I am looking to purchase my FIRST atv. I am quite interested in the 04 Rancher AT, but a dealer salesman told me that because the Rancher AT is not liquid cooled that the heat buildup from the Hondamatic transmission will cause the engine to run hotter than a liquid cooled unit like the Rubicon or Rincon. He told me that this excessive heat will cause possible premature engine failure/problems. He suggested I look at the Yamaha Kodiak in that its transmission has been used and tried for years. Any experienced Honda people/mechanics out there that can prove him wrong? Or is this something to think about?? I AM a bit nervous about new technology.

PLEASE help.... Thanks

 

A couple things yes the rancher at is aircooled. However it uses and oil cooler and a fan on it so your oil temp will be brough down considerably and if thigns start to over heat the fan will jsut kick on. As for teh "new" technology in a atv...The hondamatic transmission(which is essential an oil pump) has been in honda lawnmowers and snowblowers for over 10 years now. Not only that,that transmission was first used by honda in motorcycles in the 70's and some of their cars. So when your guys says the kodiak has a "used and tried for years" tranny he is right but so does the honda. Plus you wont ever have to worry about flatspotting or slipping a belt.

 

The tran out of the Rancher AT is not at all like the tran used in hydrostatic lawnmowers or snowblowers. It has been used in mass production on the Rubicon since 01 though. It sounds to me like the sales guy was blowing smoke up your a$$ not2busy, not that the Kodiak isn't a good machine. Being a long time Honda tech (18 years), I have complete faith in Honda's air cooled engines, and very little faith in sales people who make unsubstantiated engineering claims. Maybe he stands to make more off the Kodiak, or ordered too many. Anyway, you gotta question his motives. I too am a bit nervous about new technology, but the Rancher AT isn't exactly ground breaking. I haven't seen any break so far. You could opt for the extended warranty if you need some peace of mind.