Dang, I was right again! Honda ES is just what I thought it would be.

[jakep53]

Glad you got it fixed!! I must say im not a fan of hondas es

[shortline10]

Awesome you got it fixed , that switch is inside the rear cover and to get to that the motor is removed lol not an inexpensive fix and glad it was on the dealers end .

So, got it back the other day, and it's good as new! I forgot to come back and mention that I was reading the code backwards. I had apparently missed the first flash of 4, so it was actually 42, which indicates a shorted shift switch assembly. I sent it back to the dealer and they installed a new switch assembly and that fixed it!

So if you're ever in Iowa and are in the mood to buy an ATV or motorcycle, I can wholeheartedly recommend Nishna Valley Cycle, since they took good care of us!

Attachment 199414

[atc007]

Awesome you got it fixed , that switch is inside the rear cover and to get to that the motor is removed lol not an inexpensive fix and glad it was on the dealers end .

Unless you're me. I hang the quad from the bucket tractor,pull the swingarm, in and out in an hour ,But yes, Honda protocol is pulling the engine. Edit, that's how I've done the 350 ranchers. Haven't seen a broken 420 yet. Frankencelery, you will absolutely LOVE this bike for decades to come. Wait and see. I have bought/sold/traded probably over 100 ES's,Rincons,and Rubicons in the last 18 years. I have worked on 4,3 Ranchers, one 450ES. It really is simple. Run pure synthetic oil!! Forget what anyone and everyone else says. Full syn lets these suckers shift like butter. You will never in a million years slip the clutch or even wear them prematurely with the slight power output they have. Please run full syn,and life will be good

[Frankencelery]

Please run full syn,and life will be good

Full Synthetic, eh? There's a lot of debate about that, but I certainly agree that it gives better engine life on cars. My Civic is at 294K and still going!

Shortline, I may have mis-stated the name of the part that they replaced. I meant the handlebar switch. That's what they replaced. Either way, it seems to be working. We've only ridden it twice since it came back, but it's working fine so far!

[shortline10]

Tooo funny and Bill is talking about motorcycle wet clutch full synthetic oil I believe not car oil and I agree it helps a lot .

Shortline, I may have mis-stated the name of the part that they replaced. I meant the handlebar switch. That's what they replaced. Either way, it seems to be working. We've only ridden it twice since it came back, but it's working fine so far!

[atc007]

Yes,,ugghhh,,yes,,clears throat... Here we go again. lol. What I have found best for the past decade in the 450ES in particular is Pennzoil,car,full syn. Yellow bottle,don't know if it's a specific flavor. It is not in a atv or wet clutch bottle. Guys,, what I'm typing is real world ,decades of experience. It is not my opinion. Yes,,a Banshee on nitrous without a properly tuned clutch could and would probably blow a set of fibers into slipping with car oil. A Honda utility quad?? Good luck One of my customers pulls a manure spreader for his wood cart. For those not familiar,his wood cart empty is easily 900 pounds.. Add a spare saw,axes,and all the logging equipment you can possibly imagine. And he returns with a stacked,heaped load Bike sits with around 6000 miles tonight. I sold him a 500ES to "relieve it" last year. Up and down hills. All week,all year. Cuts for fun for the neighborhood. After Honda could not make his machine shift.And it left him in the woods holding the "tool kit shifter" many times. I said,what have we too lose? Within 15 miles, It was a buttery smooth machine. We have used nothing but since. Take it for what it's worth. I know

[ps2fixer]

I'm not sure about the most recent model, but when Honda first started the ES option, wasn't there the shift shaft sticking out of the engine still? Seems like buying a manual lever would be a nice backup option.

My dad has a 680 Rincon, 100% no shifting problems. His brother has a 650, and he has to leave it warm up for quite a while before it will move, I'd guess he has the wrong oil in it, but he won't take correction at all. Both are fully automatic, with the ES override buttons.