy. I’ve put a 3500 pound winch on mine that’s Bluetooth with wireless remote, a passenger seat a nice one blue lights on the front and back LEDs on the front and back a cool cupholder. And my next thing to do is get 27‘s on SS matte black rims and the under carriage protection skid plate a Tigertail. A heavy duty brush guard on front with more LEDs on it a performance chip FMF pipe and a K&N air filter and I think that’s it for now I’ll post a picture once I get it done.
U should make a video
I ended up adding 27 big horns. 27s work great on this machine.
I really liked the charcoal color they had... Nice video Sir, thx for the walk around.
Nice review. Loving my 2021 so far. Sorry to hear about your proconnect box. Mines been good far 🤞. Only thing I carry in mine is the battery pack for the strobe light system mounted to the cargo box.
The new redesign pro connect box is a lot better design I did a video on the difference
thanks for the honest review. i also have a 16 rubicon manual eps and it has been a great machine. i picked it up as a hold over in late 2017 and saved about a grand over new. I'm considering a 2020 but if i can find another hold over i will probably go that way. the 16 is definitely not a speedy machine, i have two ranchers, a 2008 and a 2013, and they're way quicker than the rubicon but lack the ride completely. hope you have many happy miles with your new purchase! take care
Thank you so much for the video! I’ve been looking into the 520 but nobody knows if there was a noticeable power increase
it only has 30 hp, the can am 450 has 38 hp a better 4x4 system. and this is coming from a honda owner.
@@TwinTurboToyota the Can Am visco lock front differential works fine, but to have the ability to lock the front end like this Honda has, is very nice. I really enjoy my outlander, but if Honda built something with some power, I would probably be riding one. Even with the low power, I really like the Rancher that we have.
@@ShyaMiss I have a XMR 570, its three wheel drive, have a belt, which smokes if I don't fly through mud. 4x4 system on Can Am is worse than older Honda's bc you can't just pull the right brake lever and lock the front tires. I ride my 06 Foreman wayyyy more than my Can Am. I have stickers that say Financial Mistake on my XMR.. Cant get rid of it bc the value of them things drop so much every year. Honda is the way to go, unless you just like to be working on the thing all the time, then by a Can Am.
@@arkwillingham2182 considering your name, I would expect nothing less than a comment like yours. I also have both Honda and Can Am. The belt slippage problem exists with EVERY ATV that is belt drive. Which is pretty much all of them other than Honda. As for the "working on them all the time" comment. That has not been my experience with my own. I do believe that my Honda is a more reliable product, but considering the fact that my "unreliable" Can Am is over 8k miles. I'm thinking it's done quite well so far. Those bashing on a Honda and claiming they suck, simply because they dont make Can Am like power, are morons. But so are those who bash Can Am on the basis of not being a Honda.
@@ShyaMiss I am on the fence between a 21 Rubicon Deluxe and a 21 Can Am Max 850 North Edition. This would be used mostly for working around our new lake house and plowing the long gravel drive and road in the winter. I had a 94 TRX300 2wd and it was the most reliable machine ever. I love the 2 up seating on the Can Am and by the time I add the winch and the heated grips/throttle to the Honda, the price gap narrows. Then there’s still the twin cylinder difference that the Honda just doesn’t have. The reliability of the belt drive and the lack of a locking front diff worries me on the Can Am but then I’m hoping the DCT on the Honda doesn’t have issues with it either. I may do some trail riding at some point but most will be low speed around the house. I just need to make sure I have enough power and traction for plowing. I also like the Can Am plow and mount setup with thE ease to attach and detach it. Ugh, I’m torn.
nice machine
Are sure to check your air box resonater , it can be knocked off by debris and then you suck water into your engine.
I'll keep a check on that with mu preride inspections but luckily never had an issue with the previous one or this one so far
Pro connect boxes are waaayyyy too expensive!!!
