2021 Honda Rubicon 520 DCT EPS (1000 Mile Review)

[@obmcdo]

The EPS system on this ATV utilizes an overheat protection feature to prevent damage to system components. In certain extended, repetitive high-load situations the PS indicator will illuminate and the system will reduce or even disable power steering assist. Page 60 Owner's Manual. Great video, I'll be getting one soon and I do a lot of the work you've been doing!

[@l337l0gan]

So you're saying to prevent overheating or over extending the machine the ps will temporarily turn itself off? Right? Interesting. Do you know how reliable the power steering is on these machines? I have never owned one with power steering

[@JohnnyRebKy]

The best ones ever built were in the 1990s. Simple, tough as hell, and near indestructible. There just wasn’t much to tear up on them. If they had gas and oil they were good to go. These new ones are nice though Back then only having 300-500cc didn’t keep us from doing anything 👍🏻😎.

[@Larry-xf3qt]

Amen brother

[@johnscribb6731]

I agree...the old ATV's were simple and over-built. My 24 year old Suzuki 250 4x4 still starts every time but doesn't have the comforts of today.

[@larryherring445]

I have a 96 Honda Foreman that still runs great. It’s a tank.

[@jameshanna8762]

I picked up an 2022 FM6 a couple of months ago, and I absolutely love it. I still have a couple of 250ES Big Red and 350X trikes, so I was definitely going with Honda when I decided my old back would benefit from the more cushy ride of a quad. Watching you abuse those Rubicons showed me that Honda reliability is still high and helped me pull the trigger. Thanks for the review videos!

[@TheJohndeere212]

I love Hondas. Mine is a Rancher 420 4x4 and it is a 2013. Camouflage, power steering and wrench on the front. It has a little over 6,000 miles on it and ran great!!!

[@tjvohs1]

Picked up a 2022 Rubicon toe shift last month. I watched your videos for the 4wheeler reviews but I like your other videos as well. Keep grinding man, glad to see you're enjoying Montana.

[@buildurtruckurway9118]

My friend owns a Suzuki lt250 quad runner 4x4 that last time I seen it has just under 70000kms. He bought it from a farmer that put 65000 on it. It’s had the top end changed once by us the axles ball joints ect all have been done a few times by now. By the previous owner The bottom end has only ever seen a new clutch from what we were told. He changed the oil monthly as it was his go to work machine since 86.

[@JacobOverman]

The old Suzukis and Hondas are unbelievable. They just run forever.

[@JohnDoe-dk8zz]

Still waiting for my 2022, been nearly 6 months of waiting, still no news. Ordered last Feb.

[@outdoorkid1164]

I just bought a 2014 Honda Rancher and it was nearly new. It was in pretty good condition. But with the plastics, I had the same thing happen. I also have the same problem you do with the seat.

[@sabertoothduck]

This guy sounds like he bounces off walls while singing at the top of his voice saying he’s so quiet and still

[@SAFE-AT-HOME-SPORTS.]

I rode a 2003 Rancher ES for 15 years and it was no where near in as bad condition as this Rubicon after 10 months. I just bought a FA5 a week before Christmas. It has 46 miles on it today and I can only hope it lasts as well as that 03 Rancher.

[@JacobOverman]

Maybe yours hasn’t been through as much?😂

[@remotetrapper8991]

I agree, this guy totally abuses his bike and expects it not to break. Imagine he drove a polaris like this. There would be nothing left of it. This guy is an idiot

[@barrywood9994]

@@JacobOverman the difference is you are working it like a farm tractor, I only trail ride.

[@SAFE-AT-HOME-SPORTS.]

The back of the tire tread is the trailing edge when On the ground, that is why it’s worn.

[@JacobOverman]

Makes sense

[@Eagle10300]

You got er made Brother! Great review and you’ll get 10,000 mikes out of that Rubicon no problem! Just keep hauling and bushwhacking those timber! It needs tho growl then you know she’s working! Hey get your rod and show us a video on fishing in that lake sometime! Cheers! Rubicon all the way!👍👍👍

[@johnscribb6731]

I'm really curious about the plastic breaking...seems like it happens often to people. It just gets brittle and vibrates apart? Yours broke within 1 year? Not just a minor concern from a company known for quality.

