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Hello all I am new member of the club/forum. Apologize now...this could be a lengthy post,hopefully not. After a year an half ownership of a 15’ Kymco UXV 450i (loved my Kymco great machines nothing bad to say about them) I finally traded her in. I’m the new proud owner of a 2018 P500 in olive. I absolutely love everything about it so far. I made a list out comparing them when I was looking to do the deal. In a lot of ways one might say a gave up a lot. The Kymco has significantly more storage from the get go..locking dash under hood tailgate and under the seat. (When I’m finished with my little P5 it will have all I need) Kymco more suspension travel topped out at 48-50 and front diff lock. And on paper more HP 33 from lower displacement 443cc compared at 28hp and 475cc. One might think ya gave up a lot. But I don’t think so. Most those listed things are subjective. The Kymco are solid machines well built and seems to be great quality. What I gained was and wanted most was THE GEARED TRANSMISSION. AND a very strong dealer network. (Kymco has improved here but still WAY off from the likes of Honda and the other big name players, hasn’t helped Kymco the several of their regional sales reps have left and teamed up at sportsman’s country-massimo bennche Linhai etc) I wanted the gears and boy have I missed having control of your gear. We’ve always had Honda growIng up. Grow up on a brand new for Xmas of 89 new Honda XR80 dirt bike rode the piss out of that thing! We still have a 70’s model three wheeler 70cc that is still running strong my 8 month old son will soon ride it! I say that to say not only did I want the gears the dealer network but I wanted Honda proven reliability back. (Again never had not one issue with my Kymco but I know without a doubt Honda will be there generations from now)
Now so far I am in love with the pioneer 500. I can’t believe how much easier it steers and turns. For only having 5.9” on travel I find it very smooth thus far. I’ll use it for just general trail riding. I don’t mud bog or nothing wild. Just like to explore. Work around my 6 acre property hunt and fish camp etc. I think it’s going to be the perfect machine. I went ahead and got the Honda roof for the summer to keep the heat off. Eventually I will get a windshield-have that narrowed down to the Honda hard coat tip out or the super atv flip up. I don’t plan to use the storage space under the hood area (though I do like emp box they have for that space) whether I use that space or not being able to open the hood for service/maintenance and cleaning will be important. I don’t think with the super atv flip up windshield you can get under the hood? The more I’ve researched my build and plans the more it seems like it may be a good idea to use the Honda accessories or certain ones anyway. For the front-winch I’ll add not sure which one but prob 3000-4500lb is what I’ll get. SW terra 35 seems to be the leading winch here. I’m thinking at this point to go with the Honda front bumper (granit it really isn’t a “bumper” to me) and the KFI winch mount plate. Has or does anyone have that setup-Honda front bumper with KFI mount? I’m not set on anything at this point on the front end-I’m all ears. I’ll get some side view mirrors at some point. On my rack I plan to build a nice box. (I’ll go into detail later or if y’all care to know my plans) I have lots more questions and have dug all through the forum. But I just wanted to say I’m happy to be in the family of P500 owners and have the awesome outlet of information here on HondaSxS!
Oh one last thing does the tranny smooth out once it gets broken in more? I knew going in to start they are a little jerky. It’s not terrible by no means but it is there. Overall she’s a smooth running and rider! I’m sure top shelf synthetic fluids will help too?
If your this far...thanks for reading my initial LONG post!
Now so far I am in love with the pioneer 500. I can’t believe how much easier it steers and turns. For only having 5.9” on travel I find it very smooth thus far. I’ll use it for just general trail riding. I don’t mud bog or nothing wild. Just like to explore. Work around my 6 acre property hunt and fish camp etc. I think it’s going to be the perfect machine. I went ahead and got the Honda roof for the summer to keep the heat off. Eventually I will get a windshield-have that narrowed down to the Honda hard coat tip out or the super atv flip up. I don’t plan to use the storage space under the hood area (though I do like emp box they have for that space) whether I use that space or not being able to open the hood for service/maintenance and cleaning will be important. I don’t think with the super atv flip up windshield you can get under the hood? The more I’ve researched my build and plans the more it seems like it may be a good idea to use the Honda accessories or certain ones anyway. For the front-winch I’ll add not sure which one but prob 3000-4500lb is what I’ll get. SW terra 35 seems to be the leading winch here. I’m thinking at this point to go with the Honda front bumper (granit it really isn’t a “bumper” to me) and the KFI winch mount plate. Has or does anyone have that setup-Honda front bumper with KFI mount? I’m not set on anything at this point on the front end-I’m all ears. I’ll get some side view mirrors at some point. On my rack I plan to build a nice box. (I’ll go into detail later or if y’all care to know my plans) I have lots more questions and have dug all through the forum. But I just wanted to say I’m happy to be in the family of P500 owners and have the awesome outlet of information here on HondaSxS!
Oh one last thing does the tranny smooth out once it gets broken in more? I knew going in to start they are a little jerky. It’s not terrible by no means but it is there. Overall she’s a smooth running and rider! I’m sure top shelf synthetic fluids will help too?
If your this far...thanks for reading my initial LONG post!
