Frequently Asked Honda Pilot Questions - - ATV at Off-Road.com
ATV & UTV »
Frequently Asked Honda Pilot Questions

Source: ATV at Off-Road.com

1. Why doesn't Honda make Pilots anymore?

Honda would have the real answer for this question,but since you asked I will attempt my best guess:The price.In 1989 & 1990 there were plenty of high performance Quads available for thousands less than the $5995.00 retail price of the Pilot. Honda had a difficult time selling the Pilots and had new Pilots still in their warehouses until 1993. I believe if Honda made a new Pilot the price would be above $10,000. These were highly engineered cars and most of the hardware only fits the Pilot.


2. What is the price range on used Pilots?

Prices are highest in areas that have a lot of riding areas(West & East Coast). I have seen Pilots for sale in the Midwest for $1000 to $2000 less than the prices on either coast. Prices range from $4500 to $7000 for original equipped Pilots depending on condition, on the West coast.


3. What is considered a "good "condition Pilot?

I consider the general appearance of the Pilot when making this decision. No rust, no bent frame or roll cage, original tires and wheels, the surfaces of the clutch and rear pulley should be smooth ,no grooves(the clutch runs around $350.00 and the pulley is around $450.00). The plastic should be in good condition(all the plastic for the Pilot runs over a $1000.00). I prefer Pilots that are not modified-that way I can do the work myself and don't have to wonder if the previous owner knew what he was doing. If any of the above are not in this condition the price should reflect the repair cost.


4. Do you have any Pilots for sale?

I will post any Pilots for sale at the top of my page at AOL,click HERE to check


5. What are the differences between the 1989 and 1990 Pilot?

The 90's had larger diameter upper front A-arms, a different flag base,muffler and guard. None of this affects the performance of either year.


6. What are the differences between the 1985 FL350 and the Pilot?

1989 & 1990 PILOT F400R

1985-FL350

400cc water cooled

A-arm independent suspension

LENGTH: 96.4 inches

WIDTH: 50.50 inches

HEIGHT: 57.2 inches

GROUND CLEARANCE: 5.3 inches

WHEELBASE: 62.2 inches

FUEL CAPACITY: 4.2 Gallons

WEIGHT: 605 pounds

350cc air cooled

Trailing arm suspension

LENGTH: 85 inches

WIDTH: 58.1 inches

HEIGHT: 56.5 inches

GROUND CLEARANCE: 8.3 inches

WHEELBASE: 60.6 inches

FUEL CAPACITY: 3.8 Gallons?

WEIGHT: 602 pounds

(Thanks to MJRicci1@aol.com for the great pic)

In short, the Pilot does everything the FL350 does, just better. The water cooled engine allows you to ride for 2 hours without stopping. With an air cooled engine you have to let it cool at least every 45 minutes. The independent suspension on the Pilot provides for a very well handling machine and the ride is much smoother. I have found the Pilot to be much more reliable than the FL350. Honda really over engineered the Pilot. I have owned my first Pilot since 1992 and have rolled it at least 30 separate times with damage only to the tie rods,A-arms and roll cage(all easily repaired or replaced). No frame,engine or transmission damage has occurred from this. The Odyssey's trailing arm suspension would never stand up to the abuse I have put my Pilot through.?Don't get me wrong ,the FL350 is a very capable machine that sells for thousands less than the Pilot and is still a lot of fun for the $.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OffRoadDotCom
Comments and Questions from our Readers
 Posted 2007-06-04 11:13:31.0
I bought my son his first Honda Pilot for Christmas. He was able to ride it for two weeks then the crank bearing went out. The local Honda dealer will not provide service and it's been sitting torn apart for two months. We need the tools to remove the flywheel and clutch hub. Thanks, Ben
 Posted 2007-06-19 20:17:29.0
what is a good base line jetting for a 89 pilot. the main and idle or slow jet size
 Posted 2008-01-27 11:12:03.0
i bought a oddyssey and motor is shot want put pilot motor in do u know where i can find a motor and after market part
 Posted 2008-02-25 20:33:57.0
I just recently purchased a Kawasaki Ninja 1000cc engine and am thinking about putting it into a Pilot. In your opinion is the frame and suspension strong enough to support that much weight difference and torque? I wouldnt be driving it that much off road mainly just around town. Iam trying to make a mini rail buggy.... thanks
 Posted 2008-12-16 17:59:28.0
please can anyone tell me how easy/hard it would be to put a honda fireblade engine into my pilot, or advise of an extremely fast engine suitable of an easy swap over, thinking i will obviously i will still need a reverse gear,and ideally sticking with the automatic clutch or would a quick shift be needed for these types of quick engines??? needs to be quick but a simplish job as i may need to pay labour to local garage to do work..... any advise greatly appreciated...
 Posted 2009-01-12 16:58:24.0
I have a 1989 pilot and the cylinder is 85mm? I'm having a heck of a time finding replacement parts or even a whole engine. could you steer me in the right direction please.
 Posted 2009-03-17 12:06:55.0
I bought a 1989 400 pilot and have the same qeustions that are posted and would like to know the answers to. I need to know were to get parts and find some performance parts.Can you help?
 Posted 2009-06-03 14:36:50.0
I would like to change the jets, I have stock jets and am running 32/1 mixture. I bought some jets about a year ago but never put them in and i do not know where they are now. I need to know what size jet to put in and if i can get them from the local honda store. I am running too rich with the stock jets.
 Posted 2009-08-01 18:52:47.0
Would like answers to the same questions everyone else is asking, where can I get an engine & parts for my 89 Honda Pilot. I sure miss riding it!
Read More Comments
post a comment
Your email address will NOT be published.
appears with your comment
read our privacy policy
Note: does not support HTML
All comments submitted are subject to review, and may be delayed before posting. We reserve the right not to post comments.
Untitled Document
Sponsored Links
Off-Road Videos -
Check out over ten years of extreme 4x4 action, product testing and the Off Road Nation at play. Baja racing to rock crawling, ATVs in the sand to motorcycles in the dirt, it's all here. Rate them, share them and upload your own.
ATV Reviews -
Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Kawasaki, Can-Am. First rides to long-term tests, check out the latest in ATVs, UTVs and Side-by-Side vehicles of every make and model. Read expert opinions and follow custom project vehicles.
Axxxtion Sports.....
Axxxtion Sports is heating things up with their 2010 Winter Heat snowmobile calendar! Simply Sexy!

Enewsletters

Stay on Top of All the Action:
Sign up for Off-Road.com's Enewsletters

Source: ATV at Off-Road.com,
Click here