I’m in Australia, I’ve got the pioneer 500 I use it for hunting it’s incredibly versatile and capable, really would be advantageous with a front diff loc but it’s only in very rare moments u would need it , it’s economical reliable and fun to drive even my wife can drive it confidently! Very happy with mine, bought second hand with just over 1000hours on the clock it’s still going strong only issue has been the battery died so far ! It’s got bigger aftermarket wheels and tires that helps it a lot as far as height and gearing goes too , I’d highly recommend these to anyone looking for a reliable entry level SXS !

Makes more sense then polaris making the ace

I love my pioneer 500. The reason I bought it was "because" it was a 5 speed. Plus if you put 26" to 27" tires it fixes the short gear issues

We like our 2015 Pioneer 500 it really surprised us on what it can do and I did put different tires and different shocks on the front and made a big difference thanks for the video

Absolutely love my 2017 Honda Pioneer 500 . I also own a 2001 Honda Forman 450 ES that is like new . Hope to keep both as long as I am still able to ride at 74 yrs. The first thing I did to my P500 was to install power steering for my old guy shoulders and a Torq locker in the front differential, bigger battery, and 26” tires and a 4500 lb winch . I have a windshield washer wiper kit on order . love to add accessories when ever they are available. I think that’s half the fun .

I saw one of these with a nice set of wheels/tires, aftermarket bed, bumpers, roof, windshield, and lights. It actually looked really cool. I believe the guy was running a set of 28" Big Horn 2.0's. I think it was a smart move by Honda to create this model - it fills a need for many people. It may not be the recreational tool everyone was wanting, but I can see it being very popular in commercial applications. Perhaps Honda will create a sport version that incorporates the paddle shifters

Great machine!

I own one of these and love it. It plows great, is fun to drive, has a real transmission,,,,and is a HONDA! Bass Pro Shops sells some weird 2wd Chinese piece of junk, called a "BAD BOY" for the same price! Are you kidding me? this is a cool piece of equipment for the money,,,and you can drive it down a 5' wide sidewalk! I plowed my entire block in 35 seconds! Corner to corner straight down the sidewalk!

My first thought when I saw this thing was it looks like one of those Chinese kids side by side from the mid-2000s. It just is off putting if you ask me. A lot of cost cutting in this bike. And to be quite honest I don't think 8499 is a great deal. I think it's actually quite high. You can buy a CF Moto or probably even a rhino with more features for the same if not less money. I think Honda is capitalizing on their name when this came out.

None of these people understand this is not a sport model like everyone else makes its for work and slow trail riding

I like it. Would make a nice yard machine, small yet mighty with a hint of play.

Is there a plan to review the new 2021 Honda Pioneer 520?

I think you guys should review the 2015 Honda Foreman 500. Seems like a positive step IMO for Honda.

I build hilltop radio communications transmitters and am specifically looking for a SxS without a cargo tray - I prefer the lack of tray because it means I can easily weld up a frame for carrying long 5-6 metre poles, and misc other equipment. I probably will make up a cage and weld that on for carrying sacks of concrete, but if it had a tray, i dont think i would have any points where I could extend the roll cage back to carry the poles. So its good they have done it this way - you can get all sorts of different trays, containers etc and weld, strap or clip them in the configuration that you prefer for your activity.

This thing is a hunters dream. Back rack is perfect for strapping game, tree stands and feeders down and it’s small enough to fit anywhere an atv can. I would like to see it have more suspension travel and a diff locker.

I'm in the market for my first side x side. I've ridden ATV's for years and often trail ride. I like the 50" width but this isn't going to fit my needs when I can get a Polaris 570 for about $1000 more.

It needs front diff lock.

You should TEST RIDE the Honda pioneer 1000! ...

Not everyone wants a CVT. This is an ideal SxS UTV for the person who is looking for something casual to ride with a friend... or a dog. I'm likely going to pick one up to run on the primitive rocky dirt roads of the West with my Boykin, hunting chukar, coyote, etc. No, it's not a sport UTV and it won't rip along at 60 mph or more... get a Talon or a Raptor if you're looking to drive as if you're running the Baja 1000. Some of like to toodle along at 30 to 40 mph, and we need to carry some gear and a dog with us, and we want to be able to go almost anywhere a 50" utility ATV can go. It's obvious that Dirt Trax likes CVTs, sports UTVs and ATVs, and ripping on the trails at high speeds. A lot of us like utility, reliability, ruggedness, and quality. No one else makes something like the Pioneer 500... and that's why many of us haven't considered a UTV up to this point. It's not for everyone, but I think it's genius.

This thing is awesome. Ideal for hunting! It's compact so you can actually go on unmaintained trails. The rack instead of the box is a fantastic idea to strap a deer to! Automatic transmissions suck in ATVs - where the fun in that?? Now if you are from the city I guess this wouldn't be the side by side you'd choose since you'll be riding on gravel 'trails' and need a box to put your panties in so they don't get dirty

I wish they would make a 1000 sport tub with paddle shifters the paddle shifters look like a blast

anyone who has ever worked on a farm or Ranch or large job site. knows just what Honda was doing here. this UTV can be hauled without a trailer. work all day pulling and hauling things that don't fit in a ice chest!. not every UTV is biult for Sport first. this review was done in the wrong point of view.

