In the December 2007 issue of ATV Rider Magazine, we dropped on our readers the sizzling-hot news about Honda's first go at the side-by-side market; cleverly named Big Red. After a painstaking year of waiting to get in that first ride, Honda has finally unleashed the fleet for what would be best referred to as an impression ride. Impression ride? Point being this was not the full-on push-to-the-limits-style testing to which our readers have grown accustomed, but we did walk away with a handful of very strong and exciting information. So if you're ready for it, let's dive in and unpack our first impression of Big Red!
Before jumping too deep into Big Red's features and performance, I felt it important to define Big Red's target audience. By the way, Honda has categorized this machine as a Multi-purpose Utility Vehicle (MUV). For those who run a farm, ranch, work site or enjoy heading to a remote fishing hole, you are the bull's-eye. It's also safe to say that Big Red is capable of satisfying the family recreationist for weekend ventures. You know, those who enjoy a mild-mannered adventure through scenic destinations who might even stay for the weekend for a little camping. But if you desire the more aggressive nature of high-performance sport riding or racing, this may not be the machine for you. But at the end of the day, who knows—maybe a major touch of suspension and motor mods will transform Big Red into exactly what you're seeking. Only time will tell.
Significant Details
Big Red houses a 675cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine, very similar to what you'll find propelling Honda's Rincon utility ATV. Thankfully, the lightweight aluminum radiator is mounted up high to help avoid becoming clogged by mud and other debris. Yes, fuel and air delivery are electronically delivered via a programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) system. This PGM-FI system features a 40mm throttle body, 12-hole two-pattern injector and an idle air control valve. This machine makes use of an automotive-style automatic transmission system by drawing power through a hydraulic torque converter, which drives three forward gears and reverse. The drive selector is conveniently located on the dash and offers selectable drive modes such as 2WD with open differential for sensitive terrains, 4WD with rear differential lock and 4WD with all differential lock. Yes, the diff-lock was a must-have feature for Big Red.
Move along to the chassis and suspension, and note that Big Red is designed with an independent double-wishbone suspension and offers 10.3 inches of ground clearance. Suspended by high-quality variable-damping shock absorbers, the front suspension allows 5.9 inches of suspension travel while the rear offers 7.1 inches. Putting the power to the ground are four specially designed 25x10-12 front and rear tires. And to slow the red lightning, Honda chose to go with a four-wheel hydraulic disc brake system balanced much like an automotive-style design, which ensures front and rear braking even if one brake fails. These guys even took things a step further with a patented built-in scraper system that prevents the buildup of debris in between the caliper and rim.
And just as you would expect from Honda, it has incorporated all sorts of features and benefits that enhance quality, comfort and safety. First off, the engineers have designed a roomy cab with rubber-mounted bucket seats that have an adjustment for the position that suits you best. The seat belt is a three-point emergency locking retractor belt, which is designed to keep dust and debris out of the mechanical components. This means you'll have a smooth-working belt system for many years to come. And like you'll find in many cars, Honda has incorporated a right-hand-operated parking brake. When carrying a heavy load, you can roll with confidence knowing that it's rated for 500 pounds of cargo and is made from both steel and an automotive-grade plastic liner. Dumping that 500 pounds is made easy with the progressive-action strut assist. A nice feature to this machine is its ability to hold and tow large shipping pallets. If you desire to tow large items such as a boat or loaded trailer, a heavy-duty two-inch receiver-style hitch with a 1200-pound towing capacity is just waiting to tow. Last on my list of details is the fuel system shutoff and easy seat belt release mechanism. If you end up upside down, the fuel flow will cut off to the engine. And while you're hanging upside down, the belts should easily release so that you can safely make your escape.
The Verdict
After a year of anticipation, Honda finally placed the key in my hand so that I could get a little time in behind the wheel of Big Red. I feel that it's important to bring up the typical Honda quality and craftsmanship right off the get-go. The fit and finish was about as good as I've ever seen with my own eyes. Every part on this machine seemed to be very well thought out and placed with precision. Starting with the cab, it does not get roomier than Big Red. The shoulders of the driver and passenger do not fight for space, and there are plenty of places to rest your feet to remain sturdy. The placement of all the controls was pretty much dead on, though a tilt on the steering wheel would be nice. Unfortunately, there is no instrument cluster on this machine, but Honda has made a digital meter kit available with its accessories line. One important feature that I wanted to point out is that the protective cage is designed so that fingers and hands are safe in case of a rollover. They basically designed the cage with extra areas that are not likely to touch the ground but are likely places for hands and fingers to end up. As for the passenger handle, it's pretty well placed, but my short arms had to stretch quite a bit to hang on to it. As always, additional places and methods for holding on are a plus in my opinion.
One of my favorite features on Big Red was the door system. They are simply the best doors on a stock machine, period. You reach just inside of the cab for the latch, pull the latch and the doors easily open up. They also feature a two-latch system, just like the doors on your car. You can barely close the door and it latches to the first hinge. Pull it again and it's completely shut. I was also digging the safety nets; they were easy and effortless to snap into place once you've entered the cab. Trust me when I say it's not that simple on some of the other models. But getting in and out of Big Red was effortless.
Getting into the ride, we found everything about it seemed to be fairly good. Neither the power or the handling will release much adrenaline into your veins, but it gets the job done well. Remember, this machine is targeted more toward getting work done and mild recreation. Pretty much every obstacle that we put Big Red up against, it conquered with ease. We used the 2WD with open differential, 4WD with rear diff-lock and 4WD with all differential lock modes, and it pulled up and down hills in all of these modes without trouble. The problem is that we did not have the option of putting it up against many extreme terrains and obstacles since this was an impression ride. Honestly, we can't wait to see how it does when pushed to the limits. But we were very relieved that this particular Honda model did incorporate a diff-lock.
The power is a bit on the mild side but will smoothly and strongly whisk you up to 40 mph. Everything from acceleration to top-end is pretty much smooth. The power does not portray any sorts of jolts and stays constant through the whole powerband. But for a daylong or weekend cruise through the trails with your family or on the jobsite, this type of power will help you remain comfortable for the long journey.
When it comes to the performance and handling of Big Red, we felt that it handles the speed it puts out fairly well. The suspension has a plush feel and is valved for someone who plans to be in the seats for a long period of time. When cornering or blasting fast sweeping turns, it seemed to hold its line well. Because of its large size and hefty weight, you might feel a bit of lean and undesirable drift. Well, that is if you're pushing hard, of course. It's important to keep in mind that this side-by-side is 64 inches wide, which is almost 10 inches wider than the Yamaha Rhino and nearly 6 inches wider than the Kawasaki Teryx. That means that Big Red is both the widest and heaviest side-by-side on the market today. Obviously, this is important when you take into consideration your local ride areas or other places this machine will be used.
Final Thoughts
For the audience that Honda targeted with Big Red, we think it did a great job. This machine will be an excellent workhorse that can be counted on to get the job done. Even stepping into the realm of recreation, it has its pluses as well, as it offers great safety features, a smooth ride and good overall handling for a day or weekend on the trail. We would just like to get some additional miles on it in a terrain we're more familiar with. So stay tuned and we'll bring you the scoop.
Posted with permission from the December 2008 issue of ATV Rider ® www.atvrideronline.com. Copyright 2009, Source Interlink Media, All rights reserved. For more information about reprints from ATV Rider, contact Wright's Reprints at 877-652-5295.
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