New Pioneer 520 Arrived

[Milo]

I felt the same after getting my first SxS years ago and therefore have had one ever since. I use it almost every day for any variety of tasks. And for just riding trails or down the road to visit neighbor sometimes it's nice being able to take someone along, beside you.

 

[Rdrcr]

Interesting behavior.

I have 10 hours and 65 miles on the 520. The shifting has really smoothed out and the little machine is running great.
What’s strange is within the first 10 or so miles, accurate or not, the 520 could reach an indicated 42 MPH on the speedometer. However, now, it’ll only reach 38-39 and there’s a hard rpm/speed limiter.

It’s interesting that the machine didn’t have the limiter and wasn’t doing that originally?

Anyway, it’s just my bizarre observation of the day.

Mike

 

[Root Cause]

Congrats on the machine. Looks great.
I think the 520 with the dump bed is a winner.

You might check out HondaSXS to see what is going on with the limiter. Some knowledgeable folks there. I know my 700 was scheduled for a valve check at 100 miles and it was WAY off.
Beware of others who will lead into buying aftermarket stuff. It can be addictive.
Enjoy.

 

[Rdrcr]

^^^^
Thank you!

I’m taking the 520 in to the dealer for it’s first service at the end of the month. I’ll definitely make them aware of the odd initial behavior although everything seems perfect now.

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

I’m closing in on 100 miles…

I’m not sure how many of you use your SxS’s for recreational purposes but, my passenger and I did a 30 mile round trip through the forest to get some miles on the 520. Did some trash cleanup too.

The 520 handled all the terrain and hills fantastically. Very impressed with the machine. The size is perfect for my needs.

Mike

 

[Milo]

Nice country, Mike. I occasionally use mine for litter pick up along the road as well.

 

[deserteagle71]

At least with my Can-am, the more miles I have on it the better everything seems to work. Smoother shifting, yes, and it even seems quieter now with 1600 miles on the odometer than it did when new.

It is wonderful, after spending a few hours doing chores with it around the homestead, to go for a little recreational ride into the mountains behind my house just to cool off. Photo taken about 10 miles (but only about 2 miles as the crow flies) from my house:

As far as windshields, one of the things I really like about the Can-am is that the windshield can be fully closed, or cracked open about 6" to allow some air, or fully opened for good ventilation on a hot day.

 

[John_Mc]

Does the Honda 520 have engine braking?
How about differential lock?

I'm looking at various smaller SxS options. Mostly looking for reliability. Strong preference for engine braking and diff lock (though I could probably get by without the diff lock). The 520 is in the size range I'm considering. but I don't see some of those features mentioned.

I'd consider going to the 700 if I had to to get those features, but the size if larger than I really need. (Though the extra bed and towing capacity would be nice.)

 

[Milo]

Yes very effective engine braking. (Un?)fortunately the 520 does not even have a differential so the rear is always "locked", like most ATV's. This gives it great traction but makes it harder to steer and can skid up the terrain that it does sharp turns on. The front is an open differential.
My preference would be for Honda market two versions of the 520: one like what we have now only with a conventional differential for the rear that can be locked. The other, say a P520 Extreme, as above plus with a locking front diff and a step up in tire size.

My other SxS has a locking rear diff and in all honesty it's left unlocked 80% of the time, when more traction is needed I first engage 4wd which is usually enough. Even though it's larger and heavier than my P520, it is easier on the yard, gravel driveway, and trails.
I think a lot of potential buyers that are attracted the 520's small size and dump bed as a little transporter to run errands, go to the mailbox, working in the yard, etc., end up going with other choices such as the small Mule, golf carts, etc. for easier steering and to not skid up the turf so much.

 

[jjeff]

No front dif lock although the rear on my five hundred is locked full time. Engine braking on my 500 is accomplished by down shifting in manual paddle shift mode. I was considering upgrading my 500 to a 520 but the lack of front dif lock and no power steering made me think twice. The 700 has both and I believe it has the trans option of full auto or manual with paddle shifters. I looked at the 700 extensively before I settled for a leftover model yr wolverine X4. Also the 700 is a little over 60" wide the 500 and 520 is around 50" wide both will fit on the bed of a full size truck, and never any major problems except a cv boot or two with my 500 and it's been worked pretty hard imo.

 

[Milo]

I believe the P700 has more of an automotive 3 speed transmission that can be paddle shifted, the 500/520 of course use more of an auto-clutch, manual transmission, with the option of the machine shifting gears for you (auto mode) or manual mode where you paddle shift it. Honda's P1000 uses a 6-speed, dual clutch transmission. Interesting that Honda utilizes 3 completely different kind of transmissions on these machines, none of them being the most common used CVT transmission.

 

[jjeff]

I believe the P700 has more of an automotive 3 speed transmission that can be paddle shifted, the 500/520 of course use more of an auto-clutch, manual transmission, with the option of the machine shifting gears for you (auto mode) or manual mode where you paddle shift it. Honda's P1000 uses a 6-speed, dual clutch transmission. Interesting that Honda utilizes 3 completely different kind of transmissions on these machines, none of them being the most common used CVT transmission.

I believe some of there 4 wheelers used a similar setup. I was kind of surprised my buddy has a turbo razr. He claimed they recommend changing the drive belt annually. My pioneer 500 tranny shares the same sump and fluid as engine.