This year for a build yall should do a 2014 honda rancher mud machine

One thing I wish you guys would do is list the price of the machine, as tested, in US and Canadian prices. Maybe when people start to see how much more things cost in Canada they will start to complain a little more and the prices will get better. Otherwise, great job as usual.

I have no idea why, but I like the Pioneer 500. It's certainly no looker. A front diff lock and rear turf mode would be great. Are there bigger, sportier machines ? Of course. What I really like on this machine is how small it truly is. It barely takes up more space they my old Grizzly and Brute Force. As a bonus my son or daughter can ride with me to plow the driveway, go ice fishing, move firewood, or even a casual trail ride. The Polaris ETX is an enticing option, but it's a much bigger machine and doesn't have a turf mode in the rear diff. It will be tough to decide when I pull the trigger in a month or two.

Compare the can am 650 outlander xmr vs the arctic cat 700 mudpro

Listen CVT's suck! The ability to select your gear is awesome for both work and fun. If you could unlock the rear I would buy one of these but without that ability this machine is useless to me.

Does anybody know if you can purchase an aftermarket diff lock for the P500?

I'm going in two days to buy a foreman rubicon is the trans in it the same as the pioneer. . Should I get the manual ?

I'd be really amazed if this thing actually sells. We've had 3 different Honda ATV's in the family, I have a 05 Rincon 650. Dad a 07 Foreman 500. Kid brother had a 350. All great ATV's. But we all got tired of waiting for a good SXS from Honda. Now Dad has a Can-Am Commander, brother a Polaris Ranger, I a CFMoto ZForce 800. That's not mentioning other extended family and friends who also rode Honda ATV's but got tired of waiting for a good SXS. Sorry to sh*t all over your hard work Honda, but seriously it's like you're not even trying or simply don't care. Either way someone is seriously dropping the ball at Honda.

The paddle shifters are what make this thing a blast. An automatic would ruin it. CVT's are the reason I swore off of side by sides. This actually makes me want to own one.

I'd like to know what's the 500 top speed in kilometers before I buy one

I am in Canada and bought one last week. 2 year warranty and $600 off the price. Will use at my new beach house on Lake Winnipeg to launch boats, carry sod, trees, clear snow etc etc. Bargain at $9900 CDN (with our 70 cent dollar or $6900 USD) with Honda reliability. This product is a winner!!

what can you also get for that price ?

paddle shifters is a plus but now cargo box is just no good.

I'm just waiting for yamaha to make a sxs

looks like a camo golf cart. It's time they built a "trail" "hunting" UTV with some eye appeal. A camo/tan RZR with a tow ball... ;-)

Your too nice Honda makes reliable rides but has just lost the whole market from lack of power and suspension on all there stuff...Honda really needs to get it together before they disappear completely

Thanks for the review. I am going to skip this model. Still leaning towards Arctic Cat trail model.

One of my best personal quotes: "Honda, lowering the bar and still falling short!!" I like so many others really respect Honda for their ability to produce an almost bullet proof ATV but they have got to get out of the farmers field and into adrenaline production!!

Good coverage, think i will go with the "Y" competitor.

I never hated it yea it's a little ugly....but the can am version of rzr is the ugliest side by side.....and iv wonted a pioneer 500 seance there 2014 model... cheap and small it's a side by side version of a atv

Lhuu

it looks like an atv with a role cage lol

I've rode a Pioneer 500 and its a complete turd. Its so slow it feels like driving a tractor. To go faster than 20 mph, you need to be in 4th gear or above. I like the attempt of Honda trying to build something different but the engine is so underpowered. 28 hp for a 900 lb machine just doesn't cut it. Put a much more powerful engine in it and it could be a nice machine. I did like the paddle shifters but the engine is so taxed that it felt like it was dragging a boat anchor. Honda has so many nice v-twin motorcycle engines in the 650-750cc range making good power that would be ideal for this machine. Perhaps a scaled down version of the 1000cc twin in the Pioneer 1000. The 700cc single used in the 700xx sport quad woud also be an excellent choice, it makes about 50 hp. Yes that would add a bit of weight(and cost) but the extra power would be worth it. Most would gladly pay 10k instead of 8k if it had a decent engine in it. If it had even 45 hp, it would be both a good workhorse and capable trail machine. And give it a real cargo box instead of an oversized rear rack, nobody likes that. I'm not bashing the machine its just so handcuffed by that horribly underpowered engine.

Honda suck for side by side

The Pioneer is a piece of junk. I honestly don't know what the hell Honda is doing anymore. I currently own a 420 Rancher, but my next ATV is going to be a Polaris. They are on top of their game and Honda has fallen WAY behind in the ATV world. Pretty sad and disappointing---I used to be a diehard Honda fan, but no more.

terrible without an automatic transmission. get real Honda.