1998 Honda Foreman 400 Specs
by Ken WhiteHonda all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) come in two lines. Sport ATVs are designed for off-road fun and racing. Utility ATVs such as the Foreman line are designed as heavy-duty utility vehicles for carrying cargo and towing. The 1998 Foreman 400 had the largest engine of any Honda ATV when released. Foreman ATVs continue to be produced by Honda through the 2011 model year.
Engine and Drivetrain
The 1998 Foreman 400 has an air-cooled, 432.6-cubic-centimeter, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine. The longitudinally mounted engine allows the direct drive shaft to be aligned with both the front and rear wheels. The engine has a rubber-cushion mount and a gear-driven counter-balancer for minimal vibration.The clutch is automatic with a 1,750 rpm engagement point. The 1998 Foreman has a five-speed transmission with reverse and has a super-low-ratio first gear for towing. The electric starter has an auxiliary recoil starter. The ATV has a 310-watt AC generator. It has a light-weight, plastic, 3.2-gallon fuel tank with a 0.7-gallon reserve.
Suspension and Brakes
The 1998 Foreman 400's front suspension is an independent double-wishbone with Showa shock absorbers to give 5.9 inches of travel. The rear suspension is a steel swingarm with dual Showa shock absorbers to give 5.9 inches of travel. The steering mechanism allows for a turning radius of 11.5 feet. The 1998 Foreman has dual sealed hydraulic drum brakes in front and sealed mechanical drum brakes in the rear. The vehicle also has a parking brake.
Other Features
The 1998 Honda Foreman has cargo racks on the front and rear of the ATV. The front rack can carry up to 66 pounds, and the rear rack can carry 132 pounds. The vehicle has a trailer hitch with a towing capacity of 850 pounds. The vehicle has a snorkel-style air intake system designed for crossing water. It has three headlights, with a 45-watt upper light and two 24-watt lower lights. The dashboard has a multi-function LCD meter with readouts for the speedometer, odometer, trip meter and timer. The metal housing of the LCD meter has LED lights for reverse and neutral and a warning light for high oil temperature. The vehicle has a maintenance-free battery and Dunlop tires designed specifically for the Foreman to provide traction and durability.
Dimensions and Weight
The 1998 Foreman 400 is 77.2 inches long, 45.5 inches wide and 45 inches high. The seat is 33.9 inches high, and the vehicle has a ground clearance of 7.5 inches. The wheelbase is 50 inches, and the dry weight of the ATV is 573.3 pounds.
References
Writer Bio
Ken White began his writing career in 1972 as a reporter for a local Florida newspaper. With a career in public safety as a police officer, firefighter and emergency manager, his fiction has also been published in magazines such as "Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine." White studied history and psychology at Mercer University.
