Hello All,
I recently sold my old trusty '03 Rancher ES to a buddy once I discovered the existence of the Pioneer 500. The story goes that last fall I was on Honda's website looking at power steering Ranchers (due to a wrist injury) and saw the SXS link. I clicked on it and now there's a green Pioneer 500 in my driveway. I've had to tether myself to the ground to keep from floating away I'm so happy with it... and believe me, I've been happy before having ridden Honda's now for 40 years... just not this happy! I already have a roof and windshield on her and am planning to upgrade the tires and rims soon. I really underestimated how much more money I would spending on this machine, but it certainly seems worth it every time I take her for a ride (or is it drive?).
Anyway, the only thing I'm uncertain of and maybe even a little concerned about is the engine idle... and perhaps the general fuel delivery for the engine itself. In my experience Honda's have always idled very smoothly... can't really "feel" them running like some other machines... my old Rancher is a case in point. My pioneer shakes the cab frame/windshield and seem a little piggish coming off idle. It starts right up and doesn't ever stall and goes down the trails well, the idle just seems rough to me. I asked the dealer about it and it appears the idle is controlled by a gizmo of sorts (idle module?) and isn't adjustable, or I'd just bring it up a little and see if it comes out of it. The other thing that seems unusual to me is that after a ride (not even a hard one) the exhaust system seems really hot, like the engine is running too lean... lots of tinking and clinking sounds until it cools down. Maybe this is just the way the Pioneer 500 runs, but I have nothing to compare it to so I just don't know. Wouldn't want to hurt it or anything if something is actually wrong with her.
Any thought on the subject and/or other members experience with how their Pioneers run would be most appreciated... thanks!
Lucas
I recently sold my old trusty '03 Rancher ES to a buddy once I discovered the existence of the Pioneer 500. The story goes that last fall I was on Honda's website looking at power steering Ranchers (due to a wrist injury) and saw the SXS link. I clicked on it and now there's a green Pioneer 500 in my driveway. I've had to tether myself to the ground to keep from floating away I'm so happy with it... and believe me, I've been happy before having ridden Honda's now for 40 years... just not this happy! I already have a roof and windshield on her and am planning to upgrade the tires and rims soon. I really underestimated how much more money I would spending on this machine, but it certainly seems worth it every time I take her for a ride (or is it drive?).
Anyway, the only thing I'm uncertain of and maybe even a little concerned about is the engine idle... and perhaps the general fuel delivery for the engine itself. In my experience Honda's have always idled very smoothly... can't really "feel" them running like some other machines... my old Rancher is a case in point. My pioneer shakes the cab frame/windshield and seem a little piggish coming off idle. It starts right up and doesn't ever stall and goes down the trails well, the idle just seems rough to me. I asked the dealer about it and it appears the idle is controlled by a gizmo of sorts (idle module?) and isn't adjustable, or I'd just bring it up a little and see if it comes out of it. The other thing that seems unusual to me is that after a ride (not even a hard one) the exhaust system seems really hot, like the engine is running too lean... lots of tinking and clinking sounds until it cools down. Maybe this is just the way the Pioneer 500 runs, but I have nothing to compare it to so I just don't know. Wouldn't want to hurt it or anything if something is actually wrong with her.
Any thought on the subject and/or other members experience with how their Pioneers run would be most appreciated... thanks!
Lucas
