Updated ATV models from Honda offer more power, slicker shifting and an end to the age-old mechanical reverse problem. The Scottish Farmer went to the launch:

ATV behemoth, Honda, has launched two updates to its popular Fourtrax and Foreman ranges.

Like tractor manufacturers have had to satisfy tougher emissions legislation, other farm machinery manufacturers are now enjoying the same fate, with everything from chainsaws to ATVs, coming under this banner.

Currently, around 6500 utility ATVs are sold every year in the UK, a number which has remained fairly steady for the past 10 years. Of this, Honda commands a healthy 51.3% share, a top spot it has occupied for many years.

The Fourtrax remains Honda’s best-selling model, indeed in the 300-499cc portion of the market Honda sales equate to 71.6% – totalling 80% of the company’s entire ATV sales in the UK.

The new 2020 models largely mirror the previous offerings, so there aren’t new ranges as such. The Foreman is no longer the TRX500, which had 475cc under the grille, it is now the TRX520 with a healthy power increase of 43cc to 518cc. Honda prides itself for having the ability to design an engine specifically for ATVs rather than having to adapt one from another sector and this increase not only allows Honda to meet it’s NRMM (non-road mobile machinery) emissions targets but also increases torque by 4%.

Honda introduced its mechanically-driven dual clutch transmission in 2009 and it it now in its fifth generation. Improved dual clutch transmission mapping now measures rpm in real time rather than just before the shift giving much smoother up and down shifts.

It also makes for more low-end power and torque as well as slicker acceleration, hauling and towing abilities, says the company. This power train has two shift patterns, not that riders will readily be aware of – it automatically recognises whether the bike is being driven aggressively, or at lower speeds and will adjust more sharply or sedately to match the driving style at the time.

Perhaps one of the most attractive feature changes is what Honda is calling the ‘reverse skip switch’. On all FA and FE models (ask your dealer to explain the complex model semantics!) there is now a luxurious electric button that allows you to select reverse at a touch of a button, bypassing neutral altogether. That means no more rocking backwards and forth to roll down the gears before over stretching forefingers to hold the lever while pressing the button.

This was all down to having a mechanical cable that ran from the handlebars to the gearbox to allow for the change. Now, this has been done away with on all but the manual bikes, resulting in a better operator experience.

On all automatic models, there is now a nifty DCT (dual-clutch transmission) override switch which enables riders to change gears manually when tackling trickier terrain, before automatically reverting back to auto mode. This will largely replace the need to select manual ESP mode on the auto models.

External changes include a new grille design for the range-topping TRX520 FA6 Foreman ATV, called the Rubicon in the US, while the Foreman TRX520 models all get a larger 50W LED new-shape headlight.

All new bikes also now get a new racking design with greater surface area, said Honda, with a flat surface rather than its curved predecessor and more tie down points. Honda also has introduced a new ProLink range of accessories but unfortunately this is only available in the US for now, so hassle dealers to see if this can be brought to the UK.

There is also a new 1.9-litre weatherproof compartment on the front of all models. While the blurb says you can fit a phone, wallet and water bottle in this easily, for farmers it’s enough to fit a marker spray and a bottle of penicillin with a syringe and that’s about it. You won’t fit a spray marker but get some crayons instead and you’ll be fine.

Underbody protective guards have now been extended to cover the full length of the lower suspension.

Speaking to Honda dealers, current stocks of older models are pretty much out, so new models are being delivered on farm as we speak. Prices start from £6425, plus VAT, for the TRX420FM1 and £8500, plus VAT, for the range-topping TRX520FA6.

PANEL

Pioneer UTV 3-3-3 offer now available

UTV sales have grown by 30% in the last 10 years, and there are now in the region of 1600 sold each year.

Honda entered the market late in this sector with its petrol-powered Pioneer, however demand for petrol utility vehicles is growing next to their diesel-fuelled cousins, so the company is keen to make up lost ground.

In order to promote the Pioneer, Honda dealers are now offering a 3-3-3 programme, giving a market-leading three-year warranty, three-year Datatool security cover and three years 0% finance from the beginning of September to the end of December.