Here's the deal I am buying a quad this weekend and I have the option of a 2001 Rancher 4x4 ES or a 2000 Foreman S 4x4 for about the same price...$5300. It will be used recreational 95% of the time and I will be carrying my wife around too (only one quad)!!What's your opinion?
Can't wait till the weekend!

 

It sounds like the Rancher would work well for you. With the Rancher, you will have the new AP differential to lighten the steering effort. You will also have the ES shifting. Unless you need the extra HP of the 450 for utility work, I would go with the 350.

 

I have a Rancher ES. The electric shift and LCD display is great and the quad has plenty of power. I have front and rear basket racks that are frequently loaded way beyond the recomended load limit and I almost always have two or more onboard. Two of my parters have a foreman, one a 400 and one a 450s. Both are great quads, but they both wish they would have gotten Electric shift.

Tough choice though, the 450s really does have more grunt and the stock tires are more aggresive than the rancher's Bridgestones.

Good luck!

 

Tough call…I would have to go with the Foreman 450 myself. You'd mentioned that your wife will be riding with you. The 450's are a much larger in size compared to the rancher. Better for carrying a passenger.

As for the ES it's your call. I myself don't care for it. Not that there's any problems with it, It's just difficult to get used to. I find my foot is constantly looking for the toe shifter. One plus side to the ES is the nifty floorboards. But you can buy this form an after market supplier to.

 

the foremans are much larger than the ranchers????? not. only the motors. the rancher is actually longer than the foreman. side by side they are nearly identecal.....size wise. The rancher is the better quad, in my opinion. It has better trail manners, a better differential, ES, floorboards, LCD...the list goes on. I frequently double my girlfriend and the rancher has never needed more power.

my vote is the rancher 4x4 ES

both or bulletproof quads.

happy decision making
cart

 

Yes, the Rancher is longer. Does this make it a bigger quad? I don't think so. Over all weight difference is 51 pounds, 104cc bigger it's also larger in width, over all height and wheelbase. Although the measurements are not huge, they contribute to an overall larger quad.

Don't get me wrong I think they are both great and have different advantages. The Rancher has better ground clearance and sharper turning radius.

As for the differential. What's the difference? The Rancher has a torque sensing differential and the Foreman has limited slip.

The only other difference I see is the Foreman has a 2 rear shocks which in my opinion would make a better ride for single or 2-up riding enjoyment.

 

The dealer told us the 450 had a better ride when we went in the showroom to look at them. I got the 350 and my buddy got the 450. When we got out in the woods the difference in ride is unbeleivable, he still kicking himself in the BUTT for not getting the 350. As for power we tried every kind of race you could possibly try and can see no difference, even 2 up. Unless he got a lemon"""""

 

Get The Rancher.

 

In the Foreman's favor:

1) better ride
2) more stable
3) more power

for the Rancher

1) tighter handling
2) better front end
3) lighter

The two quads have roughly the same top end ( 51 - 52) but the Foreman has more stuff getting there.

Temp

 

I have owned both the 400 and the 450 Foremans. I have been pleased with both. But, the 350 Rancher looks real good, and if I was buying right now, I would probably buy the Rancher, as it is about $800 less. But , if you can get the Foreman for the same price, go for it! You won't be sorry, which ever one you decide on! Good luck.