ok this is the deal... i was looking to get a rancher but lately i have been on the speed side... being more interested in sport quads. so my decision is between a 400 ex and a 350 rancher. but the only thing is where i ride at is alot of mud holes with a little trails and jumps. so would a 400 ex be a bad choice because of the mud? there is alot of dry spots for sport bikes to. i live in new orleans louisiana and i dont think they have many dunes around here so i dunno what to pick? i will probably stick to the rancher but help me change my mind.. thanks. list the pros and cons of both bikes.

 

Well, if you want a sport quad and a utility quad, common sense says to get a sport utility. If you want speed and 4 wheel drive, and don't mind it not being a honda, look at a wolverine for a manual shift, or a scrambler for an auto. If you want to sick with Honda, I dunno. i have ridden both quads and like both of them. It's really up to you, you can have fun on both machines.

 

You may like a KFX700. They have nice ground clearance and theyre automatic like a utility and have shaft drive so you dont have to worry about your bearing carrier to go out if you put it in mud.

 

The Rancher is sporty enough to satisfy me for mountain trail riding. But, out bashing big desert whoops, nothing but a sport bike with aftermarket suspension will do!

 

yeah i was kinda leaning towards a 400 ex... its just if my dad will let me get one. thanks for the replys. if i do get the ex then what if there is mud i have to go through.. will it mess the bike up?

 

Don't think it will mess it up but you may spend more time towing the ex out of the mud by someone elses Rancher. This is a real tough choice that I just had to make as well and I went with the Rancher AT whch is 2wd and 4wd to give you a more sporty ride or dig you out of trouble if you need it. Also, it is fully automatic if you want a relaxing trail ride or electric shift if you want to make it perform your way.

I test rode a Honda 450 sport, then a Suzuki Z400, then stepped on the AT and was immediately sold on the AT, but everyone is different - depends on if you want to really work the trails with a lot of speed with less demanding terrain or go where you want with a little less speed/sport.

Also, having reverse may or may not make a difference to you. Some of the trails we ride have switchbacks that require it or you would have to get off and pick it up and move the bike around - which is not a big deal to some folks.

I wish there was a more sporty looking, good ground clearance, 4wd, with reverse and electric start for us older farts.

By the way - the Honda 450 sport was by far a better ride than the Z400 - I didn't ride the ex - but the AT was smooooooth

Only my opinion as a new owner with my 2 weeks of experience with ATVs so best of luck to you on your choice - ride them if you haven't yet, that helped me the most.

 

i like my ex, i just got a 2003 ex like maybe a week ago and i like it, plenty of power, and it goes thru mud, its a lot funner to, i would go with the ex or for a utlity, the grizzly 660 by yamaha, its awsome 2wd and 4wd with button switch and has so much power