Just released !!!!!!

[xx-rated]

Yeah, I'm driving my wife and my friends crazy with the whole thing...I've been on and off the XX so many times now my head is spinning! I am right there with you though, if the low end problems can be solved that easily then sign me up. If it is going to take a lot more, then forget it. I hope we hear SOMETHING pretty soon. I WANT this to be my next quad, but not if the bottom end/mid-range issue cant be solved to my satisfaction.

Don't jump off the cliff yet, we may get some good news (fingers crossed).

[700xx]

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.

You wouldn't need a pipe to correct this issue, I was just stating that if you would REALLY want to open it up (current emission laws are killing the quads from the factory floor, especially in the exhaust department). As for the programmer, again, that is not a requirement but if you would really want to open the quad up to its real capabilities, you can get a programmer (probably around $200).

The gearing is not that bad, I have many sources and all of them say that it is really corked up from the factory. For example, the 450r is a horrible trail machine because the gearing/tuning is way off in stock form. You stick a K&N air filter, rejet, and drop one tooth on the front sprocket and it is perfect. Everybody who I talked to that rode the 700xx says that dropping the front sprocket on a tooth or two will solve the gearing problem.


The Raptor doesn't have ANY of these issues, I just don't understand what Honda's intent was here.

The Raptor will have trouble hanging with a 700xx in the desert or the rocky/obstacle filled trails, the Raptor is a completely different machine and should not be compared to the 700xx.


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.

That is exactly the problem, everyone should wait for the final release and see what will happen wit the final product. And as for the Outlaw vs 700xx; I heart the Outlaw but after my buddy has owned it for a year... Everything is loose and rattles on it. That is why I ride Honda.

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?

I really wish I could tell you more about the release but nobody knows. But in the past, Honda has always been good on the final release product. All we can do know is just cross our fingers and hope this machine is all that Honda has made it out to be.

[700xx]

Well I am totally with you XX-rated.  I am waiting to here if Honda has an answer to there problem of stating that this machine is built for the Utility trail rider that has decided to change and/or go back to a more aggressive Sport riding.  Then all of the reviews have been done in the dunes and all of the reviews have stated pretty much would suck in the tight trails but make a great Dune machine.  Sorry but which one is it Honda???  I am also very POed.   And Dunes?  Who wants a big bore IRS dune machine??  Some people are saying lets not get ahead of ourselves???  Question do those people have money down on one??  I am actually curious 700xx... Are you getting one? Or do you have any connection with Honda?   If you do have a connection with Honda how can you answer the question above truthfully? 

Yes, Honda has been advertising this as the best trail machine, but it has also been saying that it will be a good dune machine, which I don't doubt with that monster engine. As for IRS on the dunes, everybody wants that. When I go to the dunes, the only people that are doing serious jumping are on modded 450's, everybody else just cruises around or they do hill climbs, which we all know the 700xx is very good at.

I will be getting one, I will probably sell my Rubicon and Kingquad and buy one of these. I do not have a direct connection with Honda, I work with a dealer here in Northern California and they provide me with a lot of information on the 700xx. As soon as it is released I will be the first to test ride it.



How can Honda state one thing and the ATV decide something else?  This is Honda is it not?   ???Sorry but this just does Not sound right.



Heres the deal..  If Honda wants to admit that this thing sucks in the low to medium end of things, do to it needing to meet emissions and then tell us that all it needs is a remapping to fix or whatever it is (in writting) then great.  This would be no different than the Outlaw needing a $50 JD jet kit before you even take it off the floor.  I can live with that.  But if you are talking a pipe or cam...Honda can go to Hell on that one and I guess I will stick with POPO

That is exactly what it needs. My sources all say the 700xx is corked up to meet the emission laws, an EFI programmer and a sprocket change will definitely fix the issue on the 700xx. If not just a sprocket change.



We better start getting some "News Flashes" on all of these reviews such as.   "New just in from Honda..... after the first reviews Honda has taken our feedback and they have been making some changes to the production units to resolve these Low and Mid range issues with the 700xx.  They have come up with the fix and are sending us on another ride in the woods to show us the improvements that have been made thanks to our feedback.  ...............

I think you get the point.  There is NO excuse for Honda to state one thing and then the machine states the obvious opposite.  Sorry but Honda better have a press release soon...very soon.  They better also have a woods ride review!!!

Honda had this quad in review stage for a very long time already and I highly doubt they will release it without fixing any issues in THEIR power. Emission standards are beyond their control.

