Hello all,

When I was younger and stupider, I had a friend who had a bunch of three- and four-wheelers that we used to tool around on. However, I have not been on an ATC or ATV in probably 12-13 years, and have never really had to do much work on them.

The reason for this post is to ask a couple questions, and get some opinions from people more wise than I am.

First question: When I was younger, the ATV's we used to run were 2 wheel drive only, however, I wish to use my new 4-wheeler for useful things too, like plowing, etc. I'm going to look at a 2003 Honda Rancher 4x4 ES tomorrow. Does anyone have any experience on how a (sorta) newbie would feel about this bike? Also keep in mind that I'm about 300 pounds when you respond.

Second question: I am aware of maintenance that needs to be done, but I can't seem to find anything that specifically states how often certain things should be done. Is there some sort of checklist of how often regular maintenance should be done?

Third Question: Though I'm primarily buying the bike for useful purposes, I do want a sorta sporty bike. I've heard mixed impressions about the 424 kit, but the overall consensus is that it makes the bike feel more sporty and nimble. Is this accurate, or am I reading this wrong?

Fourth Question: The bike I'm going to look at is the ES model, which has the pushbutton shift. For someone who's only experience is with a manual clutch and a foot pedal to shift, is this really difficult to get used to?

Is there anything specific that I'm not thinking of?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

-ET

 

Hi ET, question one...the Rancher is a great "sorta newbie" machine, however it may be physically a bit small for you, you'd be the best judge of that by sitting on it, taking a short ride, etc. You may look into a Foreman 450, they're a bit bigger. question two...both the owner's manual and shop manual have a maintainance chart with that kind of information. question three...lots of people on this forum seem to think the 424 kit is great. It's a valid option. I wouldn't put one on mine. I don't think they're much good for anything but doughnuts. I think the nylon strap and cable set up is kinda "hokey" and I think the Rancher is pretty sporty even in 4wd. question four...you'll have no problem getting used to the ES, it's easy as pie. good luck and welcome to the forums.

 

I thank you for your input.

As I said, I will be checking out the bike tomorrow afternoon. The person I'm buying it from is the husband of a co-worker that I trust and have known for a long time. The person who rode it is probably 8 inches taller than I am (though not as heavy), and he has said that he feels very comfortable on it. The idea for tomorrow is to take it for a ride and see how it feels. We live in the woods, and there's a foot of snow on the ground, so it should be a fun ride...

I am also leaning towards this bike because it appears to be a good deal. As I said, it's a 2003, but it was purchased in Late October/Early November of 2003 (end of model year), and it comes with a 48" plow and a 2000lb winch. Though we have not discussed a set price, the conversations we've had about the cost have been in the area of about $3500, which seems like a great deal from what I'm seeing at local shops and the Internet.

I also trust what I'm told of the history of this bike. I do know that it was tipped once in the snow shortly after they got it, but no damage was done to the bike, and they have been riding it since with no issues. There are usage scratches in it, but no broken plastic, and if my co-worker's car is any indication, all regular maintenance has been done on it as well. Basically the idea of selling this bike is that he wants something faster and sportier, and he just wants to sell it for enough money to pay off the loan on it, so he can get another loan for a faster bike.

Originally the bike wasn't even really for sale. It sorta just popped up in conversation that I was looking, and was looking to them for advice, and during the conversation she (my co-worker) had mentioned that her husband was thinking of upgrading, so I threw out the option of my possibly buying his current one, and it just kinda spawned from there.

I haven't definitely made my decision yet, but it seems like something that could work. Even if the bike is a little small, it will give me time to get used to being on an ATV again. After a year or two, I may look to sell this one and upgrade. At this point, I'm just keeping my options open... Maybe I can get my girlfriend interested in off-roading as well, and this could be a good bike for her...

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The idea of the 424 is basically the kid in me coming out... I miss the old days doing donuts in the sand, and running around a home-made track, and things of the such. It seems that it would be a little more difficult (aka less fun) to do those types of "sporty" things in 4wd. I know that a 4wd truck is less fun to "play" in than a vehicle that has the option of kicking out the rear end when you push the gas a little harder than is absolutely necessary [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

--

It's wierd. I'm almost scared to get on one after all this time. I've wanted one for years since I was a kid, because I remember how much fun they were, but I haven't been on one in soooooooo long... I feel like an anxious teenager again [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

We'll see how it turns out tomorrow..

