Not so long ago, there were few options when browsing the showroom in search of a new ATV. Sport machines were extremely limited, while utility ATVs were as the name suggests and geared solely toward work. Let's imagine that we're taking a trip back 10 years in time to your local Honda dealership where the 1998 lineup has just been unloaded and displayed in the showroom for your initial assessment. The 300EX is a familiar sight and has recently evolved from the bulletproof 250X. This was the choice of racers and trail riders with a passion for speed. It would be another year before the ever-popular 400EX would unleash its reign of power over the ATV community. The big gun of Honda's arsenal is the Foreman ES with its 432cc of raw power. At the time was the largest displacement ever planted in a Honda but wasn't the feature that would separate this machine from the competition. The addition of Electric Shift is what changed the course of Honda's transmission design from this point onward. For those who were seeking a utility with the handling and heart of a sport machine, you'd have another decade of waiting while the development of ATVs took a leap into what we know today. Now let's shift our focus from 1998 to 2008 where 10 years of evolution has brought the technology of these previous designs together giving us the Honda Rincon 680.
The Goods
At first glance, the Rincon appears as just another four-by-four wrapped in a sleek package. As on all of today's utes, there are two functional racks for hauling cargo, a semi-dry storage compartment, a digital instrumentation panel and a two-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive selector switch. This is where the similarities end and the Rincon breaks away to create its own ATV category.
From the ground up you'll find a versatile and practical utility with a sporty twist. Providing the necessary link between machine and earth are four 25-inch Dunlop radials suspended by independent double-wishbone suspension front and rear. This makes it possible to acquire a full 10 inches of ground clearance bringing even the most gnarly of terrain into the Rincon's realm. The surprising factor isn't the treacherous terrain that this machine is capable of conquering, but the aggressive manner and speeds normally characterized by sport quads at which it can be dominated. Although 10 inches of ground clearance places the bulk of the machine at almost a full foot off the ground, the seat height is located at only 34.5 inches which is a mere 1.7 inches higher than that of the TRX450R. With the rider nestled low near the heart of the beast, the center of gravity remains closer to the ground. This plays a significant role in providing predictability and stability. At high speeds and while navigating perilous grounds, the squatted stance is further evident as the big 680 remains firmly planted.
Engine and Transmission
There's no 800cc or 1000cc V-twin behemoth tucked in the frame of the Rincon like you might expect to find on the flagship of Honda's fleet. Instead, you will find Electronic Fuel Injection with a 40mm throttle body feeding a 675cc OHV single-cylinder four-stroke. Traditionally, the engine would be mounted vertically, but through extensive research the engineers at Honda discovered that by mounting the engine longitudinally they're able to retain horsepower and efficiency. This distinct method is unique to Honda and has been the norm for many years. Eliminating excessive gearing and unnecessary linkages saves weight in addition to the obvious power advantage. I have heard it's been said, “There's no replacement for displacement,” but the power-to-weight ratio is the determining factor to what you feel from the saddle. With a dry weight of around 600 pounds, the Rincon scores well in this category giving the rider complete control of the available power. Smooth power delivery is one characteristic in which the 680 has become renowned, but grab a handful of throttle and the Rincon is capable of rearing up like an untamed stallion. This is beneficial when subjecting the machine to challenging terrain that would otherwise swallow a lesser quad.
Unlike most other big-bore ATVs which utilizes the CVT transmission, Honda has opted to take a different approach. An automatic transmission with hydraulic torque converter containing three forward gears and reverse keep the Rincon headed in the right direction. There are two methods of operation, the easiest being auto where the machine does all the work automatically shifting as necessary giving the rider the freedom to relax without the worries of changing gears. The second option is Electronic Shift Program (ESP) that's much like the manual function found on high-end luxury and sports cars.With ESP engaged, the rider controls all shifting via the electronic up and down switches located on the bar within easy reach of the left thumb. By simply flipping a switch on the bar you can toggle between the two for the desired function. The ESP feature is beneficial while hauling heavy cargo when running at higher rpm before shifting is preferred. Steep grades are another location where the ESP option proves to be beneficial by limiting the transmission to the lower gears for increased engine-braking. For the aggressive rider, having complete control of the transmission translates directly into overall improved performance.
