looking for reviews about the 2004 rancher 400 at. any pros or cons

 

The wife and I have one each for about 6 weeks now. We've been very pleased with them. Great ride, good on the trails, and plenty fast for us

By the way - where are you in Virginia??

 

Christiansburg

 

I am interested in this topic also. I would like to get another mid-size 4X4 sometime in the future, but there seem to be more than a few posts about electronic problems with Honda automatics. They also got dissed in the magazine shootout because of no low end power.

I am certainly not going to make a move until Honda announces the new models this fall. Rumor is that there will be a hot 4X4, true sport/ute in the 250 class, with an all new engine???? Dirt bikers are milking 30 hp out of little 250 engines, so it could happen.

 

Those engines also have a very low lifespan before needing a top end rebuild, so I doubt that Honda will put one in a utility quad as they pride themselves on reliability and longevity of use. Even with those hp numbers, you still have way more weight to pull on a Recon-like 4x4 quad than you do with a motocross dirtbike. Shaft-drives also take away a significant amount of hp and I wouldn't bet on Honda putting chain-drives on their utilities. If they try to lighten the quad up too much, this will also decrease reliability with more lightweight, weaker components.

 

but tell me about the rancher 400 at, is a good bike. I was hanging on to the idea of a yamaha kodiak 450 but I'm thinking about the rancher. any thoughts

 

I don't know that I was suggesting we are going to see a high reving CRF250 engine in this machine, but rather just that big horsepower can be had from a little mill!

I would like to imagine something that handles like a medium size sport bike, but has selectable 4X4 when needed. The Wolverine idea, just 100 lbs. lighter, and with very sport worthy suspension. It would break open a whole new market segment! Most people don't need a big heavy work ute, but may live in a part of the country where 4X4 is sometimes needed. Best of both worlds! Then after the 250, they can bring on a 450.

Anybody who has ridden the Recon, knows what a kick it is. My kids ride the Recon in the desert, just like it's a sport machine. Even a 4X4 Recon with more power, would be a peach! But, the 250EX is just a Recon without racks (and 50 lbs. lighter!), so maybe we can expect something more like a 4X4 250EX????????