HCR/VENT RACING HONDA TALON 1000R
We’re very impressed with the Honda Talon 1000R. The engine and dual-clutch transmission (DCT) are especially impressive, with great acceleration, perfect automatic gear selection, smooth shifting and overall performance. Also, it’s as smooth as the best CVT-driven machines but without a belt to break or replace; however, there is a lot of room for improvement in the suspension and creature-comfort departments, and the HCR/Vent Racing Honda Talon covers them all. We have explored the Rugged Radios Talon 1000R build (October 2019) and Shock Therapy and other aftermarket shock mods (January 2020), So, here’s the report on the first 72-inch long-travel suspension for the Talon 1000R.
HCR’S TALON LONG-TRAVEL SUSPENSION
The HCR Racing Dual-Sport LTS kit used on the HCR/Vent Racing Honda Talon includes four high-clearance A-arms with tie-rod extensions, rear upper A-arms and trailing arms, four radius-rod links with 120-inch wall thickness, four RCV axle bars, and two rear-brake lines plus hardware. For snag-free riding in ruts, the high-clearance trailing arms add 1.75 inches of ground clearance, and the boxed LTS arms have an internal honeycomb design with TIG welding. Because the arms are made of proprietary alloy, they have 30-percent more strength than chromoly, laser-cut construction, and CNC-machined chromoly mounting points for added strength. Gull-wing front arms use the OEM ball joints to maximize low-speed steering ease and smooth travel.
MORE STABILITY AND BUMP-EATING TRAVEL
HCR’s Dual-Sport LTS kit adds 3.3 inches of wheelbase, 3.6 inches of width, and roughly an inch more travel using the stock Fox Podium 2.5 QS3 piggyback shocks. Kit travel is 18.7 inches front and 21.1 inches rear. With the added leverage of the HCR arms, the Fox QS3 shocks’ ride quality is improved without re-valving costs. The Dual-Sport LTS Talon kit is $5,499.99 with raw finish; powdercoating with 10 color choices or clear is another $250.
HCR Racing also has trailing arm mud flaps for $249.95 a pair. They protect the powder-coat finish on the trailing arms and the rear hubs and brakes. Also, the LTS kit is designed to work on the Talon 1000R. If you buy the 1000X with plans to upgrade to this kit, you’ll have to upgrade the shocks as well. Shocks for the 1000X are shorter and don’t have crossover rings.
FINISHING THE TALON BUILD
Vent Racing fabricated the Trucker cage for the HCR/Vent Racing Honda Talon; two-seat Trucker cages are $2,450–$2,500, and they’re made with .095-inch-wall DOM tubing that’s inert-gas welded with billet machined connectors and cups to ensure strength. They’re wider than OEM cages and come with a .080-inch 5052 aluminum roof with counter-sunk 1/4-inch fasteners. Cages and roofs are powder-coated flat black, gloss black, blue, red, orange or white. HCR also went with the optional polycarbonate 1/2 windshield ($200) and a curved, single-row, 42-inch, LED light bar ($375).
HCR also went with more comfortable PRP GT suspension seats and four-point harnesses; GT/SEs start at $1,117.00 a pair and can be customized with 60 color choices, air lumbar support ($75), pockets ($50-$55), 70-ounce hydration bags ($80) and even heating ($175). PRP’s 5.2 harnesses are $129 each. For rolling stock, HCR went with BF Goodrich 32×9.5R15 T/A KR2 tires ($283 each) on Walker Evans Racing Legend bead-lock racing wheels ($265 each).
DRIVING THE 72-INCH HCR TALON
We got a chance to put the HCR Racing Talon 1000R through its paces at Glamis Dunes and on the rocks and dunes at Utah’s Sand Hollow State Park. The LTS kit adds stability and more control on the whoops of Sand Highway and on dune G-outs. Trail speeds and ride quality are improved for a faster, smoother ride in all conditions. The LTS kit does add about 15 pounds to the Talon, or about 3.75 pounds per corner, but it is also much stronger for racing through the dunes or desert. The taller, 32-inch BFGs also improve ride quality and traction, and the front-width rear tires help the Talon pivot better. The WER beadlock wheels let us air down for the dunes without fear. Also, the Trinity Racing dual exhaust gives the Talon faster acceleration and a hearty growl; it runs like the ECU has been flashed!
CONTACTS:
HCR Racing, LLC.
630 N. 800 W.
Cedar City, UT. 84721
(888) 928-RACE (7223)
(435) 865-9280
Vent Racing
Freeport West Industrial Park
F-7 Sec 3A
Clearfield, UT 84106
(801) 614-0114
See UTV Action’s shootout between the Honda Talon, Yamaha YXZ1000R and Kawasaki’s KRX1000 here: https://utvactionmag.com/video-honda-talon-1000r-vs-kawasaki-teryx-krx1000-vs-yamaha-yxz1000r/
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