[@JacobOverman]

Yeah idk. I’ve had issues more so with the plastic on this 21 model machine than any other.

[@Jack-xk3qp]

same issue with the body on mine- all plastics broke

[@johnscribb6731]

That's depressing when Honda goes cheap like that because nothing is made better.

[@nseric1233]

I have a 2020 foot shift. I fixed the pinging/light knocking at half throttle by installing a 1 1/2 inch pvc snorkel, the slightly smaller dia pipe makes it run a touch richer and better. You could block part of the stock snorkel opening off to do the same thing without snorkeling the atv. I did back to back testing with the 1 1/2 snorkel on mine vs my brothers 520 with a 2 inch snorkel, they run better with the 1 1/2 and dont ping anymore. My front wheel bearings went too but my brothers 21 rubicon hasnt had a bearing go, in the same miles on the same trails. Front bearings going is very hit or miss. I made my rad super easy to wash by cutting the louvers out of the way that are directly in front of it. The louvers block the top 3 inches of the rad so you cant wash it at all, it's a stupid design. I wouldnt run 15-40 in a dct, it's basically an auto car transmission and very different than a foot shift transmission, they are very sensitive to how thick the oil is. Stick with 10-30 year round, my brothers dct works great with honda 10-30 in it.

[@JacobOverman]

Yeah and mine works great with 15-40 to

[@nseric1233]

@@JacobOverman At the 8 minute mark you complain about it shifting/working bad when cold LOL. Thinner oil fixes that, they need 10-30 or 5-40 rotella if you want to use rotella. I run the 5-40 rotella in my foot shift, it's good oil and cheap.

[@7450gwar101]

awesome video thank you

[@rossclarkoutdoors64]

Hey Jacob I watch all of your videos they a very interesting I have a 2020 fa7 deluxe.if you wanna make that bike look absolutely brand new again I would suggest a product by maxima its called sc1 new bike in a can.keep up the videos bud!

[@TheJohndeere212]

It is possible to make 100,000 miles on it to keep it maintained. Use Lukas oil every other oil change and it will last forever.

[@kensingtonwick]

What is the towing capacity on this model? I want to be able to load my trailer up with bucked wood but I’m leaning towards a can-am with 1300 lbs capacity but chain vs belt is a turn off with the can-am as well as The reliability factor. I don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken down ATV so I really want the Honda. Help me lol. Also what is the top speed on this model?

[@jameshanna8762]

Rubicon has a 1300 lb tow rating, too. A stock Rubicon will top out @ 46 mph.

[@JacobOverman]

What James said

[@kensingtonwick]

@@jameshanna8762 what about the flagship Rubicon model? Higher top speed? I’m not looking for thrills but would be nice to get from point A to point B a little quicker. Also, what is your take on the reliability of Can Am (if you’ve had one).

[@jameshanna8762]

@@kensingtonwick I intend to have the lower tier FM6 Rubicon (power steering, foot shift) forever. Having experience with Honda foot shifts lasting over 3 decades on my trikes, I was not ready to try the electronic shift options on the higher tier models. Too much to go wrong for my tastes. If you want to go fast with lots of horsepower, Can Am is a great option, though I have never owned one. The Rubicons are more than powerful enough for just about everything you need in a utility quad, but they are not built as racers. Other brands will offer more than twice the power of the Rubicons, but it comes at the cost of reduced reliability. I prefer the direct gear drive of the Hondas over the CVT belts on everyone else's quads. I'm in it for the long haul, so reliability is my prime requisite. I installed a Foreman 420 pull start on the Rubicon, even though that is not even listed as an available option, it fits and works. (With ebay and yt, there is nothing we can't do. :) Now I can start it even if it has a dead battery or NO battery in it! I'm getting old at 57, and going the quad route is a sign of me slowing down. I'm not sinking ATVs in a swamp or flying down the trails at 70 mph, anymore. I don't care to go any faster than 40 mph on the Rubicon. That feels PLENTY fast. Those were my considerations when I was weighing my options. If you have more questions, I'll answer as best I can.

