2015 FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 4x4 Overview - Honda Powersports

 

They gave it less power by dropping the Rubicons 499cc and using the Foremans 475cc motor.

Better with IRS and rear disc but now has has the same 28hp 475cc OHV motor the foreman has now where as most 500cc 4x4s are 36 hp or better.
The old 499cc Rubicon made 32hp at least.
Still no AWD diff lock yet.
Styling looks like a Polaris now.

 

Correct or not it says diff. Lock here. 2015 Honda Foreman Rubicon & Rancher Models

 

I heard only the Foreman has the diff lock and when those guys talk its hard to know which one they are talking about.

With the Rubicon using the smaller 475cc now maybe the two machines are the same now. More like they offer the Rubicon tranny option in the Foreman now.

 

Looks like they call it the "Foreman Rubicon" no separation of the two names any longer, with the only difference being a 5 speed or the old Rubicons tranny choice. 2015 Honda FourTrax® Foreman® Rubicon® 4x4 DCT EPS (TRX500FA6F) ATVs
They should of kept the more power full 499cc and dropped the 475cc instead of the other way around.

The sure look alike now Polaris and Honda



Polaris

 

The Rubicon was always Foreman Rubicon. Looks like they scrapped the old Rubicon CVT and replaced it with this 5 speed manual or 5 speed auto shifting gear trans. It's not the old trans. They do look like Polaris.

2015 Honda ATV Lineup Unveiled
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9QM6IuCCeM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cby2lKLJmNs

 

The Rubicon since day one in 2001 always had and still has the option for the "Fully automatic hydromechanical, continuously variable with electronic controls". Tranny.
Its was always Hondas only ATV with a dedicated low Range.

The only change is it can have the plain foreman/Rancher 5 speed as well now. Honda is the only ones who do not use the simplier CVT belt system.

 

The auto trans is no longer the hydraulic cvt but was replaced with a dual clutch 5 speed automatic similar to what's in the rancher only with a sub trans for low gear. It's also available in a 5 speed foot shifter or esp.
The foreman and rubicon are still 2 different models. The foremans are all SRA and only available in 5 speed foot shift or esp transmissions. The rubicons are only available in irs and obviously have an auto option. The suspension and frame seem to be totally different too. Everything is different.
The rubber belt driven cvt would be a downgrade. Thankfully they haven't taken that path

 

They do not make a high powered 4x4 ATV that does not have the CVT belt system.

If the Belt system holds up on 1000 Can-Ams and 1000 Polaris that push 80hp I.m sure the 28hp Foreman/Rubicon or 38hp Rincon would be no problem.

My 800R e-tech Ski-doo is rated at 165hp and uses the CVT belt system.
A atv would be considered a light days work for it.

 

Can never make it as strong as a metal gear. name a heavy application that uses a cvt? Auto makers are having trouble getting longevity out of them on economy cars. They do allow for better gas mileage but the negatives outweigh the possitives IMO. not to mention, a belt driven cvt just flat out feels cheap in function. No mechanical connection between the driver and the machine. My #1 complaint with my can ams are the cvts. Just doesn't give me the same satisfaction and the size of a cvt box makes the saddle too wide for aggressive riding. Being that you are a snowmobile guy, I can see why you like a cvt. It's what you are used to. I grew up on dirtbikes and atvs. I'd love to see can am offer the renegade in a 4-5 speed auto with a electric shift option. If they did, the cvt versions probably wouldn't sell too well. It's not the transmission that people are drawn to on the big bores lol.