New Rancher
#1
Okay, I decided to take a better look at the Ranchers today. What Honda is releasing, is a Foreman 400 with new plastic, auto tranny and a different name.
Changes from the old Rancher,
About 35 more lbs
397cc engine
2wd/4wd switch
new plastic like the Rincon
Auto tranny
Same, but should have been changed:
Drum brakes
Still has a 32mm Carb.( from 327cc's up to 397cc's??????)
Same 24" tires
Still only 5.9 inches of suspension travel
I would have considered one if they would have beefed it up some for sport/ute riding. I'm looking for a poker run/extra quad. But, it's still a work quad with low speed trail riding capabilities. They should have upped the suspension travel to atleast 8 inches and put a larger carb on to feed the engine. A 400ex has a 35.5mm carb, that would have made more sense.
A 03 Rancher is set at an MSRP of $5199. So, if they set the MSRP over $5,600....I think they'll have a hard time trying to convince people they need this quad.
The automatic Suzuki Eiger sells for $5199, and offers the same package, minus the Honda tranny.
The Yamaha Kodiak auto sells for $5499, offers more suspension travel, liquid cooling and front disc brakes...and the best 4x4 sytem in it's class in my opinion.
The Kawasaki Prairie 400 sells for $5999, offers more suspension travel and front disk brakes.
It's going to be interesting to see what Honda lists the new Rancher at for prices. I see alot of competition in the class, and it's going to be pretty hard for them to compete with what they're offering. I do not see the new Rancher leading the class...
Changes from the old Rancher,
About 35 more lbs
397cc engine
2wd/4wd switch
new plastic like the Rincon
Auto tranny
Same, but should have been changed:
Drum brakes
Still has a 32mm Carb.( from 327cc's up to 397cc's??????)
Same 24" tires
Still only 5.9 inches of suspension travel
I would have considered one if they would have beefed it up some for sport/ute riding. I'm looking for a poker run/extra quad. But, it's still a work quad with low speed trail riding capabilities. They should have upped the suspension travel to atleast 8 inches and put a larger carb on to feed the engine. A 400ex has a 35.5mm carb, that would have made more sense.
A 03 Rancher is set at an MSRP of $5199. So, if they set the MSRP over $5,600....I think they'll have a hard time trying to convince people they need this quad.
The automatic Suzuki Eiger sells for $5199, and offers the same package, minus the Honda tranny.
The Yamaha Kodiak auto sells for $5499, offers more suspension travel, liquid cooling and front disc brakes...and the best 4x4 sytem in it's class in my opinion.
The Kawasaki Prairie 400 sells for $5999, offers more suspension travel and front disk brakes.
It's going to be interesting to see what Honda lists the new Rancher at for prices. I see alot of competition in the class, and it's going to be pretty hard for them to compete with what they're offering. I do not see the new Rancher leading the class...
#3
#4
This isn't really a Rancher, except in name. They call the 450 and the Rubicon "Foremans" and there is nothing similar between those. It has to be a completely new engine. The old 400 engine isn't a dry sump. They seemed to go to some lengths to get the weight down, even if it was only like 50 lbs. I remember the magazines saying that this transmission would show up in other models down the line.
#5
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09-06-2015 02:44 PM
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