2017 Honda Rincon vs. Yamaha Grizzly EPS: By the Numbers

Derrek Sigler
by Derrek Sigler
Japanese heavyweights duke it out in this specs comparison


The rivalry between Honda and Yamaha goes back just about as far as both companies do. Mostly coming from competition on the racetrack, but also from product innovation and sales, these two Japanese powerhouses have proven to both be winners on the track and on the sales floor. High quality and attention to detail have built a fierce loyalty with consumers over the years, especially when it comes to ATVs. Both companies offer a big-bore Utility ATV, so let’s take a look at how the 2017 Honda Rincon and Yamaha Grizzly EPS compare head-to-head, by the numbers.

2017 Honda Rincon2017 Yamaha Grizzly EPS
Price$9,399$9,699
Engine675cc single-cylinder708cc Single Cylinder
Horsepower3848
Driveline/DifferentialDirect front and rear driveshafts with TraxLok and torque-sensitive front differentialOn-Command 3-way locking differential; 2WD, 4WD, locked 4WD; shaft
TransmissionAutomatic with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears, Reverse, and electronic controlsUltramatic V-belt with all-wheel engine braking; H, L, N, R, P
Wheelbase50.8 in49.2 in
Overall Dimensions (LxWxH)83.2 in x 46.8 in x 47.5 in81.5 in x 48.4 in x 49.3 in
Weight657 lbs692 lbs
Front Tires25 x 8-12AT26 x 8-12 Maxxis
Rear Tires25 x 10-12AT26 x 10-12 Maxxis
Ground Clearance9.1 in11.3 in
Fuel Capacity4.4 gal4.76 gal
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone; 6.9 inches travelIndependent double wishbone; 5-way preload adjustment, 7.6-in travel
Rear SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone; 8.0 inches travelDual A-Arm, IRS 9.5 in travel
Front /Rear BrakesDual hydraulic 180mm disc / Single hydraulic discIndependent double wishbone with anti-sway bar; 5-way preload adjustment, 9.1-in travel


Powering Up


At the heart of the Rincon is a 675cc, liquid-cooled, OHV semi-dry-sump, longitudinally mounted, single-cylinder four-stroke Honda engine. The motor is fed through a 40mm throttle body electronic fuel injector. This motor has remained basically unchanged since the Rincon was introduced over ten years ago. Although neither company publishes it, horsepower is about 38 for the Rincon.

2017 Yamaha Grizzly EPS Front

The Grizzly has Yamaha’s latest 708cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke single cylinder engine. It is fed through Yamaha’s 44mm throttle body fuel injection system. Yamaha runs the same basic motor in the Wolverine and Kodiak models, with slight gearing differences. Unofficial horsepower is right around 48 for the latest Griz.


Wheeling


The Honda Rincon has an automotive-style three-speed automatic transmission. It has front and rear driveshafts with selectable two- and four-wheel drive by way of Honda’s Traxlok system. It rolls on 25-inch tires on 12-inch wheels. The Honda does not have power steering.

2017 Honda Rincon Red

The Yamaha Grizzy EPS has its sealed Ultramatic V-belt CVT transmission system. The Grizzly also features the On-Command system which lets you select two- and four-wheel drive as well as a fully locking three-way differential for all-wheel drive performance when traction is at a premium. You’ll find 26-inch Maxxis tires rolling on 12-inch wheels. The Yamaha comes with electronic power steering.


Suspension


The Honda Rincon has double wishbone, independent suspension at all four corners. There is 6.9 inches of travel in the front and 8.0 inches out back. It tips the scales at 656 pounds (669 pounds for the camo model with steel wheels). There are dual 180mm disc brakes on the front wheels and a single disc brake on the rear.

2017 Yamaha Grizzly EPS Suspension

The Yamaha Grizzly EPS has dual wishbone, independent suspension at the corners with 7.6 inches of travel on the front and 9.1 on the rear. There is five-way preload adjustment on all the shocks and an anti-sway bar on the rear. Disc brakes are found on all four wheels. Curb weight for the Grizzly is 692 pounds.


Odds and Ends


Color options for the Honda Rincon include red, Honda Phantom Camo and black. It has an MSRP of $9,399 for red and black and $9,849 for the camo model. It also comes equipped with front and rear steel racks and two body-mounted headlights.

2017 Honda Rincon Camo

You can buy the Yamaha Grizzly dressed in Hunter Green with steel wheels for $9,699 or Alpine White or Steel Blue with aluminum wheels for $9,899. The Realtree Xtra edition comes with steel wheels and will run you $10,149. There are some snazzy special editions available, too. It also comes with front and rear steel racks, and has two body-mounted headlights and a handlebar-mounted headlight.

Check out the full 2017 Honda Rincon specs here.

Check out the full 2017 Yamaha Grizzly EPS specs here.

Derrek Sigler
Derrek Sigler

Derrek's love for all things ATV started when he was a mere 11 years old, growing up on his family farm. His mom gave him and his sister a choice - get a horse, or a three-wheeler. The sister wanted the horse, and Derrek wanted the ATV. Luckily he won out, and was soon burning up the trails on a Yamaha Tri-Moto 200. By the time he was 14, he had saved enough of his own money by working on the farm and in his folks restaurant to buy a new 4-wheeler. That happened the day he and his mom were driving past the dealership and saw 1987 Banshee. His mom had no idea what he was buying, and he never looked back. He's been riding ever since, and been writing professionally for many years. He has ridden all over North America and been behind the controls of just about every machine out there. And yes, he still has his 1987 Yamaha Banshee.

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