Hey all, this past weekend I purchased my first ATV; a 2005 Honda Rancher 350 4x4. So far I love it, but I have a few questions for you veteran Honda owners:


Mostly I will be going through trails and moderate-heavy mud, I was told that the honda's power output (because of how the engine is mounted in relation to the driveshaft) is roughly the same as other brands (yamaha, suzuki) 400cc quads, should I be able to go through the mud like say a big bear or an eiger 400?

I plan to get tires to even up the playing field if it will get stuck in places that a big bear or an eiger would. I was planning on either 25" Outlaws or 25" Mud Lites. Opinions?

Did I make the right choice?

Thanks!!

 

You made a good choice. I have an 04 AT and love it. As far as tires go. Buy the 26 inch Mudlites on type C wheels. You'll lose a little power on the top end but it's worth it.

 

Yours will go where the other s do to. Alot of it is the rider also. I went riding in a group about 2 months ago and actualy could go where my friends praire 660(?) could not and he even had 26 in muldlites on he just didnt have the ground clearance. Very happy after that ride, cause I thought I had a "little" quad. My friends rode it and they have vinsons and said they vouldnt believe the power the 350 had. Just wish the dumbasses at honda would of put a handlebar headlight on it. What where you guys thinking?(honda)

 

The Rancher is a great machine. I had an 01 350 ES 4x4 for the ranch and play and my aunt like mine so much she bought a new 03 and uses it to plow and haul feed. I agree with the 26" mudlites. I put a set on my 350 and while there was noticeable power loss the abilities of the tires and handling after were very much worth it.

 

You'll love your Rancher. It is very capable and its light weight gives it an advantage in the mud. As far as your choices in tires, the Outlaw made by Highlifter is probably the most capable, purely mud tire on the market. If you are doing 95 % + of your riding in the mud, it is your tire. It would be the equivalent of driving a tank on a hard-packed trail. In addition to the MudLite, check out the following tires: MudBug, 589, SuperSwamper and Vampire. Many would agree that one of the best all around mud/trail tires is the Goodyear Mudrunner, however it is pricer than many of its competitors. 25" is a good choice in size for the Rancher. You can go up to 26" in the more aggressive tires, but to retain bottom-end grunt you will need to install appropriate jetting, exhaust, and high-flow filter.

 

Good luck with new machine and always wear your helmet. I have 25" Kenda Bearclaws on my 2x4 Rancher and they are great. I ride with Vinsons, Sportsmans and Prairies, all 4x4 and I go 98% where ever they go. Chances are if I get stuck they will too. Last time we rode, it took the Prairie and Vinson to pull out the Sportsman...I made it through. HONDA ROCKS!!!!!!

 

Thanks for all the responses guys!! I took it out today for around 3 hours or so on some nice trails and some pretty thick mud. It went through the mud with ease until I got cocky and stopped in a deep mud pit and got stuck. It was DEEP. I guess i'll have to get tires sooner than later. With good 26" tires it should get me through that mud with ease huh? I'm breaking it in according to http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm that article, and plan to take it in for its first service after roughly 10 hours. This weekend I plan to go 4 wheelin with a 2002 Big Bear with 28" Outlaw tires, so we'll see how I do!

 

Congratulations. You will enjoy the Rancher. We enjoy ours.

Take care of it and don't abuse it and it will last forever.


PS - - Don't stop when you are in a mud hole. Keep the wheels spinning. Stopping in mud generally requires a tow rope and ribbing from your friends.

 

What size 26" tires should I get? I'm either going to get Gator, OUTLAW, or Mud Lite tires. Will I be able to turn a 26" rim without too much power loss? Should I be able to go everywhere the 2002 Big Bear with 28" OUTLAW's? THANKS!