HONDA POWERSPORTS
866/784-1870
powersports.honda.com
Honda XR650L
The XR650L ($6499) is Honda's big dual sport. Pro-Link rear suspension and 43mm XR-spec Showa cartridge forks feature 16-position compression damping adjustability for superb off-road performance. An electric starter system and gear-driven counterbalancer add convenience and comfort to this versatile machine. A high-output 12-volt electrical system powers the enduro-style headlight, flex-mounted turn signals, and indicators including neutral light, high beam, turn signal, and sidestand. Power and size for short road trips and plenty of proven off-road tech takes a lot of the compromise out of dual sport.
Honda BIG RED
Honda's Big Red side-by-side ($11,399) features a 675cc mid-engine design and Honda's automotive-style automatic transmission. Selectable drive modes are 2WD with an open rear differential for sensitive terrain/lawns, 4WD with rear differential lock, and 4WD with all-wheel differential lock. The suspension setup provides 10.3 inches of ground clearance and 5.9 inches of travel in front and 7.1 in the rear.
Honda FOURTRAX RINCON
Honda's 4WD FourTrax Rincon ($8299) is powered by a 675cc engine with EFI. Honda's automotive-style automatic ATV transmission draws power through a hydraulic torque converter to drive three forward gears and reverse. Its semi-dry-sump oiling system positions the oil tank inside the engine cases, lowering engine height and allowing optimum engine placement for improved ground clearance and handling. Dual front disc-brake calipers feature a patented built-in scraper system that removes mud and snow from inside the front wheel. GPScape navigation uses an arrow on the LCD face to point to the direction to a chosen waypoint.
Honda CRF250X
Honda's CRF250X ($7149) features a four-stroke 249cc liquid-cooled four-valve Unicam engine tuned for easy-to-control power across the rpm band. The electric-start system, odometer, and 35-watt halogen headlight are nice features for the weekend warrior. It has a wide-ratio five-speed transmission and competition-tuned off-road suspension. An aluminum Renthal handlebar can be mounted in different positions and is rubber-mounted to help reduce rider fatigue.
Honda CRF450R
Honda's race-ready CRF450R ($7999) has a brand-new, lighter engine with EFI. It produces 56.3 horsepower at 8500 rpm and 37.5 pound-feet of torque at 7000 rpm. A four-lobe camshaft and individual rocker arms for each exhaust valve reduce weight and contribute to a higher rpm ceiling. An entirely new rolling chassis includes a new aluminum frame with forged-aluminum steering head that is 14 ounces lighter than previous design. Honda positioned the steering head pipe further back and lengthened the swingarm and beefed up the pivot plates all while making it lighter. Other changes include upgraded brake rotors and retuned suspension damping.
Honda TRX250X
Honda TRX250X ($4299) is powered by a lightweight OHV air-cooled 229cc engine, longitudinally mounted for efficient power transfer. The two-valve cylinder-head design optimizes valve timing for a very usable powerband. HondaTMs SportClutch enables the rider to experience manual clutch operation while avoiding engine stalls when coming to a stop. A solid-state ignition provides electronic advance and an 8750-rpm engine rev limiter. Rubber mounts reduce engine vibration. The braking setup includes dual hydraulic discs in the front and a fully sealed rear mechanical drum brake.
KAWASAKI
800/661-RIDE (7433)
www.kawasaki.com
Kawasaki PRAIRIE 360 4x4
The Kawasaki Prairie 360 4x4 ($5349)now comes in Hardwoods Green HD camouflage for hunters looking for a stealthy platform to get them on location and back hassle-free. A 362cc air-cooled, single cylinder, four-stroke engine combined with Kawasaki's continuously variable transmission powers this popular utility quad. The Prairie 360 4x4 employs a variable front differential control by pulling a lever on the left handlebar to add increasing lock to the front diff. When maximum traction is no longer needed, simply release the lever--low-tech and effective.