Why Buy a Honda ATV? Technology, Reliability & Lower Cost of Ownership

When you're shopping for a new ATV, it's easy to get caught up comparing engine sizes, horsepower numbers and price tags. But an ATV isn't something most people buy for a year or two. Whether you're using it around the property, at the cottage, on the farm, hunting or exploring trails, you want a machine you can depend on for years to come.

That's where Honda ATVs stand apart.

Honda has built its reputation around engineering, durability and reliability. Rather than simply chasing bigger numbers, Honda designs its ATVs to efficiently put power to the ground while giving riders technology that makes the machine easier to operate, more capable in difficult terrain and less complicated to own.

Honda DCT: An Automatic Transmission Without a Drive Belt

One of the biggest differences between Honda and many competing automatic ATVs is the transmission.

Select Honda ATV models, including the Rubicon 520 DCT, use Honda's Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). Instead of relying on a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and drive belt, Honda DCT uses actual gears and two clutches.

One clutch controls the odd-numbered gears while the other controls the even-numbered gears. As you're riding, the transmission can prepare the next gear before it's needed. The result is quick, smooth shifting and the convenience of an automatic transmission with the direct feel and efficiency of a traditional geared drivetrain.

For the rider, it's simple: put it in gear and ride.

But underneath, the design offers an important advantage. There isn't a conventional CVT drive belt transferring engine power to the wheels. That means there is no ATV drive belt to periodically inspect or replace, and no belt to slip or overheat when you're working the machine hard.

Honda's longitudinal engine design also allows the driveshafts to align directly with the engine, helping efficiently transfer power through the drivetrain.

That efficiency matters. A larger engine doesn't automatically mean that more usable power is reaching the tires. What matters is how effectively the entire drivetrain transfers that power to the ground.

Honda's philosophy is about making the power it has count.

Honda Electric Power Steering Is More Than Just Easier Steering

Electric Power Steering (EPS) has become common on modern ATVs, but Honda's system does more than simply make the handlebars easier to turn.

Honda EPS is a progressive system. It uses information such as vehicle speed and steering input to determine how much assistance the rider needs.

At lower speeds and in difficult terrain, where you're working the handlebars harder, the system can provide greater assistance. At higher speeds, less assistance is required, helping the ATV maintain a more natural and predictable steering feel.

There's another important benefit: Honda's EPS also acts much like a steering damper.

When a front tire strikes a rock, rut, root or another obstacle, that impact naturally tries to push the handlebars back toward the rider. Honda's EPS helps reduce this handlebar kickback.

That can make a significant difference during a long day of riding. You're not only getting easier steering; you're getting a system designed to improve control and reduce the amount of feedback from rough terrain transferred to the rider.

Seamless 2WD and 4WD Selection

Conditions can change quickly when you're riding an ATV.

One minute you're travelling down a hard-packed trail where 2WD is all you need. A few minutes later, you're facing mud, snow, loose terrain or a steep climb where four-wheel drive becomes important.

Honda gives the rider convenient control over the drivetrain with selectable 2WD and 4WD.

The system is engineered as part of the complete Honda drivetrain, allowing you to select the drive mode you need without having to stop and manually engage hubs. Honda's system uses direct front and rear driveshafts along with its selectable 2WD/4WD system and torque-sensing front differential.

The result is a drivetrain that's easy to operate and ready to adapt when trail or working conditions change.

When Things Get Serious: Honda Front Differential Lock

Sometimes regular four-wheel drive isn't enough.

That's why the Honda Rubicon also offers a front differential lock for extremely difficult conditions.

The Rubicon provides three drive configurations: 2WD, 4WD with a torque-sensing front differential, and 4WD with the front differential locked.

When you encounter deep mud, snow or another situation where maximum traction is required, locking the front differential allows the ATV to provide maximum drive to the front wheels.

Honda takes the system one step further with its Speed Override function.

With the front differential locked, the rider can activate Speed Override when additional wheel speed is needed to help get through severe conditions such as deep mud.

It's another example of Honda giving the rider technology when it's useful without making the ATV unnecessarily complicated to operate.

Reliability Matters More When You're 20 Miles Into the Bush

Technology is important, but ultimately there is one question every ATV owner needs to ask:

Will my ATV get me home?

A breakdown is inconvenient when you're close to your truck or trailer. It's an entirely different situation when you're 20 miles into the bush.

Honda has spent decades building its reputation for durability and reliability. Talk to Honda ATV owners and you'll regularly come across machines that have been working, hunting, trail riding and hauling for many years.

It's also not unusual to find owners who have kept their Honda ATV for 15 or 20 years—or longer.

That's important when you're considering the true value of an ATV. The purchase price is only one part of what the machine will ultimately cost you.

Think About Cost of Ownership, Not Just Purchase Price

When comparing ATVs, don't just ask:

"How much does it cost today?"

Ask:

"How much is this ATV going to cost me over the next 10 or 20 years?"

Maintenance, repairs, drivetrain components and downtime all contribute to the real cost of owning an ATV.

Honda's approach to engineering can help keep that ownership experience straightforward. On DCT-equipped models, for example, you don't have a conventional CVT drive belt as part of your routine drivetrain maintenance.

Honda's reputation for long-term durability is another major consideration. Keeping an ATV for many years rather than replacing it every few years can dramatically change the economics of ownership.

Routine maintenance is still essential—every ATV needs oil changes, filters, inspections and normal wear items—but Honda designs its machines with long-term ownership in mind.

For someone who plans on keeping their ATV rather than constantly trading into the newest machine, that can make Honda an excellent long-term value.

Bigger Isn't Always Better

The ATV industry loves big numbers.

More displacement. More horsepower. Bigger tires. More aggressive specifications.

Those things certainly have their place, but they don't tell the entire story.

A well-designed drivetrain that efficiently transfers engine power to the wheels can be more important in everyday riding than simply having the largest engine in the group.

Honda's geared transmissions, direct driveshafts and longitudinal engine layout are designed to efficiently transfer power through the drivetrain and ultimately to the ground.

When you're climbing a hill, towing a trailer, navigating a technical trail or working around your property, usable power and control are what matter.

At Markham Outdoor Power, we've seen firsthand why Honda owners remain loyal to the brand. Honda ATVs are built for customers who aren't just thinking about their next ride—they're thinking about the next decade of ownership.

If you're considering a new ATV, come visit Markham Outdoor Power in Markham, Ontario and take a closer look at the Honda ATV lineup. Our team can walk you through the different models, transmission options and features and help you choose the Honda ATV that's right for the way you ride and work.

Looking for the best price on a Honda ATV? Contact Markham Outdoor Power today or stop by the dealership to see our current Honda ATV inventory.