2021 Honda Talon 1000R

Designed for open desert and dune terrain, the Honda Talon 1000R is wider than the Talon 1000X and outfitted with significantly more suspension travel. The six-speed dual-clutch transmission is beltless, allowing the driver to select between automatic and manual paddle shifting modes. General maintenance is a simple task for the do-it-yourself home mechanic.

Compared to its competitors, the Talon has the least ground clearance. We like Honda’s i-4WD system, but wish it offered the ability to fully lock all four wheels together. A naturally aspirated engine is the only way you will acquire a Talon, as a factory turbo is not available.

Dirt, mud, rocks, or sand—we can’t say the Talon is the best choice for any single type of terrain, but it doesn’t disappoint anywhere.

The Talon 1000R is a true sport side-by-side designed for higher speeds. It feels right at home in wide-open desert and sand dunes. Its nimbleness and light weight make it highly maneuverable when cornering or traversing technical terrain. The engine’s long development history in endurance racing began with the Dakar Rally, eventually becoming commercially available as the powerplant in the Honda Africa Twin motorcycle. Unlike most of the other side-by-side manufacturers, which use belt drive continuously variable-style transmissions, Honda chose a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for the Talon.

Top six 1,000cc side-by-sides in order of MSRP:

Read about the updates to the 20201 Honda Talon.

The base Talon 1000R returns with few changes, the most notable being a pearl white color scheme with Honda red wing graphics and red trim.

For 2021, Honda introduced an upgraded model, the Talon 1000R Fox Live Valve Edition in metallic gray and blue. It features Fox Live Valve electronic compression damping at all four wheels. The system adjusts damping on each shock independently and automatically, and up to 200 times a second for superior ride quality and less pitch and roll. Launch Mode is also exclusive to Fox Live Valve Talons. With Launch Mode engaged, the driver can pin the throttle to maximum power and then engage the drive system for the perfect holeshot.

Related Content: 2021 Honda Talon 1000R Fox Live Suspension Review

Honda Talon 1000R: $20,999 / Honda Talon 1000R Fox Live Valve: $23,099

If you’ve ever priced new suspension for a side-by-side, you know $2,100 is a bargain. That’s the difference you’ll pay for the Live Valve upgrade, and we feel it’s more than worth it for a suspension system that constantly and automatically adjusts to the terrain and your riding style. And if you like to race, it’s the only way to get Launch Mode.

All Talon models come with Honda’s longitudinally mounted 999cc V-twin powerplant, which produces 105 hp. That might sound light compared to the competition, but the drivetrain makes up the difference with its dual-clutch transmission. Unlike most of the other OEM side-by-sides, which use horsepower-robbing belt-driven CVT transmissions, the Talon comes with a direct-drive gearbox, which is more responsive and gives up far less horsepower. The DCT also allows the driver to choose between automatic, automatic sport, and manual shifting modes. Manual shifting is completed via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, which can also be used to override shifting in automatic modes. A subtransmission also provides a 42-percent gear reduction when shifting from high to low range, providing true downhill engine-braking. Honda’s selectable i-4WD works well in all conditions despite lacking the ability to manually lock the front differential. It’s not the fastest side-by-side in its class, but it hangs close to the front of the pack.

Smaller 28-inch Maxxis tires use a soft but aggressive tread pattern for firm cornering and grip. Body roll is minimal. The Talon 1000R is one of the lighter side-by-sides in its class at just 1,545 pounds. Less weight combined with a more compact wheelbase makes the Talon highly maneuverable and very exciting on twisty trails.

Dual 250mm hydraulic disc brakes bring the Talon to a rapid stop. We have noticed that the brakes are slightly less effective with larger/heavier tires installed.

The Talon comes with a 7.3-gallon fuel capacity. During our testing, a full tank of fuel was plenty for most all-day excursions.

The Talon 1000R is currently only available in a two-seat configuration; the Talon 1000X is available with four seats. Seating is comfortable but not as roomy as competitors like the Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000. The seats are plush for stock and are already set up to receive four-point harnesses.

There is plenty of space in the rear cargo area for a cooler, tools, and other items. You might be able to strap a spare tire in there, but we recommend an aftermarket tire carrier. The bed has four tie-down points. Additional storage compartments for smaller items, including a spacious glove box, are available in the cab area.

A small digital dash cluster provides speedometer, tachometer, trip odometer, engine hours, fuel level, clock, 2WD or 4WD indicators, and gear info. It has the usual maintenance warning indicators and can also display how many miles remain in your service interval. Transmission modes are selected on the center console, and a hill start assist switch can also be found there. On the Live Valve edition Talon, Launch Mode is engaged via a console-mounted switch. Live Valve suspension settings can also be changed with a dash-mounted rocker switch, on the fly, from Normal suspension mode to Sport suspension mode for more aggressive driving.

A one-year factory warranty is included. Transferable limited warranty and additional extended coverage are available with a HondaCare Protection Plan.