The '06 Honda TRX680 Rincon -- The sport-utility that’s
heavy on sport!
by Lance Schwartz
photos by Kevin
Wing
 |
| Honda has stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam with the new 2006 Rincon. |
In case you didn't know, the Honda Rincon has always been more than just a made-for-work ATV. In fact, the 2003 Honda Rincon finished 1st and 3rd at the 2002 Baja 1000 event when it was first introduced. Honda has always been a firm believer that bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. It is because of this conservative approach to engineering that we were hesitant about how noticeable the changes and improvements on the 2006 Honda TRX680 Rincon would be. What we’ve come to find out is that this rock solid machine was designed from the ground up to provide the spirited trail riding characteristics of a “sport” machine, matched with the ability to undertake the moderate work responsibilities of a “utility” machine. Additionally, with all of its new improvements, it approaches these tasks with much more performance and excitement than its predecessors.
An all-new more powerful engine
 |
| The new 675cc Fuel Injected mill was more than capable of pulling the front end up to negotiate obstacles. |
Honda had an excellent starting point to work with when redesigning the Rincon’s
engine. What they ended up with is a liquid cooled, over-head valve, single
cylinder fuel injected 675cc four stroke engine. This engine is longitudinally
mounted in the frame, giving it direct alignment between the camshaft, output
shafts, and ultimately the front and rear differentials. This engine placement
alone allows the mighty Rincon to more efficiently put power to the ground.
The Rincon utilizes a dry sump engine, which means the overall height of the
engine is decreased, producing a lower center of gravity. A bore increase of
2mm along with the fuel injection system, a new hotter cam, a reusable foam
air filter, and a redesigned exhaust has given the new Rincon 7% more horsepower
and 8% more torque this year, all without increasing any exhaust noise.
Fuel Injection
 |
| Fuel Injection has given this Rincon the performance it needs to be competitive in the ever growing utility segment. |
Honda certainly wasn’t the first manufacturer to utilize a fuel injection
system on their quads. Honda says, sometimes designing the best system is better
than being first, however. Most fuel injection systems typically have one large
injector outlet. Honda has taken their own approach to fuel injection and delivered
a PGM-FI 12 hole injector. The 12 hole injector gives the fuel delivery a split
pattern to maximize the fuel delivery to both intake valves.
Additionally, Honda decided to mount the fuel pump in an aluminum housing in
front of the engine between the front shock towers. Honda said that the competition’s
fuel injected ATVs locate the fuel pump in the gas tank. This causes a decrease
in the fuel carrying capacity and it also makes it more difficult to service
in the event that your ATV takes an unexpected swim. Within the Rincon’s
external sub tank fuel pump housing, a drain is incorporated to make removing
contaminants from the fuel system a breeze. With fuel injection also comes convenience.
There’s no more pulling the choke on a cold morning to get your ride started.
The PGM-FI system monitors this and makes all adjustments necessary to compensate
for engine temperature, altitude and atmospheric conditions.
Transmission
 |
| Enhanced engine braking for 2006 makes negotiating tricky downhill sections a breeze. |
Honda boasts the only automotive type transmission in the ATV industry. While the competition utilizes belts and pulleys to drive their automatic transmissions, Honda chose to use an automotive type torque converter and a fluid-filled transmission. The Rincon has enjoyed a great deal of success with this transmission in the past. There were however a few complaints that the Honda engineers took into consideration when redesigning the transmission for 2006. The most notable improvement for low speed assaults has to be a more aggressive engine braking program for the tranny. When you let off the gas on the new Rincon going down a hill or rolling to a stop on flat ground, you feel the engine brake kick in. It’s not overly aggressive, but it is definitely more pronounced than previous models, which is a huge improvement. Another improvement to the transmission has been a change in the way oil flows through the torque converter. You can now expect a more crisp and precise shifting as a result of these changes. Finally, stronger transmission gears were incorporated to handle the increased power output of the new machine.
