Honda are relatively new to the SxS market compared to the likes or Polaris and Can-Am, but with the Pioneer 1000 their flagship workhorse UTV, they have come a long way in a short amount of time. But this isn’t your ordinary Pioneer either, this is purpose built to tackle all the rigors that come with running motorcycle events.

This Pioneer is owned and operated by Greg Power from Power Adventures and has been making out tracks and saving riders from broken bikes for a few seasons now. Having been in the event business for about two decades, he has gone through a few different options when it comes to the ultimate trail boss. But before we get into that more, let's take a look at the Pioneer 1000 EPS.

The Pioneer 1000 is powered by a an 999cc inline, twin-cylinder, Uni-cam engine, the same configuration you can find on the Africa Twin. It is specially tuned for the maximum torque and horsepower demands of the SxS user.

Its also the first side-by-side with a 6-speed fully automatic DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission), a state-of-the-art belt-less transmission that is durable, efficient and sports six forward speeds and one reverse - plus a high and low gear range. It comes with two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, diff-lock and turf mode to help not rip up that grass. This being the 5-person model means that it features auto-leveling rear suspension. In short that means if you have two people in the back seat or the rear is loaded up, the Pioneer automatically senses this and adjusts the ride height to compensate maintaining its stella ground clearance.

And if you are going down hill, the Pioneer knows this and stays in a low gear for you, utilising the engine braking. But turning the wick up means you can also put it in sport mode and shift through the gears via the steering wheel paddle - pretty cool.

It can carry half a tonne on the rear tray and tow nearly a full tonne on the draw bar and the independent, long-travel suspension both front and rear will has you comfortable and jumping into bed after a long day in the seat.

The Pioneer 1000 is a pretty spec’d up machine and by all accounts from reviews around the world, it’s a bit of a class leader in its genre of large capacity workhorse type SxS vehicles. But as this is a little different from stock, and has been customised and build for a particular purpose, let’s take a look at exactly what Greg has done to his Pioneer 1000.

“I had the first ever Honda SxS, the Honda MUV Big Red” Greg explains. “Not only did I have the first one for over 12 months, I was also the driver for the advertising brochures and drove it in displays at the National Field Days.”

“The Pioneer 700 came next which was still a Quad Motor but in a SxS body. The Pioneer 1000 has hit the mark. Using the same motor configuration as the Africa Twin (a parallel twin) of 998cc, the Pioneer motor is tuned to provide more torque (pulling Power) specifically for SxS needs”

“I have had my Pioneer 1000 for over 12 months now and have enjoyed using it as a workhorse, a recreation toy and a tour guiding jack of all trades.”

List of Mods

Fitted a factory winch capable of 4500 lbs of pull which has got me and others out of some difficulties.
LED Light Bars fitted to the front. The top is a spotty and the bottom a wide angle flood light. These are fantastic for night tours.
An interior LED light which is essential for night work, guiding and generally seeing in the cab when its dark.
Rear flood light so I can see in the tilting deck and to the back when reversing at night.
Red LED Flashing Lights front and back making the Pioneer stand out. This is particularly handy when attending emergencies, recoveries and track clearances during events.
An Air Horn for loud warnings. It also has an additional flasher switch fitted so that the air horn blares on and off repeatedly - an excellent warning system.
A Half Roof so that the rear tray can be used effectively especially when carrying tall objects.
A half screen designed to deflect most of the wind force yet allowing an unobstructed view ahead.
A factory reversing Buzzer with modified cabling to raise it high on the roll cage so that it is more easily heard and reminds the driver he is in reverse. Great for situations at Kids Camps, pit areas and around people.
A soft rear cab wall which is great for wind and showers.
A frame atop of the roll cage for carrying a spare wheel and a waterproof tote box that holds rescue equipment including a snatch rope, D-Shackles, tie-downs for bikes and a pulley for recovery.
A selection of recovery hitches:
- Extended tow bar for easier trailer hitching
- A tow hitch with D-Shackle for towing with a snatch Rope
- A motorcycle recovery frame
A removable cross brace at the back so a stretcher can be secured at the correct height allowing the medic to sit in the rear seat alongside the patient.
Extra tie down points in the rear tray to secure loads.
Fox high performance shock absorbers all round giving superior performance and ride comfort.
More aggressive tyres for winter use (standard tyres are excellent for summer use).
Two USB charging ports for Mobile Phone and GPS.
A Honda tote pack sitting behind the driver with 6 utility pockets.
A First Aid Kit.
A 1 kg Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher permanently fitted behind the driver on the rear roll cage.
A homemade rear tray floor to stop dirt and such falling between the cracks onto the folded up rear seats.
A comfort kit which is a rubber shield under the seat to reduce heat escape from the engine and exhaust reaching the driver and passengers.
A factory rear mirror which makes for safer driving.
I have registered the Pioneer as a farm vehicle with Transport NZ which means I can travel across public highways and beaches during events with much more legality than without.

So quite the amount of modifications to this Pioneer 1000, making it really built for purpose and ideal for event organising, marking out and recovery of dead bikes.

Tow hitch - just one of the many attachments

The Dirt

We took the Pioneer around Maramarua Forest for a bit of a tour and it was impressive what it could do and where it would go. The LCD display was full of information and easy to read. The engine is not snappy powerful but builds strong and torquey through the entire power curve. It topped out at about 80km for us which is plenty fast for a utility vehicle and you can get the engine bouncing off the limiter pretty easy. But perhaps the best aspect of this Pioneer is the ride. The additions of the Fox Shocks on all four corners has transformed what was an OK fell and OK feedback from the independent suspension to something usually only found in the abilities of a Polaris.

It is so smooth over holes and tree roots and rocks that it is actually unbelievable. There were holes and whoops that we were slowing down for that Greg was telling us to power over. Having plenty of motorcycle seat time, you instinctively do that body weight lift and compensation when hitting large holes, and I found myself doing this in the Pioneer going through large holes. But the suspension just soaked it up, pushed back through the springs and arms a little and carried on as it is was nothing. It was really amazing what those Fox units had done to the Pioneer. You really have to try it to believe it. The electric power steering is also a great addition too.

Greg says his three main uses for the Pioneer are as follows;

Setting up motorcycle and SSV/UTV events from carrying arrows, standards, bunting and fencing gear. A workhorse for the Power Adventures Crew.
Recovery of patients, customers and vehicles by utilising the motorcycle frame for bikes and the tow hitch with D-Shackle for towing vehicles and recovering those who either went down banks or into deep mud.
As a guided Tour Leader for both day and night tours. Capable of carrying up to four passengers should another vehicle breaks down and we need to recover personnel.

This Pioneer real is a Jack of all trades and build for its exact purpose. Greg has taken this already class leading SxS and turned it into and even more capable and diverse vehicle that is build to get the job done.

Cheers to Greg and the Power Adventures team for giving us a go and if you want to know more about Power Adventures and the events they have coming up for SxS vehicles - CLICK HERE. Or email chris@thedirt.co.nz for any more information on the Purpose Build Honda Pioneer 1000 EPS.