Honda Rincon 650: Common Problems & Issues
Honda Rincon 650 owners have experienced a slew of problems with their ATVs over the years, even as the model has been tinkered with. In this article, you’ll learn the most common issues with this vehicle, based on user experiences.
Frequent problems noted with the Honda Rincon 650 include grinding gears, faulty oil seals, bad seat latches, and issues with the transmission, among others. While some of these issues can be fixed, others are fairly costly to remedy for ATV owners.
If you’d like to learn more about the most common problems with the Honda Rincon 650 ATV, keep on reading. We’ll be discussing the issues based on our research involving Honda forums, threads, and more. Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
- Common Honda Rincon 650 Problems
- Grinding Noise When Shifting Gears
- Faulty Seat Latches
- Poor Transmission
- Parking/Braking Instability
- Poor HUD Unit Screen Seal
- Other Faulty Seals
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Common Honda Rincon 650 Problems
The Honda Rincon 650 ATV is great for speed, but it isn’t without its problems, which range from transmission issues to gear-switching and bad seals.
The following are some of the most commonly reported issues with this ATV model, according to insights from Honda user forums and other firsthand experiences:
- Grinding Noise When Shifting Gears
- Faulty Seat Latches
- Poor Transmission
- Parking/Braking Instability
- Poor HUD Unit Screen Seal
- Other Faulty Seals
Grinding Noise When Shifting Gears
One of the most frequently talked about problems with this ATV model is the grinding noise that occurs when shifting gears. In general, some 650 owners don’t feel that this ATV model shifts gears smoothly, and sometimes they even have trouble getting the gears to change at all.
Drivers describe this phenomenon as a “horrible grinding noise” and lack of engagement when trying to shift into the reverse or drive gears.
Another complaint regarding the gears is that certain editions of this ATV model are lacking a low gear.
The gear problems are not only a nuisance, but they are also a source of safety hazard that may prevent a smooth ride.
Faulty Seat Latches
Another commonly reported issue with the Rincon 650 is the seat latch problem. Essentially, this issue arises when trying to latch the seat into place and keep it stable. Drivers note that they have to keep adjusting the seat latch so that it will hold the seat in place. In some cases, no matter how much adjusting they did, the seat latch remained unstable.
This is a huge safety hazard for ATV drivers, as the seat is what tethers you to your vehicle when riding it.
If you’ve bought the Rincon 650 new, there’s a possibility that you may have a warranty to cover this issue. Your dealer can likely adjust or fix the seat latch for you so that there is less risk of falling off of your ATV while riding it.
Poor Transmission
The Honda Rincon 650 gear shift problem has to do with the deeper-rooted problems with the ATV’s transmission. Riders have often found that the quality of the transmission is poor.
What’s more, is that the transmission is known to be somewhat hit or miss. At times, letting the vehicle warm up before shifting into drive is enough for the transmission to engage. But at other times, riders will try to put the vehicle into drive, and it simply won’t happen.
Parking/Braking Instability
Further, this particular model of ATV is lacking a parking gear and instead relies on an emergency brake that most riders find only works some of the time.
People have also noticed that the vehicle’s regular breaks will go in and out of use. Sometimes, they are effective at slowing the vehicle, and other times, they aren’t.
The saving grace of the ATV seems to be the hand brake, which can usually keep the vehicle in place on flat surfaces.
The biggest issue with this problem is the safety of both the ATV and the driver/passenger. Riders have been concerned about the ATV rolling when on slanted ground due to the ineffectiveness of the e-brake.
Poor HUD Unit Screen Seal
One vehicle problem specific to this Honda ATV is the seal on the HUD unit screen. It’s known to frequently work poorly, causing water droplets to get in where they aren’t supposed to go.
Luckily, if you do have a warranty for your Rincon 650, you can probably get this part replaced for free, no questions asked.
But if it continues to work poorly, then you have a bigger problem on your hands.
Other Faulty Seals
Other deal malfunctions are super common with the Rincon, as well. For example, you’re more likely to get engine oil leaks and problems associated with those.
The seals in the engine oil system work poorly, just as the HUD unit seal doesn’t work very well. As a result, you may find yourself frequently replacing seals or paying for repairs related to oil leaks.
The last thing you want is for your engine to overheat and cause damage to other essential parts. You’ll be breaking the bank at the end of the day.
So, be aware of this seal problem and make sure to frequently check the condition of the seals and oil levels.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Honda Rincon 650 ATV is still a solid ATV choice for higher speed rides. But you still need to be aware of the frequent issues they have so that you can be prepared for the likely expenses you may face for repairs, as well as any inconveniences.
Hopefully, our guide to the common Honda Rincon 650 problems has given you some solid insight into the seal issues, transmission problems, breaking faults, and other issues common with this model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Honda’s best ATV?
One of the more popular and well-made Honda ATVs is the Rubicon model, mainly due to its versatile features. However, the Rincon 680 (an advancement of the 650) is thought to be one of the most powerful Honda ATVs.
Does a Honda Rincon have a belt?
No, the Rincon ATV features an automatic transmission setup. But keep in mind that this transmission is known for its problems with grinding and failure to engage.
