I have a rancher At and really liked the hondamatic for trail ride with family. Now when it comes to packing out elk & deer or riding in the really steep mountains or climbing in snow around here i need more. The tranny just won't pull me through when i need it. In esp it is ok, but alot of times where we ride you have to creep along a side hill ( hanging off the side so ya don't roll) and then punch it to climb out top of revine. So foot shifter or esp does not work for me. I wish it had a low range. So now wife is taking over the 400 AT, and i going to buy something more suited for my style of riding.

How is the ride on the 05 rubicon? Do they have alot more power then 400 AT? I was also looking at mabye kodiak 450, but doent know if irs will work well on steep side hills. I'm 6'4' 240lbs, but like mid sized atv's so i can get around in all the tight spots we ride. We ride are atv just like are mtn sleds. We side hill from point to point. Would like more ground clearence, but knoe if irs is the answer.

Was thinking rubicon with 26" Atr's on stock rims might be the way to go. If a little more umf was needed mabye a pipe. I have not got to ride new rubion or kodiak yet because dealer does not have them set up yet. Still to much snow up where dealers at.

Any advice you could give would be great.

 

ive ridden a 2000 or 2001 (cant remember) rubicon. they are sweet, dont know about the newer ones but this one that i rode had all-time 4x4,esp, i think it had low range, and gobs of power, well at least for me..very good machines

 

Powerfull machine, workhorse, tough... Go for it.

 

What abount the ride on the 05 rubicon. Is it any better then 04 rancher At

 

they say the rubicon is the caddy of hondas.
im very happy with mine and im sure that the new rubicons are better.
if i dident have a 04 honda i would get the 05 in a hartbeat.
there is no doubt in my mind that the honda is a better quad then the kodiac.
kodiac is the quad of the year but thats because of it new irs but i still think the rube will do everything the kod will do and more and it also has more power and no belt to service.
honda has one of the best transmissions on the market today and theres not much gos wrong with them.
ive herd of a few trannys on the honda screw up but not as much service requiered as the belts.
and you dont need to change the springs in the clutches to get more life and lees ware out of your belt.\
like i said befor honda rules and the rest drool.
i like my kawi but for just tooling around the honda is a easyer quad to ride.
but when i want power torque and to do some serious mudding and hill climbing its the cow.
the kawi has way more power and is a better mudder and hill ripper.
but the honda is as smoot as silk and does everything the cow does but in a differant manner.
its still a great quad and i wouldent trade it for nothing.
i love my honda and i know i will always get home with it.
honda is still #1 in my books.

 

Thanks for the input. Is the esp 1st gear in low range really low. Like say as low as are rancher 350? I know i just need to ride one but they won't be any in for a month.

Thanks for your help

zed

 

yes its very low.
you can walk faster.

 

I have an 02 rubicon with 26x10 and 26x12 gators on stock rims.I can easily pull a whole elk or moose if necessary.The high/ low range transmission makes towing or hauling heavy loads much easier.The 05 rubicons have disc brakes on the front and part time 4x4 and supposedly ride smoother.

 

hey zed i saw your post in the yamahahaha forum.
so what do you think about what they had to say.

 

Over there a bruin 350 could out work a rubicon. I was just hoping to get some more insight on my choices. I just want to make sure i get the best atv for my porpuse of use. We only have had honda and polaris around here, and i know the other brands might have some good points that i didn't want to over look before my next purchase. Polaris was a good work horse for ranch, but to big and heavy for my needs from this next atv. At least ya all seem to be decent over here. Would still like to know if 05 rubicon rides same or better then rancher AT. Thanks guys.

ZED