Why all the Honda 700XX hate?
Team Nick
- August 10 2009
- 2,836 views
- 16 comments
There’s no question—when it comes to Honda’s new 700XX IRS sport quad, riders either love it or hate it. There were two main camps—riders that were disappointed that Honda didn’t come out with a straight axle big-bore sport quad (like the Yamaha Raptor) or those who found the 700XX to be the ultimate “adventure” sport quad with its plush IRS setup.
In case you never read our original review of the machine and are wondering how this all started…let us backtrack for a moment to bring you up to speed.
When the TRX 700XX first hit, the media launch was held out at Dumont Dunes. The intention was for everybody to test in the desert surrounding the dunes as well as to get a chance to try it out in the sand. As it turned out, a good portion of the media spent the majority of the day evaluating the machine in the dunes. Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a 505 pound ATV with independent suspension is not really going to stand out as a great duner. The 700XX subsequently got knocked in general for pushing in the corners as well as just exhibiting an overall top heavy feel to it. We also gave it some knocks along the way as well…
For some reason or other, the Honda 700XX and I have not really had the proper time to hook up since it was released. I’ve been doing 4×4 shootouts, tests for the magazine and I have been racing like crazy (even recently raced and won the Baja 500). After multiple attempts to secure a day to go out in the desert on one, I was finally able to meet up with Honda’s Tim Patnode out in the desert close to my house. Tim showed up with a Honda box van and a pair of brand new 700XX’s for us to go put through the paces. For our morning ride, I took Tim through some of the gnarliest single track that he had ever been on. The area just happened to be where I ride weekly, so surprising him with a variety of sheer cliffs, crazy downhill slides, and endless ridgetop whoops was pretty entertaining.
With elevations ranging from about 3500-6000 feet, the fuel injection system kept the jetting spot on and crisp. The additional suspension clearance was also a welcome improvement when motoring through the rocky creek beds and ravines we encountered throughout the day. The initial complaint of the bike being hard to steer, pushing in the turns, and having too much body roll was still evident to me pretty much wherever you rode it. But after a while you adapt your riding style—almost like you’re riding a snowmobile—assisting with weighting your feet to help it corner. Once you learn this technique the ride becomes much more enjoyable and my overall impression improved greatly as the day wore on.
The second half of the day was on faster desert trails with wide-open washes, and big hill climbs. This is truly where the 700XX felt at home to me. The big bore motor feels like it always has a decent amount of power on tap and you don’t really feel like you are ever winding it out. The suspension is plush and forgiving, providing a comfortable ride that doesn’t wear you out. Best of all, the quad appears to be put together very well—something that we have come to expect from Honda.
Overall I think the machine definitely has its place, the suspension is great for a beginner to average trail rider, but could definitely be improved with stiffer front suspension to fit the likes of the more aggressive trail riders and so on. I can see how the debate about this machine initially started after it was launched, but it does seem like one of those units that may not have been properly marketed or positioned properly in the market. The 700XX is a very unique machine and offers a truly unique ride. For all us solid-axle diehards out there, it just takes some getting used to…
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August 10th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
That was a really good write up! Thats why I like QUAD Mag, you guys tell it how it is.
August 12th, 2009 at 5:01 am
first of all it doesn't look like a race machine! and still have to spend a ton of money to get it desert ready!
reaso why i kept my 2004 TRX 450r thta I preped for desert racing with all the hop ups and hittin close 60 rear wheel hp
August 16th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
no the 700xx that raced the baja and WON too, had little done to it in the terms of hop ups ecspecially seeing how much you probably added to get 60rwhp on your 450r. the 700xx with a 1 tooth bigger sprocket and exhust fuel programmer and intake will hit 90. you know nothing obv. it killlllsss the desert thats whats its built for! you fool
August 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
May buddy gets one this weekend and I cant wait, to try it out. I wish I had that kinda of desert to ride in more often
Thanks Quad for a great right up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 20th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
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August 21st, 2009 at 6:01 am
I know alot borned and raced in Baja know the terrain "desert" 700xx that won the baja had 4 aftermarket shocks that's at least $5,000 on Elka shocks plus (laegers then ) Houser Max ground Clearance A-ARMS WITH SLICAST now other $1,000 + CUSTOM MADE REAR WHEEL ALOT BIGGER THAN NORMAL WHEELS at time $500,00+ and tires, stabilazer 550 + foot pegs port and polish head may b more and a high comp piston and high pofile cam priceless on and the bike close to 7,000
CDI , ECM sped sensor, exhaust or is it stock ,stock my ass u don't know what was inside that freakin engine is Honda Backed remember Honda has their engine gurus do some special engine prep to make sure it won the Baja races common don't try to school me! plus the bike is freakin heavy weight to power ratio
August 27th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I bought one of these machines about a month or so ago. I have been riding atv's since my first Kawasaki 160 three wheeler and everything else in between. This machine is really fun. I had an irs outlaw and this machine really performs well against that one. The tourque is amazing and I really wouldn't change too much on this machine at all as it is really good so far. As for power, I love the trails that wind and wind around so I really don't need too much more horsepower at all, it would get me into trouble. Good job on this Honda, it was exactly what I have been looking for.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
it only weighs 120 more than the 450r
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September 12th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
You think any of those quads racing the baja or any other get uncrated and set out on the course without any mods???
October 11th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
just about to buy 1 in the uk for enduro weekend warrior stuff…..as its my first quad im in doubt as to what kinda machine i need …?
the mx quad all seem like they might be a lil too much maintenance …..
i need a machine that delivers raw power and be able to smash river beds logs and more than a few jumps hill climbs and copious amounts of mud !!!
is this what i need .?
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:28 am
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October 24th, 2009 at 2:23 am
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October 24th, 2009 at 5:05 am
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October 30th, 2009 at 11:46 am
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November 20th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I totaly agree on the weak supention on the back of the quad and super stiff in the front. I will give that I had riden my 700xx for the summer and already need new rear tires. My bro has a stock 450r. It gets me slightly off the get go but, fourth threw fifth puts him in the dust. Fun fun in Canada