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Started By
Message
Honda Pioneer 500
Posted on 3/3/20 at 1:55 pm
Posted on 3/3/20 at 1:55 pm
Anybody using one for mainly hunting?
Pros/Cons?
Pros/Cons?
4
Posted on 3/3/20 at 2:55 pm to bayouteche
Beware, Rondo is gonna come in here and say something negative about Honda SXS so get ready. They are solid units. cant go wrong with a Honda we all know it.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 2:58 pm to Boat Motor Bandit
Yeah, I know he is our resident expert!
I thought one of you baws might use one for hunting. The price isn’t bad on the 500. I don’t want another four wheeler and I don’t need to drop $20k on a SxS.
I thought one of you baws might use one for hunting. The price isn’t bad on the 500. I don’t want another four wheeler and I don’t need to drop $20k on a SxS.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 3:01 pm to bayouteche
It's a very dependable bike. The folks I know that have them like them but I just dont understand why Honda would make a sxs without a bed. Everyone I know that has one has built a bed on theirs. Having a bed is one of the main advantages of having a sxs.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 3:40 pm to bayouteche
I can’t speak for the 500 but bought a 700 this fall. I hunt a swamp on the Ocmulgee river south of Macon Ga and watched that place eat up Polaris & Can Ams over the last two years while the Honda guys kept on rolling.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 4:26 pm to Boat Motor Bandit
quote:
Beware, Rondo is gonna come in here and say something negative about Honda SXS so get ready. They are solid units. cant go wrong with a Honda we all know it.
Like most things you spew on this board, you're wrong.
I own one.
It's my current woods/spray bike because of how small it is.
This post was edited on 3/3/20 at 4:31 pm
Posted on 3/3/20 at 4:30 pm to X123F45
Do you put a 15 gallon spray rig on it Rando?
Do you ride solo? How’s the passenger room? I’m 5’11”. A big naw by no means I know.
Do you ride solo? How’s the passenger room? I’m 5’11”. A big naw by no means I know.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 4:34 pm to bayouteche
Buy the Honda bed, then put the tank in that. It'll keep the salt from getting all over the bike.
I run a 15 gallon tank or a 30 gallon pod. Depending upon the spray. If you aren't spot spraying, I can show you how to make a spray attachment that will spray the width of the bike for 15 bucks or so.
Room is good for 2 up. It actually has more room between wheel and seat back than any other honda side by side.
The good:
Geared low from the factory
Small as an ATV
Can fit most 28s with no lift
The mechanics are solid
The brakes are bigger than all other honda side by side. The rotors are thicker than ANY side by side by the new Kawasaki.
The bad:
Suspension sucks
Geared too low on stock tires
No dealer does the learning procedure for the transmission so it shifts like shite in auto mode
Stripped from the factory with no bed
Isn't a real auto, it's an ES setup. Which means a lot of water will lead to changing the shift sensor
The stock intake is in a terrible position
Basically, put 27s or 28s on it, put a bed and a roof. Run it frequently. Try to run it hard once a tank (it'll keep the O2 sensor gremlins at bay)
Watch the front A Arm mounts, they have a tendency to be improperly welded from honda. Riding Dirty offroad on Facebook makes forward AArms for it that come with a brace for the arm mounts.
The stock intake is 2 inchs in diameter and very easy to cut and reroute six inches higher.
I would recommend putting power steering on it if spraying or being used in tight swamps.
ETA: I can find and post the auto mode learning procedure of you get one. It's very easy. Switching to a synthetic 5w40 atv approved oil will help with the shifting after a break in period. You may need to adjust your clutch as well after 2-300 miles.
I run a 15 gallon tank or a 30 gallon pod. Depending upon the spray. If you aren't spot spraying, I can show you how to make a spray attachment that will spray the width of the bike for 15 bucks or so.
Room is good for 2 up. It actually has more room between wheel and seat back than any other honda side by side.
The good:
Geared low from the factory
Small as an ATV
Can fit most 28s with no lift
The mechanics are solid
The brakes are bigger than all other honda side by side. The rotors are thicker than ANY side by side by the new Kawasaki.
The bad:
Suspension sucks
Geared too low on stock tires
No dealer does the learning procedure for the transmission so it shifts like shite in auto mode
Stripped from the factory with no bed
Isn't a real auto, it's an ES setup. Which means a lot of water will lead to changing the shift sensor
The stock intake is in a terrible position
Basically, put 27s or 28s on it, put a bed and a roof. Run it frequently. Try to run it hard once a tank (it'll keep the O2 sensor gremlins at bay)
Watch the front A Arm mounts, they have a tendency to be improperly welded from honda. Riding Dirty offroad on Facebook makes forward AArms for it that come with a brace for the arm mounts.
