Discover the rich history of Honda's iconic Odyssey ATV, from its inception in the late 1970s to its legacy today.
The Honda Odyssey ATV holds a special place in the annals of off-road vehicle history. Introduced in 1977, it was one of the first single-seat, off-road vehicles that combined the thrill of a dune buggy with the agility of an all-terrain vehicle. Over the years, the Odyssey underwent several transformations, eventually paving the way for the Honda Pilot. This blog post delves into the fascinating evolution of the Honda Odyssey ATV, highlighting its key developments and enduring legacy.
This overview is based on insights from Tony Blazer's video on The Motocross Vault.
1. The Birth of the Odyssey: 1977 FL250
The Honda Odyssey made its debut in 1977 as the FL250, marking Honda's entry into the off-road buggy market.
Key Features:
- Engine: 246cc air-cooled, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine with a 6.6:1 compression ratio.
- Transmission: Automatic V-belt torque converter, often referred to as a Salisbury-type transmission.
- Starter: Recoil (pull-start) system.
- Suspension: No rear suspension; relied on balloon tires for shock absorption. Minimal front suspension was provided.
- Brakes: Single mechanical disc brake mounted on the rear axle.
- Design: Four-point padded roll bar (not a full cage) and an airplane-style steering yoke with integrated throttle and brake controls.
- Weight: Approximately 397 pounds (dry weight).
- Unique Aspect: The roll bar was removable, allowing the Odyssey to fit into the back of a station wagon—a nod to the vehicle storage solutions of the 1970s.
Insights:
The FL250 was innovative for its time, offering enthusiasts a new way to experience off-road driving. However, the lack of rear suspension made for a rough ride over uneven terrain.
2. Early Refinements: 1981 Updates
In 1981, Honda introduced significant improvements to the Odyssey to enhance safety and performance.
Key Updates:
- Full Roll Cage: Replaced the four-point roll bar, offering better protection.
- Engine and Intake: The engine remained largely the same, but a snorkel-style air intake was added, raising the intake point to the top of the roll cage to prevent water ingestion.
- Ignition System: Upgraded to a Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) system for better reliability.
- Braking System: Continued with the single rear mechanical disc brake.
- Suspension Enhancements:
- Improved front suspension with upgraded shocks and tighter steering ratio.
- No rear suspension was added, still relying on tire inflation for shock absorption.
- Safety Features: Improved four-point harness and added protective netting behind the driver's head.
- Design Changes: Shifted from the original yellow color scheme to Honda's iconic red.
Insights:
These updates made the Odyssey more appealing and slightly more comfortable, but the absence of rear suspension remained a significant drawback.
3. Major Overhaul: 1985 FL350R
The 1985 model year marked a complete redesign of the Odyssey, transforming it into a more capable off-road machine.
Significant Changes:
- Engine Upgrade:
- Displacement: Increased to 342cc.
- Type: Air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder with a reed valve for improved throttle response.
- Starter: Added electric start for convenience.
- Transmission: Retained the automatic V-belt system but added a reverse gear.
- Suspension System:
- Front: Independent suspension with adjustable preload shocks.
- Rear: Introduced rear suspension with 5.9 inches of travel, a significant improvement over previous models.
- Braking System:
- Front Brakes: Added hydraulic drum brakes.
- Rear Brakes: Upgraded to a hydraulic disc brake.
- Safety and Convenience:
- Enhanced roll cage design.
- Electric start allowed starting the engine while seated and strapped in.
- Weight: Increased to approximately 592 pounds due to added features.
Challenges:
Despite the advancements, the FL350R faced issues with overheating due to its air-cooled engine and had some reliability concerns, including transmission failures when landing jumps.
Insights:
The 1985 Odyssey was a substantial leap forward but suffered from mechanical issues that affected its popularity and led to its short production run.
4. The Ultimate Evolution: 1989 FL400R Pilot
After a hiatus, Honda returned with the FL400R Pilot in 1989, which represented the pinnacle of the Odyssey lineage.
Breakthrough Features:
- Engine:
- Displacement: Increased to 397cc.
- Type: Liquid-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder engine producing approximately 39 horsepower.
- Transmission:Featured a slipper clutch to reduce transmission shock during jumps and landings.
Retained the automatic transmission with reverse gear. - Suspension:
- Front: Double-wishbone independent suspension with enhanced shocks.
- Rear: Improved shocks with remote reservoirs for better heat dissipation and performance.
- Braking System: Equipped with hydraulic disc brakes on both front and rear wheels.
- Design and Comfort:
- Modernized aesthetics with a more aggressive look.
- Enhanced driver ergonomics and safety features.
- Weight: Maintained at approximately 592 pounds, despite added features.
Insights:
The FL400R Pilot addressed many of the FL350R's shortcomings, offering better cooling, more power, and advanced suspension. However, its high price point of around $5,998 in 1989 (a significant sum at the time) limited its market success.
5. Legacy and Impact
The Honda Odyssey and Pilot series were pioneers in the single-seat off-road vehicle category.
- Cultural Impact: They inspired a generation of off-road enthusiasts and paved the way for modern UTVs and side-by-sides.
- Technological Contributions: Introduced features like electric start, reverse gear, and advanced suspension systems to the category.
- Market Challenges: Despite their innovations, high costs and mechanical issues hindered widespread adoption.
Modern Perspective:
With the current popularity of UTVs and side-by-sides, many enthusiasts wonder why Honda hasn't reintroduced a modern version of the Pilot. The demand for high-performance, single-seat off-road vehicles suggests that a revival could be well-received.
6. Conclusion
The Honda Odyssey ATV series remains an iconic part of off-road history. From the humble beginnings of the FL250 to the advanced FL400R Pilot, Honda pushed the boundaries of design and performance. While production ceased in the early 1990s, the Odyssey's legacy lives on among collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate its unique place in the evolution of off-road vehicles.
For a detailed visual history and additional insights, check out Tony Blazer's video on The Motocross Vault.