-ET

 

Sounds like a great plan...good luck.

 

The Rancher is a good reliable quad. Basically the only maintanience would be an oil change and clean the air filter once in a while. I have a different opinion on the 424 Select. I rode my Wolverine for about 5 or 6 years WITHOUT the 424. When I put it on it was a whole different quad. It was easier to steer and handled better. I'm 40 years old, and after a long trail ride, I can feel the difference in when the quad was in 2WD or 4WD. My arms use to feel a little sore after a weekend of riding when the Wolverine was a 4WD ONLY quad. Of course this was after about 75 miles or so. When I got the 424, I didn't feel the soreness after a weekend of riding. Put it this way, why do most of the other 4x4 quads have selectable 2WD-4WD if there was no benefit. Sounds like a good deal. I'm sure you will have fun with that machine. Be forwarned though, you wil get the addiction and be moving up after a year or so.

 

Welp, the Rancher did not work out. Come to find out, they traded it in yesterday because they got a great deal on a Rincon. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

So I'm looking through the local classifieds, and have come up with a couple bikes I'm interested in, and wanted to get some opinions about them.

1) 1999 Kawasaki Prairie 400 4x4. Winch/Plow. Good Condition. $3200
2) 2002 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4. Winch/Toolbox. 300-400 miles. semi-auto. flipswitch 4x4. $3700
3) 2001 Honda Fourtrax Foreman 450 4x4. Very Little Use. $3800
4) 2001 Yamaha Wolverine 350 4x4. Comes with 2 new extra rims and tires. $3500
5) 2002 Polaris Scrambler 4x4. Unknown Motor Size. $3500

My current preference based on the limited specs I can find is that I'm leaning towards #1, 2, or 3.

#1 kinda turns me off due to full auto tranny and it's age, but it comes with a plow already. Would still need a 424 kit I think.
#2 is a little more than i wanted to spend, but will try to talk them down to get within price range. selectable 2wd/4wd is definitely a plus here.
#3 is also a little more than I wanted to spend, and I'd still have to put a plow/winch on it afterwards, plus a 424 kit.

Unfortunately, I just don't know enough about current bikes to make an educated decision. My primary concerns are
1) Power (plowing and towing)
2) Reliability (don't wanna be fixing it every week)
3) Fun Factor (for when plowing and Towing are done)
4) Snow Worthiness (We get 3 months of snow up here)
5) Speed (don't want something that can't get out of it's own way - esp since I'm 300 lbs.)

I hope someone can help me clear some of these things up, so I can make some phone calls tomorrow [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Thanks

-Et

 

Of the ones you have mentioned, the 450 honda sounds the best. Dead reliable, lots of low end torque, and a definet workhorse. Its not gonna notice how much you weigh. Is it an es or s? Button shift or foot shift?
You may want to ride a season or two, before you decide on the 424. If you like burning down the trail, and powersliding( which it will do in 2wd), then its fun to have two wheel drive. But if youre mostly working with it, and going in the snow, youll probably be in 4wd all the time anyway. That honda has a very good torque sensing front diff, it works when it should and doesnt add to the steering resistance very much. The honda also has a primer and a heater in the carb, two things youre gonna want in the winter. 3800 is fair. Itll go about 45 to 50 mph, which is plenty fast.
That kawi isnt going to have compression braking...that was fine 6 years ago, but kind of a handicap now.
The polaris is way more sporty than utility. Doesnt sound like what youd want.
Good luck, and welcome to the forums.

 

You don't need a 424 kit on the Foreman if it's the one I'm thinking of. You should be able to select between 4wd and 2wd with a switch on the bars. It is a Traxlock model right? If it's the bike I'm thinking of, it's not full time 4x4.

Also on the Prarie, you wouldn't need a 424 either. I'm pretty sure it has selectable 2w/4wd.

 

I'm thinkin it's 02 they added the selectable 2 or 4 switch. With the switch also came self diagnostics on the ES (again pretty sure that's 02). Not much good if everything is working right, but from the techs point of view it's a way good thing. It wouldn't keep me from buying a nice 01 though.

 

Not sure what the nylon strap is on a 424. But the price of a 424 alone is worth the ease of steering. Not always fighing the right pull on solid or hard surfaces. My kids never liked riding it because it would tire their arms out. Mine to. All 4x4's should come with a disconnect, something my other quad has had on it since the model came out in 1990. 4x4 diff lock to.