Unparalleled handling
Honda's revolutionary variable assistance Electric Power Steering (EPS) ensures handling that’s second to none. The system monitors steering loads and vehicle speed to adjust the levels of steering assist and feel. As speed increases, the amount of assistance is reduced to provide the appropriate level of feedback. The EPS also acts as a damper to greatly reduce undesirable kickback through the handlebars in rough or rocky terrain.

In addition to the ESP automatic transmission, the "Canadian Trail Edition" designation adds a fully-independent front and rear suspension developed from extensive testing on Canadian trails. The double-wishbone setup provides generous wheel travel, while the bespoke shock absorbers improve traction and the ride both in low- and high-speed conditions. The exceptional ground clearance (231mm) is ideally suited for our rough terrain and helps reduce wheel spin and thus tire wear.

Meanwhile, the outstanding braking system uses dual discs up front and a single disc in the back, with thicker pads for greater durability. The rear brake caliper includes a self-adjusting mechanical parking brake.

TRX420 doesn’t go unnoticed
I liked the ergonomic riding position (I’m an average-sized rider) with a comfortable seat, conveniently-located handlebars and comprehensive, easy-to-read instrumentation. There’s a place to fix your GPS and the trip meter is useful to calculate range and assist in navigation.

I liked the ergonomic riding position with a comfortable seat and conveniently-located handlebars.

The large cargo racks can carry payloads of up to 90 kilos (200 pounds), while the heavy-duty trailer hitch provides 386 kg (850 lbs) of towing capacity. The 13.6-litre fuel tank will satisfy most long-distance riders.

I didn’t expect to find all these great attributes underneath the skin of this TRX. From the get-go, I felt the tremendous responsiveness of the engine -- it can rev up in a real hurry – and the quick, lurch-free shifts in automatic mode. I also enjoyed the impressive agility of the machine as I made my way through tight turns and steep hills. Crossing muddy tire ruts was easy in 4WD mode, especially with those super-effective stock tires.

Using ESP to manually operate the transmission with the push-buttons on the left handlebar, I was able to attack the tougher sections of my (secret) trail network in 4WD mode. This setting is not really suited for sporty riding since gear changes are slower. It does however make the TRX feel more at ease dealing with challenging technical trails.

The suspension is very effective at soaking up bumps when riding at medium speeds. However, since I’m a more relaxed type of rider, I had to endure some more serious hits from time to time as I followed the contour of every bump and hole. Compression and rebound adjustments for the shocks would help here, as they would make for a smoother ride regardless of vehicle speed or trail conditions. Another slight fault is the position of the throttle lever -- it's a tad too far and stretches the articulation of my (old) thumb when riding over bumps.

A happy mix of performance, comfort and ease of use
Here’s an ATV that will make many users happy. Equally fun in normal and sporty riding conditions, the 2009 Honda TRX420PG CTE stands out by offering a comfortable, easy and satisfying ride in most conditions. It’s a good fit for our trails, a pleasantly nervous performer and a quick operator in automatic mode -- qualities that will satisfy just about everybody!


Engine power and smoothness
Efficient gearbox in automatic mode
Nice fit and finish


Likes quicker riding more than slow poking




None




Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux