Well, sorry, but since the machine has EFI and is not carburated, you will need to buy a programmer when you get a pipe (no jets). You are looking at $500 at least for those 2 items alone. And if the gearing is that far off, what makes you think that a front sprocket change will solve it's issues? From the sounds of every review I have read, the machine has NO bottom end or midrange hit. Sorry, but that is a bad combo for trail riding. The Raptor doesn't have ANY of these issues, I just don't understand what Honda's intent was here. Believe me, I hope that it as simple as what you think, but I'm not so certain. Back before these reviews started to come out, I had a little info about these concerns, but no one wanted to listen to it. The same guy that I got the info from told me that the Outlaw "kills" the XX. Even the Outlaw is geared a little high, but it builds power instantly with the throttle. I had EVERY intention of buying this quad, even put down a deposit, but now, I don't know. I'm gonna wait until they actually get out there and there is some feedback from owners.
Do you think that the delay in the release of the XX (if there really was one) could be to correct the EFI mapping at the least, or possibly change the front sproket? I can't remember the last time a machine was released to the public about the same time as the press got ahold of them. Most of the time the press has a test unit months before they hit the market. Maybe or hopefully Honda is doing some MINOR tweaking?