Before hooking up a trailer for an extended adventure or maybe haul a load of firewood to your hunting camp, you will first have to purchase a tow hitch to complete this mission. The hitch is available as a Honda accessory and can be purchased through the parts department of your local dealership. This is a fairly simple two-bolt install that will only take a few minutes, but it will set you back about $47.95. First gear does provide an abundance of gut-wrenching torque to get a heavy load moving, but for those who plan to tow extreme loads, the gearing may be insufficient as the Rincon wasn't designed for this purpose alone. While other members of Honda's fleet have the option of a low range that can be utilized as necessary, this feature is lacking on the Rincon. I hoped to find this low range strategically added to the manual drive select lever for 2008, but the 680 once again remains more toward a performance recreational vehicle than a workhorse. But that's not to say that it cannot accomplish great work.
Braking
Located at the fingertips of your right hand are dual hydraulic disc brakes providing stopping power to the front wheels only. Keeping the braking system from front to rear totally separated gives the rider better control of the machine, a feature we're very happy Honda hasn't combined. You'll find that some units actually have the front and rear combined, and this can be dangerous while maneuvering over obstacles or controlling a backward descent after a failed attempt to climb a gnarly incline. While sealed mechanical drum brakes that require very little maintenance can be found on some Honda models, the full disc system is as good as it gets. Discs provide unmatched performance in most conditions and are easily accessible for a visual inspection. Another benefit of hydraulic discs is the cost of maintenance so long as it's performed at regular intervals before the pads have totally diminished and caused irreversible damage.
The Ride
As the initial spark ignites the fuel mixture, it's evident that this machine is no ordinary hay hauler. The rumble of the big single-cylinder can be felt through the bar, and every bit of power produced is usable. Excessive power more often than not just ends up spinning the tires and stirring up dust. Rider position gives the feeling of being one with the machine rather than perched on top holding on for dear life. This makes for an exciting ride as the nimble 680 hugs turns and seemingly floats over ruts and obstructions in the trail. Last minute changes in direction require little setup, and with the twitch of the hips, the 600 pounds of muscle is pointed in a different direction and ready to be unleashed.
As our trails narrowed, the precision in which the Rincon accurately steers became more evident. Trees were flashing past with only inches to clear. I had to keep reminding myself that together we have a combined mass of nearly 800 pounds and that sudden stop that a Georgia pine can cause would be extremely painful.
Unscathed, I reached the targeted rocky creek bed with vertical banks and long crawls up the mountainous ridges where I would put the Rincon's climbing ability to the test. With no time wasted, I switched to four-wheel-drive and began the long ascent to the top. I'm no stranger to these hills, and they give me a good idea of what the units being scrutinized are truly capable of. Passing my tests with flying colors, the big 680 climbs up and crawls back down the steep ridges time and time again. I have spent countless hours on faster and bigger machines with power to rival a jeep, but the Rincon is a prime example of what a four-wheel-drive, combined with the nimble handling of a sport, can be. The drive select lever should read “P” for Park and “FWD” for Fun-Wheel-Drive.
Aftermarket
Available accessories should play a role when shopping for an ATV that you intend on modifying or gearing to a specific need. This is often the case at ATVRider where we like to perform extended tests on our units and push them to their limits. Once we reach this point, we make necessary improvements continuing our quest to make each machine the best it can possibly be. The available aftermarket options for accessorizing the Rincon are limitless. With a simple click of the mouse, you can find everything from high-performance shocks to gear reductions for monster tire upgrades. While we intend these articles for the benefit of our dedicated readers, the consumer again benefits from this research as the manufacturers also read these reports. Changes and upgrades to new models are often spawned directly from the writings of ATV publications, so reader input is always appreciated at ATV Rider Magazine. What I'm getting at here is that you haven't seen the last of this '08 Rincon. Look for it again in an upcoming issue after we give the aftermarket a chance to show us what this machine is capable of becoming.
Overall Impression
All in all, the Rincon is a complete package with the ability to conquer just about anything that lies in its path. Monday through Friday, it'll handle hauling tools and materials to the job site and put on a different face for ripping up the trails on the weekend. It's an ideal choice for the enthusiast who wears many hats and can't seem to decide between the purchases of a sport machine for play or a ute with four-wheel-drive capabilities. This machine remains virtually unchanged since 2006 when we subjected the new design to over a year of extreme abuse. The machine competed and completed numerous cross-country ATV races and was the preferred means of hauling an abundance of camera gear around the remote regions of Georgia. And somehow, we still love coming back to this machine for further testing.
Posted with permission from the March 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.