Brakes
 |
| The longitudinally mounted 680cc Fuel Injected engine allows for the very low center of gravity required to carve corners like this! |
While the past Rincons had a rear disk brake connected to the output shaft on the rear end, they utilized sealed drums up front. This year, however, we're happy to report that Honda engineers incorporated disk brakes onto the front of the new Rincon. Most ATV manufacturers use motorcycle type calipers on their machines. Since Honda builds automobiles, as well as motorcycle and ATVs, they used the technology from the automotive industry to build a disk brake system like no other ATV manufacturer has. There are scrapers built into the caliper itself to scrape mud, snow and ice away from the inside of the wheel. This allows the brakes to function more efficiently in these extreme conditions and improves the durability of the brake pads. The Rincon 680 also features brake pads that are about 1.5 times larger than normal, while also incorporating automotive type “squealers” that alert you by squealing when it’s time to replace the brake pads. Additionally, the calipers, pins and pistons on the disk braking system are also fully sealed like an automotive disk system. Another much needed improvement for 2006 is a “start in gear” feature. Utility class racers list this as a must have option. If you want to start the machine while it’s in gear, just grab the front brake and stab the starter with your thumb. The days of putting the quad in neutral, starting it, dropping it in gear, then pulling away are gone. Thank you Honda!
Suspension
 |
| Redesigned rear shock dampening characteristics allow the Rincon to soak up hard landings even better than it did before. |
A soft, compliant suspension has always been one of the traits that the Rincon
employed. When you ride the 2006, you’ll notice that Honda didn’t
rest on its laurels. New Dunlop tires give a soft, plush ride and stand up to
the abuse that an aggressive trail rider can give them. They also have an excellent
tread pattern that provides impressive grip with low noise output. The rear
shocks have had some valving changes to alter the way the Rincon handles the
trail. The 2006 TRX680 also continues with Honda’s extensive use of aluminum
in its rear suspension arms. This is a lightweight, durable solution. One thing
to note about the Rincon’s rear independent suspension, as compared to
the competition's, is the length of the A-arms. As explained by the engineers
that designed the Rincon during our chat sessions, the longer the A-arms, the
better angles they have to work with for suspension travel and axle location.
In addition, the longer arms allow the shocks to be mounted at more of an angle,
rather than vertical. This allows the use of longer shocks, which in turn allows
more oil to be contained in the shock. The increased oil capacity allows the
shocks to remain cool and run smooth even when run for long periods of time
or when being abused. The 2006 Rincon certainly is geared towards having a balance
between handling and comfort We will attest, while charging through the trails,
it’s hard to imagine you’re riding a 600 pound utility machine.
Camouflage Plastic
Honda has a reputation for taking a conservative approach to designing
and engineering everything that they make. While other manufacturers have been
producing camo for years, 2006 will be the first year for camouflage at the
Honda camp. The main reason for the long wait is that Honda exclusively uses
polyethylene plastic on their bodies, as opposed to polypropylene, like most
of the other manufacturers. Polyethylene has much more impact resilience and
remains flexible and durable, even when subject to cold weather. Anyone who
has seen a late 80’s 250R with original plastic still in place knows how
durable the Honda plastic really is. Honda has chosen Natural GearTM as their
camo pattern of choice. The pattern looks phenomenal and Honda’s generous
use of black on the camo quad, in places like the wheels, really compliments
the black that is inherent in the Natural GearTM camo pattern. When the camouflage
machine is placed in a natural outdoor landscape, it is very easy to see how
well the Natural GearTM pattern blends easily into the backdrop.
 |
 |
|
The science of camouflage
is all about blending in with your environment. With Natural GearTM |
Camo quads like to let their hair down
and play too!
|
Its purpose
 |
| Rincon: One ride and you’ll see why this machine’s handling is legendary. |
The Rincon is referred to by Honda as the SUV, or Sport Utility Vehicle of
the ATV market. One ride on it and it’s easy to see the focus is on the
“sport” side of Utility riding. If towing large trailers up steep
inclines is what you plan on doing with your new ATV, the Rincon most likely
would not be the best choice. This is due, in part, to the lack of low range
found on many other utility quads. However, if occasional light towing, plowing,
work duties, or trail riding are shared with weekend high speed blasts down
the trail, this Rincon deserves a very close look. You’d be hard pressed
to find a better machine for spirited riding than the 2006 Honda Rincon.
