Honda Pioneer 500

[KFhunter]

If you get a P500 you should know of this, a front locker for the P500.   It's similar to the Chevy G80 locker in that it's always on, but allows 1/4 wheel revolution before it engages.  So you won't notice it until you start spinning, then a "clunk", a jerk on the steering wheel,  and off you go. 


https://www.torqmasters.com/torq_locker_tl_hp500_honda_pioneer


SKU: TL-HP500
$429.99

[Mtnwalker]

For me the locker has been a non issue, although it’s my first side by side so naturally I don’t know what I’m missing out on. If I rode for the sake of riding more I’m sure I’d want one, but I ride mine for the sake of getting to where I want to hunt. If the snow is too deep to get the machine through then I’d need to be snowshoeing in anyways, which I don’t do for big game. Cat hunters probably a different story

[jrebel]

The 1000-5 does have diff lock.   The 500 does not.  I have never needed to lock them up for what I do.  Most people will never notice not having the ability to lock the diffs. 

[bigdub257]

Great information here.  Seems like most things, it boils down to personal preference and the circumstances you plan to use it for.  I'm definitely going to stick with something in the 50" class as a lot of the country I hunt it would be almost impossible to get around some of the gates and/or ride the trails with anything bigger.  I also like the fact that it has a transmission that you can shift manually if necessary.  It sounds to me like the Honda has enough power for my intended use at this time as I just need to get from point A to point B.  And as Jrebel pointed out it's a Honda!  I'm going to wait and check out the new 520 which I believe is due out in January.  They have a little more power, a dump bed and a few other refinements and improvements that sound beneficial.
Thanks for all of the input so far and keep it comin!

[HillHound]

That is also the reason I ended up not going with the Honda. Have money down on a defender limited with the visco lock front differential. Waiting on the tracks, plow, and a few other accessories to show up before I go pick it up.

[Mudman]

That is also the reason I ended up not going with the Honda. Have money down on a defender limited with the visco lock front differential. Waiting on the tracks, plow, and a few other accessories to show up before I go pick it up.

Me too.  3 weeks waiting for it to show up.  Covid delays.  Are you aware of options to deal with crappy viskolok diff?  They do really suck.  Halo locker, Super atv pin locker and Factory Can am smart lok upgrade.  I not decided which one yet but probably a Halo.  I went with Blue, you? 

[Russ McDonald]

Honda 1000-3 LE and mine has locking dif.  Haven't had it is the snow bu I have had the work Polaris Ranger 900 on tracks in 4' of powder.  Pucker factor though because I had it pegged, 7000 rpm and 0 on the speedo but still creeping.  The pucker factor was no trees or anything to winch to if we got stuck.  I read through everything and I don't think that anything was mentioned but all Honda's are shaft driven no belts. 

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

[predatorpro]

I have a honda 1000-5 LE and it is absolutely awesome.  They go anywhere and mine has a rear diff lock and an “I-4WD” and it will go anywhere. If you want a workhorse you cant go wrong with a honda.  My 2 cents though is get a 1000 if you are going in the mountains, the 500 is for driving around the farm

[Ridgeratt]

I realize that I will give up maybe 30% with traxs and I might not be able to race around at 50+ but I am looking for a reasonable trade off.

[Mudman]

Tracks are gear reduced aprox 30-35%.  Low gear so speed isnt gonna happen regardless.  So a 38hp 500 40mph top speed with gear reduction isnt going fast regardless.  An open front diff will pretty much do ya in imop.  Might as well put bigger tires on and go vs tracks for $4500.   

         30km hour max speed.  Enclosed cab a must or covered in snow.  EPS required too.    Also remember it is no longer a legal 50" utv but 60"+ tracked.     57 seconds in vid ya can see why locking front diff is needed.

[jrebel]

I also have a 2003 Honda quad 500cc that is all time 4x4.   I’m not sure I agree that 500 is under powered for the mountains.  That quad carried me and my son all over Idaho’s Steep mountains a couple years ago.  It has a ton of power and does great. 

If you are looking for a fast quad.....go buy a 1000 cc monster that will do 80mph.  I can say that 40mph on a quad down a rock road with trees, cliffs, ditches, other cars, etc. is darn scary and a good way to end up dead or in a wheel chair. 

[HillHound]

That is also the reason I ended up not going with the Honda. Have money down on a defender limited with the visco lock front differential. Waiting on the tracks, plow, and a few other accessories to show up before I go pick it up.

Me too.  3 weeks waiting for it to show up.  Covid delays.  Are you aware of options to deal with crappy viskolok diff?  They do really suck.  Halo locker, Super atv pin locker and Factory Can am smart lok upgrade.  I not decided which one yet but probably a Halo.  I went with Blue, you?

I went with camo. Yes I have heard some of the issues with the front locker but figure It seems like a quick fix with any of the above mentioned. Any reason you are leaning towards the halo? I was looking at the factory smart lock upgrade I guess just because I always figure they must do it right because it’s factory, but some of these aftermarket products are getting to be almost better than factory sometimes

[Mudman]

Halo n superatv are basically same.  $900 upgrade.  Smartlok from Canam requires axles (32 spline vs 30) diff and elect switch n modules and is closer to a $2500 upgrade.  It is better n stronger.  I am good with open limited slip visco most times but when its deep or steep n rough a front lock is needed.  Safer as well.  Now if I end up breaking stuff I will upgrade hopefully.  $$.  I will be ordering 30" Maxxis Carnivores immediately.

[Mudman]

I also have a 2003 Honda quad 500cc that is all time 4x4.   I’m not sure I agree that 500 is under powered for the mountains.  That quad carried me and my son all over Idaho’s Steep mountains a couple years ago.  It has a ton of power and does great. 

If you are looking for a fast quad.....go buy a 1000 cc monster that will do 80mph.  I can say that 40mph on a quad down a rock road with trees, cliffs, ditches, other cars, etc. is darn scary and a good way to end up dead or in a wheel chair.

Correct but pioneeer 500 is 2x's weight of your quad so half the power almost.  Still think its enough power?  In video I posted alot of it was wide open throttle.  So imop no way.  Too weak, slow and loud.  Hard on machine wide open.  Sucks gas like a pig I wager?  If you get off road, deeper powder, hills it aint gonna cut it.  Sorry but it just wont.   Honestly I think a horse would win this battle.

[predatorpro]

I also have a 2003 Honda quad 500cc that is all time 4x4.   I’m not sure I agree that 500 is under powered for the mountains.  That quad carried me and my son all over Idaho’s Steep mountains a couple years ago.  It has a ton of power and does great. 

If you are looking for a fast quad.....go buy a 1000 cc monster that will do 80mph.  I can say that 40mph on a quad down a rock road with trees, cliffs, ditches, other cars, etc. is darn scary and a good way to end up dead or in a wheel chair.

Correct but pioneeer 500 is 2x's weight of your quad so half the power almost.  Still think its enough power?  In video I posted alot of it was wide open throttle.  So imop no way.  Too weak, slow and loud.  Hard on machine wide open.  Sucks gas like a pig I wager?  If you get off road, deeper powder, hills it aint gonna cut it.  Sorry but it just wont.   Honestly I think a horse would win this battle.

Yep! I have been in side by sides that just have ran out of power going up hills and stop. A four wheeler weighs around 500 lbs? My side by side weighs around 1700 empty. Add a few people, gear an some dead animals and you will feel it! Lol