Noticed that in '08 the Rancher is no longer a 400 with the hondamatic transmission. They went to a 420cc engine vs the 400cc and the transmission is only available in a 5 spd ESP. Anyone know why? Was there a problem with the hondamatic transmission? Just wondered if I should get the 2008 420 Rancher or the 2007 400 rancher with full automatic trans w/ ESP. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank You.

 

Dud...get the 420! It has a snappy water cooled and fuel injected engine. Good suspension and great handling. I would avoid the ES shifting however...lots of post in here about ES problems! The 420 is the absoute best value for your $$$ of any quad on the market!

Not sure why they discontinued the 400AT. I always thought the automatic transmission was a needlessly complex solution to a problem that didn't even exist. It has a reputation for lacking low end power (something you won't say about the 420!)...maybe it just wasn't selling because the price was to high compared to the Rancher 350. Who knows.

I know Honda's market research tells them that newbie folks would like an automatic trans, but the Rancher 350 was the all time best selling quad worldwide, so obviously lots of folks out there don't mind doing their own shifting!!!

 

Thank You for the reply. A friend of mine has the 07 Rancher 400AT. Does well, doesn't really seem to lack power, but I hear ya about the automatic / ESP. Every quad I have owned has had a manual shift trans with zero issues. I just cant see where 20cc's diff from the the 400 to the 420 is that much of a differnence in performance.

 

Its more than just 20cc. Its fuel injection liquid cooled new engine that makes a lot more power.

 

There isn't an auto trans in existence that is as efficient as a manual....there is always going to be some power lost running any auto trans because it isn't direct gear-on-gear drive like a manual.

You are going to get a whole lot more machine with the 420, and probably at a better price!

 

I owned a 400 AT for 6 months. Sold it because it lacked power!!! Honda doesn't usually quite making a model after 4 years. How many years did they make the 350 rancher?? Do a google search for Rancher 400 AT & see what comes up.
The 420 is twice the machine

 

Hello

I have been reading this forum for some time but this is my 1st post.

I have had the same Rancher 4x4 ES for almost 8 years. I too was concerned about the ES, but it has never missed a lick. No, it is not as fast as the bigger quads, but in the tight going, it is great. I watched a 650 Prairie lose control of his machine due to too much right thumb and he was taken away by ambulance. I dont know I need more power than my little Rancher has. Oh, and BTW- I have never not been able to get to any place where the larger quads can get to- and often, with a lot less work. I think I will just keep what I got. Hard to mess with success.