2023 Honda Talon 1000RS

Chassis

• CHASSIS DIMENSIONS: The Talon 1000RS’s 92.7-inch wheelbase contributes to this sport side-by-side’s tracking, and also gives you a super-smooth ride. At 68.4 inches wide and longer than the Talon 1000XS, it places an emphasis on high-speed tracking and gives excellent control in whoops and rough terrain.
• 4+ LINK REAR SUSPENSION: On both of the Talon 1000RS models, Honda 4+ link rear suspension is one of the secrets to its superior handling. Controlling wheel geometry is difficult with so much travel, but with the Talon 1000RS’s suspension, even with 20.1 inches of travel, the rear-wheels’ toe varies only 0.3 degree throughout entire stroke for better chassis stability under extreme suspension deflection.
• HIGH-PERFORMANCE DISC BRAKES: A high-performance side-by-side needs high-performance brakes. The Talon 1000RS’ power, chassis and suspension travel helps take these side-by-sides to the next level. Front and rear the Talon 1000RS features 250mm discs, with 34mm twin-piston calipers in front and 34mm single-piston calipers in the rear. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) optimizes front and rear braking power under dynamic chassis conditions in two-wheel drive.
• INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION: Dual A-arm suspension gives you 17.7 inches of travel in the front. Pair that with stellar ground clearance and you begin to understand two reasons why the Talon 1000RS handles so well and is so comfortable in rough terrain.
• LONG WHEELBASE: The Talon 1000RS’ 92.7-inch wheelbase contributes to this sport side-by-side’s tracking, and also gives you a super-smooth ride. A bit longer than the Talon 1000XS’, it places an emphasis on high-speed tracking and gives excellent control in whoops and rough terrain.
• FRONT/REAR WEIGHT BALANCE: Exhaustive testing shows that for serious sport driving, a slight rear weight bias is best. That’s why we set the Talon 1000RS up with 44 percent of its weight over the front, and 56 percent over the rear. Uphill, downhill, over whoops and in g-outs, the Talon 1000RS just flat-out works.
• DUAL-RATE SPRINGS: The Talon 1000RS’ suspension springs offer soft initial travel, yet resist bottoming for both comfortable ride and control—the best of both worlds.
• DURABLE FRAME FINISH: Your new Talon’s frame looks great, and it will keep looking good for a long time. That’s because we fully dip it in an electrostatic surface treatment inside and out during manufacture, and then powder coat the whole thing to help resist chipping.
• FRONT BUMPER: Here’s something you can see and experience for yourself. The Talon 1000RS’ standard front bumper offers a degree of vehicle protection some other side-by-sides lack. But this smart design doesn’t compromise performance, because it’s designed to slide smoothly over obstacles in rough approach conditions, enhancing off-road clearance and maneuverability while still offering good protection.
• RECOVERY HOOK POINT: Built in to the Talon 1000RS’ chassis design, this attaching point makes it easy to secure your Talon 1000RS for transport, and also makes it easy to hook up a recovery strap when your buddy on some other brand of side-by-side gets stuck. Make them buy you lunch as a payback.

