Honda announced an all new 4X4 at their dealer's convention in New Orleans on September 7,1999.
The new Foreman features a liquid-cooled 500cc 4-valve, 4-stroke motor. This motor is said to outperform the ATVs in its class. Honda's test riders claim that no other ATV has as smooth of a power delivery. It also features 6.7" of suspension travel front and rear. But the biggest news about the new Foreman is its transmission. The Rubicon is equipped with
Honda's first fully automatic transmission, called the Hondamatic. The Hondamatic is different from the conventional belt/pulley design offered by other manufactuers. Instead of using this design, Honda went with the Hydromechanical design which Soichiro Honda used in 1962 on the Juno M85 Scooter. Honda later proved the durability and effectivness of this design in 1991 when they equipped a CR 250R with a Hondamatic, and won the all-Japan motocross title.
The transmission uses engine power to drive a hydraulic pump, which in turn drives a series of pump and motor pistons. The entire transmission is fully sealed in the engine cases, so it is protected from water and dirt (elements which effect the performance of other automatic transmission ATVs). It is also a very compact design. The entire transmission is 7 inches in length by 4 inches in diameter. One of the advantages of the Hondamatic is that it features engine breaking. Perhaps the greatest feature of this transmission is its ability to also be shifted manually with Honda's ESP system which is used on the Foreman 450ES. Honda also did an excellent job of keeping the weight down. The new Rubicon tips the scales at 597 lbs (lighter than many 400 4X4's). For more information refer to the specifications below or see the December 1999 issue of Dirt Wheels magazine.
The October issue of Dirt Wheels magazine has a test of the new Foreman in their 500cc automatic shootout.
| Engine | 500cc, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, OHV, 4-valve, 4-stroke |
| Starting | Electric w/recoil |
| Transmission | Fully automatic hydromechanical w/reverse, plus push-button 5-speed option |
| Drive | Shaft drive with Honda's new Ap-type front differential |
| Suspension | Front:Double A-arms;6.7" travel Rear:Swing arm w/two shocks;6.7" travel |
| Brakes | Front:Triple-sealed hydraulic drums Rear:Triple-sealed mechanical drum |
| Length | 81.5" |
| Width | 46.7" |
| Tires/Wheels | Front:25X8-12, aluminum wheels Rear:25X10-12, aluminum wheels |
| Instrumentation | Digital readouts for speedo, odo, trip, oil temp, transmission mode, clock, engine hrs. Also has neutral, reverse, and oil temp. warning lights |
| Dry Weight | 597 pounds |
| Price | $6,999 |
| Release date | June 2000 |
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