Sometimes, all you need is more throttle in your life. The 2024 Honda Talon 1000X is ready to prove it and is built to conquer any terrain, from the open desert to forest and mountain trails. You can’t go wrong with a wing on the side, but does the 1000X live up to Hondas legendary reputation for performance and reliability? We put it to the test on tight northern trails to find out!
TWIN TALONS – WHAT SETS THEM APART
The Honda Talon lineup offers two distinct beasts: the desert-dominating 1000R and the agile, trail-tackling 1000X. Both share a core of comfort features and powerful engines, but their suspensions are worlds apart.
The 1000R is a high-speed missile. Its 68-inch width, 4+ link trailing arm and Showa® shocks, and 20.1 inches of wheel travel make it supremely stable at any speed and a force to be reckoned with.
Flip a coin, and you’ve got the 1000X, a nimble trailblazer that’s as agile as a deer in the woods. Its 64-inch width, 3-link trailing arm with Showa® shocks, and 15.0 inches of wheel travel make it perfect for carving between trees. It’s ideal for the trails most owners ride, including us.
THE FOUR TALON 2-SEAT MODELS
- Talon 1000X: Matte Abyss Black, $20,399
- Talon 1000R: Matte Abyss Black, $21,399
- Talon 1000X FOX Live Valve: Pearl Red, Matte Navy Blue $22,599
- Talon 1000R FOX Live Valve: Pearl Red, Matte Navy Blue $23,599
FIT AND FEEL – PURE HONDA
Honda has a knack for crafting vehicles that feel like they were built just for you. The Talon is no exception.
With its suicide doors swinging wide open, you’re granted unrestricted access to the cockpit. Safety nets above the doors add a layer of protection, but they can slightly obstruct your peripheral vision, and let’s face it, most owners will take them off. The adjustable steering wheel feels perfectly placed as it reaches back for you, and the paddle shifters put shifting right at your fingertips. The dash layout is intuitive, with everything you need within easy reach.
Honda’s automotive expertise shines through in the precise seat adjustment system, and the seats feel plush. Solid construction and ample padding provide exceptional comfort, even on the roughest terrain. Buckle up and get ready to conquer the trails in style.
The 2024 Honda Talon 1000X and 1000R offer ample legroom and comfortably positioned pedals. However, a unique quirk is its overly sensitive throttle. Even slight bumps can trigger an immediate engine response, which can be annoying on rough terrain. To mitigate this, we found that resting our throttle foot against the raised floor center provided better throttle control.
The Talon isn’t just about the driver; it’s a shared adventure. That’s why Honda designed the Talon to be a true two-seater, not just a vehicle with a tag-along. Climb into the comfy passenger seat and you’ll find ample legroom, angled footrests, and a sturdy handhold that won’t rattle around on the trail. The passenger experience is just as thrilling as the driver’s.
Honda really outdid themselves with the Talon’s extra touches. Our passenger was very happy to discover the abundance of storage options. From the convenient door pockets and cup holders to the spacious in-dash compartment for stashing essentials like phones and snacks, the Talon had everything we needed to stay organized on the go.
STYLING AND COMFORT: A RAPID RUNDOWN:
- Dual-cockpit interior offering personalized comfort and security for both driver and passenger, and plenty of storage.
- A sporty, dirt bike-inspired aesthetic with exposed wheels and a flowing body shape.
- Tall, suicide-style doors with integrated storage pocket and cup holder
- Spacious, comfortable seats that don’t flex
- Lap and shoulder belts that offer security without gnawing into your neck.
- Excellent sight lines over the hood for both driver and passenger
- Bodywork and Fenders do a good job of keeping mud out of the cab
- Standard Roof keeps you out of the sun and dry on rainy rides
- Misses: A touchy throttle that can be challenging to modulate, requiring you to use the floor panel center tunnel for support.
POWER TO ROLL – THE TALON ENGINE
The 2024 Honda Talon 1000X boasts a powerful 999cc liquid-cooled engine, designed for maximum efficiency and performance. Its unique mounting configuration eliminates shaft angle changes, ensuring optimal power delivery. The Talon also features Honda’s largest-ever powersports radiator, guaranteeing exceptional cooling even during blazing desert rides.
For easy maintenance, the air filter is conveniently located behind a panel on the small rear cargo deck. While a turbocharger isn’t standard, it’s available from several aftermarket suppliers for those seeking maximum horsepower. However, the stock engine delivers plenty of power for most trail riding and casual racing. A sporty exhaust note adds to the Talon’s aggressive character without being annoyingly loud. As the Talon features an actual transmission, it requires an additional oil filter. Both the engine and transmission use cartridge-style filters, and access to both is excellent!
The Talon’s engine lives up to Honda’s legendary reliability. It roars to life effortlessly, delivering a smooth, powerful surge from idle to redline. A quick jab of the throttle unleashes a burst of adrenaline, and with a light throttle, sometimes it’s borderline a little too spirited! Still, we’re happy to have it. Whether you’re carving corners or conquering hills, the Talon’s engine never fails to deliver thrills.