Design

• DRIVER/PASSENGER PROTECTION: The Talon 1000RS’ Occupant Protection Structure uses large-diameter tubing, and meets ISO’s rollover protection standard. The standard-equipment hard doors and quick-clip side nets help keep debris from entering the cabin. Auto-style three-point seatbelts are equipped with an emergency locking retractor mechanism, to help optimize passenger security. (The Talon 1000RS’ seats are also four-point compatible for competition use.)
• ADJUSTABLE DRIVER’S SEAT: Honda has a ton of data and experience on seats, thanks to our auto division. And while just about every sport side-by-side has an adjustable driver’s seat, only the Talon gets it right. Designed to fit a wide range of operators, it also locks positively in position without wobble, helping make you feel more connected to the vehicle.
• PAINTED BODY: Why paint and not color-molded plastic? Because the Talon 1000RS’ painted body parts resist scratching better, and we know that where you’re going to be driving this side-by-side, you won’t want to slow down for a little brush by the side of the trail. Plus, they just look better—the first time you see a Talon 1000RS in person, we’re sure you’ll agree.
• TILT WHEEL: With a tilt steering wheel, you’re ensured an even more comfortable experience, especially under high-performance driving conditions. The tilt-wheel function can also make getting in and out of the Talon easier.
• PASSENGER “T” GRAB HANDLE: Your passenger needs a solid way to hold on, but it took the Talons to get this feature right. The passenger “T” handle is quick adjustable, but just as important it adjusts solidly and rattle free.
• LCD DISPLAY: The multi-function LCD dash display is large enough to host loads of information, like speed, fuel level, engine speed, transmission mode, fuel gauge, coolant temperature, trip information and more. It even includes a clock, so you’ll always know when it’s time for some fun.
• HARD DOORS: The Talon 1000RS' wide doors (standard equipment) make entry and exit easier. Plus, the doors use an automotive-style double-latch design that provides a secure, rattle-free feel.
• ROOF: Typical of our attention to detail, the Talon 1000RS’ roof is specially designed to divert rainwater away from occupants. And unlike some others, it’s also designed to be aerodynamically cooperative when transporting the vehicle, whether you’re trailering it forward or backward.
• TWIN-LEVEL PASSENGER FOOTRESTS: Some side-by-sides treat their occupants like they’re flying in economy class. Not the Talon 1000RS. You’ve got acres of legroom here, even for six-foot-plus passengers wearing bulky boots. The special two-level passenger footrests let you brace yourself solidly over rough terrain, and stretch out when just cruising along. The Talon 1000RS is designed to accommodate a wide range of passengers in comfort.
• COMFORTABLE SEATS: The Talon’s seats have been designed to be the most comfortable in the industry. They feature a wide 530mm seatback that’s 800mm high, and an even wider 540mm seat bottom. They don’t rattle. They don’t hold water. They offer tons of lateral support. And the driver’s side is positively adjustable to fit a wide variety of operator heights. They’re even compatible with four-point harnesses for competition use. Your connection to your side-by-side starts here, and even before you start moving, you’ll know the Talon 1000RS is the right ride for you.
• INTEGRATED INNER DOOR HANDLE: Another “small” detail, but one you, and especially your passengers, will come to appreciate. The integrated inner door handle is another example of the premium the Talon 1000RS puts on comfort and convenience. You’ll use it dozens of times each weekend, and wonder why all side-by-sides aren’t built this way.
• LARGE CARGO BED: Lunchtime? We’re on it. The Talon 1000RS’ cargo bed sits up high, out of harm’s way and where it’s easily accessible. Big enough to easily hold a large 45-quart cooler with room to spare, it has a 299-pound capacity (that’s a lot of burgers) and features six strong tie-down points.
• DOOR NETS: A small detail? Not when you’ve wrestled with some other designs or aftermarket add-ons out there. On the Talon, our door nets are standard equipment. They latch and unlatch quickly and easily. Performance counts, and we’ve made it easier to help protect yourself from the elements.
• GENEROUS, SECURE CUP HOLDERS: Hey, we’re out here to have a good time, and who wants to be thirsty? And that means taking something to drink with you. The Talon 1000RS’ twin cup holders securely hold the 30-ounce off-road standard, as well as plenty of other travel cups.
• BUILT IN THE U.S.A.: The Talon 1000RS is purpose-built for the American market, right in America. Domestically and globally sourced parts are all assembled at our plant in Timmonsville, South Carolina, and once these side-by-sides roll off the line, they’re ready to explore every corner of the country.
• FLAG MOUNT: On other side-by-sides, things like a flag mount are an afterthought. Not on a Talon. No detail escapes our designers’ full attention. The Talon’s flag mount is fully integrated into the design, and easy to use.

