I am thinking about buying a honda rancher 350 4X4.I test rode my friends honda foreman 450 and the steering was awful tight to turn, is this normal for honda or just the foreman model. I am comparing the steering ease to a Polaris 425 Magnum which i now own.

 

I would check the tire pressures and front end alignment on the Foreman, I owned a 425 Magnum a couple of years back and currently own a Magnum 500. I get to ride a 450 Quiet often as there are several in my riding group and I find the steering to be very easy ,even with 26" Vampires. It is as easy or easier than my Magnum 500 which also has 26" MudRunners. Also we have 1 Rancher ES that rides with us and it was EXTREMELY easy to steer with the stock tires on it. I have only ridden it about 2 miles though(owner hasn't gotten the new worn off yet)

 

I've owned a Honda Foreman 450ES, and I wanted something easier to steer and easier on my tailbone. I went with the Polaris Expedition. Trouble is, I've got so much equipment on the Expedition, it isn't a whole lot easier to steer than the Foreman. I borrowed a friend's Honda 300 to ride with a visitor, and have been looking at 2WD quads ever since (just for a "backup"). The Honda Rancher 2WD with ES looks pretty darn good to me right now. If the tires I've ordered for the Expedition ever come in (got a huge rip in the front stocker tire now), this notion of a 2nd quad may go away. 'Till then, I'm pretty itchy for the 2WD Rancher.

 

Are you talking about the Rancher 4x4? or 4x2. The foreman is hard to turn compared to a lot of quads.

 

I'm referring to the Rancher 4X2. I've ridden Gordon's Honda 300 4X4, and it was easier to steer than the 450ES. The Honda 300 I borrowed was a 4X2, and was a pleasure to ride, easy to steer. I'm guessing that the Rancher 4X2 is at least as much fun, and maybe easier steering, 'tho I don't have personal experience with it. Hope this clears up what I was trying to say. Just my 2cents, of course. Your mileage may vary (YMMV).

 

okay I wanted to make sure you weren't asking about the Rancher 4x4 i've not ridden on of those...I have a Rancher 4x2 and a Recon. The Rancher is great it drives well like the Recon just somewhat bigger. I used to ride my friends Foreman and that thing would wear you out on trails. The main problem of course was the full time 4x4, They are hard to steer. My brother used a 99 polaris 500 4x4 the other weekend and he had to work hard to keep up with us on that thing too. Go for the Rancher, you will not regret it. It a mule on climbs and easy to ride.

 

THANKS FOR THE INFO-- I AM TALKING ABOUT A 4X4 RANCHER 5SPEED MANUEL SHIFT TO REPLACE MY POLARIS.MY FRIEND WHO HAS THE FOREMAN 450 4X4 SAYS IT BEATS HIM TO DEATH ON THE TRAILS.

 

I know this has nothing to do with the steering but as far as the ride of a 450es goes. A guy I rode with a couple of weeks ago rode a 450es. To make it ride better he takes the fronts shocks off and puts them on the rear and then uses either the front or rear (I can't remember which) off of a 400 foreman and put's them on the front. He say's it really improves the ride.

 

READ THE POST ON ATV 450ES AFTERMARKET PARTS