“Every so often a machine bursts onto the scene, a machine that’s so extraordinary it doesn’t fit into a class – it creates one. And there’s no better example than the Honda Pilot. Designed to give you a new thrill in off-road adventure. High performance, plus.” So says a brochure showing the 1990 Honda Pilot FL400R. This one can be found listed here on eBay in Riverside, California and the current bid price is $11,300.
It’s rare that a vehicle make or model shows up for the first time here on Barn Finds, but this is the first Honda “Pilot” that we’ve seen. Someone listed three of them on Barn Finds Classifieds a year and a half ago for $16,900 but we’ve never featured one. We have seen two Honda Odysseys here, one back in 2016, and Jeff showed us one in the fall of 2020. The Odyssey is the predecessor to the Pilot. Not the Honda Pilot SUV, that’s been around since 2002. We’re talking about something much cooler, a two-stroke monster ATV!
Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em! The seller has included a video here on YouTube showing this beautiful beast running and moving around a bit, and I can see why most two-strokes are banned, but I love them. Maybe it’s because I grew up in mosquito country and they’re natural foggers to keep the bugs down. (kidding) Honda made the Pilot, model name FL400R, in only 1989 and 1990.
The former Odyssey was great, but somewhat basic compared to the vastly-improved Pilot. Having reverse and a ton of suspension travel, not to mention a full roll cage, the Pilot was considered by many to be the pinnacle of the ATV market at the time. It’s sad that it only lasted two years. This one appears to be in outstanding condition, but it isn’t all original. The seller lists some of the upgrades as, “ATV Racing Long Travel Suspension with Fox Shocks. ATV Racing Pipe, Silencer, Super Seat. TeamTech Harness. Douglas Aluminum Wheels.” They still have the original parts, so that’s good news.
The power behind this machine, literally, is a Honda 397-cc liquid-cooled two-stroke single-cylinder. Honda was somewhat tight-lipped in revealing the horsepower of this machine but most sources estimate around 35 or so. Have any of you heard of the Honda Pilot ATV?
These were (and to some end still are) a huge draw at one of the “local” sand playgrounds, the nearly 5000 acre park of Sand Mountain (NV).(https://www.blm.gov/visit/sand-mountain-recreation-area)
These were as popular upon their intro as the blown nitro sand rails many of which used the Riviera and El Dorado front wheel drive systems installed backwards in hand-built rail cages, but the Honda Odysseys and later Pilots were more affordable and a lot more fun.
Interesting that these preceded the later single seat UTV (Polaris ACE) by a couple decades!
Like older Jeeps, they’re not made for fast driving by amateurs, one of the reasons they were both discontinued: short wheelbase+quick steering+ power/weight ratio = a problem for testosterone/alcohol induced stupid driving.
yes, rather than go-cart based most of us are used to truck based buggies, w a y beyond this lill atv. It fact I might use this as a SxS, utility, or atv just for a yard bird on the acreage.
So many toys…so little space for them.
I want…I want…I can’t have.
The one and only time I have ever seen one of these in real life was in the middle of the Pine Barrons, working on setting up an enduro. We were rolling along at a nice clip on a fire road looking for the next section of trail to turn off into and two of these came up behind us, went by like the hammer of god, and then went through the next corner sideways. I’ve wanted one ever since.
I remember they had one of these at the local Honda dealership. My mom used to drop me off at the Honda or Yamaha dealer when she rand errands and I’d hang out, drool, and dream. Occassionally I’d get brave enough to straddle an FJ1200 or a V-Max at the Yamaha dealer. The Honda dealership seemed less enthusiastic about a scrawny 15 year old messing with thier inventory. I don’t suppose I blame them. I always thought it would be cool to own one of these Pilots but, alas, my Piggly Wiggly bag boy pay only afforded a very used KX125. I always found it interesting that both the Oddyesey and the Pilot names were later used for Honda vehicles – a minivan and an SUV.
they likely did this to continue the use of a trademarked name and retain it versus having to give it up due to inactive use of it and pay for searching and retaining a new one.
I never seen any of these in person, looks like a ton of fun. I have (2) 1984-85 Honda 200X 3 Wheelers. Need to Restore them, worst part was friends shredding the back fenders. They were a Blast & the Smaller Diameter back tires made them Slide instead of Rolling Over, Very Important!
My late nephew had one that was like new. We took it out to the dunes in NW Oklahoma and drove the hell out of it. It was very quick and fun but it was too addicting for me to ride! We rode for several hours in the heat and a couple of hours later I suffered a heart attack. Never was able to ride it again. Great little ATV and fast! They just keep climbing in price! If you want one, you better buy soon. It appears they are going to be over $20k soon.
I found a 79 Odyssey in a scrap pile and bought it. 8 months later I found everything to bring it back to new condition. When I take it out people think it’s something new Honda came out with.
I remember when the local Honda dealer had these in the showroom. I nearly bought one, but didn’t think it would fit in the back of my Toyota pickup, so I bought a quad instead. If I recall correctly, the Pilot was about $5500 new. My memory might be wrong though.
Just to give you an idea of price ballpark…
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-honda-pilot-fl400r-2/
Never saw a Pilot, but have seen several Odysseys back in the day. Watching the video, a machine that impressive seems weird with the ring-a-ding 2 stroke. If Honda had slipped in a 4-stroke instead, it might have attracted a much bigger following.
Terrry, I agree, I’ve had two strokes but always preferred 4 Strokes. My 200X has the bulletproof 200cc engine, have had 3 bikes with this engine. XR400 another nice dependable bike.
Auction update: this Pilot sold for $11,900.