Drivetrain

• AUTOMATIC SIX-SPEED DCT TRANSMISSION: The convenience of an automatic with the strength, control, and efficiency of a manual, our Honda gear-driven DCT lets you drive the way you want. Choose between manual mode or fully automatic. Plus, the addition of Sport Mode increases the fun, shifting at higher RPMs for a spirited, full-performance driving experience. DCT puts you in control as to what engine speed you want, and what gear ratio. Or you can let it do all the thinking for you. In addition, you also get genuine engine braking and more efficient power delivery than a belt-driven CVT.
• i-4WD: The Talon 1000RS showcases the second generation of our exclusive i-4WD system, specifically tuned to respond quicker and capable of delivering even more drive force. Think “i” for “intelligent,” because that’s exactly what it is. An industry-first brake-traction control system for side-by-sides, it simplifies operation, increases drivability and optimizes available traction. Based on proven, advanced technology from our automotive division, you get the benefits associated with a locked front differential with none of the downsides. That means it helps maintain front-wheel traction even if one wheel wants to spin on ice or mud or if it’s in a hole. But at the same time, you get the lighter steering, better tracking at high speeds, tighter turning radius, and reduced kickback associated with unlocked front differentials. Special software tunes the i-4WD system for sport use.
• LAUNCH MODE: Nobody wants to get beat off the line, and with a Honda Talon you’ll be the one doing the laughing. Talons are the only side-by-sides with both automatic transmissions and a Launch Mode. And it’s easy to use: Just hold down the brake, press the Launch Mode switch, hold both paddle shifters back, floor the gas pedal, and release the paddles. Hold on tight, because you’re going to be feeling serious acceleration. The DCT automatically shifts up too, so you keep going through all the gears. Launch Mode even features a special yaw control, so you launch straight and true.
• RELENTLESS DURABILITY: When it comes to strength and toughness, the Talon 1000RS leads the way. The oversized 87mm CV joints, beefy 39.7mm driveshafts and strong U-joints are all built to survive the loads that low-speed rockcrawling can generate—and which cause driveline failures in so many other side-by-sides.
• PADDLE SHIFTING: Steering column-mounted paddle shifters add a serious dose of performance and a handful of fun in every drive. In Manual mode, the paddle shifters let you shift without ever taking your hands off the steering wheel, and in Automatic mode, they let you override the current gear with a quick up or downshift, holding that gear for several seconds before returning back to Automatic mode.
• PADDLE-SHIFTER SHAPE: One of the great aspects of our Talons’ automatic DCT transmission is how much control you have. We made manual shifting even more fun, by reshaping our paddle shifters and making them larger too.
• HIGH/LOW SUBTRANSMISSION: With a full 42 percent gear reduction between High and Low, you get the torque you need in all six gears. That’s sure to come in handy when driving over difficult terrain, scaling hills or rock crawling.
• HILL START ASSIST: Need to stop while going uphill? Hill Start Assist automatically holds your Talon 1000RS in position while you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator—there’s no roll-back drama. It even works on the downhills, too!
• 2WD/4WD/SHIFT ON THE FLY: Want to access all of the available traction? Put it in i-4WD. Need maximum power at all four wheels? i-4WD eliminates the need for traditional locking differentials. Want to use 2WD for lighter steering or specific terrain? The Talon 1000RS lets you do it all, and the best part is, you can do it all with the push of a button.
• CV JOINT BOOT PROTECTION: Tear a CV boot, and it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be making a costly replacement. That’s why we give the Talon 1000RS’ CV joints double protection: First, we design them to tuck up tight covered by the suspension arms. Second, the CV joints themselves get a special guard to offer even more protection.
• ADVANCED TRANSMISSION LOGIC: The brain of the DCT, Advanced Transmission Logic, senses how you drive and adapts. Relaxed drivers get earlier shifts for a quieter ride at lower engine speeds. Sportier drivers will hold each gear longer for higher RPM shifts. And when going downhill, you get true gear-driven engine braking. Now that’s a smart transmission.
• SPIRAL RING AND PINION REAR FINAL DRIVE: Spiral-cut gears in your Talon 1000RS’ final drive mean the load is shared over several teeth, not just one, and that means they’re quieter and produce less vibration too.
• CONNECTED DRIVE FEELING: Compared to a CVT transmission, the Talon 1000RS’ positive automatic gear-driven DCT gearbox gives you a far more connected feel with your side-by-side. Combine that with the Talon 1000R’s responsive engine, and you’ll see why a Talon 1000RS gives you a superior sense of control.
• ENGINE LOCATION: Balance is the key to great handling, and that’s why we put the Talon 1000RS’s engine where we do. Mounted behind the cab, it results in an excellent, neutral weight distribution.
• LOW-EXPANSION BRAKE HOSES: By fitting the Talon with low expansion brake hoses, you get better pedal feel and rock-solid braking performance.
• ELECTRIC POWER STEERING: Standard equipment on all Talon models, our Electric Power Steering system helps eliminate bump steer through rocky and rutted terrain, which reduces fatigue. What makes it even better is the added assist you get when you need it most, like when you’re in 4WD, driving at lower speeds, or maneuvering over rough conditions. Plus, the system is specially tuned to give you the right amount of feedback for sport-driving.
• HONDA DURABILITY: Because our DCT is built with steel gears inside, there are no drive belts to slip, break, or burn up, and there’s no torque converter. It's as tough and efficient as any manual gearbox.