The stock intake is 2 inchs in diameter and very easy to cut and reroute six inches higher.
I would recommend putting power steering on it if spraying or being used in tight swamps.
ETA: I can find and post the auto mode learning procedure of you get one. It's very easy. Switching to a synthetic 5w40 atv approved oil will help with the shifting after a break in period. You may need to adjust your clutch as well after 2-300 miles.
This post was edited on 3/3/20 at 4:55 pm
Posted on 3/3/20 at 4:51 pm to X123F45
I appreciate the info Rando!
What size are those tires in the trailer pic? Interco’s?
I have a 15 gallon sprayer that I rigged up with an 8 ft boom that I spray my dove field with.
What size are those tires in the trailer pic? Interco’s?
I have a 15 gallon sprayer that I rigged up with an 8 ft boom that I spray my dove field with.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 4:53 pm to bayouteche
Those were 30x10 interforces. Had forward A arms.
Currently running a 32 with a front frame trim. But anything over a 28 is too much tire without a gear reduction. I have a 40% to install, but time for tinkering has been short.
Trying to get everything serviced for spring/summer.
Currently running a 32 with a front frame trim. But anything over a 28 is too much tire without a gear reduction. I have a 40% to install, but time for tinkering has been short.
Trying to get everything serviced for spring/summer.
This post was edited on 3/3/20 at 4:54 pm
Posted on 3/3/20 at 6:50 pm to X123F45
I have a 2020 700. I hate the shift points on it in auto mode
Posted on 3/3/20 at 7:22 pm to FelicianaTigerfan
quote:
I have a 2020 700. I hate the shift points on it in auto mode
Unfortunately, not much you can do on the 700.
If you haven't put a ton of miles on it uet, run it. The more miles they get the smoother they are.
You can also help that transmission by getting away from the Honda oil post break in.
Rotella 5w40 works well in that engine. It's a little thinner than the honda stuff and will reduce some of the banging. They get better with time.
Our old big red which we finally parted with when it was too rusty to mess with, shifted really well. At that point it had 3 or 4 thousand hours. But compared to your 20 it might have gotten a third of the MPG. The emissions stuff on the new ones are a double edged sword. The sensors go out, but the mileage increase is awesome.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 10:00 pm to bayouteche
We have one and love it. They will fit in many places regular SXS won't fit, i.e., recovering deer in the woods. Not a cadillac or trail winner, but if you hunting and working with it I would buy another one.
Posted on 3/3/20 at 11:10 pm to bayouteche
quote:
Yeah, I know he is our resident expert!
What's funny about this is even with the snarky attitudes, I still answered the questions honestly and with facts.
I have no brand loyalty. While I am not generally a fan of the Honda products, I will buy them if they are the best option. In kids bikes and the 500 class side by sides, nothing comes close.
Posted on 3/4/20 at 7:10 am to X123F45
Honestly I wasn’t trying to come across as snarky! You present more facts and what sounds like more first hand knowledge than most of all things ATV and I appreciate that!
Posted on 3/4/20 at 8:19 am to bayouteche
Now have two hunting seasons on my 2018 Pioneer 700, still really like it. No nonsense, just works. Have 27" 589's on it
Posted on 3/4/20 at 11:09 am to bayouteche
Like any Honda it isn’t the flashiest or coolest looking but it will be reliable and last way longer than the “popular” brands
Posted on 3/4/20 at 8:08 pm to X123F45
Damn that seems like lot of modifications and things to worry about. In your opinion what is the best 500 sxs with a bed that’s ready straight from stock? Not worried about mpg or ground clearance. Just want something that runs like my Rancher that has a bed.
Posted on 3/4/20 at 8:19 pm to SCwTiger
quote:
Damn that seems like lot of modifications and things to worry about.
Not really.
A roof and a bed are under 600 bucks for both. A set of 27s on stock wheels can be had for under 400.
Nothing else needs to be addressed unless you're riding in a lot of water (30 bucks to move the snorkel 6 inches higher) or going stupidly large and heavy on the tires (it isn't worth the trouble)
The pioneer 500 is the best 500cc side by side if you need something small and capable offroad.... And cheap.
The Kawasaki is too expensive and underpowered. The Polaris is either a turd with the 500, or too high strung with the 570. Yamaha doesn't make a competitor. And the canam reliability is either perfect or awful... With little in between.
On my 500, I've only had to replace an O2 sensor, that was under 50 miles and covered by warranty. I let the GF ride it around now a few times a week and it has not been an issue.
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