I currently have a 2003 Honda Rancher 350cc 4x4 5-speed manual that I bought brand new in Sept. 02. I have used it for hunting, moving my boat and other trailers, working on the farm and around the house (firewood, fencing, hauling materials back and forth, hauling fuel, etc.), joyriding and I am also a hunting guide. Whenever my truck hits the driveway it usually stays there and the fourwheeler is used from there on for everything, if the four wheeler can't do it I have a whole slough of tractors that will. I wouldn't own a Polaris or an Arctic Cat, if I couldn't have a Honda I'd go Yamaha, Suzuki, Kaw. in that order. The Honda's can't be beat. How much mud are you really going to be in? Clearance wise, the rancher has approx. 9" ground clearance, most full size standard 4x4 trucks don't have much more than that, and I can attest 9" of mud will not hang a Rancher. I have had mine in places where four wheelers aren't meant to be and done things that four wheelers weren't meant to do and have never had a problem. I haul firewood on a trailer behind it and I can carry about the equivalent of a full size truck load and have never had a problem with traction or power. My dad and I were both on it with two nice freshly shot deer the season after we purchased it, 1 deer on the front, 1 on the back, two shotguns, two deerstand's and other gear, 8" snow 45 degree incline (roughly 750-800 lbs. on the machine), and a three mile ride home and never lost traction or had a power problem. One time a buddy drove his wife's car (Ford Taurus) out to the farm, got it stuck in some mud at the edge of a field and I pulled it out with none other than my Rancher and a hay rope. Overall the Rancher is one hell of a machine, if you're just needing something to putt around the farm and haul some stuff regularly then the Rancher can't be beat. if you are wnating speed but less dependability get a Polaris (hope your a good mechanic), if you want to work with it and want something dependable everytime/anytime get a Honda. Nough said!
