A note for you prospective Rancher buyres: Just got the June issue of ATV action. The Rancher finished dead last in a 300 class 4X4 shootout, because the ES shifting mechanism on the test bike FAILED. They said, "this is the third electric-shift we've had problems with".

They also said, "It's a shame, because the Rancher is one of the better performing machines in the shootout. Based on our testing, we'd recommend the foot-shift Rancher 350 in a minute".

 

I don't know what they did to screw up the ESP on that Rancher, but all the ESP systems I've seen have been nothing but solid.

 

I know a few people that like the ES but it would have to be foot shift for me.

 

They did comment that they had not had problems with the ESP on the auto transmission bikes like the Rubicon and Rincon, but rather on the manual trans bikes.

 

Any utility I own, would have to be foot shifter. No auto or electric shift.

 

Imagine that hey reconranger? Honda hasn't heard the last of this issue, there will be some very upset Honda owners. Really too bad because I have owned Honda's since my Z50 in 1974. Now, I really am doubting the product.

Spud

Thanks for the article !

 

Here we go again!! Wouldn't own a "foot shift" ATV. I know we would be less likely to have a problem with one, but who cares. We have an ES Rancher and have not had a single problem. If we did, we would limp it home, have our Honda dealer repair it, pay him, and be on our way. And still be happy we didn't buy a foot shifted ATV.

You have just about convinced me to take out my power steering, auto trans, power windows, power brakes, electronic ignition, fuel injection, air-conditioning, and every other "convenience" option in all our vehicles too! Maybe I will buy a Model T.

 

Curious..........what other quads were teted and how did they rank?

Any other issues with them?

Thanks,

Slim

 

I don't know what they did to mess up the esp. My friend has a rancher with 7,000 miles on it and it's an es and he hasn't had any problems. OH well!!

 

The dealership I work at has sold literally hundreds of 350ES's over the years. Overall they've been very reliable and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one. I can't say we never see problems, but nearly always, especially with the self-diagnostics on the newer ones, they are easy to fix, and relatively cheap. I've also seen shifting problems with foot shift Ranchers. You can apply enough force with your foot to damage the tran linkage, but not with the electric shift. This type of problem requires engine cover removal and is usually more time consuming to fix than ESP problems.