2018 Honda Pioneers Article From Abernathy CyclesIn 2013, Honda® began production on their very first side-by-side: the Pioneer™. These vehicles launched a new era in the Honda® powersports industry, and Honda® has spent the last few years continuously improving their features. Today, you’ll have the option of looking through three basic models: the Pioneer™ 1000, the Pioneer™ 700, and the Pioneer™ 500. They each feature some of the best working parts Honda® can supply to give you high-quality performance and handling. Here at Abernathy Cycles, we’re more than a little excited about the new year’s models, so we’ve broken down some of the features you can expect from the 2018 lineup. If you’d like to see these UTVs for yourself, then stop by our location in Union City, Tennessee. We proudly serve the areas of Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, as well as the states of Missouri and Kentucky.

Engine

The Pioneer™ models are built for power and performance. Part of this comes from the core of these machines, their engines. And despite the different sizes, you can be sure that all the Pioneer™ models have engines that will power you through any job or any trail. The Pioneer™ 500 comes with the 500-class engine, fully equipped with the five-speed automatic transmission for power and efficiency. It’s also a more compact and lighter weight semi-dry-sump engine, so it fits snugly in the machine without hindering ground clearance and even lowers the center of gravity for better security.

Looking at some of the bigger models, you’ll get a 675cc liquid-cooled engine from the Pioneer™ 700, as well as the ability to switch from automatic to manual transmission with just the flip of a switch. The Pioneer™ 1000 comes with the top-of-the-line 999cc twin-cylinder engine and plenty of transmission features to help you conquer any terrain. From the full-automatic six-speed DCT transmission, to high/low subtransmission, to even two-wheel and four-wheel drive, you’ll have everything you need to take your side-by-side just about anywhere. The Advanced Transmission Logic even learns from your driving habits to know if it should give you a smooth, quiet ride in lower gears or if it should hang onto the shifts a little longer for higher RPM. Add to that true engine braking, and you’ll be in total control the entire time.

Towing and Carrying Capacity

As fun as it is to talk about the engine, you probably want to know about some of the features that are actually going to help you get the job done. When it comes to a UTV, there’s nothing quite as important as towing and carrying capacity. There’s no point in getting a model that simply can’t handle the tough jobs you’ll have around your property. That’s why even the smallest model, the Pioneer™ 500, comes with 1000 pounds of towing capacity. If that’s not quite enough, try the Pioneer™ 700’s 1500 pound towing capacity and 1000 pound bed capacity. If you only want to work with the best and the toughest, then you’ll get 2000 pounds of towing capacity on the Pioneer™ 1000.

Vehicle Size

This is where the smallest size comes in handy, especially the sleek Pioneer™ 500. This powerful machine is only 50” wide, making it capable of squeezing into even the tightest corners of your property and fit on most trails. However, if it’s ground clearance you want, then you’ll want to focus on the more than 12” you’ll get with the Pioneer™ 1000. For a great in between, you can get the Pioneer™ 700 with over 10” of ground clearance, under 77” in width, and under 15’ in turn radius. Make sure you check out the parts of your property you’ll visit the most or the trails you expect to travel on most often, and figure out how big or how small you’ll need your UTV to be.

This just skims the surface with the Pioneer™ models. Want to know more about the suspension? Want to see some of your styling options? Stop by Abernathy Cycles to find out the answers to these questions and much more by checking out the Honda® Pioneer™ side-by-sides we have in stock right now. We’re located in Union City, Tennessee, welcoming all patrons from the areas of Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, as well as the states of Missouri and Kentucky.