[xx-rated]

700xx,

Thanks for all of your responses! I have calmed down a bit since last week. I'm sure that you can understand how anxious I have been for this machine to get here. Then when some of the initial reviews reveal what I perceive to be "warts", I was very disappointed. Now that I've been able to breathe for a bit, I've decided to wait until these things actually get here before I decide what to do. I don't really want to buy the Outlaw, but I want a sport quad with IRS, so I have two choices. If the problems that the XX has on the bottom end are that easily fixed, then great. I agree that the final product quality from Honda should far surpass the Polaris. Even though the XX and the Raptor are very different, you almost have to compare them, because in my eyes, they are competition for the average trail rider like myself. I would buy another Raptor, because they are a nearly flawless machine, but I want the comfort and ground clearance of the IRS. I was comparing the XX to the Raptor as far as engine size and capability. Two engines, the exact same displacement, both EFI, both made for trail riding. The Raptor doesn't have the low end gearing/stalling issues, so I wouldn't have expected the XX to have those issues either, emission laws or not. Don't worry though, I'm not giving up on this thing yet!

[700xx]

700xx,

Thanks for all of your responses! I have calmed down a bit since last week. I'm sure that you can understand how anxious I have been for this machine to get here. Then when some of the initial reviews reveal what I perceive to be "warts", I was very disappointed. Now that I've been able to breathe for a bit, I've decided to wait until these things actually get here before I decide what to do. I don't really want to buy the Outlaw, but I want a sport quad with IRS, so I have two choices. If the problems that the XX has on the bottom end are that easily fixed, then great. I agree that the final product quality from Honda should far surpass the Polaris. Even though the XX and the Raptor are very different, you almost have to compare them, because in my eyes, they are competition for the average trail rider like myself. I would buy another Raptor, because they are a nearly flawless machine, but I want the comfort and ground clearance of the IRS. I was comparing the XX to the Raptor as far as engine size and capability. Two engines, the exact same displacement, both EFI, both made for trail riding. The Raptor doesn't have the low end gearing/stalling issues, so I wouldn't have expected the XX to have those issues either, emission laws or not. Don't worry though, I'm not giving up on this thing yet!

Hey, I understand your concern, it will be your money and time that you are spending. You want the most for your money, we all do, and judging from the reviews the 700xx is a beast of a machine, except for the issues of stalling. And I don't think Honda would create such a beast of a machine and then just skimp over something small like that.

As for the Raptor vs 700xx, they can be compared but I think the only fair comparison to the XX is the Outlaw. But judging from all of the reviews, the 700xx excels in everything it does. So I really do think we have a winner here.

[bobkilmer]

Here is another short first ride review:

http://www.biketestusa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=6241

[HondaPosterBoy]

Thanks for the pep talk 700xx   I need that every once in awhile.  Basically anything XX-rated says...I hole heartedly agree with.  It is almost like we are twin brothers sharing the same brain lol.  I also am not real excited about the Outlaw for the POPO factor  .  I am still planning on getting the 700xx so far. 

BobKilmer,

Thanks for that review.  That was a great review.  Almost like it was done after they fixed a few things?  Not one mention of bogging?  They actually said that the first gear was short and the High gear was tall?  Sounds the opposite of what we have read before?  Interesting.  Thanks for finding that one.

[xx-rated]

That was an interesting review when compared to the rest of the stuff out there. Goes to show you how different opinions can be from different riders on the same machine. I agree HondaPosterBoy, it is interesting how they seemed to think that 1st gear was "short". I'm sure that their test ride was done at the same time, at the same place as everyone else though. And yes,  it seems as though you are my "brother from another mother"!

700xx, it sounds like you'll get your hands on one in another week? Can't wait to hear your impression, although if my dealer calls and says mine is in, I don't know if I'll be able to turn him away!  It would be pure agony to let someone else buy MY machine if it turns out to be even close to as good as we had hoped. If I don't take this first one, I'd probably have to wait until June! Damn, this is tough!!

[hannesm]

I struggle a bit not to be disappointed after reading the reviews. For now I'll wait and see. What I do like is the high end power; the improved comfort say over my 400EX and the quality look and packaging as a whole. But, after 8 years of waiting for a big bore sport from Honda, I  hoped that it would be at least as fast and powerfull as a Raptor - which it appears not to be.......what a shame! The only thing I'm certain of in terms of my next quad is that it won't be an Outlaw! I suspect the old legal issues in your country of the late eighties of foolish people taking Honda to court is definelately responsible, first for the long wait for this quad, and secondly for the "bad tuning or gearing", so that it won't be too fast for foolish people in trail situations, etc. What a pity!

