Honda’s Pioneer 700 has always been the cool kid everyone wants to be friends with. Turning heads in the mid-ized SxS market, this machine kicks it to a whole new level in 2017 with, among other things, Deluxe models featuring aluminum wheels, electric power steering and painted suspension springs, not to mention Honda’s QuickFlip seating, which allows the two rear seats to fold into the bed, offering two-, three- or four-seat configurations.
But, first things first: in the standard model, the liquid-cooled, 675-cc engine has one cylinder and a ton of torque—power is no object with this beast of a machine. Get ready to rip right away, no matter the temperature, season or elevation, thanks to the fuel injection system, and say goodbye to vibration since the engine is shear-mounted in its own cradle.
The Pioneer packs an intense transmission system that is tough as nails, but also sensitive enough to figure out what you are up to and react accordingly. The automotive-style unit features a top-notch, crazy tough torque converter with three hydraulic clutches and is both rugged and belt-free. A two-stage shift map delivers power in just the right amount, based on whether you are riding aggressively or going light on the throttle.
Override the transmission’s shift points on the fly with super-cool paddle shifters located on the steering wheel, or shift manually with the paddles in MT mode. In other words, you pick your poison—fully automatic, auto with manual override or completely manual. Shifting from two- to four-wheel-drive is a breeze, and this machine’s dash level means locking the front diff for extra traction is a snap.
With add-on Work, Trail, and Outdoor packages, is there anything this machine can’t do? Find out at atvsxs.honda.ca.
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