Honda Foreman 450 Problems. Reliable Quad? Or the One to Avoid?

The ATV market is flooded with incredible machines. However, not many of them have managed to surpass buyers' expectations. As the market grows, ATV buyers have expanded their knowledge and understanding of these vehicles. As such, they demand more in terms of features and performance - the Honda Foreman 450is among the most celebrated ATVs in the market. It is a high-performance all-terrain ATV produced between 1998 and 2004.

The Foreman 450 comes in two versions: the manual-shift model, the 450 S, and the electric-shift model, the 450 ES. Thanks to its impressive performance and versatility, many buyers were impressed instantly. And owing to the increasing demand for automatic transmission vehicles, the electric-shift Foreman 450 was recognized by ATV Magazine as the ATV of the year in 1998 - the same year it was launched.

So, is the Honda Foreman 450 a reliable quad? Or should we avoid it? To answer this better, flow with us as we explore soof the best features, advantages, and known issues of the Honda Foreman 450.

The Best Features of the Honda Foreman 450

• Engine and Performance

The Honda Foreman 450 has a four-stroke, air-cooled single-cylinder Overhead Valve engine. The engine is longitudinally mounted, a configuration that helps shade the vehicle's extra weight. The 433cc engine has a bore diameter of 90mm and a stroke of 68mm. It features a Keihin carburetor with a compression ratio of 8:5:1. The vehicle has a fuel tank capacity of 3.2 gallons or 21.1 liters.

The engine utilizes a five-speed gearbox with reverse gear and the ESP (Electronic Shift Program). The ESP replaces the foot shift lever with two buttons mounted on the handlebar, allowing riders to shift gears easily.

The Foreman 450 features a Capacitor Discharge Ignition. Additionally, it features an electric/pull starter system. While Honda doesn't record top speed for this Quad, Foreman 450 forum discussions put it at around 40 to 45 mph on asphalt, which increases to approximately 50 mph downhill.

• Tires and Brakes

The Honda Foreman 450 has an overall wheelbase of 50.2 inches. While the tires have a standard height of 25 inches, the width is ten and eight inches for the front and rear wheels, respectively. While Dunlop supplies stock tires for the Foreman 450, the aftermarket offers several options for riders who want to upgrade or replace them. And this is a viable option for many Foreman 450 riders since many examples in the market already have worn-out tires. 

There are three types of ATV tires to consider depending on which part of the country you are riding or the amount of money you are willing to spend. If you are on a tight budget, 3 or 4-bias ply tires are your best option. These are thinner and work better on soft terrain and mild wood riding. They're also perfect for riding on grassy terrain. 6-ply tires are the largest ATV tires that will fit nicely on your Honda Foreman 450. These are excellent for trail riding, muddy terrain, and MX racing. If you are using your quad on rocky trails or Baja, the latest addition to the off-road UTV and ATV tires is the 8-ply radial tires. These are not for the regular rider. They are expensive and were built for massive UTVs and 4x4 quads.

Alternative Tire Sizes for the Foreman 450:

ATVs are built to provide excellent performance to off-road riders and farmers. Riders can modify their vehicles to get the best out of them. That includes using different tire sizes besides the OEM. Alternative tire sizes provide riders with options and better performance. The extra height enhances the ground clearance while wider tires increase traction, improving stability.

ATVs and UTVs can easily fit slightly taller or broader tires without affecting ground clearance or overall performance. However, older quads, such as the Honda Foreman 450, which has been on the market since 1998, fitting taller tires can cause rubbing. In some instances, the stock tires are the only options for your ATV.

What about brakes?

The Honda Foreman 450 features hydraulic and mechanical drum brakes up front and rear, respectively. The aftermarket also provides complete rebuild kits for the Foreman 450 brake system for riders who prefer to rebuild instead of replacing the whole brake system. The kits contain everything required for an overhaul rebuild of the front brakes. 

• Exterior and Dimensions

The Honda Foreman 450 is 77.28 inches long and 45.3 inches wide. With a height of 45 inches from the ground, the Foreman 450 has a ground clearance of 7.7 inches, which can be increased by swapping the stock tires with taller tires. Its dry weight is 595 lbs. Its gross vehicle mass can go up to 1,102 lbs. - vehicle's carb weight plus passenger and cargo weight. The ATV's turning radius of 11.5 inches makes it a fun-to-ride vehicle.

The Foreman 450 features an exterior comprising a steel frame and lightweight plastic. It also features full floorboards for enhanced safety. Whether you are leaving your quad out in the sun or are riding it on snowy or muddy terrain, the materials used on the Foreman 450 are light, sturdy, and relatively easy to clean. However, for the extra careful lot, you can acquire a waterproof ATV cover from an online store to further protect your ATV from sun and rain.

• Suspension

The Honda Foreman 450 is perfectly engineered for stability and reliability. Its suspensions are designed to offer confidence through any terrain or job. The ATV features independent double-wishbone suspension with lower and vertical control arms at the front, which provides 5.9 inches of travel for improved stability and wheel alignment.

The rear suspension features a swing arm with a steel finish. Additionally, it comes with two shock absorbers that make the Foreman 450 perfect for hard work such as hauling. The swing arm provides 5.9 inches of travel.

• Additionally...

The quad has duo headlights on the fenders and a 45-watt light mounted on the handlebar. The three lights utilize multi-reflector lenses for enhanced light distribution. The Foreman 450 comes with a TraxLok system that gives riders the freedom to choose between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive. The 2WD offers lighter steering while the 4WD maximizes available traction.

Is The Honda Foreman 450 A Reliable Quad Or One To Be Avoided Like The Plague?

From freezing temperatures to massive mud bogs, the Honda Foreman 450 is perfectly engineered to deal with anything you throw at it. It has been extensively praised as one of the best and most reliable ATVs ever made. However, since it's a mechanical machine, there must be some shortcomings to watch out for.

To know whether you should buy or avoid the Honda Foreman 450, we have a compilation of some of the advantages and disadvantages (known issues) of this ATV.

Conclusion

The above table of advantages versus problems clearly shows that the Honda Foreman 450 doesn't have many disadvantages. It is, therefore, okay to conclude that this is a worthy quad. Older models encounter issues because many riders do not take good care of them. These vehicles can ride for years without asking for any major attention. As a result, riders tend to ignore them and do not give them the maintenance they require.

If you take good care of your quad, the Honda Foreman 450 will be the last quad you'll ever buy.