How Honda® Set the Stage for the Future UTV Scene

In the world of UTVs the single-seat UTVs is a great choice for the solo off-road enthusiast looking for something that is less expensive and more compact than the conventional two-seater UTVs. Although the Polaris® RZR RS1 is the only one-seater UTV on the market today, it definitely wasn’t the first. The Honda® Pilot was the unit that set the stage for all the UTVs you see on the market today. First appearing as the Honda® Odyssey in 1976, the Honda® Pilot was so well equipped that many are still seen today. Let’s take a look back at the Honda® Pilot and how it molded the UTV world into what it is today.

Honda® Odyssey – 1st Generation

Honda®’s single seat UTV line began in 1976 with the Honda® Odyssey (FL250). This UTV was fun to have but very basic. It was a yellow 2WD machine with a pull-start. It had 248cc, two-stroke engine, and no reverse gear. It lacked rear suspension which often resulted in cracked frames, and the roll cage didn't even cover the passenger area. Although it had a simple design the Honda® Odyssey became a very popular model because there was nothing else on the market like it.

Honda® Odyssey – 2nd Generation

The Honda® Odyssey 2nd Generation was debuted in 1981 with minimal changes from the original design. Some of the most noticeable changes made to the vehicle was a new and improved red color scheme and the full roll cage that added the protection for the driver. This new design definitely narrowed the gap between a unique “ATV” of the 80s and what we consider a sports UTV today.

Honda® Odyssey – 3rd Generation

The Honda® Odyssey 3rd Generation (FL350R) was introduced in 1985 with a much larger engine. At 342cc, the new and improved Odyssey has an electric start, a reserve gear, a rear suspension system, and a wider overall track. It also had a new red, white, and blue color scheme with a red roll cage, a blue seat, and white fenders. With the new improvements, this model was the best model of all Odyssey UTVs.

The Honda®

Pilot – 4th Generation

Four years after the release of the 3rd Generation Odyssey Honda® decided to revamp the single-seat UTV by giving it a brand new name. The Honda® Pilot (FL400R) was born in 1989, in what would become the last model of the single-seat UTV line for Honda®. Powered by an electric start the Honda® Pilot had a fully automatic 397cc 2 stroke-engine with a continuously variable transmission (with reverse). It added two rear view mirrors, headlights, and a 4pt. safety harness to the seat for additional protection. The Honda® Pilot was the best vehicle of the entire line but it was only around until 1990. Although it was only on the market for a short period of time it opened the door for the modern single-seat UTVs we see on the market today.

Honda® Pilot vs. Polaris® RZR RS1

Asking to compare the Honda® Pilot to the Polaris® RZR RS1 is not a fair fight because these two units were made about 29 years apart but we will definitely try! One of the greatest differences between these two models was their power. The Honda® Pilot ran a 397cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine, while the Polaris® RZR R1 has a 999cc, 4-stroke ProStar Twin that pumps out a pleasing 110 horsepower. Of course, there are some unquestionable differences in these two models such as the Honda® pilot had an aircraft-like yoke, and rather than pedals, the throttle and brake controls were on it. The yoke also had wrist restraints attached to the yoke to keep hands and arms safely inside the vehicle. This is definitely something you do not see in the RZR RS1 as it has a steering wheel, pedal for the brakes and doors to keep the driver inside the vehicle at all times. Both machines are pretty revolutionary for their day and both represent significant advancements for single-driver UTVs.

Although the Honda® Pilot disappeared in the early 90's it is evident that the influence that these units had on the evolution of the current performance UTV made today.

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