Honda
Review - ATV & SXS Links |
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Cockeysville, MD (12/23/2014) –
While some ATV racers head south for the winter
to beginning training and practicing for the upcoming
ATV race season, others don’t have that option,
and training on a sport ATV in the snow isn’t
the best option, but I started thinking that a
utility ATV would make for a great winter training
vehicle, so I purchased a
2013 Honda Foreman
500 Utility ATV and with the help of
HMF Engineering, Impact Solutions, Elka Suspension,
DWT Tires and Wheels, Fasst Company, PowerMadd,
Rox Speed FX, Ricochet, and UNI Filters, I built
the Honda Foreman 500 into a great winter training
ATV.
The Utility ATV overall size and weight not
only helps develop better maneuvering skills
on a sport quad, but the weight of the utility
ATV adds strength training as an addition benefit.
The utility ATV would also allow ride time during
these colder months and would also save the
sport quad from excess wear and tear that the
cold and snow puts on the parts and engines.
I started to do some research and found that
there were some left over models at dealers
throughout the nation. It was a buyers market
and deals were to be made. My local dealer had
2013 Honda Foreman 500 utility ATVon sale and
the price was just shy of $5500.00. Two color
schemes were available red and camouflage; I
opted for the camo and made my purchase.
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We
took the stock 2013
Honda Foreman 500 out for a break
in session and to also get familiar with
how the quad handled and performed before
we did our modifications. |
Knowing that we had to bring Honda Foreman
500 to life, I contacted HMF Engineering to
see what they had to offer. As one of the industries
leading manufactures in aftermarket exhaust
and performance products I was not surprised
that they not only had several silencers to
choose from but also had a programmable ECU
called The Optimizer to further increase the
engines ability to make power. I ordered a sleek
black silencer, the Optimizer, and a Uni air
filter to compliment the upgrades.
Upon arrival the parts were inspected and notably the quality of craftsmanship is always recognizable with HMF products. I have used them on my XC racer for years and have always been impressed with these truly made in America exhausts.
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We got a hold of our friends over at HMF and they provided us with a new HMF Performance Exhaust that not only sounds better but adds to the overall performance of the Honda Foreman 5000 |
The Optimizer was installed first, which is a very simple plug and play unit. Basically disconnect the stock unit plug in each end into the optimizer, route the wires and the control unit to the battery, connect the black wire to the negative terminal and you are in business.
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We
paired the HMF exhaust with their Optimizer
Programmable ECU on the Honda Foreman
500 |
The Optimizer comes programmed from the factory, but can also be programmed based upon altitude and modifications.
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We installed the HMF Optimizer in a matter of minutes with its plug-and-play design! |
