P500 Soon to be P500 Owner

[Smitty335]

I am going to purchase a Pioneer 500 this winter, then upgrade it over the winter. I am retiring next year and want to go on many trail riding trips, starting with Colorado's Alpine Loop and Utah Moab trails. One of the first upgrades I will perform is 27 inch tires, however I see posts for 5+2 and 4+3 rims, what do those numbers mean and are they better than the stock 12 inch rims. I think I know the advantage of 14 inch over 12 inch rims (14 inch rims less likely to slip on rim at low pressures?).

Sorry I missed your first post, but WELCOME from NW Arkansas1

 

[Admin]

 

[Yellowbeast]

I am going to purchase a Pioneer 500 this winter, then upgrade it over the winter. I am retiring next year and want to go on many trail riding trips, starting with Colorado's Alpine Loop and Utah Moab trails. One of the first upgrades I will perform is 27 inch tires, however I see posts for 5+2 and 4+3 rims, what do those numbers mean and are they better than the stock 12 inch rims. I think I know the advantage of 14 inch over 12 inch rims (14 inch rims less likely to slip on rim at low pressures?).

With the 14” rim u will have a rougher ride less rubber to take the impact. If u don’t want to buy new wheels then wheel spacers are always a option

 

[Moptop]

Yes sir but a gear swap is sort of cheating. Imagine how much faster it would be if it would have started with that extra punch of the red ecm 😉

Thx mudder, that's sounds like a good choice mop top

 

[CamoP500]

Tires are definitely the first upgrade I would do. I have kenda bear claw HTR 26x11 rear 26x9 front on factory rims. Fits through 50” gates. and remove the sway bar. Better ride better clearance better traction and better looks. The list of “must have” add ons is long and expensive my personal recommendations would be power steering next followed by roof windshield (glass) skid plates rear soft window and on the list goes. Oh yeah a winch just in case. There are no limits.

 

[Keebler]

Is there a reason to go with 27X9 tires on front and back and not using 27X10 or 11 on the back? I do like the 27s for the increased ground clearance, especially because I am thinking of creating a square tube skid rail down both sides of the bottom of the frame, so I will loose about one and a half inches in clearance down the sides.

 

[CamoP500]

Many on here have gone with the narrower tires in the back and others have gone with the wider tires on rear and front. not sure what you have in mind with square tube skid rail. I can say the UMHW skid plates I have provide fantastic protection. No metal to bend or catch on rocks or stumps. Not cheap but neither are all the parts they protect.

 

[trigger]

I think he's talking about some sort of nerf bar/rock sliders?

 

[CamoP500]

Might be. The umhw skid plates I have from sXP’s off-road go all the way to rocker panels

 

[Keebler]

I am planning the P5 purchase I will make in January and the subsequent upgrades. The rock protection I was talking about is a concept I have been thinking about, a one half inch square rail running from front to back, with half inch rubber shims in the middle. I do plan aluminum skid plates on the A arms, however for the undercarriage I think I am more concerned about crashing the frame into rock ledges.

 

[trigger]

Aftermarket set of skids will serve you well, UHMW. Some have the rocker area built into them, if not you can get rock sliders.

Rock Slider Skid Plate Set | Honda Pioneer 500/520

Top rated Honda Pioneer 500/520 rock sliders. Essential accessories for protection & great value. Shop now for durability & fit!

ricochetoffroad.com

 

[Keebler]

What is the bolt pattern on the stock Honda rim? I think I saw it is 4 x 110, is that right?

 

[Mudder]

What is the bolt pattern on the stock Honda rim? I think I saw it is 4 x 110, is that right?

Yes