Watch This Before You Buy a Honda Pioneer 520 - Can This Little Unit Handle Big Jobs?

[@deanurbanek6577]

First thing is 27" tires fit perfectly to handle the ground clearance issue and actually improve the ride alot too. Second, the auto gear shift smooths out after break in and first oil change. Third, crossroads sells a wonderful locking glove box with USB charger for a great price that helps a ton for storage. So other than a few "mandatory" improvements, this little machine is super capable and fun but my last issue is that the 520 needs one more gear. Poor thing is nearly redlining to stay at 35 mph where he speed limit is for UTV's. Great review!

[@scottnugent4791]

You should not have to immediately upgrade tires on a new machine. I told the dealer I would buy one if they put more aggressive tires on it. They graciously declined my offer.

[@kingrider75]

@@scottnugent4791this is a machine geared toward work and John deer, Kubota, cub cadet and many others often use these tires on utility machines. Is this the perfect machine? No. But they are impressive with a few little upgrades. My brother recently bought the 520 and upgraded the tires snd put the aftermarket power steering on it and goes everywhere my 1000 pioneer goes, just slower

[@indee105]

Do you ever wish it had a diff locker?

[@freidrichnietzsche6643]

Have one of these on our farm primarily as my 62yo moms buggy but we all use it. In short, we love the thing and use the hell out of it. I was skidding small trees the other day, same day had 200lb of grass seed in the bed broadcasting seed. Love the size, fuel economy, reliability, simplicity, 4wd lockers, no cvt. As expected, the suspension is limited due to size, it’s expensive for its size, and no power steering. Interior storage is zero. Needs a 6th. Ordered a PS kit from superatv and will install it shortly. Tip: It rides much better with a load in the back!

[@HeRacesTheSun]

In manual that's the wrong way to up shift, you pulled the lever and released it quickly resulting in the next gear bang. You are suppose to pull the paddle back and HOLD IT THERE until it after it shifts, then let it go. At the backstop of the paddle there is a slight throttle hesitation built in to help it shift smoother. On mine, I keep some throttle on while shifting, holding the paddle back, and I shift completely smooth & quiet every single time. The paddle back holding acts like a clutch. These paddle shifters are not like electronic shift buttons, I'm amazed at how many don't shift these right as it explains clearly in the factory manual. For the next gear, hold the right paddle all the way back until AFTER it shifts, then let it go, it's not meant to be flipped like a playing card.

[@OntarioBearHunter]

Love my 500 for jobs around the property and hunting.. have a Talon too.. it's really just a ripper, the P5 is suffice for anyone who wants utility

[@h.i.mcdunnough9401]

We've been complaining about the storage issue since the 500's came out. Nice that Honda listens. And it doesn't mean they need to jack the price up either if they ever do add what should be standard storage.

[@douglasmcneil8413]

I've been comparing and contrasting the Pioneer520 and the mule sx 4x4. before I drop the cash down. But so far these are the top 2 contenders. A big plus for me is that both the pioneer and the mule fit in a pickup bed.

[@Dusdaddy]

Honestly not a bad utility machine. This would probably be great for a hunter like mysel. I don't need to tow a hay wagon and appreciate the ability to tackle narrow trails. Good ground clearance, and a roof/cab option is all I want to add.

[@ALMX5DP]

This looks like a great utility side by side. Very refreshing to see something basic in a sea of flash and power and features and expense.

[@gone4days956]

26” tires with 5+2 offset rims gave my 2022 520 a huge upgrade

[@gone4days956]

Clutch adjustment (takes literally 1 min) and break in the shifts smooth out a lot

[@randallnixon3456]

I have the P500 with 27” tires, an added glove box and cargo box. I only run it in manual shift and I LOVE IT! Fun little buggy Keep up the great content

[@markflaugh2293]

They a niche machine but work well if you have a need for a smaller machine that can carry 2 people and some cargo. We have one at work and it starts right up every day and does what is needed out of it.

[@Navy_Snipe]

Excellent video, thank you for all the work you put into it because I'm working hard to find out what's going to replace my Suzuki King Quad as I move forward on my 40 acre Homestead

[@WyLEE08]

So nice it fits in the back of a p/u. I never see in anyone’s inventory, no one ever has them. Wish they could make a sporty version thought.

[@jeffteague225]

I have a 22 model and love it. It makes a great hunting rig.

[@kimhebert9905]

Great Video. Good Job👍

[@atvseatexchange2176]

Nice little unit. After someone dropped one off at the shop for service and the trans gave me fits to move it over to the other building. I move about 20 machines per day and the shifting was so weird I had to ask about the reverse deal. Once I got it, I had to try to forget everything I had learned moving everything from 3 wheelers from the 80's to 2024's with 1000cc's. I guess it's true about your first time and how memorable it was. A good price point here for what it is, but not a machine to have as a spare to let new riders learn on.

[@coyoterick75]

I agree with you, for a utility first machine, storage is a must. Without storage, its just a play machine. Nice little dump bed though. Great review!

[@CatNash007]

Getting into reverse seems a bit odd.

[@mozzberg590]

I love my '23, but I wished the top speed was not 38MPH.

[@ALMX5DP]

Is the limiter able to be removed easily?

[@mozzberg590]

@@ALMX5DP great question, I have no idea. I never looked it up but it definitely seems like the engine has more speed to give.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@mozzberg590 maybe someone makes something to help unlock that. Even 45mph would be a nice improvement.

[@mozzberg590]

@@ALMX5DP that and lack of storage are the only complaints I have, but you can make your own storage. You can't add a 50MPH option.

[@joshc606]

If it makes ya feel better the P700 stops at 42 😂

[@hunterm4188]

lol the helmet 😅

[@taurus-astrobike104]

Guess they didn't put the passenger side wheel cover on tightly... Hee Hee haaa haaa 😂, but I liked the commercial anyway..

[@garybrown9062]

For sure overpriced here in🇨🇦. Also transmission should be more refined from an outfit like Honda. Limiting it to 62 seems a little extreme. Pretty sure it wouldn’t go much faster anyway. Should run forever though with proper maintenance. To all those Honda reliability fans, it’s takes hp to break things🤷🏻‍♂️. A perfect example is the Honda Talon.

[@FLOSSINFARMER]

Nice helmet

[@tkpowersports]

Yeah it is

[@biged420]

Letting off the throttle to shift really shows the stupidity here in this video, it’s a DCT transmission and is made to shift while on the gas, it’s not broken in yet so yes it will shift more abruptly

[@canadianatvlife]

✌️🇨🇦

[@dustinmittel348]

Crazy yoi have to wear a helmet but the camera guy doesn't lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@jaymontgomery3330]

His choice.

[@nlken7175]

Really looks like a kids SXS. It's really bottom of the SXS game.

[@ALMX5DP]

What other new unit would you get for that kind of price?

[@gone4days956]

as a solo hunter my 520 is amazing. 50” wide for trails, fits in back of truck, no belt drive, haul game and equipment in dump bed…. only complaint is storage. Not everyone drives 60 mph through the desert with 3 passengers. I view it as a more comfortable ATV with passenger seat and dump bed.

[@rich10180]

Maybe the top of the golf cart game though?

[@ray6659]

Why are you wearing a helmet and your passenger isn't???

[@jaymontgomery3330]

Their choice