1ST gen quick connects broke easy 2nd gen has been great. I like it for the ease of removal. I keep it loaded with gear ready for a trip. When I'm around the house I'm either using the rack for other things like sprayer or cooler. Their are some nice bolt on for less money. I really wish the aftermarket would get into making pro connect accessories.
Why does your reverse still have the clunky second red lever, I saw a Rubicon with a quick red button just in front of the grip that fixed the irritating double lever pull, is that feature only on a "deluxe" model? I currently have a 2015 and love it, but am looking to get a second one and that alone would make me buy a 2020 over an 18 or 19.
It is on the dct model foot shift has the standard lever
That red button is terrible... my Rancher has that setup. You have to push it in and hold it, then pull the brake lever, and then you can finally catch reverse. The little red lever on this, works much nicer.
wlabishler 1 wrong red button. The new style is even better than this leaver.
2021 honda foreman has a lever that goes straight to reverse dont even have to hold the brake
Do this model have a backup recoil
Pull starter?
No that is an Canada build configuration
You can add one as an option.
That new storage spot is not that water proof
I have left mine in the rain and pressure washed mine well over 20 times and the inside is still dry
Nice review. I’m debating between the rubicon deluxe or a kodiak 700 eps Se. Help me decide please :)
I think they are both solid machines &very similar capability & spec wise. I like the foot shift personally for reliability & a fun factor so that keeps me with the Rubicon. Both are similar specs & I don't know of any issues with this model Yamaha. I prefer a non belt machine & control of the gears, but Yamaha seems to have a solid cvt setup. I would lean towards the honda but test drive both you may develop a liking for 1 over the other just because the way the transmission drives, especially if you're looking at the dct auto it's a different feel altogether.
buck terrell thank you kind sir for your thoughts, i will test drive both and hopefully I can make a decision ! Rubicon is a beauty of a machine !!
@@MRwhoaIsMe buy a rancher you won't be disappointed and if you thought about a kodiak, try an outlander 450.
Thanks for the review! Very honest and down to earth.
On the diff lock do you have to stop to engage diff lock or can you do it on the fly
Honda suggests you come to a stop I've seen people do it on a roll but wouldn't suggest it
It can be hard on your axles, brayden price snapped one or two cause he was moving and flipped it on
What do you think about the Honda Forman 520's
It's a very similar bike to the Rubicon with a solid axle instead of IRS honestly once I started riding IRS I didn't want to go back to a solid axle. Solid axle has a slight advantage if the rear rack is squatted because the ground clearance doesn't change but even pulling a trailer or having heavy weight on the back rack I've never run across where I needed the difference. IRS has the advantage of initial ground clearance, ride comfort and stability off road
Good review. 👍
I bought a 2021 Honda Rubicon 520 a few weeks ago, so far I think it's an amazing bike.
So far I'm over 1,300 miles and it hasn't missed a beat yet
@@buckssenditinfochannel5263 I just have over a 100, it's a real amazing machine.
@mich4870 mich4870 right at 1400miles zero issues haven't put brakes on yet
@@buckssenditinfochannel5263 changed your diff oil at 600 miles?
@@jacobsebastien3910 I've had all the Honda recommended services done at the dealership
The front is ugly
Nice review I would love to own one
Go for it!
That little cubby in the front is anything but water proof.
It has done okay for me with an occasional ligh rain but haven't put it through a serious test or left the bike outside extended periods of time
If you don't mind me asking what was your price out the door on this one
Don't remember had a trade & got a warranty. Pricing was precovid & when it 1st came out so no rebates. Even if I found my paperwork, I Don't think mine would be a good comparison for the current market
If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for this atv
Sorry just seeing this my local dealer did give me a discount. Honda models like this don't have much mark up and covid has definitely changed the market.
Can’t decide between this and the foreman!
I have a lot of experience with both irs would be a hands down winer unless you're building a murder and want an axle paddle or just wanting to use it around the farm and save a few dollars. Ride comfort, handling, and riding with a passenger are all better with irs.