Out on the trail
 |
| When in doubt, pin it! Don't worry, Honda's impressive suspension geometry will help to sort out the landing. |
I’m going to cut right to the chase. The 2006 Honda Rincon is a BLAST! As I turned the key and pushed the start button, the Rincon fired up and immediately when into a fast idle setting. It was about 30 degrees and the quads had been sitting outside all night. After about 30 seconds or so, the mighty thumper slowed the RPM’s down and sat there bumping. The big rumbling bump was inviting to say the least. There is a bit of handlebar shake at idle, most likely due in part to the 680cc single cylinder sitting inches below you. I’m happy to say that upon flogging the go button, the idle vibration disappears and the Rincon provides a really smooth ride.
Honda treated nearly 30 journalists from the US and Canada alike to try out
their new Rincon in an area that only the Great White North could provide. We
were gathered together in St-Alexis-des-Monts, Québec, Canada at the
luxurious Hotel Sacacomie, which borders the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve and
Lake Sacacomie. Frankly, we were testing the Rincon in what I consider an absolute
ATVer's paradise! The area is often appropriately referred to as the Sacacomie
Adventure. I agree with the terminology whole heartedly. Click the link
to read more about this incredible ride spot. A word of warning, you're going
to want to plan an ATV riding vacation here after reading what Honda treated
us to.
One of the first things you’ll notice on the Rincon is the transmission
that Honda has chosen to install. This isn’t your run of the mill belt
and pulley driven automatic. On the left of the cowl, there is a forward and
reverse lever that is as simple to use as it sounds. Clunk it forward, you go
forward. Wanna go backwards? Clunk it in reverse and give it some throttle.
It was really easy to engage and super quick to make directional changes if
I was in a tight spot. Also, I really like the ability to choose between “Auto”
and “ESP” whenever I wanted. The Auto function was nice if I wanted
the Rincon to do all the work while I was sight seeing. However, if I needed
to keep the Rincon in a certain gear to wheelie over obstacles or climb a steep
hill, the ESP mode allowed me to keep it in any gear I wanted and run it clear
up to the rev limiter.
 |
| More performance and precision handling make the 2006 Rincon 680 a series competitor in the Big Bore Utility ranks. |
My favorite thing about the Rincon is how well it handles. I’ve run and
raced many of the past and current utility quads on the market. The 2006 Honda
Rincon TRX680 is without a doubt the best handling and least tiring 4x4 quad
on the market. In my conversations with others at the ride-intro, I kept making
comparisons to the 450R and not other utility quads. To be quite honest, that
isn’t an exaggeration. It is really hard to believe that you are riding
a 600 pound four wheel drive utility quad. The machine handles like it is on
rails. It has the ability to slide, corner and negotiate technical terrain like
no other 4x4 ATV produced! At one point, I hit a section of sandy whoops that
I didn’t realize were there. We were traveling at top speed down a remote,
sand covered airplane runway at an estimated 60 mph. Since it was too late to
avoid the whoops, I transferred my weight to the rear of the machine and kept
it pinned. I was prepared to go over the bars in dramatic dismount fashion,
but to my surprise, the Rincon soaked up every single bump and just seemed to
skim over the pesky obstacle. I think this was the point where I realized I
was in love with this machine. It has such a balance of handling and control,
that no matter how fast I went, I never felt out of shape or on the edge with
this quad. It did what I wanted it to do and went in the direction that I pointed
it without any quirky handling characteristics whatsoever. With that said, I
believe it to be one of the safest utility quads produced.
