By Jeff Glucker
The UTV market has exploded the last few years. While multipurpose side by sides are king of the world in this segment, it’s the sport-based units that have catapulted interest to a new dimension. Just last year, the UTV universe was a six billion dollar industry. And it’s still growing. Polaris is the current king of the sport SxS sub segment. But Honda is jumping in with both feet; namely the Talon 1000X and Talon 1000R.
I’ve arrived in St. George, Utah to put both units through the relevant paces. But this is new ground for us…. minus our man Ross, of course, who is seething at me through his virtual teeth that he’s not on this trip. And I get it, because side by sides are pretty bad ass, and this is the newest player to an entertaining space.
What makes the Honda different from the competition? Mostly the fact that it comes packing a true dual-clutch gearbox. Other examples from competitors use a CVT. Some run a sequential gearbox, but those don’t offer a fully automated mode. The Honda DCT sounds like it’s similar to what you’d find in a car, or at least what you’ll find on a number of the Honda two-wheeled offerings (like the Africa Twin, for example).
So what do you want to know about the Honda Talon? Sound off below. I’m curious to hear what car folk want to know about it, as well as those of you who play in the powersports space.
Does it uses anything from the Honda car division or is it all Honda Red stuff?
Why should I buy this instead of a cheaper vehicle like a used Wrangler or used Chevy Colorado 4X4?
Does it uses anything from the Honda car division or is it all Honda Red stuff?
Why should I buy this instead of a cheaper vehicle like a used Wrangler or used Chevy Colorado 4X4?
I want to know I can Haz, Please?
For my birthday?
Please, Honey?
I’ll only drive it really, really slow, and , uh, uh, we can go Bird Watching together!! .
Please??
And it’s not expensive! Why the one in the picture only costs (?)
First Kia bought the rights to the M100 Elan and now Honda is building the Talon? Color me impressed by the cross-brand continuation.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SzAIsTZU6Og/maxresdefault.jpg
Alfa Romeo has just shown a Talone; is this just like that but without an ‘e’?
True. And consider that the Talon was actually a Mitsubishi with a brand name of Eagle, a name which Chrysler lifted from AMC. That car was a bastard of many parents.
Technically, Talon was also a Diamond-Star Motors before it was a Mitsubishi.
And long before Chrysler bought AMC, a Golden Eagle was a rebadged Corvair.
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–2Xy0UYwS–/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,q_80,w_1200/tpmlwqxqnrml51ecltfo.jpg
That is a completely unjust comparison! Cheston L. Eshelman bought those Corvairs individually at retail, fair and square, before rebadging them.
I agree. But no man who puts a giant metal bird on the front of an otherwise attractive car deserves defense.
Well, I happen to like the American Underslung just as it is and personally think Fred Tone made the right call.
https://img.favcars.com/american-underslung/traveler/images_american_underslung_traveler_1907_1_b.jpg
Correct. Do not use metal.
https://www.vintage-adventures.com/7370-large_default/1970-plymouth-road-runner-ad-the-loved-bird.jpg
Well, I happen to like the American Underslung just as it is and personally think Fred Tone made the right call.
https://img.favcars.com/american-underslung/traveler/images_american_underslung_traveler_1907_1_b.jpg
Technically, DSM was just a legal entity created to allow more Mitsubishi imports. Mechanically, there was no “Chrysler” in those cars. They were essentially two-door Galants.
How’s it sound? My RZR sounds like a garbage disposal simultaneously grinding up a gallon of marbles and a running chainsaw.
So much better thanks to the DCT. At least I think so… I need more experience with other options.
So much better thanks to the DCT. At least I think so… I need more experience with other options.
Does it uses anything from the Honda car division or is it all Honda Red stuff?
Why should I buy this instead of a cheaper vehicle like a used Wrangler or used Chevy Colorado 4X4?
What do you mean, “Instead of…”? You’re going to need the Wrangler (and a trailer) to tow this to the Off Highway Vehicle park.
I just checked, all the Forrestry Service OHV Trails near me are either restricted to vehicles less than 48/50″ wide (the Talon is 64″) or allow any vehicle.
Damn! Why’d they make it so wide? That’s three inches shy of my E28.
Side-by-side seating? All I see on this vehicle is a lot of exposed “stuff”. Cleaning it must be exhausting.
As the new owner of a Honda Powersports machine equipped with a DCT, I’m glad to see them being used in other applications. The US motorcycle market is giving them a rather cool welcome, but if they thrive in the 4-wheel arena at least there’ll be a good supply chain going forward.
How far can you jump it before you have to have an awkward conversation with a Honda PR person?
ha – I need to borrow one for longer to figure that out on my own.
ha – I need to borrow one for longer to figure that out on my own.
For $21K, Polaris will give you 168 horsepower. How many horses is Honda offering for the same price? I’m not accepting a turbo motor until there is nothing else on offer, but Honda’s price is high enough that I’d like to know what they’re delivering.
104 hp at $20k.