 

[John_Mc]

I think a lot of potential buyers that are attracted the 520's small size and dump bed as a little transporter to run errands, go to the mailbox, working in the yard, etc., end up going with other choices such as the small Mule, golf carts, etc. for easier steering and to not skid up the turf so much.

If I'm not mistaken, the small Mule has a selectable locking differential, but no engine braking.

I'd be using whatever I get in the woods. The lack if any differential on the rear axle is a non-starter for me. I already have an antique ATV/UTV with no differentials. I don't need another one.

 

[Milo]

I've owned a small Mule 610 for 8 years, Polaris Ranger 500 3 years, and now a Mule Pro MX 3 years, and none of them ever needed belt replacement, or adjustment. I did need to adjust the P520's clutch after 40 hours or so but it only took 20 minutes.

If I'm not mistaken, the small Mule has a selectable locking differential, but no engine braking.

I'd be using whatever I get in the woods. The lack if any differential on the rear axle is a non-starter for me. I already have an antique ATV/UTV with no differentials. I don't need another one.

Yes the small Mules have selectable locking rear diff, and no engine braking. And the brakes on mine took a lot of effort slowing down when loaded on steep hills, but that was a 2006, Kawasaki may have improved them. The Mule Pro MX has the locker and excellent engine braking though.
I can say not having a differential does chew up my trails on the turns. I had the same issue in a few places with the Ranger mostly at sharp up hill turns because though it had a differential it HAD to be locked before it could go into 4WD which is crazy! I try not to take the P520 on my trails that have tight corners when it's wet. A neighbor has a P700 that he often has to drive up beside his garage then turn across the driveway and that little area is almost bare of grass. And his rear tires wore out after 3 years which isn't surprising as he rides it on pavement some. But he loves the fact that it "goes almost anywhere in 2WD".

 

[John_Mc]

Yes the small Mules have selectable locking rear diff, and no engine braking. And the brakes on mine took a lot of effort slowing down when loaded on steep hills, but that was a 2006, Kawasaki may have improved them. The Mule Pro MX has the locker and excellent engine braking though.
I can say not having a differential does chew up my trails on the turns. I had the same issue in a few places with the Ranger mostly at sharp up hill turns because though it had a differential it HAD to be locked before it could go into 4WD which is crazy! I try not to take the P520 on my trails that have tight corners when it's wet. A neighbor has a P700 that he often has to drive up beside his garage then turn across the driveway and that little area is almost bare of grass. And his rear tires wore out after 3 years which isn't surprising as he rides it on pavement some. But he loves the fact that it "goes almost anywhere in 2WD".

The Honda Pioneer 700 has a locking rear differential. He should not be having those problems, unless he is leaving it locked all the time (and I don't think you can lock it in 2WD).

[EDIT: my statement above is incorrect. The P700 has a locking FRONT differential. It appears that the rear is always locked. Thanks to those who pointed this out.]

 

[jjeff]

The Honda Pioneer 700 has a locking rear differential. He should not be having those problems, unless he is leaving it locked all the time (and I don't think you can lock it in 2WD).

Does it have a Turf mode like Polaris? So what your saying is the 700 has an open rear diff in 2wd and it locks the rear when 4wd is engaged even if the front diff locker isn't engaged? I know from owning the 500 the rear is locked all the time 2wd and 4wd, the front diff is open in 4wd, same with the 520 I presume. Honda should explain this better on there website or to there salespeople.

 

[Milo]

Are you sure? I believe the Pioneer has no rear differential, ie it's locked all the time.

 

[John_Mc]

Does it have a Turf mode like Polaris? So what your saying is the 700 has an open rear diff in 2wd and it locks the rear when 4wd is engaged even if the front diff locker isn't engaged? I know from owning the 500 the rear is locked all the time 2wd and 4wd, the front diff is open in 4wd, same with the 520 I presume. Honda should explain this better on there website or to there salespeople.

From what I understand, the Pioneer 700 does have a rear differential (unlike the 500). It has three modes: 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD w/diff lock.

Scroll down and click on the Drive Train section of this specs page:

Pioneer 700 - 4x4 Utility Vehicle - Honda

The Honda Pioneer is the best side-by-side choice for works and weekends, but which model is right for you? For many, the answer is the middleweight Pioneer 700.

powersports.honda.com

 

[Milo]

Where it mentions: ...Automotive-style automatic transmission with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears and Reverse. Three drive modes include 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with Differential lock. AT/MT modes with paddle shifting on the deluxe models.... ?

It is confusing but I was told: 2WD = powered by the two locked rear wheels, 4WD adds the front, 4WD Lock locks the front differential.

 

[jjeff]

Where it mentions: ...Automotive-style automatic transmission with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears and Reverse. Three drive modes include 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with Differential lock. AT/MT modes with paddle shifting on the deluxe models.... ?

It is confusing but I was told: 2WD = powered by the two locked rear wheels, 4WD adds the front, 4WD Lock locks the front differential.

That is exactly what I thought and have experienced with on a few other atvs. Ex. 2wd both
Rears will spin 4wd both rears and one front spins, diff lock all four wheels spin.