@@buckssenditinfochannel5263 In Canada you can't get a 520 Foreman foot shift with EPS. It’s more work than fun for what I need it for. Used around the farm, hunting/dragging moose and elk out of the bush, hauling fire wood, and some trails too. Tradition says SRA for work over play. My question is how would the Ruby do vs the Foreman in those situations ? The Ruby has a 1350lb tow rating over the FM’s 850lb. Is the “squat” problems real or overblown ? Then there’s the SRA versus IRS maintenance.. chewed up many boots in the back on your Ruby’?
@justinturdeau2383 the traditional thinking is because typically irs has more travel (sag potential)than sra when the rack is weighted and with a trailer the only compression is the tires but that rear end assembly takes all the force of the trailer which is where I've see some breaks with SRA. Ive never felt like ive over loaded the racks, deer, sprayer wood etc. Towing I'd suggest Strong Made 2 inch receiver with irs it distributes the force vs the cheap 1 bolt adapter acting like a leverage point to damage the machine. I regularly move my 18ft double axle trailer around with the Rubicon. My 16 irs Rubicon towed a burnt up x3 on a steel trailer out of the trails in west va when everyone with a sxs or belt wouldn't try because they felt their belt or machine would break 😆
@@buckssenditinfochannel5263 Thank you for the info. How was the steering lol. Is the ruby more tippy in off camber situations?
@justinturdeau2383 steering is eps electronic power steering. My last Rubicon didn't have it. I'm fine either way, but it is nice for slow speed chores like sprayer, moving trailers, log spliter, etc. It's not overpowering like some machines I've been on where you barely push it and it's almost going to far on its on trying to help. Steering and machine is light enough to flick and play around on trails. Body weight transfer is still important for tip factor. Tip over point is vary similar irs vs solid but irs helps on uneven terrain and rocks tipping since 1 tire can be higher or lower on the rear. Solid axle when a tire hits a bump that tire gets kicked up. Irs will absorb some of that energy vs tipping the machine over.
Thanks for the review. I’m looking at 19/20 rubicons with foot shift. I had the opportunity to test drive the dct only and then I got to drive a rancher 420 foot shift. I felt the rancher was more powerful. Does the foot shift seem stronger then dct in the rubicons to you?
I've had limited experience with dct hond atvs (I've never personally owned 1)I would say yes & it's seems a lot of the Rubicon people who run big mud tires have the same opinion
buck terrell thanks man, I purchased a left over 2019 rubicon foot shift in green today. I really liked it. Definitely seemed like it put more power on the ground to me. But that’s only my opinion it could all be in my head.
@@ecrews2 that's the same opinion I had if down the road if you upgrade to 2020+ 520 you'll be happy with the upgrades too!
Im so happy I got one
Congratulations on your new ride!
@@buckssenditinfochannel5263 thanks man
Looking to see what light bar you added.
I wish I could post pics on here. This video you can see a few pics and video I have 2 rotopax, light bar , extra storage box and can get to the factory storage or use the center rack if I wanted.
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Nice ATV
Thanks it's been a good 1 so far!
What's the top speed?
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Awesome!!!
damm thats really slow for a 500 cc atv
Just got my 520 in the 20th. Almost done with the break in. This thing is a beast!!!
Mine is a 500 honda forman 2016 its completely factory and it goes 54 mph
Also they brought back the backup pull start
Mine doesn't have pull start, from my understand 15up Canada models have pull start & you could add it to a U.S. model
@@buckssenditinfochannel5263 thanks for the info I'll have to check before I purchase. I can get a great deal on a new Rancher but can get a leftover 19 foreman for the same price but to my understanding they didn't have the pull start on some models of Foreman's and rubicons and then for 2020 it posts on honda atv Canada website for purchasing them that it does have them on all three machines but said nothing about it on leftover 19 models.
No. Speed
Huh?
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