Honda FourTrax Recon ES specifications, dimensions and price
Honda · Utility
The FourTrax Recon ES is a 229cc, rear-wheel-drive utility ATV with direct shaft drive and electric shifting. Its 500 lb towing rating and 33/66 lb front/rear racks are lower than the Rancher’s listed limits. Compare its compact configuration and $5,099 base price against the need for four-wheel drive.
Honda FourTrax Recon ES
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 |
| Class | Utility |
| Engine | 229cc air-cooled longitudinally mounted single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Displacement | 229cc |
| Bore x stroke | 68.5x62.2 mm |
| Compression ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Fuel system | 22mm piston-valve carburetor |
| Transmission | Five-speed ATV-style semi-automatic with reverse, Honda's Electric Shift Program (ESP) |
| Drive system | Direct rear driveshaft (2WD only) |
| Front suspension | Independent double-wishbone |
| Front suspension travel | 5.1 in |
| Rear suspension | Swingarm with single shock |
| Rear suspension travel | 4.9 in |
| Front brake | Dual 130mm drums |
| Rear brake | 140mm drum |
| Front tire | 22x7-11 |
| Rear tire | 22x10-9 |
| Seat height | 31.2 in |
| Curb weight | 443 lb |
| Wheelbase | 44.5 in |
| Ground clearance | 6.0 in |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal |
| Front rack capacity | 33.0 lb |
| Rear rack capacity | 66.0 lb |
| Towing capacity | 500 lb |
| Starting MSRP | $5,099 |
| Destination charge | $620 |
What sets it apart from the bigger Hondas
They show the Recon is a light-duty tool. It costs $5,099, about $2,300 less than the Rancher 4x4.
Check the engine for oil seepage first, as part of a general condition inspection. Look at the electric-start battery. Check the front A-arm bushings and the tire wear.
Ask what the ATV was used for. Ask about load, terrain, storage and service history instead of inferring condition from the job description. Confirm that the racks are not bent.
- The Recon ES uses direct rear shaft drive
- Inspect that driveline rather than looking for a chain and sprockets. A used one should start easily and hold idle.
Recon ES against the Rancher 4x4 and TRX250X
Honda's Rancher 4x4 is the four-wheel-drive step up. The TRX250X uses the same 229cc engine in a sport chassis.
Honda Recon ES specifications identify a 229cc engine and direct rear driveshaft. Chain-maintenance advice for another ATV does not apply to its final drive.
The ATV Safety Institute control-reach assessment checks whether the rider can operate the controls from different riding positions, steer fully left and right and keep feet on the footrests. A seat-height measurement alone cannot establish that fit.
The FourTrax Recon ES is Honda's smallest utility ATV: a 229cc two-wheel-drive machine with electric start, meant for light farm work and easy trails. Reviewers stress its reliable engine and manageable weight, and a few owners report oil leaks.
Wild Ride ATV calls the engine reliable and efficient, with smooth power and good fuel efficiency that suit long rides or demanding work. It says a small number of riders have reported oil leaks from the engine or other components, which it calls not a widespread issue, and that the manageable weight allows easy handling and maneuvering for riders of different skill levels.
It concludes that durable wheels, manageable weight and proper oil maintenance make the Recon built for reliable, enjoyable riding.
The Recon has direct rear-wheel drive only, so it cannot pull itself through mud or snow the way the four-wheel-drive Rancher and Foreman do. It has 5.1 in of front and 4.9 in of rear suspension travel, racks rated for 33 lb and 66 lb, and a 500 lb towing rating. Those numbers are roughly half those of the Rancher. They show the Recon is a light-duty tool.
It costs $5,099, about $2,300 less than the Rancher 4x4.
Check the engine for oil seepage first, since that is the one problem owners mention. Look at the electric-start battery. Check the front A-arm bushings and the tire wear. Ask what the ATV was used for. A Recon used for hauling feed will have had a harder life than one used on a lawn. Confirm that the racks are not bent.
Look at the drive chain and sprocket. A used one should start easily and hold idle.
The Recon ES suits a small property owner or a rider who wants a cheap, reliable, easy-to-handle ATV for light work. It is not right for deep mud, steep hauling or heavy towing.
No. Honda lists a direct rear driveshaft and two-wheel drive only, which suits light work but limits it in mud and snow.
Wild Ride ATV says a small number of riders have reported oil leaks from the engine or other components, though it is not widespread.
Honda lists a 500 lb towing capacity, with 33 lb on the front rack and 66 lb on the rear rack. So it is a light-duty tool.