Honda Rancher 350 Electric Shift

[RobJ]

Depending on your needs I would wait for a 4x4. I have a 02 manual rancher that's 4x4. I added a Warn 4x2 unlock and it is more fun and easier to steer in 4x2. But I noticed pulling my small 4x8 trailer it was fighting for some traction. I know I could not pull the trailer up a couple hills. Both my atv's are 4x4 and I wouldn't have it any other way. Forget when people say a 4x2 will go just as far as a 4x4....they won't. I have a 4x4 and 4x2 in mine and I love to play "how far can the 4x2 go in the mud" game. When 4x2 gets stuck, I put it in 4x4 and drive home...most of the time

Rob

 

[GaryCrowell]

I have a 2001 rancher 4x4 ES and it's been a really good quad. No problems out of it except the frozen choke cable that was common with the early ranchers. It's been pretty much bulletproof and I don't see how you can go wrong with one.

If I were buying a quad today I would get either a rubicon or a 500 foreman, probably the rubicon due to it's hydrostatic transmission. Whatever I got it would be a honda, no other brand of four wheeler for me. I'd pick one of the larger quads over the rancher because sometimes the rancher just doesn't have enough power to suit me. I'm a big guy and it's just more pleasant riding a quad that you don't have to constantly shift in order to keep it in the powerband. The Rancher's not really underpowered, but the bigger bikes don't make you downshift as much to keep things moving, they're a little more pleasant to operate.

I will not own a four wheeler without four wheel drive. A 2wd quad is pretty much a useless invention to me. The 4x4 isn't much more expensive, and it increases it's utility ten fold. The first time you do that two mile walk out because you got stuck you'll wish you had the 4x4. A winch is a good investment, mine's saved me a couple of times, even with 4x4.

They're changing the rancher for the 2007 model year. It's rumoured to have a selectable 2wd/4wd and an independant rear suspension. It should be out in a couple of months, I'd hold off buying one right now until the new ones appear, you might like them better.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Thanks again for the responses. With respect to the 4X4 vs. 2X4 discussion, I am not a serious trail rider. I will seldom if ever get myself into a real muddy situation where 4X4 is needed. I will primarily be getting to deer stands and using it in light working conditions around the farm. When more serious work is called for, I have a 4X4 tractor. The ease of steering in the 2X4 model will be a plus however.

 

[BB_TX]

I don't think you will be disappointed with the 2x4. We are still of the old ways and walk to our deer stands from the cabin. But we have an old Suzuki 125 2x4 that we use to haul deer out. We also have loaded it with 200 lbs of corn and two men and climbed a pretty good hill to load our feeders. We have ridden it thru sloppy mud and standing water and never stuck it. It is pretty amazing what that little machine will do.

 

[RobJ]

2x4 still better than walking!!

Keep in mind that most of the older hondas that are 4x4 are full time 4x4. But Warn (same winch people) came out with an add on part to disengauge the 4x4. It goes in place if the front drive shart and is operated via a pull cable. I do ride in 2x4 most of the time because it's easier to steer and more fun (you can kick the rear end sideways!). But 4x4 is always there. The 4x2 unit is about $225 off ebay.

Some pics....

More Rancher stuff at http://www.angelfire.com/tx6/rancher

 

[Deaf]

I just wanted to add, we would have purchased the Forman 500 2WD if it wasn’t for the snow we have here in Ohio. Maybe 2 or three trips a year to our camp are snowy and this really limits the ride area for the 2WD due to the hills we have. During hunting season 3 years ago we had snow and getting a deer out of a deep ravine with the 2WD was a real challenge and caused much frustration. I have been nearly everywhere a 4x4 has gone with our 2WD Rancher with the exception of deep mud and water. I have pulled more 4x4’s out of mud then they would care for me to mention. I rarely get stuck since I avoid stuck situations.

From what your looking to do the 2WD will be the ticket. But I would love to convince you to go with the Forman 500 2WD instead of the 350.

 

[MDM]

Sorry to ressurect an old thread. I have a 98 Foreman 450ES that I like very much. It has about 650hrs and 3200 miles on it. I just put new tires and new brake shoes on it. This is the first maintenance I have had to do other than oil changes. The electric shift is nice. I like the foot shifter and ES much better than the automatic type tranny. Those automatics don't hold the vehicle back when going down steep hills. Most have an engine braking system, but they still don't hold back like a manual shift. I can put my 450 in 1st gear and go down a hill as steep as a horse's face and not have to touch the brake. My dad just bought a Rhino and you have to ride the brake when going down steep hills. I guess its all in the terrain you live in. We have steep hills around here that are 300 - 500 yds long, thats why I like the manual tranny.

 

[BigCrzyRdNeck]

I have a 00 foreman 450 tuff as **** 1500 miles 500 hrs been treated pretty bad in the river most of the time the es didnt work when i got from my buddy i cleaned the cpu conectons and started working but then it only worked 98% of the time and two weeks ago at the river it quite again normaly when it quites i go play in the river for 10-15 minutes and its good to go.but from what ive heard no problems unless you dieclec grease them from the start when playing in the water. shes been under water a few times smokes now but still runs strong.