Honda Pioneer 500 experience?

[Bill]

I’m looking at ATVs for retirement. While at a local motorcycle and ATV store I saw the Honda Pioneer 500, the smallest of the Honda UTV line. What’s interesting is it fits in a full size pickup bed. And I can mount a snow plow on it for Montana winters. Not to mention take 2 hunters and gear into to boonies of Montana. Payload should carry BigL and I if we don’t bring a cooler of beer and ice.

The rear cargo bed is smaller than other larger UTVs. 475cc, auto/manual switch. Power steering not offered.

Anybody on TBD have one? It’s a Honda product so it’s a buy once, cry once. Local CA Out-the-door pricing is about $10.5k without shopping around.






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[SaltwaterSlick]

Bill, if small is what you're after, that sucker is the ticket. I almost bought one, but went with first the 700-4 and now have a 1000-5. There were a couple really nice ones in the classified's for a while and also someone else on here had one when I began my search a couple years back... Think maybe it was either "Mexico" or old Mexico... can't remember. Maybe they will chime in. I only know one person who has one, but he loves it. plenty of power and flawless operation. I can say that the Honda power train is strong and the auto-tranny operates just like a car tranny with a torque converter... If I wanted a small UTV, that's what I'd get.

[BrianL]

I have one and use it daily. I like it better than the bigger units for working around my place. Turns sharp, fits in tight spots, great for spraying. I made a box for the rear rack for mine. For one or 2 people it is great.

[Greenheadless]

I have a 20015 and bought it for the size reason alone. It basically is a 2 seater Honda Rincon. I needed something that was light weight and versatile. It is not the fastest machine and has more nooks and crannies for mud to hide, but other than that, I have enjoyed mine so far. I did buy a basket for the back rack, added a winch, roof, front window and stick guards for the arms.

I bought mine in MS and was about $8K out the door without the accessories. I added them myself later.

[Bill]

Thank you for the feedback- all positive. We had a company event last week go-cart track racing. Despite my best efforts to go as fast as possible, when all the drivers were listed by average speed, only the 4 woman were slower! I’m not trying to go fast with an off-road vehicle.


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[jmeghunts]

Great deal right here:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690294&highlight=Pioneer

[SaltwaterSlick]

Yessir it is, but Bill's in Kalifornika...

[Hobbs]

I bought one last year in Oklahoma. I think it was $8,700 out the door. It's perfect for what I use it for and I have no complaints. I wish it would fit in my tundra but after putting on a little bigger tires it will not fit.

[twostepct]

We took one to New Mexico a couple years ago. It struggled a little going over some stuff but it wasn't that big of a deal. What was great was it was able to go along trails made by four wheelers pretty easy. After that experience I bought a 700-4 just because I wanted a 4 seat option but not something that had a real long wheelbase.

[Bill]

Yessir it is, but Bill's in Kalifornika...

Please- The People’s Socialist Republic of California.


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[Bill]

Honda Pioneer 500 experience?

Great deal right here:
http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...hlight=Pioneer

I agree it’s a great deal. I send him a PM. Logistics would be a challenge.

Driving to Uvalde then Bozeman are would turn a 1,000 mile drive into 3,300.

..... unless I could put together a TBH express from Uvalde to Bozeman!


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[Bill]

Honda Pioneer 500 experience?

I took my wife to the Honda dealer to do a test ride around their parking lot. I don’t know if this is normal: in automatic it bucked on every upshift, and the tranny made a “ker-klunk” sound when it shifted. Noticeably load. This was the only 500 there- new unit. The sales guy said he’d talk to the service manager if that was normal- and the 700 and 1000 were smoother- I’d hope so on a $20k Honda product. We just said thanks and left.

I told him if this was used on craigslist, I would thank the seller and say no way, it needs tranny work.

Is this normal? A hesitation /buck on shifting and a noticeable clunking? I want to go to another dealer and try one and see.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Bill, mine shift really smooth, but I have no experience with the 500... They do make a noise if you're slowly taking off and will sort of clunk when they shift. There's no jerk or surge though. My 1000 has 3 different shift modes from the standard to sport mode and even manual with paddle shifters... I seldom use any of that stuff though... On my 700 it shifted a little rough when I got it. the dealer told me to drive it and adjusting the shifter is part of the service they do after the break in period. They must have known what they were talking about. After break in and the service, it's smooth as can be.

One other thing you may have been experiencing is a poor ride because of driving it around on a parking lot. This is a problem for sure unless the transfer case is in the "turf" mode. and it is amplified when going real slow and real slow AND turning...

[BrianL]

There is a bit of a learning curve on shifting it smoothly. At first mine was a little loud, but either it smoothed out or i got better at shifting it.

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[Greenheadless]

The automatic is new, I have no experience with it seeing mine has the paddle shifters. Mine was shifting rough until I read the instructions on how you are supposed to use the paddle shifters. Ever since then, no complaints.