Honda 300 Fourtrax
Honda Motor Company Ltd. was incorporated in Japan in 1946 by Soichiro Honda. The automobile manufacturer began with engines for two-wheeler motorcycles. The company emerged as one of the leading producers of powerful automobiles like ATVs, UTVs, quads, motorcycles, and more.
Honda 300 FourTrax is an entry-level ATV quad designed for farms and work sites. It is a utility vehicle with a capable single-cylinder engine, solid body frame, and four-wheel drive features. It also happens to be the best-selling ATV by the manufacturer. Honda sold more than half a million units of this model. It manufactured FourTrax 300 for a dozen years, starting from 1988, when it was first launched.
Let’s read about Honda 300 FourTrax.
What You Need to Know about Honda FourTrax 300
FourTrax 300 ruled the ATV market by delivering high performance in various ways. It came with a 282cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine and touched a top speed of 45 mph with a towing capacity of 850 lbs and a load capacity close to 200 lbs. FourTrax 300 was a perfect vehicle to drive on farms, workshops, and remote job sites with rough and uneven roads.
It came in two models- 2WD and 4WD. The ATV was loved by farmers, workers, and people who loved to ride into the forests and trails whenever possible. It has a single seat where two people can sit comfortably (one at the front and one at the rear like a typical motorcycle).
Furthermore, FourTrax had a riding elevation of up to 10,000 feet, which made it a go-to choice for adventurers. They could ride up and down the hilly slopes with ease. The carriage grills at the front and rear ensured that your cargo was securely tied in place.
Thanks to the reliable engine, the mileage was also great. The ATV quad offered around 25 miles of coverage with just 0.7 gallons in the reserve. Assuring, right? There’s more!
In the 1995 model, Honda introduced a new design where the crankshaft is perpendicular to the axles. The shafts transfer power to all four wheels while reducing the center of mass. It made the vehicle more stable and controlled on uneven roads and slopes. The subsequent models also had a few tweaks and changes to increase the performance and reliability of the ATV.
Specifications and Features of Honda FourTrax 300
Honda FourTrax 300 has a sturdy and heavy-duty body frame made of steel and comes in three colors, beige, red, and olive (red seems to be a crowd favorite).
| Dimensions: | 75* 43.9* 41.5 inches (LWH) |
| Dry Weight: | 439 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3.3 gallons (with 0.7 gallons as reserve) |
| Fluid Capacity | 2.6 quarts |
| Load Capacity: | 66 lbs on the front and 132 lbs in the rear |
| Towing Capacity: | 850 lbs |
| Wheelbase: | 48.8 inches |
Engine and Ignition
FourTrax 300 has a 282cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke SOHC engine with 20 horsepower and a compression ratio of 9.0:1. It is a powerful engine that can handle all kinds of terrains with great ease. The manufacturer recommends using gasoline with an Octane number of more than 86 or 91. Use Honda’s 4-stroke engine oil for best performance.
The ATV has digital ignition and a kick-starter as a backup. The battery, airbox, and the ignition’s electrical system are placed under the seat for convenience.
Drivetrain
FourTrax 300 has a five-speed transmission with additional lower gear and reverse gear. It has an automatic clutch. The entire system is relatively maintenance-free, similar to other Honda vehicles. The vehicle has two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants to choose from. Needless to say, the 4*4 is more popular in the market.
The gear-driven counter-balancer is the highlight of this model. It makes driving on wet and muddy terrains smoother and less risky. No more worrying about getting stuck or slipping.
Shocks, Suspension, and Brakes
FourTrax 300 has Arvin shocks at the front and rear. These are great to provide a smooth and stress-free ride on the trails. The vehicle has an independent double-wishbone with 5.1-inch travel as front suspension and a swingarm setup with 5.1-inch travel with a slip-front differential for the rear suspension.
The ATV comes with dual-sealed hydraulic drum brakes at the front and a single-sealed mechanical drum brake at the rear. It also has dual skid plates for extra safety and protection.