[Msg Harmon]

Hello

Well my quad has been rescheduled into May.  I suspect Honda is fixing the problem with low and mid range power. 
I do not believe that with Honda's reputation,  they are currently correcting the problem and when this quad is delivered It will be just an awesome ride.

I will continue to let people know just what little I know is going on.

Keep the faith.  It will be great,

Msg Harmon

[700xx]

I struggle a bit not to be disappointed after reading the reviews. For now I'll wait and see. What I do like is the high end power; the improved comfort say over my 400EX and the quality look and packaging as a whole. But, after 8 years of waiting for a big bore sport from Honda, I  hoped that it would be at least as fast and powerfull as a Raptor - which it appears not to be.......what a shame! The only thing I'm certain of in terms of my next quad is that it won't be an Outlaw! I suspect the old legal issues in your country of the late eighties of foolish people taking Honda to court is definelately responsible, first for the long wait for this quad, and secondly for the "bad tuning or gearing", so that it won't be too fast for foolish people in trail situations, etc. What a pity!

As fast and powerful as a Raptor? One of the reviewers said it was easily the fastest stock ATV he had ever ridden... The engine produces 53hp stock, that is higher than any other quad in production.

[xx-rated]

Yeah, and then QUAD mag said that straight up against the Raptor they felt like it had less power anywhere along the power curve. Then they said that it was probably not tested in the right environment.I don't know why people would think that this is a sand machine. It was made for trails (I HOPE!!). As I posted on another thread, I hope to be getting mine this Saturday.

[700xx]

Is it just me or does it seem like every review is testing a completely different machine than the next one? One says its the fastest, another says it isn't; one says it is geared high, the other says its geared low... This is driving me nuts. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these!

[xx-rated]

Is it just me or does it seem like every review is testing a completely different machine than the next one? One says its the fastest, another says it isn't; one says it is geared high, the other says its geared low... This is driving me nuts. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these!

Exactly! Because I seem to have focused on the negative crap that has been said, I've gone back thru all the reviews and there was quite a bit of positive stuff from a lot of the reviews. That's why I was hoping to get some "real world" info from someone that had bought and ridden one!

[Turbofriek]

Well I am totally with you XX-rated.  I am waiting to here if Honda has an answer to there problem of stating that this machine is built for the Utility trail rider that has decided to change and/or go back to a more aggressive Sport riding.  Then all of the reviews have been done in the dunes and all of the reviews have stated pretty much would suck in the tight trails but make a great Dune machine.  Sorry but which one is it Honda???  I am also very POed.   And Dunes?  Who wants a big bore IRS dune machine??  Some people are saying lets not get ahead of ourselves???  Question do those people have money down on one??  I am actually curious 700xx... Are you getting one? Or do you have any connection with Honda?   If you do have a connection with Honda how can you answer the question above truthfully? 

How can Honda state one thing and the ATV decide something else?  This is Honda is it not?   ???Sorry but this just does Not sound right.

Heres the deal..  If Honda wants to admit that this thing sucks in the low to medium end of things, do to it needing to meet emissions and then tell us that all it needs is a remapping to fix or whatever it is (in writting) then great.  This would be no different than the Outlaw needing a $50 JD jet kit before you even take it off the floor.  I can live with that.  But if you are talking a pipe or cam...Honda can go to Hell on that one and I guess I will stick with POPO

We better start getting some "News Flashes" on all of these reviews such as.   "New just in from Honda..... after the first reviews Honda has taken our feedback and they have been making some changes to the production units to resolve these Low and Mid range issues with the 700xx.  They have come up with the fix and are sending us on another ride in the woods to show us the improvements that have been made thanks to our feedback.  ...............

I think you get the point.  There is NO excuse for Honda to state one thing and then the machine states the obvious opposite.  Sorry but Honda better have a press release soon...very soon.  They better also have a woods ride review!!!

Alright! Everybike comes suppressed from the factory! Its a fact. The polaris 525 is very boring from the factory, same with the raptor 700. I dont leave anything stock so I never worry about it. But I know for some, this isnt in the budget and some just like them how they are! In the dunes you want a bike with top end which the raptor and the Polaris lack. The 450s are where its at in my oppinion. I finally boosted my raptor and now it screams. The polaris got a port and piston job on top of the standard intake and exhaust. It helped immensly but it just doesnt rev high enough. As soon the 700xx comes out ill play with it and get it on my dyno. But I may just end up boosting this one too. I read that the hp on this bike is 53. On the pol 525 we only got 40. 48 stock. the raptor was 41.83. Ill post numbers as soon as i get it on the dyno.