2023 Talon R 4-seater 5,000 Mile Report

H

hondabob

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
May 14, 2013
1,247
4,922
113
Prescott Valley, AZ
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 1000-3
Honda did a good job on the 2023 Talon R 4-seater. The rear tender springs sagged enough to reduce the ground clearance to 8 ½ inches in 4,000 miles. I fixed the rear suspension problem with Eibach 10-inch tender springs in the back replacing the stock 6-inch tender springs. I added one inch of preload on the front springs and reset all the cross over rings. I have 13 ½ inches of ground clearance now.

I didn't want the live valve suspension but it is the only choice for the Talon R 4-seater. It's way better than I expected. If I'm in the normal, soft mode the ride is amazing on the washboard and rocky sections. In sport mode the damping is noticeably stiffer. To check the damping difference, I can go at around 20 mph and steer back and force to see the sway in both modes.

The Kenda tires are worn out at 5,000 miles. The older Maxxis tires were better in my opinion. I'm installing the BFGoodrich mud terrain TA KM3 30's.


20241009 153749
20241010 150012
20241010 145950
 
DRZRon1

DRZRon1

Well-Known Member
May 11, 2019
1,184
3,804
113
PA
Ownership

  1. Talon X
Honda did a good job on the 2023 Talon R 4-seater. The rear tender springs sagged enough to reduce the ground clearance to 8 ½ inches in 4,000 miles. I fixed the rear suspension problem with Eibach 10-inch tender springs in the back replacing the stock 6-inch tender springs. I added one inch of preload on the front springs and reset all the cross over rings. I have 13 ½ inches of ground clearance now.

I didn't want the live valve suspension but it is the only choice for the Talon R 4-seater. It's way better than I expected. If I'm in the normal, soft mode the ride is amazing on the washboard and rocky sections. In sport mode the damping is noticeably stiffer. To check the damping difference, I can go at around 20 mph and steer back and force to see the sway in both modes.

The Kenda tires are worn out at 5,000 miles. The older Maxxis tires were better in my opinion. I'm installing the BFGoodrich mud terrain TA KM3 30's.


View attachment 446636View attachment 446638View attachment 446637
great report out !!!

Ride On!!!
 
H

hondabob

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
May 14, 2013
1,247
4,922
113
Prescott Valley, AZ
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 1000-3
The 7-inch lights were good, but I wanted a bit more light. The 9-inch lights are better for 50 mph. Mounting these lights are a PITA. The are setup for mounting on a jeep bumper so I had to modify the 9 inch and making the mounting brackets took a lot of time. I don't recommend these round lights. I good light bar is the way to go.
 
CID

CID

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Oct 27, 2019
5,364
24,422
113
SE Denver-ish
Ownership

  1. Talon R
@hondabob Are you going with the light truck KM3 or the OHV specific KM3? I'm running the OHV and am quite happy with them. I don't think they'll last as long as the Terrabites though. I can't run the TBs because I have beadlocks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ChadD and TxDoc
Stilly1155

Stilly1155

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Dec 1, 2020
79
350
53
Happy Jack, AZ
Ownership

  1. Talon X4
@CID I just put Terrabites 30x10x15 on 7" system3 beadlocks a few weeks ago and have around 300 miles on them with no leaks. I should have miked them but was not thinking about improper molding. So far so good.
 
CID

CID

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Oct 27, 2019
5,364
24,422
113
SE Denver-ish
Ownership

  1. Talon R
@CID I just put Terrabites 30x10x15 on 7" system3 beadlocks a few weeks ago and have around 300 miles on them with no leaks. I should have miked them but was not thinking about improper molding. So far so good.
If you get a good set, it's a great, high mileage tire. 👍 As you know, it's only a few tires out of 10 with thin beads causing the problems, a chance I'm not willing to take.
 
H

hondabob

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
May 14, 2013
1,247
4,922
113
Prescott Valley, AZ
Ownership

  1. Other Brand

  2. 1000-3
I'm getting the OHV specific KM3's. They are not street legal and should provide a better ride. I was surprised to see so many sizes for 14-inch wheels. The 30's measure 29 1/2 and that is ok for me. My friends really like the KM3's. I have 32-inch ITP Terra Hook tires on the back of my Pioneer 520, and they look great after 3,000 miles. It gives me a top speed of 50 mph and if I ride the sand washes, I put 28's on so I can run 4WD. I was going to try 30 Terra Hooks but maybe the next time or I may try them on my 2019 Tallon. The Terra Hooks are made in the USA and that alone is reason for me to buy them.
 

About us

  • Our community has been around for many years and pride ourselves on offering unbiased, critical discussion among people of all different backgrounds. We are working every day to make sure our community is one of the best.

User Menu

Buy us a beer!

  • Lots of time and money has gone into making sure the community is running the best software, best designs, and all the other bells and whistles. Care to buy us a beer? We'd really appreciate it!

    Beer Fund!

    Club Membership!