Tires
Honda 300 FourTrax is a quad (four-wheeler) with AT 504 Ohtsu AT23* 8- 11 as front tires and PA 501 Ohtsu AT25*12- 9 as rear tires. Since it is an all-terrain vehicle, remember to buy tires with a minimum of 4mm tread depth when you replace the factory stock tires with new ones. This ensures similar or better performance of the vehicle.
Upgrades
Honda FourTrax 300 can be upgraded with a few additional fittings like a recovery winch, flare extenders, and steel foot baskets. It has two 25W lights on the front fender and another 25W light on the handlebar to illuminate the path ahead.
You cannot customize/ upgrade it like a few other models. But you can make the FourTrax 300 better than what it was. Talk to an experienced mechanic before making any upgrades.
Pricing
Honda took great care to price FourTrax 300 reasonably. It continued to maintain the entry-level price range despite making some worthy changes to the later models. Currently, the models from 1996 to 2000 cost over $3000, while the ones before 1990 cost less than $2000.
The 2000 Honda FourTrax 300 is the last model of this ATV. But the 1988 model continues to be a hot favorite. You can still find the 1988 FourTrax 300 4*4 in use, that too without expensive maintenance requirements.
You can happily buy a second-hand FourTrax 300 for off-road use. Just get it thoroughly inspected by an expert mechanic before finalizing the deal. The best place to buy yourself a FourTrax 300 is at a farm auction. Affordably priced ones are also available online.
How to Fix Issues in Older Honda 300 FourTrax?
There’s no denying that the Honda FourTrax 300 is a durable and reliable workhorse. However, it is not without a few issues that affect its performance. Fortunately, the problems are not too complicated and can be resolved through repairs and replacements.
Axle and Bearings
The rear axle, swingarm bearings, and differential bearings need careful inspection. These are not as strong as the other components and are more likely to wear out faster. Focus on the brake drum cover when you move the axle. Replace the bearings if there’s any movement (when there shouldn’t be any). The sooner you sort this out, the safer it’ll be. Also, it is more difficult to replace pinion bearings, which will be affected if you ignore this problem.
Drivetrain
The drivetrain issues occur in vehicles with many miles to their name. It’s common in most ATVs and UTVs. Pay attention to the maximum speed you can reach. How are the acceleration and pick-up? If the FourTrax 300 appears slower than before and struggles to touch the top speed, you know there’s an issue with the drivetrain.
So how do you fix this? Well, start by replacing the spark plug with a new one. Clean the fuel system by adding sea foam to it. Follow the manual and change the engine oil and filters as recommended. Clean the jets and components thoroughly. Clean the carburetor, fuel tank, and other engine components periodically. Send the vehicle for full servicing by a certified and authorized mechanic.
Corrosion and Quality
It’s hardly surprising that an old FourTrax 300 will show signs of corrosion. After all, it would have been used in rough conditions for years. The components will deteriorate due to corrosion after being exposed to all kinds of weather. Regularly greasing and lubricating the components and replacing the worn-out parts with new ones will make the vehicle as good as new.
Sporadic Shifting
You’ll notice this issue with downshifting or upshifting. A common cause for this is a worn-out clutch plate. The gears will protest when you shift from one to another. However, before you replace the clutch plate, inspect the clutch basket and adjustment. Sometimes, you only have to change the clutch oil to solve the problem. Using oil with an MA or higher JASO rating will do the trick. Easy, right?
Final Words
Honda 300 FourTrax is an affordable and dependable ATV designed for rough use. It is capable and versatile, with its heavy-duty steel frame and towing capacity. It continues to be popular more than two decades after the manufacturer stopped its production.
We can definitely say that FourTrax 300 4*4 will hold its own even in the current market with many new models produced by several leading automobile manufacturers. You can buy a FourTrax 300 in good condition for less than $3000 (in most cases).