 |
| We could ride wheelies all day long on the new Rincon. The front end feels so light and responsive, you’ll think you’re on a sport quad. |
Past Rincons have had the reputation of being very underpowered. The handling
was great, but the power was anemic. We know you expect the truth. Is the 2006
Rincon any different? The answer is absolutely! It took me only five seconds
to know that this was not last year's Rincon. The machine felt more powerful
from idle all the way to the rev limiter. I have often read in Internet forums
about guys asking, “can I do a wheelie with this quad?". My cohorts
can attest to the fact that I was doing in excess of 100 yard wheelies back
and forth on the airplane runway I spoke of earlier. Because you can leave the
machine is a specific gear, it allows you to wheelie just like you might on
a sport machine. I think I’d rather have a 4-speed transmission as opposed
to a 3-speed. But, on the other hand, I can’t find any reason to fault
the 3-speed. It seems like it shouldn’t be enough gears to handle all
ranges of riding styles and terrain. However, somehow Honda made it work. You
could probably run this thing all day in 2nd gear and be completely satisfied.
 |
 |
|
| The plastic design on the Rincon does a fantastic job of providing splash protection. After a day of hard riding in wet conditions, we still returned home nice and dry. | ||
GPS your Rincon
 |
| Honda has done an excellent job of making the Rincon watertight. It handled repeated swims without skipping a beat. |
As an admitted technology geek, I thought the GPScape feature that the Rincon, as well as other select Honda’s have, is very trick. It allows you to set 100 waypoints anywhere you choose on the planet. Then, if you need to get back to where you started, you just follow the waypoints, which communicate with satellites orbiting the earth. I found that the machine could accurately track me and my machine to within about 5 feet of its location. If you can’t find your way home from 5 feet, you need to find another hobby! This feature came in particularly handy while riding on our Sacacomie adventure in Canada. If I got lost, rather than get eaten by a bear while I sat waiting to be rescued, all I had to do was bring up waypoint 75 and it guided me right back to base camp. I was really surprised to hear that the GPS actually has a built in memory that will hold your waypoints for 10 years, even if the battery is completely dead. How cool is that?
Does size really matter?
 |
| The Rincon is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It feels very small and sporty for a 600 pound utility machine. |
Well, there you go. I think it’s really easy to see what we think of
the 2006 Honda TRX680 Rincon. This machine is phenomenal! I think we, as a society,
sometimes equate bigger with better. We’re led to believe that size does
matter. In some cases, it might. In the case of Big Bore Utility ATV market,
I’m not sure that size should be the litmus test that we use to evaluate
and compare these machines. The Rincon is not the most powerful, can’t
haul the most cargo, doesn’t have the highest ground clearance, nor does
it have the most displacement. However, it has something that separates it from
the pack. There is nothing that it does wrong. It’s nimble and agile,
feels small in comparison to competitors, has no quirky handling traits and
has received many performance enhancements in 2006 that make it feel like a
completely different machine. In addition, the Rincon has a balance and a feel
like no other, plus it comes with the reliability and resale value that is inherent
to the Honda legacy. If you’re in the market for a sporty, reliable, fun,
4x4, you owe it to yourself to take a 2006 Rincon for a test ride. Honda has
stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam with this machine! Happy trails!
Specifications |
|
| Model: | TRX680FA / TRX680FGA (with GPS) |
| Engine Type: | 675cc liquid-cooled OHV semi-dry-sump longitudinally mounted single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Bore and Stroke: | 102.0mm x 82.6mm |
| Carburetion: | Electronic fuel injection with IACV idle control |
| Ignition: | Full-Transistorized type with electronic advance |
| Starter: | Electric with auxiliary recoil |
| Transmission: | Automatic with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears, reverse and electronic controls |
| Driveline: | Direct front and rear drive-shafts with torque-sensitive front differential |
Suspension |
Front: Independent double-wishbone; 6.9 inches travel Rear: Independent double-wishbone; 8.0 inches travel |
| Brakes | Front: Dual hydraulic 180mm disc Rear: Single hydraulic disc |
| Tires | Front: 25 x 8-12 radial Rear: 25 x 10-12 radial |
| Length: | 83.2 inches |
| Width: | 46.8 inches |
| Height: | 47.5 inches |
| Seat Height: | 34.5 inches |
| Ground Clearance: | 10.0 inches |
| Wheelbase: | 50.8 inches |
| Dry Weight: | 600 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity: | 4.5 gallons, including 1.1-gallon reserve |
| Colors | Red/Olive/NaturalGear Camouflage |
| Recommended for Riders 16 years of age and older. | |
 |
 |
