2023 HONDA TALON 1000 R-4

of compression stiffness at all four corners in real time. It makes the Talon feel extremely flat and stable in almost any terrain, but it can get pretty stiff at times. The Talon 1000 R-4 does feel like a great improvement versus the earlier Live Valve equipped Talons from a ride quality standpoint.

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

Not much has changed here besides the addition of the full doors with integrated storage. The Talon’s dash cubbies, inner door pockets, glove box and under seat storage offer quite a bit of combined area to store things you will need on the trail. Inside the Talon is a nice place to be, although it looks a bit dated parked next to the new RZR XP in this issue. Honda’s instrument cluster is slightly different than it was on previous Talon models as well. The Talon still features Honda’s window nets, which we like.

Minor plastic changes and lots more color matching make the 2023 Talon R-4’s stand out, especially in the Pearl Red colorway. Honda also fitted the Talon with a new wheel design this year. The wheel looks great, we just wish it was wrapped in a 30 inch tire instead of the Talon R’s tiny 28’s.

TIRES/WHEELS/BRAKES

Honda plays very conservative with tire size. We get it, it lowers the center of gravity, makes the car handle a little sharper, and is much easier on components. However, in the Southwest, big tires are king. They roll over holes and obstacles better at speed, providing a more comfortable and more stable ride. Ground clearance in some of the rocky sections also improves. Despite having a smaller 28 inch tire, the Talon delivers a very capable and smooth ride, even in choppy, whooped terrain.

The new wheels look great, but some owners will lament the lack of a beadlock apparatus at this price point. In our opinion, the top trim UTV models should all come with beadlock wheels, although most Honda OEM wheels have insane bead grip strength. If you have ever tried to debead a tire on a Honda wheel at camp to replace a tire, you will know exactly what we mean- they just don’t come off the wheel. Brakes on the Talon are excellent. Great pedal feel and good progression allow you to slow the car without locking the wheels up.

Competition

The Talon 1000 R-4 has a ton of competition. The $28,499 Kawasaki Teryx KRX 4 1000 eS is its most direct competition and a few thousand more expensive. The KRX does have a smoother-riding suspension and more interior room than the Talon, but the Talon has a better engine and transmission package. Polaris’ new RZR XP 4 is also a contender. In terms of options, the RZR XP has no Live Valve model, so the $26,999 Premium trim is a good substitute for a heads-up comparison. Polaris’ 181 horsepower RZR XP 4 Sport is $27,799, albeit with no Live Valve. Yamaha has yet to release a four seat YXZ (we are still holding out hope), and Can-Am’s 135 horsepower X3 Max DS Turbo slots in at $25,099. That puts this Talon in very deep waters – there are a ton of great cars for around $26,000 right now.

Impressions

We came away impressed with the Talon 1000 R-4. We had gone into this thinking we knew exactly what it would be like, considering we have spent so much time in two-seat R and four-seat X Talons. The overall package came together a little better than we had anticipated, especially in regards to the new steering. The more robust parts feel just that from the wheel, allowing you to focus more on driving the Talon hard. The suspension settings are also very good for fast-paced driving. Honda has the R-4 set up to carry weight, so it feels a little stiff in Sport unless it is weighed down.

The Talon’s retuned ignition map makes for a slightly smoother power delivery down low, making the car a little easier to drive in U-turn and loading situations, as well as when crawling. It did not seem to detract a bit from the power of the Talon’s twin cylinder engine. The Talon still has one of the all-time greatest-sounding UTV engines. Hearing it rev out and crack off a lightning-quick dual clutch shift is just awesome. Honda has spent a lot of time fine-tuning the transmission’s driving modes, and it shows. The Talon seems like a well-orchestrated machine, offering a fun driving experience and comfort at speed. It handles big bumps and rutted turns well, and only improves when you get the right weight balance and suspension adjustments done for your gear and passengers.

The 2023 Talon 1000 R-4 is a great 4-seat UTV for the driver that wants an engaging experience coupled with Honda build quality and something different than a CVT-equipped machine. The Talon’s engine and transmission are its standout qualities, but the R’s suspension is a close second.

SPECIFICATIONS MACHINE: 2023 HONDA TALON 1000 R-4 ENGINE PERFORMANCE 4 TRANSMISSION 5 ENGINE BRAKING 5 SUSPENSION 4 HANDLING 4 RIDE COMFORT 4 BRAKING 4 WHEELS & TIRES 3 ERGONOMICS 4 MAINTENANCE 5 INSTRUMENTATION 3 FIT & FINISH 5 OVERALL QUALITY 5 CABIN NOISE 5 CARGO 5 PRICE 4 TOTAL OUT OF 80 69

TIRES UTV

Front,

WHEELS 15-inch cast aluminum, non-beadlock FRONT

MSRP

Talon 1000R-4 FOX Live Valve – $25,799

Talon 1000X-4 FOX Live Valve – $24,799

Talon 1000R FOX Live Valve – $23,499

Talon 1000X FOX Live Valve – $22,499

COLORS Pearl Red; Matte Navy Blue