Honda quads electric shift or manual

[willy]

What are people’s thoughts, I am getting a Honda 520, but not sure if to stick with the manual foot lever or go for the electric shift( not automatic)

 

[Fendt516profi]

Get the automatic

 

[335d]

Manual. Only had one electro shift. Was ok. No good for spot spraying. With manual you can change gears while holding the lance. Or carrying a lamb. although u should always have both hands on the handlebars while riding I suppose. The good thing is they won’t let anyone abuse the bike. You can’t drop a couple of gears to slow down, like a manual . Have an auto yamaha now. Brilliant bike.

 

[Moors Lad]

Do you get on OK with the foot shift? My first was electric shift (buttons on `bars) - tried a manual next and had 2 more since, but I ride m/cycles and this may influence me slightly. Got to remember the clutch lever when getting on bike after quad!

 

[Farmer_Joe]

Manual. Only had one electro shift. Was ok. No good for spot spraying. With manual you can change gears while holding the lance. Or carrying a lamb. although u should always have both hands on the handlebars while riding I suppose. The good thing is they won’t let anyone abuse the bike. You can’t drop a couple of gears to slow down, like a manual . Have an auto yamaha now. Brilliant bike.

this you need both hands on the bars to drive with electric, so spraying or carrrying a lamb etc is a right cock,

ive gone back to manual shift and i dont miss the electric at all.

 

[Fendt516profi]

I back big sheep up and sit them on there arse in footwell. Wouldn't be able to get to change gear

 

[Tony1989]

Manual, way more reliable

 

[Spudie]

Had electric,but as said no good carrying a lamb etc back to manual and I'll stick with it

 

[danpwll]

whats the new Hondas like ?? got a 15 yr 500 es, done me well but getting tired, have a gator for hauling but want fast gathering bike, as have limis !!! whats the 420 like ?? not a fan of the black wheels, im a honda man as had 10 even 3 trikes !!!

 

[Tony1989]

They are quite good, the newer black wheeled versions are a big improvement over the older grey wheeled ones.

 

[Macsky]

Manual. Unless they’ve changed the auto on the 520, it’s clunky and unreiable.

 

[mghley]

Get a Suzuki ! , had 2 Since swapping from Hondas and never looked back, super smooth on auto box unlike clunky Honda.

 

[Tony1989]

Agree, they are the best out ther!

 

[Zetor]

this you need both hands on the bars to drive with electric, so spraying or carrrying a lamb etc is a right cock,

ive gone back to manual shift and i dont miss the electric at all.

On our 420 it shifts automatically up & down so you can easily drive single handed
Still prefer a manual but can’t get it with independent suspension

 

[v8willy]

Have a electric one here & had to buy & adapt a foot pedal to get gears, think you can fix the electric shifter but when I looked into it online it looked a bit of work so haven't so far.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

whats the new Hondas like ?? got a 15 yr 500 es, done me well but getting tired, have a gator for hauling but want fast gathering bike, as have limis !!! whats the 420 like ?? not a fan of the black wheels, im a honda man as had 10 even 3 trikes !!!

Ha ha we had trikes back in the day,

I had a 350 was good but permanent 4wd and carb engine was not great,

went to a 420 selectable 4wd injection engine and power steering all things I did not think I needed how wrong I was I really like it wouldnever go back, amusingly 350 was Es 420 manual

 

[mixed breed]

Have a electric one here & had to buy & adapt a foot pedal to get gears, think you can fix the electric shifter but when I looked into it online it looked a bit of work so haven't so far.

Glad I'm not the only one, Our 420 shifter failed so for about a year now it has had an 8(iirc)mm socket welded to an electric fence post bent all sorts of shapes to make a foot shifter.. works a treat!

 

[wr.]

My son services and repairs quads and has more trouble with autos than manuals. Some can be a nightmare to diagnose and costly to repair according to him.

 

[v8willy]

Glad I'm not the only one, Our 420 shifter failed so for about a year now it has had an 8(iirc)mm socket welded to an electric fence post bent all sorts of shapes to make a foot shifter.. works a treat!

I bought one off the bay but didn't read the description right & it was for a 350 so the wrong shape, so modified the shape & tapped the barrel of it & put 2 bolts in it instead of 1, it stays on most of the time & I have resisted the temptation to put a spot of weld on it....so far..

 

[willy]

Get a Suzuki ! , had 2 Since swapping from Hondas and never looked back, super smooth on auto box unlike clunky Honda.

Well I have done a right u turn and changed my order to a Suzuki king quad 500.