Engine

• POWERFUL 999cc TWIN-CYLINDER ENGINE: Sport side-by-sides need power, and you’re sure to find that the Talon 1000RS offers plenty of it. The Talon 1000RS’ 999cc liquid-cooled inline twin delivers the kind of powerful torque and quick-revving horsepower you’d expect from a flagship sport model, but is equally responsive in lower revs and in the critical midrange too. Set longitudinally in the chassis and managed by our sophisticated PGM-FI engine-mapping system, it delivers the kind of refinement no other side-by-side can match.
• UNICAM CYLINDER HEAD DESIGN: The Talon 1000RS’s 999cc liquid-cooled inline twin uses the same proven Unicam® cylinder head design found in our championship-winning CRF450R motocrosser. That helps make the engine more compact, which lets us position it for optimal weight distribution and ground clearance.
• ROLLER ROCKER ARMS: Roller-tip rocker arms in the Talon 1000RS’s valve train help reduce engine friction, facilitate higher, faster revs, and contribute to more efficient engine operation and power. They’re another example of Honda refinement you may not see, but that you’ll feel with every ride.
• HIGH LIFT, LONG DURATION CAMSHAFT: Giving the Talon 1000RS’ engine a camshaft with high lift and long duration helps transform the engine. Better breathing helps the Talon 1000 make more power, and keeps that power coming all the way to redline.
• INCREASED THROTTLE BORE SIZE: Complementing the Talon 1000RS’s potent camshaft specs, our engineers also gave the engine twin 46mm bores for more airflow and better breathing. You’ll feel it the first time you floor the throttle, and you’ll hear it too, with the Talon 1000RS’s throaty intake roar.
• HIGH-FLOW FUEL INJECTORS: Here’s a math lesson that’s anything but boring: More air plus more fuel equals more power. With the hot cam, throttle body and high-flow fuel injectors, the Talon 1000RS’s engine is the total package for total off-road performance.
• OFFSET DUAL-PIN CRANKSHAFT: The crankshaft seems such a simple part, but it’s here that so much of the engine’s character is determined. By offsetting the cylinders’ two crankpins by 270 degrees, the Talon 1000RS’s engine delivers a wide powerband and abundant torque. Counterbalancers help keep everything running smoothly.
• TUNED EXHAUST: The final part of the Talon 1000RS’s balanced power equation: improved intake and more fuel delivery require an equally tuned exhaust system. The Talon 1000RS delivers. Not only does it deliver some beautiful mechanical music, but it helps the engine deliver smooth, even power from partial throttle to wide-open running.
• HIGH-CAPACITY COOLING SYSTEM: Rock crawling, deserts, dunes, and high-altitude operation can all challenge your side-by-side’s cooling system. That’s why we gave all our Talons a high-capacity system. Tested under some of the most arduous conditions we could find, you can rest assured your engine will remain cool, calm, and collected when the going gets tough.
• OIL-JET PISTONS: Another invisible example of our Honda race-winning engineering. Squirting oil up onto the underside of the Talon’s pistons help them run cooler and seal better. The combination makes for longer piston life, and more power. The design also lets us use lighter pistons, for a faster-revving engine.
• 10mm CYLINDER OFFSET: By building the Talon 1000RS’s engine with the cylinder bore 10mm in front of the crankshaft, we changed the thrust forces on the pistons’ skirts and faces. That helps the rings seal better. It’s all part of the Honda story—numbers only tell a small part; design details like these make your Talon 1000RS the best in class.
• SPINY SLEEVE CYLINDER LINER: Another example of the famous Honda attention to detail and unmatched engineering. This unique system positively locks the steel cylinder liner and the aluminum cylinder block together. The result is more contact surface area, and that means better engine cooling and heat transfer for superior engine performance.
• SEMI-DRY-SUMP LUBRICATION: Proven in Honda racing engines, keeping engine oil away from the crankshaft helps eliminate windage losses. The semi-dry-sump design also helps ensure more positive oiling under the extreme driving conditions a Talon 1000RS driver can experience. Better engine lubrication and longer engine life are the result.
• ENGINE AIR INTAKE: To get the most out of your engine, you need the best air going into it. That’s why we positioned the air filter up high over the engine in the rear, and the air intake off to the side. It helps ensure a clean air supply, even at deeper fording depths.
• RUBBER-MOUNT ENGINE AND EXHAUST: Some of the most impressive Talon 1000RS features are those you’ll never see. In addition to the suspension and ground clearance, we rubber-mounted the engine and exhaust system to insulate the cabin against excessive vibration. We also gave them four engine mounts to add strength under high-performance driving operation.
• POWER: Because our Honda all-gear Automatic DCT Transmission is so efficient, it has more rear-wheel horsepower than some of the competitors in the class.