[@kensingtonwick]

@@jameshanna8762 I appreciate all the great information. I don’t care too much about trail riding and having the fastest quad but sometimes we will be using it to travel 20 to 30 km and was hoping to have something that could do 60 to 70 km an hour for that purpose. For the most part I need it for hauling wood and other things that are work related around the farm. What is the fastest and most powerful ATV for my work needs and travel needs? EDIT*. I think in your above statement you said 46 mph. I was reading it as kilometres per hour lol (I am in Canada). That means it goes 74 km/h which I am totally fine with. Admittedly I’ve never used the foot shift before. Is it pretty easy upshifting and downshifting?

[@kensingtonwick]

I’ve been looking high and low for this answer to no avail. If I am not pulling any weight and I am a 200 pound man, how far can I get on one tank of gas driving roughly 60 km an hour? I am in Canada so I use kilometres but I can convert. Pretty please I need an answer. I’m about to buy the new Rubicon 520 deluxe but someone said they got really bad mileage:(. I may just get a Can-Am 450 because I saw a video where the guy got over 200 km on a 20 L tank.

[@JacobOverman]

I weigh 215 and have 27 inch tires. Running 35-40 mph average I can comfortably get 60 miles to a tank. Haven’t pushed it empty. That’s about 20 miles per gallon

[@kensingtonwick]

@@JacobOverman Unfortunately I think I am going to go with the can-am 450. The Rubicon is a little too pricey anyways at 15,000 including tax. I’m going to get 450 for 7000. I just hope I don’t get a lemon lol

[@travismaxfield3688]

If mileage is an an issue, get a flat gas can you can strap to the front

[@kensingtonwick]

I was talking to you a few days ago lol. Didn’t realize that in The comment below.

[@wvmountaineer69]

Best ATV ever built is the 300 Honda!

[@richardrastall3772]

I also have a 2021 Rubicon and have not been impressed with the quality. I also have a 2004 and 2007. Honda left off the manual pull start as standard so had to pay extra to have that installed. Was hoping the fuel injection would make it start better in cold weather...... it didnt . My older 2004 and 2007 are better starting. The automatic transmission is much rougher than the older ones. Not shifting smoothly as you go through the gears....jerky. Agree the plastic is cheap. Hate the location of the fuel cap. Miss the top mounted cap so you could mount saddle bags

[@rosstomplait5493]

When it doesn’t shift and u turn it off it you do it really fast it won’t turn off it will reset the shift and it’s a lot faster

[@bruce9063]

New beginnings in Montana ?

[@JacobOverman]

Yeah. Gonna be good I hope

[@kemppierce3519]

it is possible there guy in canada with honda with over 126000 on a honda look it up on here

[@remotetrapper8991]

You must completely abuse your vehicles. I have had many Hondas with minimal problems. My 2007 honda rincon has 12000 km with zero issues.

[@JacobOverman]

I do but also remember 2007 is a different time. My rubicon is good. Just had a few more cheap quality’s than my 2017 and 2019 did

[@marksjunction69]

I have never owned a Honda ATV, but I have owned a Honda Civic, Trimmer, lawn mower, generator…….all of them have or had reliability issues, meaning the only item I have left is the generator. I take care of my things as well. I will never buy another Honda product. The air filter is the lowest placement in an ATV that I have ever seen, why Honda!???? That being said, I recommend you buy yourself a tractor instead of destroying ATV’s.

[@JacobOverman]

@@marksjunction69 1700 miles of abuse and still going strong. I have tractors, skid steers, excavators and so on. I choose to play with my 4 wheeler

[@alexpietrangeli6669]

he must abuse them big time

[@randycatalano6622]

1000 miles... should be no issues.

[@JacobOverman]

At 1600 now and haven’t fixed anything on it besides a wheel bearing

[@alexpietrangeli6669]

looks like you realy hammer it

[@Nothanks199]

Try amsoil

[@JacobOverman]

Why? I use rotella

[@Nothanks199]

You were saying you had ticking issues and rear end whining. I put amsoil in my manual transmission civic when it was having whining issues and it completely went away after the scyncromesh amsoil. Shell oil is really good aswell

[@shawnhorne9296]

Please call it a machine not a unit , tks