ENGINE REVIEW
- Powerful 999cc engine runs smoothly and delivers instant throttle response
- Excellent access to air and oil filters
- Love the ECU power delivery modes
- Throttle can be a little too sensitive at times
DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION MAGIC
One of the best features of the 2024 HONDA TALON 1000X is the dual clutch transmission, and it can be dialed in perfectly for your driving style. The ECU is constantly monitoring your driving habits and adjusting power delivery to optimum setting based on throttle input, RPMs, gear selection, and speed. If you prefer an easy cruise down the trail, slip it into fully automatic mode (AT). For a little more pep, select Sport mode which raises RPM shift points. If you’re feeling like a Baja racer you can operate it in fully manual mode, and at any time you can override all modes with the paddle shifter behind the steering wheel. Our favorite and the quickest way to drive the Talon is to use fully automatic (AT) mode with the engine in the Sport setting, and then drop down a gear in corners using the paddle shifter to keep RPMs up. It’s a blast to drive while working the paddle shifters with your fingers. About the only annoying thing we noticed with the transmission is an occasional “clunk” sound when it engages the next gear. Still, you’ll never have to change a belt with it.
TRANSMISSION QUICK HITS:
- Dual-clutch offering buttery smooth, instant shifts.
- LOVE the paddle shifters and ability to override at any time.
- No Rubber Bands! Belts are for holding pants up and farm equipment
- Misses: In fully-automatic mode it stays low in the RPM range, but we override it with the paddle shifters in corners.
- Gear engagement noise sometimes heard when shifting
TRACTION CONTROL
Who said traction control was just for pavement-pounders? The 2024 Honda Talon 1000X flips the script with a cutting-edge system that keeps you in command, no matter how gnarly the trail, and it works through the brakes. While many traction control systems simply cut power when they detect wheel slip, the Talon takes a different approach. As the system senses wheel slip, it applies just enough brake force until the loads at each wheel are matched. And that’s not all. It communicates with the transmission, automatically adjusting downshifts for aggressive engine braking on descents, giving you total command of the trail. Whether pointed uphill or down, it’s a clever system and it works!
SHOWA SHOCKS SHINE THROUGH
Honda’s relentless pursuit of the perfect ride is evident in the 2024 Honda Talon 1000X. Choose between the cutting-edge FOX LIVE VALVE system or the legendary SHOWA shocks, both offering a staggering level of adjustability. Whether you’re conquering rocky trails or flying over dunes, the Talon’s suspension keeps you in control and comfortable. Dive into the details of the new SHOWA shocks:
• Dual Speed Compression Adjustment. 12 low, and 4 high speed settings.
• Stainless Steel wear sleeve for durability and corrosion resistance
• Fixed Preload to simplify setup
• Improved Comfort and smoother ride over rough, choppy terrain
• Bottoming Resistance over larger impacts and jumps
The key to unlocking your vehicle’s full potential? Experiment with the suspension settings! Whatever model or brand you ride, tweaking the adjustments can dramatically transform how your ride feels and performs.
Our first Talon adventure on sandy, choppy trails was a bit jarring. After a quick tire pressure check, we realized a big part of the problem: overinflated tires. Dealers often overinflate for storage, but Honda recommends a much lower 14 psi. We dropped the pressure to 10 psi in the front and 9 psi in the rear, and the transformation was instant. The ride became smoother, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. With the tires dialed in, it was time to fine-tune the Showa shocks.
The Showa shocks on the 2024 Honda Talon 1000X offer both low and high-speed compression. To control the chatter bumps while still retaining the ability to absorb bigger hits, we dropped the low-speed 4 clicks, while dropping the high-speed by 1. This put us at a Low-Speed setting of 3 clicks off the bottom setting, and 2 clicks off on the Hi-Speed bottom. The combination of our reduced tire air pressure and new shock settings definitely improved our ride through choppy trails, and it still resisted bottoming over bigger jumps.
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and fine-tune your suspension. What works wonders on sandy trails might not be the best for high-speed desert runs. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect balance for your riding style and terrain. Remember, the front and rear shocks are a team. We typically keep the front slightly stiffer than the rear to improve weight transfer and limit nosedive over jumps. The Talon 1000X’s Showa shocks make adjustments a breeze. With a screwdriver and a 12mm wrench, you can quickly dial in your suspension for any adventure. Keep these tools handy in the dash storage for quick adjustments on the fly.
Two other characteristics we noticed about the 2024 Honda Talon 1000X is the improved turning radius and reduced steering effort. Both contribute to quick handling and precise feel on the trail. It’s just what you need for darting between trees.
FOUR SEAT FLYERS
The 2024 Honda Talon 1000X and 1000R aren’t just for two! Both are available with 4 seats, letting you take the whole crew, or at least a good portion of it. Like the two-seaters, the four-seat Talon 1000 is offered in X and R configurations. The models are:
- Talon 1000X-4: Matte Abyss Black, $22,899
- Talon 1000X-4 FOX Live Valve: Pearl Red $24,899
- Talon 1000R-4 FOX Live Valve: Pearl Red $25,899
TALON RIDE WRAPUP
Whether on two wheels or four, the iconic Honda wing always signifies a unique driving experience. The 2024 Honda Talon 1000X is no exception. This side-by-side marvel seamlessly blends masterful engineering with intuitive design, creating a vehicle that becomes an extension of yourself, and an integral part of the adventure. Need a little more throttle in your life? You can’t go wrong with a wing on the side!
https://powersports.honda.com/sxs/sport/talon-1000x-4
https://powersports.honda.com/sxs/sport/talon-1000x
Check out our review of the 2024 Talon lineup and Showa shocks at:
https://atvillustrated.com/content/honda-talon-utv-showa-shocks-review/
