Thread: Honda Quads

Any real life feed back on the late model trx420fm2 and the trx520fm2, (or the 500 late model)
I know the 420 has less ground clearance and less rear suspension travel, heard the 420 is harder riding and real hard for passenger.

Even feed back on the fm6
Only interested in manual options in the honda range, no interested in the electronic shift

AND the only other brand i will look at is the Suzuki 500

The suzuki 500 has an inherent issue with the starter idler gear shearing off and destroying the casing.
Thats the vinson carbed models 1s with the pull start.
But their irs was much nicer on the body than the hondas single shock solid rear.

Yeah, I see they have gone backwards in regards to comfort. my 2009 420 has independent suspension on all 4 corners, and is far far comfier than a mates almost new trx500 with the solid rear axle. His almost came to grief on some gnarly terrain where my old 420 with plush suspension soaked up the irregularities far better.

Bloody drum brakes in 2024!!!!! what are they thinking

Have to say that Honda take the cake for being well built. I'm still on original brake pads and wheel bearings after 15 years. Gets used most days. Bloody plastics have gone brittle though. In all that time its only done in one regulator. Even the spark plug must be 8 years old now

I agree the later model suzuki is a comfy bike to ride, i do know for some reason some have better power steering then others in the same model.
prefer a bike no older then 2020 so current zuk 500 been out for ten years plus

Yeah XR500 is on point
Weve had both, still got the 500, its a nice solid quad but a real pig compared to the 420.
Note the first of the 420s with fuel injection had a lot of issues when they got really hot folowing stock etc, I beleve they sorted that in latter models.

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Originally Posted by XR500

Yeah, I see they have gone backwards in regards to comfort. my 2009 420 has independent suspension on all 4 corners, and is far far comfier than a mates almost new trx500 with the solid rear axle. His almost came to grief on some gnarly terrain where my old 420 with plush suspension soaked up the irregularities far better.

Bloody drum brakes in 2024!!!!! what are they thinking

Have to say that Honda take the cake for being well built. I'm still on original brake pads and wheel bearings after 15 years. Gets used most days. Bloody plastics have gone brittle though. In all that time its only done in one regulator. Even the spark plug must be 8 years old now

@XR500 the trx520fm6 has a independent rear manual gearbox

The last of the Honda 500's were available in either solid or IRS rear axle too.

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I know dairy farmers love the solid rear axle, as it allows them to haul three times the stated manufacturers load and bitch and moan when the load shoves them through the race electric fence when it all goes pear shaped

Basically you probably want either an fm1 or fm5 whether it be a 420 or 520. FM1 is manual,solid axle, no power steering. FM5 is manual,IRS and no power steering. Sold rear axle better load carrying and towing, IRS more comfortable ride. Anecdotally we see more roll-overs with IRS. IRS are higher maintenance and dearer to repair when they crap out. FM2 and FM6 are power steering equipped. Solid axle are drum brake, nothing wrong with them. IRS are rear disc brake. Hope this helps.

I don't know who would buy a bike with no power steering or why likes of suzuki or honda bring them out as a option like buying a new gun with no magazine.

My 2008 420 is unstoppable, found the 500s too heavy and harder to get through tight shit. Only thing id wish for is power steering

That track has a better surface than the new Hamilton expressway.

This is a good mates one.
He has upgraded to a 500 so this on the market.
I have ridden myself and goes well.
He looks after his gear to.

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In that particular spot yes!